Mandalay to Bagan

Mandalay

• Activities:

  Breakfast on U-Bein Bridge, visit Mahamuni Pagoda, Shwe In Bin monastery, Mingun

• Meal:

  Breakfast],Lunch],Dinner]

• Included:

  112,

We begin our day in Mandalay with a welcome breakfast in a private area by the illustrious Royal Lake, before visiting the magnificent U-Bein Bridge, a crossing that spans the Taungthaman Lake near Amarapura. It is also believed to be the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world. After a tour of the bridge, we travel onwards to discover the Mahamuni Pagoda and the Shwe In Bin monastery, a beautifully carved teak monastery known as the perfect spot for meditation in the heart of Mandalay. At midday, the Strand Cruise crew will be waiting to greet you on board and welcome you with a generous buffet lunch of Mediterranean cuisine. After lunch we will stop in Mingun, one of the country’s former capitals, at the foot of the unfinished pagoda, one of the largest pagodas ever constructed in the history of Myanmar. We will visit the pagoda by a popular local means of transportation, the Tuk Tuk. The pagoda is home to the magnificent Mingun Bell, claimed to be the largest un-cracked hanging bell in the world. We will also visit Paya Hsinbyume, an impressive pagoda that rises in seven curved whitewashed terraces represent- ing the seven mountain ranges around Mt Meru, the mountain at the centre of the Buddhist universe. As the sun sets, admire the magnificent sights over the Ayeyarwady river from the ship’s Sundeck, sipping one of the Strand Hotel’s signature cocktails, before joining your fellow travellers for a Myan- mar dinner in the Strand restaurant.

Sagaing - Ava - Bagan

• Activities:

  Visit Sagaing Hill, Soon U Ponya terraces, explore Ava, sail to Bagan

• Meal:

  Breakfast],Lunch],Dinner]

• Included:

  112,

Our   day begins with a visit  to Ava,   the ancient imperial capital of  successive Burmese kingdoms from the 14th  to 19th centuries. Horse carts await the ship to transport guests for  a delightful ride through the naturally preserved Ava landscape and key  landmarks. A once prominent city,   throughout  history  Ava has been ravaged by  war and natural disasters and rebuilt numerous times. Today, all  that is  left   are the ruins and remains   of     an     abandoned    kingdom forever imprinted in history.  Here we  will visit   the  Yadana Shemee and Wingaba, temples, as well  as the Bopaya monastery and the brick monastery.
Once back on  board the Strand Cruise, an Asian family style lunch is served on  the Sundeck   while  enjoying  the   beautiful landscape passing by  as the ship cruises onwards to  the ancient city   of   Bagan. Throughout  the  afternoon,  relax, meditate, or   just lie  by   the  pool, enjoy activities and workshops arranged by  the crew  as  well   as  a  number  of performances  by   talented  local artists and entertainers before enjoying a sunset cocktail.
As  night falls,   our ship will  moor on   a remote and wild  section of the river. Surrounded  only by  the soft whispering of  nature, our Captain invites you to a cocktail and  grill   dinner  in  the  Strand Restaurant.   Night owls can linger in the bar over a glass of fine wine or single malt whiskey and recreate the golden age of the   Strand  as   a  meeting  place  for explorers and raconteurs

Bagan

• Activities:

  Arrive Bagan, visit Ananda, Shwezigon pagodas and Gu Byauk Gyi temple, Lacquer Factory

• Meal:

  Breakfast],Lunch],Dinner]

• Included:

  112,

This   morning sees  our arrival in  Bagan and the  start  of   the  much-anticipated Bagan  Heritage  Trail.   Bagan   is remarkable  for   the  magnificent architecture  of    its    buildings and  the contribution they have made to Burmese temple  designs.     Marvel at  Bagan’s wonders  including the  Ananda Temple, one of  the most exquisite temples of  the country, and the Shwezigon Pagoda, renowned for  its gold leaf  decor.
After a delicious buffet lunch back on board, we  continue our day in Bagan with a visit  to the magnificent Shwe San Daw temple,  followed  by   a  journey to  the beautiful Sulamani temple and Gubyaukgyi temple. As twilight sets in, admire the sunset from the sundeck before a festive evening and farewell French dinner in the Strand Restaurant

Bagan disembark

• Activities:

  Disembark in Old Bagan

• Meal:

  Breakfast]

• Included:

After a last breakfast, guests disembark in Old  Bagan and will be accompanied onwards to the airport or their hotel.
Another exhilarating option at sunrise is a hot air balloon ride, where you can gently floatabove the 2,000 pagodas of Bagan.