Luxurious
Cabins
All Meals included
The Perfect
Honeymoon
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River
Cruises |
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* The itineraries shown may vary in order to improve our service *
- Rivers of BurmaBurma (since 1989 renamed Myanmar) is a former British colony that in 1962 closed its doors to the world. Isolated, the culture and way of life of this devoutly Buddhist country escaped the changes that affected her South-East Asian neighbours. Today, along the banks of her great rivers, life continues undisturbed by the worst excesses of the twentieth century. Here is a rich and vibrant culture, supported by a healthy domestic economy, and populated by an overpoweringly friendly people. Even the most travelled of travellers find themselves in a world that is beyond both experience and imagining.
The Ayeyawady (Irrawaddy) rises high in the Himalayas on the fringes of Tibet and South-West China. Bhamo is the most northerly navigable point for larger vessels and is nearly a thousand miles from the Indian Ocean. The river's course and character is constantly changing and in the Monsoon the river can rise over 50 feet. As one travels downstream spectacular gorges give way to expansive vistas of shimmering water, jungle-clad banks to endless paddy. The river eventually filters into the ocean through a thousand square mile delta. Sands constantly shift and the channels can be ill-defined. For this reason the river has never been charted. The Irrawaddy is a natural challenge that man, for all his technical abilities, has been unable to tame.
The Chindwin joins the Irrawaddy just above Bagan, and though a tributary, it too is one of the great rivers of Asia. The Chindwin is even more treacherous to navigate than the Irrawaddy. Rising in the wet hills of Assam, the Upper Chindwin dissects successive mountain ranges to divulge its vast cargo of melten snow into the aptly named Dry Zone of Upper Myanmar. The Lower Chindwin can be miles wide, yet with an average dry season depth of only three feet.
The Irrawaddy and Chindwin are of interest not only on account of their geographical variety, and moving natural beauty, but because along their banks the main vestiges of a millennium and a half of Burmese Buddhist civilisation are dispersed. Myanmar is like Egypt in the respect that it is a country dominated by a river. This is most convenient for the traveller, as both ancient sites and centers of contemporary life and culture are situated close to the river banks. In many instances the places we visit could never be reached by land as there is no access by road. As the old Irrawaddy Flotilla found, the river proves the most logical and practical means of penetrating the real Myanmar.
A journey on Myanmar's Irrawaddy River is one of life's great travel experiences. No vessel could be more appropriate for this than a ship of the Pandaw design.
Built in Scotland in 1947, the Pandaw I is the same design as the original Irrawaddy Flotilla Company steamers that coped so well with the difficult conditions of the Irrawaddy. Originally the Pandaw was a paddle steamer with the paddle placed in the stern to reduce draft. In fact the vessel draws only 3.5ft of water and can operate the year round as far as Bhamo. The Pandaw was built in Glasgow by the firm of Yarrows who to this day build quality ships. She sailed out to Burma across the open sea. Archival photos show her steaming down the Clyde all boarded up for passage to Burma. With so shallow a draft this must have been a feat of navigation.
The old Irrawaddy Flotilla was a Scottish company founded in 1865. By the 1920s the 'fabulous flotilla', as it became known, was the largest privately owned fleet of ships in the world. The largest class of vessels, the 'Siam' were licensed to carry 4,000 deck passengers. The entire fleet of 650 vessels were scuppered in 1942 in an 'act of denial' against the invading Japanese (see the book "Irrawaddy Flotilla" by Alister McCrae & Alan Prentice published by James Paton Ltd which also includes an insight into the fascinating history of Myanmar - also know as Burma and Mien).
The Pandaw 1 is 150 feet long and has a beam of 34 feet. In 1997 the IFC negotiated with the owners to take over the running of the vessel. Conserving many original features, IFC restored her to recreate the atmosphere and character of the first class deck of a colonial river steamer. They studied old photos and models of IFC ships and talked to a number of the company's former employees. They undertook the refit in Myanmar, taking advantage of beautiful local hardwoods, such as teak, and excellent local craftsmanship. Refitted, the Pandaw was re-launched in September 1998; subsequently new vessels were built by IFC and in 2003 the running of the Pandaw 1 was taken over by a new company and renamed Pandaw 1947 and continues to offer excellent standards of service.
