RV Zawgyi Pandaw

A short journey to visit Thandboodi Temple along with the Bawdhi Tahaung statue in the afternoon and the night market during the night.

PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary for this expedition is indicative only. As we travel to remote areas, changes to the itinerary will inevitably occur. A flexible approach is required if you book this cruise.

In the morning, proceed to Phowin Taung Hill by coach to have the chance to visit the Phowin Taung where vivid and detailed murals and ancient Buddha statues can be found. Then, move to the Kyauk Ka Village to get to know the process of making black Lacquer.

Admire vast farmlands and riverside villages on the Chindwin River. Take part in a culinary demonstration to see the making of Burmese Ginger Salad. Tourist will enjoy a short break at Kanee Village before the tour resume.

In the morning we cruise upstream. Pay a visit to Mingkin after lunch. Mingkin is regarded by many as the Luang Prabang of Chindwin. Visit the Golden City with its exquisite Konbaung-dynasty styled monasteries. Kalewa, the gateway to Chin States filled with busy markets and old wooden buildings can also be found in Mingkin.

Cruise to Kalewa situated at the confluence of the Chindwin and the Myittha Rivers. Here you can enjoy a peaceful walking tour.

In the morning, visit Masein Village and proceed to Mawlaik. A visit to Mawlaik can be considered a visit to the past, where many “Dak-Bungalows” or “Dak-house” and lust golf courses built by the Scottish’s Bombay-Myanmarh Trading Corporations in the early days of the 19th century are still visible today.

Start the morning excursion by paying a visit to the Teak wood Forest. Next, proceed to the Pyar Swe Elephant Camp. Moving on to Kalewa where we stay for a night.

Disembark and take a walk around Kalewa where many markets and old wooden architecture can be found.  Move on to Kalay Airport for your flight to Mandalay in order to embark on another Pandaw vessel.

We continue cruising in the morning. Stop near Kyauk-Myoung to take a look at the huge 50-gallon water pots that are specially handmade and see the process of pottery making in full. Then visit the third defile of the Irrawaddy.

We stop at Khan-nyat village and go sightseeing around. Then we go climb the Pagoda Hill to admire the panoramic view of Irrawaddy.

Spend a day in the colonial town of Katha, point of interests include the bells taken from sunken ships of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, these ship were scuttled in 1942 to deny the Japanese Imperial Army from utilizing them for war purposes. Katha is also known for its elephant logging camps and the surrounding hardwood forests.

Proceed to Kyan Daw village by local boat. Many small pagodas can be found every where in this village.

Sail on the 2nd Defile of Irrawaddy, admire the scenic view of gorges and cliffs towering over the channel.

Travel by foot to the ancient city of Tagaung, sight-seeing fortifications, spirits shrines and the archaeological area.

Cruise early in the morning and stop at Mingun where you are able to see the largest bell in the world. Pay a visit to Mingun Old People’s Home established in the 1930s. Proceed to the spectacular Sagaing Hill and enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Irrawaddy.

The journey begins in the morning by a visit to Ava to have a glimpse at Bagaya Kyaung, a famous teak wood monastery that has existed for 200 years. In the afternoon, move on visiting Yandabo village – a traditional pottery-making village.

Full-day sightseeing  more than 2000 ancient religious monument by coach.

Disembark after breakfast.

We get on the cruise ship at Ayer pier, Pagan by 11:30 AM, and have lunch on board. After lunch, we take on a trip of the 3000 plus Pagan monuments via coach. At 17:30, we start to set sail.

We cross the junction with the Chindwin River and reach Yandabo Village. Here, we can see and experience the traditional pottery craftsmanship using the river bank clay. Afterwards, we sail upstream towards Mandalay through the afternoon.

In the morning, we travel to Ava and discover the area, including the ruins, and the 200-year-old royal teak monastery decorated with woodcarvings. We move on to Amarapura the ancient capital and behold the fascinating paintings in a temple.

We take a tour around Kyauk Myaung, famous for its potteries production and the handcrafted 50-gallon-water pots. We will get to see the entire process and how the artisans work. After the tour, we back to the cruise ship and go to the 3rd Defile of Irrawaddy.

