Vantage World Travel

New Golden Land - 9D/8N

The unique Pandaw river expedition concept evolved in Burma from the vestiges of the colonial Irrawaddy Flotilla Company. The ships were built in Burma we learned to master river navigation at its worst. These lessons were applied to the other rivers of Asia. Burma, after 1987 renamed by the regime Myanmar, is the largest mainland South-East Asian country and with the greatest variety of scenery from Himalayan peaks to tropical beaches. We have yet to meet a visitor to Burma who does not feel that this is the most beautiful, friendly and culturally interesting Asian country ever visited. Most of the population lives in three great river valleys encircled by impenetrable horseshoes of mountains. River life dominates the country and still to this day forms the main system of transportation, irrigation and from its rich fishing grounds the principal protein source for the majority of the population. In the great Chindwin, Irrawaddy and Salween valleys two millennia of Buddhist art, architecture and archaeology survive, including of course the 3000 standing monuments at Pagan. There is no other Asian country with so vast and varied a range of cultural sites. Almost everywhere there are temples and monasteries, festivals and ceremonies. The Burmese are a deeply pious people and Buddhist activities dominate every aspect of life. The Burmese are a very warm and friendly people who since Independence in 1947 have suffered terrible impoverishment and deprivation. We do our best to support the local domestic economy and make sure our suppliers and contractors are small local businesses. We are very careful to make sure our clients’ money falls into the right hands. Sanctions and the politically correct refusal of most NGOs and international charities to work in the country has served to exacerbate deprivation and entrench the regime further. Passengers that visit Burma develop an emotional connection to the area. They have funded the building of many area schools and made outstanding contributions after Cyclone Nargis struck in 2008. Most of the Burmese our passengers encounter tend to agree with this assumption. These cruises are the most acclaimed luxury vacations on the Irrawaddy river.

This is a very different travel experience. Sailing through the heart of ‘Middle Myanmar’ we pass through a varying landscape - from the lush teak plantations around Prome to the desert country south of Pagan. We visit a number of small villages and towns and see local agriculture and manufacturing at first hand. These places are remote from the modern world and offer a glimpse of a timeless, lost Myanmar far from the usual tourist track. We also visit a number of old monasteries and temples of art historical interest in this the cultural heartland of old Myanmar.

Departures: The 20th of each month, October & November and January & February

The Pandaw II

Built: 2001. Safety: Smoke detectors in all cabins and public places, emergency lighting and generator, fire pump, hydrants and hoses, fire extinguishers, life jackets for all on board and life rafts. Amenities: On board laundry, bakery, fully equipped galley and
refrigeration units; air conditioning for all inside areas.

Itinerary

• Day 1 Mandalay, Ava and Amarapura - Embark on the Pandaw at your convenience at Mandalay Gawein Jetty. 1000 we depart by coach to tour central Mandalay visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and Shwe-im-bin teak carved monastery and Mandalay Hill for sunset. We stop to see tapestry making and other traditional crafts. Ship moves to Amarapura where we rejoin the ship for lunch. In afternoon we explore the ancient capitals of Ava and Amarapura by coach or sampan visiting the teak Bagaya Kyaung, Menu Ok-kyaung and crossing the U Bein Bridge.
• Day 2 Yandabo Potteries and Oh Ne Kyaung Village - Yandabo is a very small rural village that specialises in pot making. We visit the Pandaw School and the new dispensary both built with past donations from Pandaw passengers. In the evening we cross the river to visit Oh Ne Kyaung, a very different village where we hope to build another school attached to the local monastery.
• Day 3 Pagan Monuments - We tour a selection of the 3,000 listed monuments in this important World Heritage Site. Afternoon further explorations of Pagan and vist lacquer workshops.



• Day 4 Tan Kyi Taung Mountain and Sale - Ascend Tan-chi-taung mountain by foot or by WWII jeep for the spectacular sunrise over Pagan. Sail downstream to Sale. In afternoon we here visit a number of teak monasteries including the Yout-saun-kyaung with its spectacular wood carvings; we also explore an area of splendid colonial-style houses.
• Day 5 Taung Ba Lu School and Magwe Gold Bricks - If river conditions permit, morning visit to Taung Ba Lu School project sponsored by Noble Caledonia and Pandaw Cruises. Afternoon we climb the river bank and wend our way through a labyrinth of passages and paths to reach the magnificent Myat-thalon Pagoda. This pagoda is constructed with solid gold bricks. Of interest are the many nat shrines and hermitages within the temple precincts.
• Day 6 Minhla Forts - Minhla and Gwechaung - we visit the two Italian built forts constructed to keep the British at bay from Royal Myanmar. We climb the Gwechaung hill for the view. These were captured by the British in the 3rd Anglo Myanma War. The fight for the Minhla redoubt was the only serious action in the war and the death of a young subaltern inspired Kipling to write a poem. Gwechaung, the more impressive of the forts was captured from the rear before the Myanma could turn the guns around.
• Day 7 Thayetmyo Frontier Post - This pleasant colonial town once guarded the border between Royal Myanmar and British Myanmar following the 2nd Anglo Myanma War of 1855, many of the buildings including the covered market date from this period. Thayet also boasts the oldest golf course in Myanmar (1885) said by the locals to be reciprocally clubbed with the Royal & Ancient St Andrews (however when we mentioned this in an early brochure we received a curt note from the R&A Secretary denying any such association). Outside the town is an extensive war cemetery where Turkish prisoners of war were laid to rest. Captured in Iraq, the Turks were transported to labour camps in Myanmar where they died in their hundreds of malaria. In the town itself we visit the market, see the colonial houses and ride out by horse cart to see the countryside and golf links.
• Day 8 Prome and Ancient Pyu - Visit the 5th-8th century archaeological site of Thiri-ya-kittiya, former centre of the Pyu civilization with a fascinating museum of early Buddhist artifacts and sculpture.
• Day 9 Prome to Rangoon - Disembark and transfer to Rangoon (included in cost of cruise) for drop at your designated hotel.

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