As mentioned above and due to the popularity of the Pandaw 1 IFC decided to introduce other vessels into service. Their new ships are, called Pandaw 2, 3 and 4 and are of the same P-class design as the original Pandaw. As has been seen in the past, whilst other vessels remained trapped in port due to hazardous low water levels, the Pandaws keep plying without interruption four times a week between Bagan and Mandalay.
P
andaws 2, 3 & 4 were built new in Yangon to IFC's own exacting standards. They are larger than the Pandaw 1, with 24 & 39 cabins respectively but otherwise are of the same colonial design. The much loved and generously sized staterooms (14 x 12 ft) of Pandaw 1 were faithfully reproduced as have the teak promenade decks that run around the ship. The Pandaw 3 is now plying the Mekong River; the Pandaws 2 is operating the longer cruises and the Pandaw 4 went to Calcutta, India but had so much bureaucracy put in their way that they have now pulled out from India and will reposition the vessel in the Mekong.3 - River Cruises
in Burma
with the Pandaw
Vessels
We offer a range of river cruise products of varying duration from 1 night to 20 nights. See below for full details of the Pandaw cruises. For schedules and prices please click on the Booking Enquiry button at the top left of your screen.
Between Bagan and Mandalay - the classic one or two night river cruise between the ancient capitals of Myanmar.
Expedition Cruises - for many years now IFC have offered their acclaimed river expeditions on the remoter reaches of the Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers. Whichever expedition cruise you choose, like Kipling, who immortalized the ‘old flotilla’ in verse, you will find a cruise with the Irrawaddy Flotilla the only way to discover off the beaten track Burma in comfort.
You will find the regular stops and explorations of the small riverside villages exciting and full of interest. As with the Nile, historic and sacred sites are situated close to the river banks. In fact, many places we moor at cannot be reached overland. Although the river expeditions have been running for many years, no two expeditions have ever been the same. They are constantly making new discoveries and learning more and more about these areas. Nearly all passengers comment that, compared with the tourist centres of Bagan and Mandalay, these river stops are far more interesting and exciting and the local people ‘unspoilt’. We want to keep the river ‘unspoilt’ and have strict codes of conduct for our passengers to ensure that this rich and vibrant culture remains unharmed. We visit schools and Monasteries and see local agriculture and industries at first hand. We very much hope that you will visit the ‘Golden Land’ and see for yourself this wonderful country. The rewards of a visit to Myanmar are indeed great, with splendid scenery, magnificent monuments, and above all a warm and smiling welcome from the Myanmar people themselves – who clearly believe that travel to their Country is a good thing!
4 - Between Bagan and Mandalay
Itineraries ~ from October to April
TWO NIGHT UPSTREAM ~ Bagan to Mandalay with stops along the way
TWO NIGHT DOWNSTREAM ~ Mandalay to Bagan with stops along the way
ONE NIGHT DOWNSTREAM ~ Mandalay to Bagan with a stop along the way
All trips ashore are escorted by a member of the ship's crew but passengers who wish to make their own explorations are welcome to. In each place the Pandaw stops for a minimum of one and a half hours. There is additional accommodation on board for licensed guides accompanying passengers that should be booked in advance.
Yandabo - this is a small village with no road access to the world. Dependent upon the riverine economy this village is famous for the production of terracotta pottery made from river bank mud. We see the pottery making process at various stages and are invited into people’s homes and visit the local Monastery. Pandaw passengers have generously donated funds to build a new and modern school for the village and we are currently involved in other projects to support this community who have always welcomed us so warmly. Yandabo is famous in Burmese history as the place where the Treaty of Yandabo was signed in 1855 between the Burmese king and the British. It is now a centre of pot production.
