Day 1: Monywa
Your cruise departs from Monywa, a small city on the banks of the Chindwin River, about 3 hours’ drive from Mandalay.
You will be transferred from Mandalay to the pier in Monywa in the morning, arriving midday. You’ll have the afternoon to explore the city, including a visit to the prominent Thanbodi Temple, with its countless Buddha images.
Tonight is spent in Monywa on board ship. You set sail tomorrow afternoon.
Day 2: Phowin Taung
After breakfast, set sail from Monywa. You’ll stop late morning to explore the Phowintaung Caves, a series of mountain caves decorated with a huge number of Buddha statues and murals depicting jakata scenes, reminiscent of the better-known Pak Ou Buddha Caves in Laos.
Beyond Monywa and the Phowintaung Caves you’ll enter the Upper Chindwin.
Day 3: Cruising
oday is spent cruising the Upper Chindwin. Relax on board the RV Kalay Pandaw and watch life go by on the river bank.
The scenery will change as you journey further north, with the river beginning to narrow and the forested hills falling away to reveal brilliant-green paddy fields. During the afternoon, you’ll make a brief stop at a local fishing village to stretch and explore. Otherwise, today is at leisure on board ship.
Day 4: Mingin
Sometimes described as the Luang Prabang of Myanmar, Mingin is one of the country’s very best-kept-secrets, a beautiful town on the banks of the Chindwin.
Formerly a royal retreat, the town’s teak monasteries are remnants of Myanmar’s pre-colonial history. They survive in excellent condition and are beautifully decorated with relics from the Konbaung era. You’ll have ample time to explore them today, including the oldest wooden monastery in Myanmar, which is to be found in the nearby village of Kan. You’ll also find time to visit Mingin’s bustling market.
Day 5: Mawlaik
This morning you’ll have the chance to explore the old British colonial outpost of Mawlaik. Originally intended to replace Kindat as the administrative capital of Chindwin, the town was largely settled by the staff of the Bombay Myanmar Trading Corporation in the early 19th century.
Unlike Mingin, there’s little that is traditionally Burmese about the place; certainly not the abandoned golf course, the colonial houses, or what is perhaps the most curious of all of Mawlaik’s features, the ‘Olympic stadium’, long past its prime and now a convenient cattle grazing field. Mawlaik truly feels like a relic from a bygone age, and the small number of cars—this region is only easily accessed by boat—and lack of any other signs of modernity only add to this feeling.
In the afternoon continue across the confluence of Yu and Chindwin Rivers to Sitthaung.
Day 6: Sitthaung
Today you’ll have the opportunity to explore a more recent period of Burmese history with a visit to the town of Sitthaung.
Occupied by the Japanese during WWII, the town is the resting place of several IFC steamers scuppered there in 1942 by the retreating British forces. When the water levels are low, you can see the remains of these old ships. There will also be time to visit Tamu, a small town on the Indian border where the survivors of the Japanese invasions retreated to.
Day 7: Thaungdut
Thaungdut is an historic Shan enclave which in colonial times was governed by an independent Sawbwa, or Shan chief. You’ll have the morning to explore the town, including the old Royal household and palace, before continuing to Homalin.
Arrive at Homalin late afternoon. The last stop of your tour, the remote city of Homalin is the furthest point on the Chindwin River that can be accessed by larger vessels such as the RV Kalay. Close the day with a sumptuous dinner to mark the end of your cruise.
Day 8: Homalin
This morning is free to explore the peaceful town of Homalin, before transferring to the airport for your afternoon flight to Mandalay/Yangon (included).
Your tour ends in Mandalay/Yangon. If you are continuing your travels in Myanmar, you will be met by your guide and/or driver on arrival at the airport for the continuation of your itinerary.
Mandalay to Homalin River Cruise
Upper Chindwin River Cruise visiting Monywa, Mingin, Mawlaik, Sitthaung and Homalin
Mandalay to Homalin River Cruise
Follow the Chindwin River into the heart of Burmese Nagaland on this unique 8-day river cruise. Departing from Monywa, near Mandalay, your cruise will take you along the Upper Chindwin to Homalin, the capital of Nagaland, on the border with India. En-route, you’ll find time to stop and explore remote villages, religious sites from the Konbaung-era, and old colonial towns.
Outline Itinerary
Price guide
Pricing
8 days from £2290pp
Special Offer
Pandaw are offering a selection of great offers through 2021, 2022 and 2023, including no single supplements on many of their cruise departures, and complimentary places for children during school holidays.
No single supplements
The single supplement waiver is valid for a wide selection of Pandaw cruises to Myanmar, India, Vietnam and Cambodia. For a full overview of the available cruise itineraries and departure dates, please contact us.
Children travel free
This is a special opportunity to share an educational family adventure on selected dates during school holidays. Explore Asia in the comfort of a Pandaw vessel, including daily excursions, all meals, local drinks, cultural performances, and free mountain bikes to explore rural villages, temples and countryside. On selected 2021/2022/2023 cruise dates, up to two children under the age of 18 will travel for free if travelling with two adults.
First cabin: Two adults pay full price
Second cabin: One or two children between the ages of 5 and 18 travel free
Please contact us for further details including applicable cruise dates.
Tailor-made Holiday to Myanmar
Just to say we had a really amazing holiday, thank you for arranging it.
Family Safari to Tanzania
We had an incredible time in Tanzania; the entire trip met and often considerably exceeded our expectations.