We arrive at the village of Khanyat and visit many Buddhist monasteries, and the former head teacher’s house, including his museum collections. Next, we enjoy the spectacular sights of the entire region and the the Upper Irrawaddy on Pagoda Hill at Tigyang.

We visit the colonial town of Katha, setting for George Orwell’s Burmese Days. Not much has changed ever since. One of the interesting point is the fire station’s collection of the bells taken from the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company ships’ remnants in the Second War. Lying in Katha is the remains of the old flotilla and more than hundred ships sunk in 1942 in an “Act of Denial” before the Japanese’s march.

Later on, we come to the elephant logging camp at Katha in hardwood jungle of the hills surrounding the town and further upstream.

We get to the village of Kyun Daw via local boat and take a trip around numerous small pagodas.

We pass the 2nd Defile, which is considered to be the most impressive gorge out of the three with high ridges covering the narrow channel. Afterwards, we cruise downstream.

We take on an exploration trip around Tagaung, an ancient city, including forts, a well-known nat (ancestral spirit) shrine and an archaeological area.

In the morning, we arrive at Mingun and see the Mingun Bell – the world’s biggest working bell to date and the massive, yet unfinised Mingun Pagoda. In addition, we get to the Mingun Old People’s Home built during the 1930s with the support from the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company.

Finally, we enjoy the astonishing views of the entire region and the Irrawaddy on a hilltop of Sagaing Hills.

We have our final breakfast onboard, the get off the ship at Saggai Lay Kyun Man Aung pier. End of our excursion.

Flight from Rangoon or Mandalay to Kalay airport, then transfer to your Pandaw ship at Kalewa and stay the night there.

Registration Details:

For Flight from Yangon: Registration at 11.00am Sule Shangri La Hotel, Yangon

For flight from Mandalay: We will pick you up from your hotel in Mandalay at 12.00 midday.

This domestic flight is included in the cruise price.

In the morning, we travel to Masein Village, and then to Mawlaik, which was formerly supposed to be the adminstrative capital of Burma instead of Kindat. It used to be the place where Bombay Myanmarh Trading Corporation settled during the 1920s and 1930s. Surrounding the golf course are the amazing “Dak Bungalows”. Cars are rare in Mawlaik and other towns of the Upper Chindwin since they can only be entered via boat. Coming to this place feels like being back in time with Pandaw time-machine. 

In the morning, we get to explore the teak forest outside Mawlaik via tuk-tuk or coach. We will move on to Pyar Swe Elephant Camp where the elephants are protected in natural area. Afterwards, we back to Kalewa and stay the night.

In 1987, Paul Strachan rediscovered Mingkin and wrote it in his book: “Mandalay: Travels from the Golden City”. For Paul, it remains as the best site for art, historical interests in Burma with its wonderfully decorated, Konbaung teak monasteries built with court-style. Mingkin can be considered as the “Luang Prabang of the Chindwin”. In the afternoon we cruise on the Chindwin, we will also pass by a local village in which we’re the attraction.

In the morning, we cruise downstream on the Chindwin to Kanee Village. Here, we will take a tour around the area in the late morning. Then in the afternoon, we have a cooking presentation as we sail to Monywa where we stay the night.

In the morning, we take a tour to Phowin Taung Hill via coach. Here we can visit Phowin Taung Caves and observe the charming paintings and Buddha statues from 14th and 18th century. In the afternoon, we come to Kyauk Ka Village and see their well-known black Lacquer.

In the morning, we will explore Monywa via coach, including Moe Hnyin Than Boaddai Temple with more than 500,000 Buddha statues and might be the longest reclining (over 100  meter/330 feet) and the highest standing Buddha (125 meter/412 feet) in Burma. After our lunch, we take a walk around Monywa.

We disembark from the ship at Monywa IWT pier and take a 3-hour drive to Mandalay.

We have lunch onboard. In the afternoon, we have an exploration trip at Thandboodi Temple and Bawdhi Tahaung statue. In the evening, we visit the night market.

* We will pick you up between 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM on the day of embarkation. Your transfer Mandalay to the pier in Monywa is included in the cruise package.