PRICING Two nights cruise
Please contact us for the latest pricing
Includes main meals, coffee, tea, mineral water; siteseeing during the cruise
Excludes transfers to/from the ship at start/end of cruise; alcoholic drinks; laundry
5 The Chindwin & Irrawaddy Rivers
Bagan - Monywa
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Mawlaik - Kani - Mingkin
Katha - Kalewa - Sagaing* - Mingun* - Mandalay*
A journey on the great
rivers of Myanmar to
discover the hidden treasures of this Golden Land
September
PRICING
Please contact us for the latest pricing
Price includes: guide services, all main meals, local beers and spirits, coffee and tea
Price excludes: flights, hotels, imported drinks, laundry, gratuity to crew
Dates to be reconfirmed
This cruise will operate in 2011
8 August - Yangon
International arrivals in Rangoon. Transfer to RV Pandaw II moored in the heart of colonial 'Downtown' Yangon.
Afternoon sightseeing and visit to the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda for sunset.
9 August - Irrawaddy Delta
Sail with the first tide up the Rangoon River and enter the Twante Canal, which connects the Yangon River with the Irrawaddy Delta. We stop on route at the Twante village to visit the potteries there, famed for their enormous water pots. Arrive Yandoon for evening walk in this delightful Delta town.
10 August - Danupyu
Continue our exploration of Delta creeks and stop at Donabyu, another little known town with a busy port and bustling markets. In the First Anglo Burmese War of 1825 the Burmese general Maha-Bandoola was defeated here following a long and near disastrous campaign by the British. Moor overnight off Henzada.
11 August - Manaugn and Tonbo
Sailing all day we stop to visit the markets and see old colonial buildings in the sleepy Delta town of Manaung and now enter the Irrawaddy River itself. We continue to moor for the night at Tonbo.
12 August - Prome
Stop at the famous A Kauk Taung to explore the spectacular stone carving on the cliff. We reach Prome by early afternoon and travel by coach to the 5th-8th century archaeological site of Thiri-ya-kittiya, former centre of the Pyu civilization with a fascinating museum of early Buddhist artifacts and sculpture.
13 August - Thayetmyo Frontier Post
This pleasant colonial town once guarded the border between Royal Myanmar and British Myanmar following the 2nd Anglo Myanma War of 1855. Many of the buildings including the covered market date from this period. Thayet also boasts the oldest golf course in Myanmar (1885). We visit the market, see the colonial houses and ride out by horse cart to the golf course, passing trough the former British botanical garden.
14 August - Minhla Forts
Minhla and Gwechaung - We visit the two Italian built forts constructed to keep the British at bay from Royal Myanmar. We climb the Gwechaung hill for the view. These were captured by the British in the 3rd Anglo Myanma War. The fight for the Minhla redoubt was the only serious action in the war and the death of a young subaltern inspired Kipling to write a poem.
15 August - Magwe Gold Bricks
We ride Trishaws to reach the magnificent Myat-thalon Pagoda, constructed with solid gold bricks. Of interest are the many nat shrines and hermitages within the temple precincts.
16 August - Sale
Here we visit the Yout-saun-kyaung monastery with its spectacular wood carvings; we also explore an area of splendid colonial-style houses. Moor at the Tan-chi-taung mountain and ascend by WWII jeep for the spectacular sunset over Pagan.
17 August - Pagan
We tour a selection of the 3,000 listed monuments.
18 August - Pagan - Theingone Monastery
Further explorations of Pagan. We cast off at lunchtime and proceed to the Theingone village to make a tour of construction of both the new school and the monastery.
19 August - Yandabo
This small rural village specialises in pot making. We visit the Pandaw School and the new dispensary both built with past donations from Pandaw passengers.
20 August - Ava and Amarapura Old Capitals
We explore these ancient capitals visiting the teak Bagaya Kyaung, Menu Ok-kyaung. We cross the famous U Bein Bridge to see the paintings in a temple and come back in sampan.
21 August - Sagaing Hills and Mandalay
The true delight of Sagaing lies in its 1.000 hermitages and
sanctuaries, rich in woodcarving and religious art. In the afternoon we tour central Mandalay visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and Shwe-im-bin teak carved monastery. We see tapestry making and other traditional crafts.22 August - Mandalay to Rangoon
Disembark Pandaw II and fly to Yangon. Transfer to the Dusit Inya Lake Hotel. Afternoon trip to Scots Market.
