JOURNEYS

MYANMAR BY RIVER

- YANGON TO MANDALAY

Thursday 25 October - Saturday 10 November 2018

16 nights

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, one of

Buddhism's most sacred sites. Adorned

with 27 metric tons of gold leaf, along with

thousands of diamonds and other gems, it

is believed to enshrine eight hairs of the

Gautama Buddha as well as relics of

three former Buddha’s

• Observing the rhythms of daily life along

the Irrawaddy River constantly busy with

life unfolding before your eyes

• Visiting markets and cottage industries

with many opportunities to see the

production of local crafts

• The staggering imperial ruins of ancient

Bagan

• Cruising on the stately Pandaw II river ship

in a very comfortable and spacious

cabin

• Inle Lake’s unique way of life where the

Intha people base their communities

entirely on the water

TOUR OVERVIEW Myanmar is an exciting country to visit and this tour provides a very good introduction to a lesser-known part of

South East Asia. This will be the fourth time, Calder & Lawson Tours have taken this tour to Myanmar and the

feedback we have received is that this is the most beautiful, friendly and culturally interesting Asian country

people have visited. Travelling by river and taking advantage of the unique access this provides to smaller towns

and villages is a special feature. 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 people. In

the river valleys two millennia of Buddhist art, architecture and archaeology survive, including the 2200 standing

monuments at Bagan. The Burmese are a deeply pious people and Buddhist activities dominate every aspect of

life.

Sailing through the heart of ‘Middle Myanmar’ you will 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 period. You will also visit a number of old monasteries and temples of historical interest.

In addition, staying on board a boat that is very comfortable and welcoming is an excellent way to travel in

Myanmar. Pandaw Cruises have a proud sense of heritage, classic ships, a balanced itinerary, well trained guides,

friendly staff and delicious food and local beverages. Taking part in the tour supports the Company’s charitable

work in communities along the river and you will be able to visit some of the facilities supported by the

foundation.

We have included Inle Lake in this itinerary at the end of the cruise as it provides a contrasting experience and

people from our last tour urged us to include it as they felt it was too special and unique to miss.

In the watery world of Inle Lake, Intha fisherman row canoes with one leg, gardens float, and wooden homes

perch above the water on rickety stilts.

TOUR INCLUSIONS

• The services of a Calder & Lawson tour

manager

• Economy class airfares

• 1 nights accommodation in Singapore

• Meals as detailed in the itinerary

• 10 night’s accommodation on board RV Pandaw II

with all meals and beverages included

• 2 nights accommodation at Inle Lake

• 1 nights accommodation in Yangon

• Admission fees as detailed in the itinerary

• All tips and gratuities

TOUR EXCLUSIONS

• Airline taxes

• Travel insurance

• Personal expenses

• Meals and beverages not specified in the

itinerary

• Hotel porterage

TOUR PRICE Ex Auckland or Christchurch, share twin per person

Main Deck Cabin NZD $11,500

Single Supplement NZD $ 1,900

Single occupancy cabins are limited. Please contact Calder & Lawson Tours if you are interested in a single

occupancy cabin.

GROUP SIZE Minimum 10, maximum 16

VARIATIONS IN TRAVEL We can make arrangements for any travel you would like to do before or after this tour, or

book business class seats for the flights. Please contact us.

IS THIS TOUR FOR ME?

This trip is suitable for passengers of all fitness levels,

though reasonable mobility is required to enjoy all it

has to offer.

There are no lifts on the ship. River banks can be

steep and slippery when embarking and

disembarking the ship; there is always crew

assistance available if needed. Guests are welcome

to opt out of any excursion and relax onboard the

ship.

As the itinerary covers remote regions, it is not

suitable for passengers with serious medical

conditions.

YOUR SHIP - RV Pandaw II Built in 2001 in Yangon, the RV Pandaw II remains the

stately queen of the Pandaw fleet. Facilities include:

• Formal dining room, sun deck bar, upper deck

saloon bar, observation decks

• Library and gift shop

• All cabins have air conditioning control, multi

configuration plugs, en suite bathroom with

amenities, mini safe

• Motor coach for all off ship excursions

TOUR MANAGER

Kevin Palmer has worked for the Calder & Lawson group for the past seven years as the

accountant but also facilitating and leading large groups. At last count he has been to

more than 80 countries.

Kevin caught the travel bug while a student at the University of Waikato and for the past

twenty-five years has managed to incorporate his spirit of adventure and love of the new

and different into a career that has enabled him to live and work in the UK, United States,

Micronesia and now back in New Zealand. He has travelled extensively in South East Asia,

including visiting Myanmar.

His goal is to make your journey run smoothly, working with our local guides to ensure your

enjoyment and safety and getting the most out of what is sure to be an unforgettable trip

to a special part of the world.

DAILY ITINERARY Thursday 25 October 2018. Auckland - Singapore .

Depart today on your direct Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for your

overnight stay. (Meals in flight)

Friday 26. Singapore - Yangon.

