Highlights

  • Enjoy the luxurios services and facilities onboard Sanctuary Ananda Cruise.
  • Learn more about the monastic life and teaching at Sagaing Hills
  • Pay a visit to “The City of Immortal” - Amarapura and enjoy the magnificent sunset at the world's longest teak bridge U Bein.
  • Explore the rustic local life and traditional handicrafts in Pakokku
  • Get lost in the masisive archaeological complex of over 2,000 stupas in Bagan
  • Contemplate the beauty of Inle Lake and Pindaya Buddha's cave
  • Indulge in the amazing beach break in Ngapali.
  • Admire the gorgeous beauty of Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.

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Itinerary

Even though the former society with time - horned temples, tiled houses and plain transportation had conceded to the sleek skyscrapers, machine and motorized vehicles of the modern life, but it seems that the history still lives on in Mandalay- the last Burmese Royal capital. Being in this wealthy culture of the city, it is undeniable that its ancient beauty would capture your spirit.

Upon your arrival at Mandalay airport, transfer to the hotel in the city center (for an hour). Checking in and relax (early check - in is upon availability, the room is provided from 14.00).

To start the day, take a short visit to the spotlights of Mandalay. Our guide will arrive at your hotel at 8 a.m and we shall start our sightseeing trip at 9 a.m.

The first place of interest of the day is Mahamuni pagoda, spend a short time there before discover the Shwenandaw Monastery. It is the majestic teak wood monastery that survived for a long time through history. Turn to the next destination, meet the glittering Kuthodaw Stupa. Under the sunlight, the sparkling gold covered of the outtter surface makes the stupa noticeable even from far away. The special feature of this pagoda is that it is surrounded by 729 white marble slabs filled with Buddha teachings, for this reason, it becomes the World’s largest book.

At 12:30 pm, embark on Sanctuary Ananda Cruise at Gaw Wein Jetty.

While the ship cruises towards the glamorous Sagaing Hill, lunch will be served on board. In the afternoon, spend time at the special Monastic school and the local orphanage. Right there, you will have a chance to interact with the indigenous people and get knowledge of Buddha teachings.

Then, we climb to the hill top to get to Soon U Ponya Pagoda. Best view over the river of Irrawaddy and the captivating vista of surrounding areas are absolutely pleasing.

After that, we will arrive in the previous capital city of Burma: Amarapura which is best known for “The City of Immortal”. The city used to be home for approximately 200,000 people when it was in its prosperous time. On the longest world’s teak bridge of U-Bein, enjoy the stunning sunset and cheer for the end of the day tour.

Enjoy your dinner while watching the traditional show on the Sanctuary Ananda.

On the Sanctuary Ananda cruise, start your day by reaching to the gorgeous Sin Kyun village in the North of Mandalay where Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy raises a fund to support the local community. Tourists can decide as their favor to explore a part of local life in our provided optional tour.

Next, we continue cruising southwards to Mingun where to admire the enormous uncompleted stupas located on the bank of the river.

Enjoy your tasty lunch on board. In the afternoon, many interesting activities will take place like the longyi wearing or thanaka applying demonstration. Dinner time comes later.

Attending the cooking class in the morning with professional chefs. Before that, you shall accompany with one chef to Pakokku local market to collect fresh and clean ingredients for our recipe.

Enjoy your lunch on board. After that, travel to the pagoda complex to catch the images of various stupa shapes. Then, turn to Shwezigon Pagoda, which is told to has conserved Gautama Buddha’s relics of 2 bones and a copy tooth.

Before the day ends, immerse in the best moment of the gorgeous sun setting over the ancient land of Bagan.

Today, get ready for an interesting sightseeing around the historical land of Bagan when you finished your breakfast. Starting with Ananda temple - the most beautiful temple in the archaeological complex.

Lunch will be served at Popa mountain resort, where provides an ideal spot to overlook the Mt. Popa. Next, climb 777 stairs up to the top of the mountain where a glistering monastery located. During your way, be pleased with natural green plants on the sides and the scene of giving offerings of the pilgrims.

Back to the ship to contemplate the magnificent sunset from the sundeck of Sanctuary Ananda Cruise. Dinner with romantic candles' light is ready on Bagan sandbank.

Amazing things are waiting for you ahead on this last day in Bagan. Enjoy your breakfast and disembark the ship at Taung Phi port at 9 a.m. There, you will be picked up for a sightseeing tour around Bagan. 

First, browsing in a bustling local market before visiting spectacular temples of Bagan, such as the pagoda of Shwezigon and Gubyaukgyi – the famous cave temple of breathtaking mural paintings.

Lunch on your expense. In the afternoon, we will pay a visit to a lacquerware workshop and witness how they make such amazing products.

Afterwards, you will depart for an exploration to some famous Bagan temples. Dhammayangyi temple is stunning as always with gigantic size and fantastic architecture. Then, the delicate adornments of Sulamani Stupa would impress you from the first glimpse.

Relax and arrive in the Shwesandaw pagoda, enjoy the sunset turns into orange lights over the pagoda complex of Bagan.