23 August - Rangoon
Transfers for international departures.
7 - Upper Irrawaddy 'Bhamo' Itinerary
Bagan - Mandalay - Katha - Bhamo
or
Bhamo - Katha - Mandalay - Bagan
PRICING
Please contact us for the latest pricing
Price includes: ground handling, which includes: 2 nights in a 4-Star hotel in Rangoon, all transfers, domestic flights, entrance fees, guide services, local beers and spirits, all main meals, coffee and tea
Price excludes: international flights, imported drinks, laundry, gratuity to crew.
1. The Golden Land : A Sacred
Landscape
2. Buddhism : The Buddha's Mission to Burma and Monastic Life
3. The Temple City of Pagan : A Buddhist Plain of Merit
4. Colonial Burma : George Orwell’s Burmese Days
5. Mandalay - The Last Burmese Capital
For nine years IFC have been offering this very different travel experience. Sailing through the heart of 'Middle Burma' we pass through a varying landscape - from the lush teak plantations around Pyay (Prome) to the desert country south of Bagan. We visit a number of small villages and towns and see local agriculture and manufacturing at first hand. These places are remote from the modern world and offer a glimpse of a timeless, lost Burma far from the usual tourist track. We also visit a number of old monasteries and temples of art historical interest in this the cultural heartland of old Myanmar.
Prome-Bagan-Mandalay
Day One international arrivals in Rangoon and transfer to the Inya Lake Hotel (or equivalent); afternoon orientation tour by coach followed by visit to the Shwedagon pagoda
Day Two drive by coach to Pyay (Prome) (4.5 hours) and board the Pandaw; in afternoon visit the archaeological site of Thiri-ya-kittiya; cast off at sundown and start your river cruise; welcome cocktails
Day Three Thayetmyo - a pleasant colonial town with the oldest golf course in Burma; visit the market, see the old houses and ride out by horsecart to see the countryside
Day Four Minhla and Gwechaung - visit the two Italian built forts constructed to keep the British at bay from Royal Burma. We climb the Gwechaung hill for the view
Day Five Magwe - we visit the magnificent Myat-thalon Pagoda with its solid gold brick work and many temples and hermitages.
Day Six Sale - here we visit a number of teak monasteries including the Yout-saun-kyaung with its spectacular wood carvings; we also explore an area of splendid colonial-style houses; moor at the Tan-chi-taung mountain and ascend on foot or by WWII jeep for the spectacular sunset over Bagan
Day Seven Bagan - tour a selection of the 3,000 listed monuments and visit lacquer workshops
Day Eight further explorations of Bagan; cast off at lunchtime and proceed to the busy town of Pakokku to make a tour of the market and hand-weaving workshops by trishaw
Day Nine visit Yandabo - a very small rural village that specialises in pot making
Day Ten Innwa (Ava) and Amarpura - explore these ancient capitals by coach or sampan visiting the teak Bagaya Kyaung, Menu Ok-kyaung and crossing the U Bein Bridge to see the paintings in a temple
Day Eleven morning visit Sagaing by Sampan and walk in the beautiful hills with over 1000 hermitages and sanctuaries, rich in wood carving and religious art. Return to ship for lunch and sail up to the Mandalay Gawein jetty. In the afternoon tour central Mandalay by coach visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and Shwe-im-bin teak carved monastery and the Mandalay Hill for the sunset. See tapestry making and other traditional crafts.
Day Twelve disembark Mandalay (Gawein Jetty) and fly to Yangon; transfer to the Inya Lake Hotel and afternoon coach trip to Downtown area and Scotts Market.
