Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pandaw Cruises
(
www.pandaw.com
) Offers various high-end cruises aboard a replica of
the teak-and-brass IFC fleet, such as a 14-night trip between Yangon and Mandalay
(single/double from $3463/6920) and a 20-day itinerary that charts the Chindwin and up-
per reaches of the Ayeyarwady (single/double $6837/11,403).
river steamers are used for this company's trips, which range from one or two days
between Mandalay and Bagan (single/twin from $680/1560) to 10-day itineraries including
sights along the Chindwin River (single/twin $6280/9560).
Road to Mandalay
(
www.orient-express.com
)
Part of the Orient Express group, this luxe
operation offers cruises of between three and 11 nights on two boats. The
Road to Man-
dalay
, a 43-berth liner that is huge by Ayeyarwady standards, includes an on-board swim-
ming pool and wellness centre. In high season it does mostly Bagan-Mandalay, but there
are occasional trips to Bhamo, too. The newly constructed four-deck
Orcaella
has 25 cab-
ins and also has a small top-deck pool, a fitness and wellness centre, and boutique. Short
cruises start at £1640 per person.
Sanctuary Ananda
( 44-20-7190 7728;
www.sanctuaryretreats.com
) Launching in
December 2014 is this brand-new Myanmar-built craft with 20 suites spread over three
decks. There's a small plunge pool on the top deck and a spa/gym inside. Itineraries
range from the three-day Bagan-Mandalay route (from $1221 per person) to the 11-day
sailing between Mandalay and Yangon ($5214).
Viking River Cruises
( 44-80 8159 9358;
www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk
) This British
operator runs two 30-room boats, the
Viking Mandalay
(refurbished in 2013) and the
Vik-
ing Sagaing
. Both are used on its two-week Memories of Mandalay itinerary originating in
Bangkok with flights to Mandalay where you board the boat for a trip downriver to Yangon.
Rates start around £4450 per person including flights from the UK.
HOW TO SKIP OVERNIGHT BUSES
There's not one obvious way to travel by bus between Myanmar's four big destina-
tions: Yangon, Inle Lake, Mandalay and Bagan. Most travellers start in Yangon and
bus to Mandalay one night, then pick between Inle Lake or Bagan next; this re-
quires at least a couple of overnight buses.
If you like being able to see scenery out the window, or sleeping in beds, you can
travel to these places without taking an overnight bus. It does take pre- planning
and a bit more time - around a week of travel time and a total cost of at least
K43,400 if you take the following buses and/or pick-up trucks:
ROUTTE
DUURATION (HR
TION (HR)
COST (K
ST (K)