Please input the following information in your booking:

For Mandalay Airport to Monywa (transfer 2.5 hours): your arrival time and flight number

For Hotel in Mandalay to Monywa (transfer 3 hours): your hotel name and hotel address.

In the morning, we take a tour to Phowin Taung Hill via coach. Here we can visit Phowin Taung Caves and observe the charming paintings and Buddha statues from 14th and 18th century. In the afternoon, we come to Kyauk Ka Village and see their well-known black Lacquer.

The river becomes narrower and the forested hills fall away to farmland as we cruise. In the morning, we have a cooking presentation by our lead chef on how to make traditional Burmese Ginger Salad. In the afternoon, we will pass by Kanee Village and take a walk around the area.

In the morning, we sail upstream. After our lunch, we get to discover Mingkin. In 1987, Paul Strachan rediscovered Mingkin and wrote it in his book: “Mandalay: Travels from the Golden City”. For Paul, it remains as the best site for art, historical interests in Burma with its wonderfully decorated, Konbaung teak monasteries built with court-style. Mingkin can be considered as the “Luang Prabang of the Chindwin”. 

(Dec - Feb) In the morning, we take a walk around Mingkin, then we cruise to Kalewa which resides at the junction between the Chindwin and the Myittha Rivers. Here, we have a walking tour around the area.

(Mar - Nov) In the morning, we have an exploration trip in Mawlaik, which was formerly supposed to be the adminstrative capital of Burma instead of Kindat. It used to be the place where Bombay Myanmarh Trading Corporation settled during the 1920s and 1930s. Surrounding the golf course are the amazing “Dak Bungalows”. Cars are rare in Mawlaik and other towns of the Upper Chindwin since they can only be entered via boat. Coming to this place feels like being back in time with Pandaw time-machine.

In the afternoon, we cross the mouth of Yu River flowing on Kubu Valley, which provided a route for Lieutenant Grant to advance to the Manipur garrison after the death of chief adminstrator of Assam during the local rebellion.

(Dec - Feb) In the morning, we have an exploration trip in Mawlaik, which was formerly supposed to be the adminstrative capital of Burma instead of Kindat. It used to be the place where Bombay Myanmarh Trading Corporation settled during the 1920s and 1930s. Surrounding the golf course are the amazing “Dak Bungalows”. Cars are rare in Mawlaik and other towns of the Upper Chindwin since they can only be entered via boat. Coming to this place feels like being back in time with Pandaw time-machine.

(Mar - Nov) Sitthaung is the place where Irrawaddy Flotilla Company steamers sunk in 1942 in an “Act of Denial” before the Japanese’s march. We’re hoping to recover these remnants as we did at Katha on the Irrawaddy. From here, survivors from the Japanese’s attack fled to Tamu on India border. Patha used to be an essential oil refinery of Indo-Burma Petroleum Co (Steel Brothers).

(Dec - Feb) In the morning, we get to explore the teak forest outside Mawlaik via tuk-tuk or coach. We will move on to Pyar Swe Elephant Camp where the elephants are protected in natural area. Afterwards, we back to Kalewa and stay the night.

(Mar - Nov) Toungdoot (or Hsawng-hsup in Tai), is an ancient land of Shan people where a ruling sawbwa still existed with court and palace during the British time. We will be able to find out what happened to the royal family and their homeland, and observe these Shan people’s life who live far away from their Tai-Shan homelands.

On our way to Homalin, the furthest point which can be navigated on the Chindwin for ships of our size. In 1935, Alister McCrae once wrote during his visit: “I loved the atmosphere of quiet and peaceful living there. At night I could hear greylag geese as they came in to the flooded land around us from far away north”. That said, it’s better for us to come there and discover it by ourselves.

(Dec - Feb) We will disembark from the ship at Kalewa IWT Jetty and take a tour around Kalewa, including markets and intriguing wooden buildings. After the trip, we go to Kalay Airport for your flight to Rangoon or Mandalay (the flights are included in this cruise).

(Mar - Nov) We disembark from the ship and transfer to Homalin airport. 

* Note: Flight timings can be changed depending on domestic flight schedules.