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October 20–28, 2016
Belmond Road to Mandalay
Discover the Magic of Myanmar! Seemingly untouched by time, Myanmar is a land of golden pagodas and saffron-robed monks. Explore and discover Yangon before setting sail on a 4 night Journey on the mighty Ayeyardarwy River, passing mesmerizing landscapes, exploring ancient sites and visiting timeless villages. Then escape to Inle Lake and discover the area's scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage.
Discover the Magic of Myanmar on Road to Mandalay
Myanmar is one of the last must-see places on earth. Golden temples, saffron-robed monks, ancient legends and gracious people – Myanmar holds endless wonders, waiting to be revealed. For a glimpse of old Indochina, there isn't a more eye-opening destination than this mysterious country, which only began allowing Western travellers into its borders in recent years. Yangon, the country's largest city, is a beguiling mix of British, Burmese, Chinese and Indian influences, from its timeworn colonial architecture to its unique cuisine. In this deeply Buddhist country, pagodas pockmark the land, and some of the most impressive ones can be found in Yangon, including the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda. Travel to Bagan, the country's spiritual center and cruise along the mighty Ayeryarwady River, taking in the country's most mesmerizing landscapes from the deck of the luxurious river cruiser, Road to Mandalay. Over 2,000 pagodas, stupas and temples dot the golden plains of Bagan – a once-in-a-lifetime sight to behold, best seen from above by private hot air balloon.
Cruising aboard the Road the Mandalay is the best way to experience the romance of the colonial era and see the Burmese life. During the journey you will have the time to delve deep into the history and culture of Myanmar thanks to the expert guides on board. Every day on this 4 night cruise is filled with events, excursions, exquisite dining and entertainment. Stop off to explore rural villages from a bygone era and marvel at the golden spires of pagodas which soar out of the lush jungle.
After the cruise, escape to Myanmar's Inle Lake, known for its' fabulous floating villages, gardens and water hyacinth. Around the shoreline, you'll spot ancient pagodas and monasteries, markets and wildlife reserves.
Prepare for the journey of a lifetime!
On Road to Mandalay Gay Cruise Tour Itinerary
Take in the sights of Yangon by day and unwind at the luxurious Belmond Governor's Residence in the evening. Embark on an unforgettable river cruise aboard Belmond Road to Mandalay. Finally, unwind with a relaxing stay at atmospheric Inle Lake.
Day 1 - Thursday, October 20, 2016
Yangon, Myanmar
 • Arrive Yangon, Myanmar
• Transfer from airport to Belmond Governor's Residence. Set within lush gardens, this colonial-style teak mansion is located in Yangon's leafy Embassy Quarter. At the end of a rewarding day, cool off in the fan-shaped pool, sip iced cocktails in the Kiping Bar and dine on Asian and European cuisine in the Mandalay Restaurant.
• Welcome Dinner
Meals Included: Welcome Dinner
Day 2 - Friday, October 21, 2016
Yangon
 • Full Day Yangon Tour with Lunch: Enjoy a full day orientation tour of Yangon. This former colonial city has many fine buildings, an impressive Royal Lake and several pagodas of note. The most famous being the mighty Shwedagon Pagoda. Your guide will be pleased to make suggestions of places to visit. Lunch is included at a local restaurant (excluding drinks).
• Overnight at Belmond Governor's Residence
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 - Saturday, October 22, 2016
Yangon / Bagan / Belmond Road to Mandalay
 • Transfer from hotel to airport for domestic flight to Belmond Road to Mandalay. Flight is included.
• On arrival, transfer to the Road To Mandalay berthed on the Ayeyarwady River. At Bagan over 2,000 temples and pagodas are scattered over an awe-inspiring plain beside the river. After lunch, join the guide and visit the inside of some of the more significant pagodas. Late afternoon your guide takes you to watch the sun setting over a field of glowing pagodas. Dinner and local entertainment on board.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Sunday, October 23, 2016
Belmond Road to Mandalay - Bagan
 • After breakfast join the guide to explore some of Bagan's local markets selling wood carvings, fabrics, longyis and rattan goods. See Myanmar's famous lacquerware being made. Alternatively, you can hire a bicycle or horse-drawn cart and explore this enchanting area on your own. Mid-morning the Road To Mandalay begins its cruise north towards Mandalay. Relax on the top deck and watch the fascinating river life glide by. Afternoon tea is served and an onboard guide lectures on local places and customs. The ship moors mid-river for the evening. A casual cocktail party is followed by dinner on board.
