The Strand Cruise

We start our excursion with the welcoming breakfast in a quiet garden of the oldest lacquerware workshop in Bagan. Lacquerware is an ancient craftsmanship which started since the first pagodas of Bagan built in the 11th century, and this ancient art is still continued even now. After that, we visit the Shwezigon Pagoda famous for its gold-leaf decorations, and the Ananda temple famous as being among the four significant temples in Bagan and among the Burmese most revered temples. We then travel to The Strand Cruise to check in and enjoy the lunch onboard.

Those who reach Bagan later will gather onboard. After settling in our cabins, we meet each other for lunch prepared by our Chef.

In the afternoon, we continue our excursion with the Bagan Heritage Trail, including the gorgeous Sulamani and Gubyaukgyi temple. During sunset, we will enjoy the glorious sceneries of Bagan and the Ayeyarwady from the Sundeck as we have a signature cocktail of the Strand Hotel. In the evening, we have a traditional Burmese cultural show before having dinner of Burmese cuisine in the restaurant.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: The Strand Cruise

In the early morning, we can have a morning tea, coffee, and pastries in the Sarkies Bar before our trip to Shwe San Daw temple and enjoy the sunrise over Bagan. The pagoda has a series of five terraces with the cylindrical stupa top which has a gemmed umbrella. From the pagoda’s top, we can enjoy the magnificent view of the entire Bagan.

Afterwards, we have a brunch in the restaurant as we sail upstream to Mandalay. The surrounding sceneries and typically villages besides Ayeyarwady are the inspiration for many authors and artists like Rudyard Kipling.

We spend an afternoon enjoying various activities as we cruise on the calm Ayeyarwady like meditation, relaxing on the Sundeck, activities, and workshops arranged by the crew, before having an afternoon tea.

In the evening, we stay the night near a remote section of the river. We will have cocktail and tapas dinner in Sarkies Bar, then enjoy a Burmese puppet show in the restaurant.

We also have additional activity on this day like Hot Air Balloon flight during sunrise over 2,000 pagodas in Bagan.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: The Strand Cruise

In the morning, have your breakfast then we disembark the ship to discover the ancient capital of Burmese kingdoms - Ava between 14th and 19th century via horse-carts. We will get to see the natural land of Ava and its key sites.

We spent the afternoon relaxing or taking part in various activities and workshops arranged by the staff like cooking presentation or introduction to traditional Burmese thanaka and longyi. 

Dinner onboard.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: The Strand Cruise

We start the morning with delicious breakfast then visit Burma’s 2nd biggest city – Mandalay, which is also Burma’s last royal capital. After offering traditional food to the monks in their monastery, we come to U Bein Bridge considered to be the world’s longest and oldest teak bridge.

Next, we move on to the Mahamui Buddha temple. It is fabled that the Buddha visited Arakan City in 554 by himself, then King Sanda Thuriya ordered to make a Buddha’s face and kept in the temple. Here, we also come to Shwe In Bin monastery before our return to The Strand Cruise.

We have a buffet lunch onboard, then arrive at Mingun, used to be the former capital of the country, and visit Myanmar’s largest, yet unfinished pagoda via tuk-tuk. This is where the great Mingun Bell held, also considered to be the biggest working bell in the world. Next, we travel to Paya Hsinbyume with seven curved terraces reflecting the seven mountain ranges of Mount Meru, a mountain at the Buddhist universe center.

Also, we moor overnight at Ava, then visit a remarkable temple nearby after the departed crowds, in the late afternoon until the next morning.

As our day come to the end, we have a sunset cocktail on the Sundeck, then have a French-style dinner in the restaurant.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: The Strand Cruise

In the morning, we can join in the Alms Giving Ceremony if we wake up early. Then we back to The Strand Cruise for breakfast. Afterwards, you will be transferred to the airport, or keep on your journey in Burma. 

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: N/A

We have a welcoming breakfast in a private area near Royal Lake in Mandalay, then we visit the great U-Bein Bridge which considered to be the world’s oldest and longest teak bridge.

After that, we come to the Mahamuni Pagoda and the teak-carved monastery of Shwe In Bin which is also a great meditation site in Mandalay’s heart.