An early morning departure for your flight to Yangon, the capital city of Myanmar. On arrival, have a short sight

seeing excursion to downtown Yangon. Enjoy your welcome dinner this evening. (Meals in flight/D)

Saturday 27. Yangon - Prome (Pyay).

Travel by coach to the 5th-8th century archaeological site of Thiri-ya-kittiya, the former centre of the Pyu

civilization. Board your Pandaw rivership in Prome. This will be your home for the next 10 nights. (B/D)

Sunday 28. Thayetmyo.

This colonial town once guarded the border between Royal Myanmar and British Myanmar following the second

Anglo Myanmar 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). Visit the market, see the colonial houses and ride out by

horse cart to the golf course, passing through the former British botanical garden. Walk to Maubin’s bustling market

and surrounding city area. Explore the Delta area and Nyaung Don city. Moor over night at Zakagyi. (B/L/D)

Monday 29. Minhla and Magwe.

At Minhla, visit the two Italian built forts constructed to keep the British at bay from Royal Myanmar. 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. Ride Trishaws to reach the magnificent Magwe Myat-thalon Pagoda, constructed with solid gold bricks. Of

interest are the many shrines and hermitages within the temple precincts. (B/L/D)

Tuesday 30. Sale

Visit the Yout-saun-kyaung monastery with its spectacular wood carvings; also explore an area of splendid

colonial-style houses and continue sailing upstream on the Irrawaddy River. (B/L/D)

Wednesday 31. Tan-Chi-Taung.

Moor at the Tan-Chi-Taung mountain and enjoy the view. Take a tour of a selection of the listed monuments at this

World Heritage Site. (B/L/D)

Thursday 1 November. Bagan.

Previously known as Pagan, capital of Burma from 1044 until 1287. Explore by coach the monuments, followed by

visits to a lacquerware workshop and the local markets. Spend the afternoon sailing upstream. Take an evening

walk at Oh Ne Kyaung village to see the local life in this typical river side community. (B/L/D)

Friday 2. Yandabo.

Visit a small rural village that specialises in pot making and visit the Pandaw School which was built with past

donations from Pandaw passengers. (B/L/D)

Saturday 3. Mandalay, Sagaing and Amarapura.

Take a tour of central Mandalay, visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and Shwe Nan Daw Kyaung teak carved

monastery. Visit Sagaing where its true delight lies in its 1,000 hermitages and sanctuaries, rich in woodcarving and

religious art. Explore the ancient capital of Amarapura by coach, take a boat ride along Taungthaman lake and

watch the tranquillity and serenity of this beautiful lake and its famous U-Bein Bridge at sunset. (B/L/D)

Sunday 4. Mingun.

Stop at Mingun to see the largest working bell in the world and the unfinished pagoda which is the largest single

mass of brick building in the world. Visit the Mingun Old Peoples Home originally established with the assistance of

the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the 1930s. (B/L/D)

Monday 5. Kyauk Myoung.

Sail upstream and visit the spectacular potteries near

Kyauk-myoung where the famous 50 gallon water pots are handmade. View all stages of manufacture from the

throwing of the pots to the week-long firing in huge kilns. Sail in the afternoon to Mandalay. (B/L/D)

Tuesday 6. Mandalay - Heho - Inle Lake

Disembark at Mandalay and transfer to the airport for a short flight to Heho. Drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway

village to Inle Lake. Stop at the wooden Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery. At the lake, board a motorboat and cruise on

the lake, passing villages built on stilts over the lake, inhabited by the local Intha people. Visit Nga Hpe Chaung

Monastery and Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary. (B)

HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS TOUR A deposit of $1,000 is required to secure your place on the tour. When minimum numbers are reached, the tour

will become a ‘confirmed departure’. At that point we will advise when the full tour payment will be due.

• Click here to complete the online registration form, pay the $1000 deposit and your spot in this tour is

secured.

• Or you can complete a paper registration form. You can down load one from the website

www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz or give us a call and we will email or post one to you.

TERMS & CONDITIONS Can be found on the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, on the back of the paper registration form or on

the summary page when you complete an online registration.

VARIATIONS Cruise itineraries are indicative only and subject to sudden change due to river conditions. In such events

alternative itineraries will be provided by the cruise company. This itinerary is Version 1 dated 22/08/2017 and is subject to change.

Exchange rate fluctuations may result in a change to the tour price.

Wednesday 7. Indainn sightseeing.

From the middle of the lake, cruise down a small canal leading to the Pa-oh village of Indainn. Walk to the

village, visit a local school and take in the beautiful Alaung Sittao area. Climb the covered stairway to the top of

a hill, covered with ancient stupas and offering magnificent views of the lake. Explore the local crafts of the lake

with a visit to the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where Burmese cigars are hand made.

(B)

Thursday 8. Heho - Yangon.

Transfer by boat and car to Heho airport for your flight back to Yangon domestic airport. Overnight in Yangon.

(B)

Friday 9. Yangon - Singapore - Auckland.

A mid morning flight to Singapore to connect onwards to Auckland, arriving mid morning on Saturday 10

October. (B/Meals in flight)

Village life and U-Bein Bridge at sunset.