• Optional Excursion: The Balloons Over Bagan. Known as the city of four million pagodas, Bagan is the cradle of Burmese civilization, the first capital of the once mighty kingdom. Enjoy the sunrise over Bagan from aboard a hot air balloon. Get a magnificent "bird's eye" view of the thousand-year-old pagodas, temples and the Ayeryarwaddy River to fully appreciate the scale and historical importance of this magical place. Be sure to bring your camera to capture this spectacular once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Availability is limited.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Monday, October 24, 2016
Belmond Road to Mandalay - Mingun
 • Enjoy breakfast on board followed by a lecture in the Observation lounge. After lunch join our Chef on Top Deck for a cookery demonstration while the ship sails past the pagoda topped hills of Sagaing and the busy river banks of Mandalay City. The ship moors late afternoon, a perfect time for disembarking for a tour of Mingun, home of the world's largest un-cracked bell and the huge, Earthquake -ruined pagoda of King Bodawpaya. Dinner and local entertainment on board.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Belmond Road to Mandalay - Mandalay City
 • After a short sail across the river, Road To Mandalay moors at Mandalay City. Disembark for a guided tour of this fabled city including all the major sites. The tour will continue through Amarapura, ending at Shwe Kyet Yet village where Road To Mandalay is waiting for guests to enjoy lunch on board. In the afternoon, visit the Sagaing Hills, considered to be the living centre of the Buddhist faith in Burma. Sagaing is also famous for its silver and silversmiths who still work in much the same way as their ancestors did. Dinner and local entertainment on board.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Inle Lake
 • Transfer from Belmond Road to Mandalay to Airport
• Flight included from Mandalay to Heho (Inle Lake)
• Arrive Heho Airport and drive to Nyaungshwe on the edge of Inle Lake, stopping on the way to visit Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery. Board your own local boat to take you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you enjoy a boat tour to Indaing at the western end of the Lake. The boat takes you through a long channel where you watch the farmers cultivate their produce. This ride is one of the most scenic boat tours on Lake Inle.
• Overnight at Inle Princess Resort in Lake Front View Chalet
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Thursday, October 27, 2016
Inle Lake
 • Full day boat trip on Inle Lake - a photographer's dream, its calm waters are dotted with floating vegetation and fishing canoes, to which scenic high hills provide the perfect backdrop. See the lake's unique "leg rowers" - the Intha people row standing up with one leg wrapped around an oar. You will see the floating gardens, growing vegetables and flowers. Continue by boat to visit Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries on the lake and one can see ancient Buddha statues which are more than 200 years old. Stop to see silk weaving on wooden handlooms. Visit Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the holiest religious site in southern Shan State. Stop at a blacksmith shop and other places as time allows.
• Overnight at Inle Princess Resort in Lake Front View Chalet
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Friday, October 28, 2016
Depart for international flight
• Transfer from hotel to airport
• Flight included from Heho to Yangon
• Yangon Services (Day Use Room or Afternoon Tea) while you wait for international flight
Extension to Buthan upon request.
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On Road to Mandalay
A romantic, colonial-style mansion dating from the 1920s, Belmond Governor's Residence is redolent of the days when it was home to the ruler of Myanmar's southern states.
Go for a cooling dip in our fan-shaped swimming pool, or simply relax and take in the atmosphere while you lounge on the comfortable sunbeds.
Situated on the banks of the river leading to the lake, around half an hour by boat from the small town of Nyaung Shwe (or 15 minutes drive by road), the Inle Princess offers guests a wonderfully atmospheric stay. The 45 stilted chalets are built in traditional Shan style making use of local materials and offer generous space and a good range of amenities.
The hotel has a good restaurant on the shores of the lake, which combines the finest and freshest of ingredients from the resort's garden and around the lake to create traditional Shan dishes as well as European and other ethnic cuisine. There is also a spa offering three luxury treatment rooms.