At mid-day, the crew will welcome us onboard with a delicious buffet lunch of Mediterranean dishes. After having lunch, we arrive at Mingun, used to be the former capital of the country, and visit Myanmar’s largest, yet unfinished pagoda via tuk-tuk. This is where the great Mingun Bell held, also considered to be the biggest working bell in the world. Next, we travel to Paya Hsinbyume with seven curved terraces reflecting the seven mountain ranges of Mount Meru, a mountain at the Buddhist universe centre.

During the sunset, we enjoy the spectacular sceneries of the Ayeyarwady on the Sundeck with the signature cocktails of the Strand Hotel before having dinner in the Strand restaurant.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: The Strand Cruise

We start our day with the trip to the ancient capital of Burmese kingdoms of Ava between 14th and 19th century via horse-carts. We will get to see the natural land of Ava and its key sites. Ava was used to be a renown city, but then devastated by war, natural disasters and had to be rebuilt many times. What we see today is the ruins of its former glory. Here we also get to various locations like Yadana Shemee, Bopaya monastery, and the brick monastery. 

Afterwards, we return to The Strand Cruise and have lunch served in Asian family style on the Sundeck while sailing towards Bagan. In the afternoon, enjoy the nice time with various facilities and activities arranged by the staff, and the performances by local artists and entertainers, then finally a sunset cocktail. 

In the evening, we stay the night near a remote section of the river. We will have cocktail and grill dinner in the restaurant, surrounded by the wild nature. 

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: The Strand Cruise

In the morning, we reach Bagan and begin our Bagan Heritage Trail. The place is famous for the buildings’ astounding architecture and the designs of Burmese temples. Behold the significant Ananda Temple, one of the Burmese most revered temples, and the Shwezigon Pagoda famous for its fascinating gold-leaf decorations.

We will have lunch onboard, then continue our Bagan trail with a trip to the incredible temple of Shwe San Daw, then the gorgeous beautiful Sulamani temple and Gubyaukgyi temple. 

After the trip, we enjoy the sunset from the Sundeck, then have a farewell French dinner in the restaurant.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: The Strand Cruise

We have our final breakfasst onboard, then disembark from The Strand Cruise in Old Bagan and get transferred to the airport or hotel in Bagan. 

*You also can choose to join in a hot air balloon ride flight over 2,000 pagodas in Bagan. Available with an additional cost and advanced booking.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: N/A

We have a welcoming breakfast in a private area near Royal Lake in Mandalay, then we visit the great U-Bein Bridge which considered to be the world’s oldest and longest teak bridge.

After that, we come to the Mahamuni Pagoda and the teak-carved monastery of Shwe In Bin which is also a great meditation site in Mandalay’s heart.

At mid-day, the crew will welcome us onboard with a delicious buffet lunch of Mediterranean dishes. After having lunch, we arrive at Mingun, used to be the former capital of the country, and visit Myanmar’s largest, yet unfinished pagoda via tuk-tuk. This is where the great Mingun Bell held, also considered to be the biggest working bell in the world. Next, we travel to Paya Hsinbyume with seven curved terraces reflecting the seven mountain ranges of Mount Meru, a mountain at the Buddhist universe centre.

During the sunset, we enjoy the spectacular sceneries of the Ayeyarwady on the Sundeck with the signature cocktails of the Strand Hotel before having dinner in the Strand restaurant.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: The Strand Cruise

We start our day with the trip to the ancient capital of Burmese kingdoms of Ava between 14th and 19th century via horse-carts. We will get to see the natural land of Ava and its key sites. Ava was used to be a renown city, but then devastated by war, natural disasters and had to be rebuilt many times. What we see today is the ruins of its former glory. Here we also get to various locations like Yadana Shemee, Bopaya monastery, and the brick monastery. 

Afterwards, we return to The Strand Cruise and have lunch served in Asian family style on the Sundeck while sailing towards Bagan. In the afternoon, enjoy the nice time with various facilities and activities arranged by the staff, and the performances by local artists and entertainers, then finally a sunset cocktail. 

In the evening, we stay the night near a remote section of the river. We will have cocktail and grill dinner in the restaurant, surrounded by the wild nature. 

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: The Strand Cruise

In the morning, we reach Bagan and begin our Bagan Heritage Trail. The place is famous for the buildings’ astounding architecture and the designs of Burmese temples. Behold the significant Ananda Temple, one of the Burmese most revered temples, and the Shwezigon Pagoda famous for its fascinating gold-leaf decorations.

Disembark The Strand Cruise.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: N/A