Transfer to the hotel for checking - in. Overnight stay at the hotel in Bagan.

OPTIONAL: Balloon ride over Bagan is considered as the best way to admire the massive scale of the temple plain and the mighty Irrawaddy river in the break of dawn. The experience is on your own expense.

You will be picked up and transferred to the airport for a flight to Heho airport where to visit the tranquil lake of Inle.

Upon your arrival, ready for a drive to the remarkable Pindaya cave of thousands of Buddha statues. After that, you will finally reach the second biggest lake in Myanmar. This is where you immerse yourself in the idyllic and peaceful air.

Check - in at the hotel and stay one night in Inle Lake.

After you finish your breakfast, the exhilarating boat trip on Inle Lake will kick off.

During the trip, captivating landscape of lush floating gardens, local stilt houses and the image of one leg rowing fishmen are extraordinary to watch.

Following next, the incredible size and stunning architectures of the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda is worth spending time. The stupa also preserves the five holy golden Buddha images. Our next stop is Nga Hpe Kyaung or so - called "Cat monastery". In the past, there were many cats here raised and trained by the monks to jump through hoop. Nowadays, there only a few but the monastery still worth visiting for the impressive 19th century Buddha images and wood carvings. The last destination is Nan Pan village, which is famous for producing cheroots (Burmese cigar), cotton and lotus silk.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Stay one night in Inle Lake.

Our trip starts at 8:30 a.m this morning to the one of the kind market in Inle Lake: the “5-Day Market”. This is where traders from all over the neighboring areas of Inle Lake come to sell their merchandises. Therefore, the market is always bustling and vibrant with the locals in their traditional costume and all kind of exotic products.

After lunch, keep on the trip to Indein, where hundreds of crumbling temples are found among the lush plants. It is wonderful to explore the complex and its fresh air.

You shall be at your hotel in the late afternoon. Stay one night in Inle Lake.

After your breakfast, you will be pick up and transfer to Heho airport for your departure flight to Thandwe. By the time you arrive, our driver shall take you to the resort in Ngapali beach for checking in.

A well - deserved rest on your schedule today is lying on the beach of the Bay of Bengal. Lunh and dinner are on your expense. Overnight stay at the resort in Ngapali Beach.

A well - deserved rest on your schedule today is lying on the beach of the Bay of Bengal.  Lunh and dinner are on your expense. Overnight stay at the resort in Ngapali Beach.

Transferred to Thandwe airport for the flight to Yangon. Upon your arrival, our driver will take you to your hotel for checking in. Enjoy your free time and stay for one night in Yangon.

Enjoy your breakfast, then at 8:30 a.m, you will be transferred to sightseeing the city of Yangon. After spending time at magnificent sacred pagoda of Shwedagon, be on a private car to the airport to catch your onward flight.

End of services!

Inclusions

  • Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room with daily breakfast 
  • 04 nights on Ananda Cruise 
  • 03 Regional flights: Bagan – Heho/ Heho – Ngapali/ Ngapali - Yangon
  • Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle
  • Boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Local English speaking guide
  • Meals where mentioned (B: breakfast; L: lunch; D: dinner)
  • Entrance fees
  • Water for activities (1 bottle per person per day)

Exclusions

  • International flight tickets
  • Myanmar visa
  • Single supplement surcharge
  • Other meals than mentioned
  • Other services than mentioned
  • Surcharge for Special Holidays (Christmas, New Year,…)
  • Drinks, other than water on activity days
  • Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip...)
  • Travel insurance

Trip Notes

Travel Time: Ananda Cruise is availble for booking  from October 2023 to April 2024 and October to December 2025 

Rooms are available from 14.00 on arrival day until 12.00 on departure day, room supplement charge will be added for request of early/late check in/out.

Airfares (if any) may change without notice prior to e-ticket issuance.

Land Tour for infants and children will be quoted as follow:

  • Children under 2 years old: Free of charge (Maximum 1 child under 2 years old travels with 2 adults; from the second child, 50% of the regular fare will be applied) 
  • Children from 2 to 5 years old: 50% of the regular fare will be applied
  • Children from 5 to 11 years old: 75% of the regular fare will be applied
  • Children from 12 years: 100% of the regular fare will be applied

Flights for infants and children will be quoted as follow:

Infants and Children under 12 years old: 85% of the adult fare will be applied

During Peak Season and special occasions, surcharges may be added to the price:

  • Christmas and New Year’s Eve: Compulsory meals would be added during these times of the years, depends on hotels or resorts you will stay overnight.
  • Easter Holidays 10 April – 12 April: Extra fee will be applied during holiday.
  • Myanmar's New Year 18 April - 20 April: Extra fee will be applied during holiday.

Visa requirements:

For Myanmar: You must have a valid passport and a visa to enter Myanmar. Visa on arrival is available for 6 countries (Italia, Spain, Russia, Australia, Germany, Switzerland). Visa-free travel (for 14 days) is permitted for tourists and business travelers from 7 countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philipines, Thailand, VietNam)

Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your planned stay, and you must have at least two blank pages for each visa stamp. Our consultant will be happy to advise you on visa requirement.

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