Day Thirteen transfers for international departures
Mandalay - Bagan - Prome
Day One international arrivals in Yangon (Rangoon) and transfer to the Inya Lake Hotel (or equivalent); afternoon orientation tour by coach followed by visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda
Day Two fly to Mandalay - city orientation tour by coach visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and Shwe-im-bin teak carved monastery; in afternoon visit the Mandalay Hill area; cast off at sundown followed by welcome cocktails
Day Three Innwa (Ava) and Amarpura - explore these ancient capitals by coach and sampan visiting the teak Bagaya Kyaung, Menu Ok-kyaung and crossing the U Bein Bridge to see the paintings in a temple
Day Four early morning cross the river by sampan and explore on foot the beautiful Sagaing Hills with over 1000 hermitages and sanctuaries, rich in wood carving and religious art. In afternoon arrive at Yandabo - a very small rural village that specialises in pot making; evening proceed to the busy town of Pakokku to make a tour of the market and hand-weaving workshops by trishaw
Day Five arrive Bagan and tour a selection of the 3,000 listed monuments; also visit lacquerware workshops
Day Six Bagan - further explorations of Bagan; cast off at lunchtime and moor at the Tan-chi-taung mountain and ascend on foot or by WWII jeep for the spectacular sunset over Bagan
Day Seven Sale - visit a number of teak monasteries including the Yout-saun-kyaung with its spectacular wood carvings; also explore an area of splendid colonial-style houses
Day Eight Magwe - visit the magnificent Myat-thalon Pagoda with its solid gold brick work and many temples and hermitages.
Day Nine Minhla and Gwechaung - visit the two Italian built forts constructed to keep the British at bay from Royal Burma. Climb the Gwechaung hill for the view
Day Ten Thayetmyo - a pleasant colonial town with the oldest golf course in Burma; visit the market, see the old houses and ride out by horse-cart to see the countryside
Day Eleven arrive at Pyay (Prome) and visit archaeological site of Thiri-ya-kittiya
Day Twelve disembark at Prome (Gawein Jetty) and drive by coach to Yangon (4.5 hours); check in to the Inya Lake Hotel (or equivalent); afternoon coach trip to Downtown area and Scotts Market
Day Thirteen transfers for international departures
Please contact us for the latest pricing
Price includes: ground handling, which includes: 2 nights in a 4-Star hotel in Yangon, all transfers, domestic flights, entrance fees, guide services, all main meals, local beers and spirits, coffee and tea,
Price excludes: international flights, drinks at bar, laundry, gratuity to crew.
PANDAW I ("PANDAW 1947")
Built in Scotland 1947 by Yarrow & Co delivered to Burma 1948
Refitted by IFC in 1998
Refitted by Ayrvata Cruises 2004
Length - 150ft
Beam - 32ft
Draft - 3ft
Engines - 2 x 250hp Dorman with Hydromaster propulsion
Gensets - 2 x 75 kVA Catepillar
Cabins - 16 deluxe cabins with own shower/wc
Water - desedimentation and full water treatment plant
Sewage - treatment plant
Comms - Inmarsat (or equivalent) phone/fax, SSB radio, internal phone system, PA system, tannoy for navigation
Safety - smoke detectors in all cabins, emergency lighting and generator, fire extinguishers, pumps and hoses, life jackets for all pax, life rafts, ship's boats
Navigation - ship's horn, searchlights
Amenities on board - laundry, bakery and fully equipped kitchen, refrigeration units
Hotel - a full inventory is supplied including all soft furnishings, bedding, bed linen, towels, dining service and cutlery, bar equipment
PANDAW II
Length - 180ft
Beam - 34ft
Draft - 3t
Engines - 2 x 350hp Catepillars
Gensets - 2 x 120 kva Catepillars
Cabins - a total of 24 cabins of 3.65m x 4.26m with own shower, wc, aircon, mini safes, etc (16 on the upper deck and 8 in the main deck).
Public - saloon/bar, dining, reception, promenade decks and sun deck
Water - de-sedimentation and water treatment plant on board
Sewage - treatment unit
Comms - Inmarsat (or equivalent) phone/fax, SSB radio, internal phone system, PA system, tannoy for navigation
Safety - smoke detectors in all cabins, emergency lighting and generator, fire extinguishers, pumps and hoses, life jackets for all pax, life rafts, ship's boats
Navigation - ship's horn, searchlights
Amenities on board - laundry, bakery and fully equipped kitchen, refrigeration units
Hotel - a full inventory is supplied including all soft furnishings, bedding, bed linen, towels, dining service and cutlery, bar equipment
PANDAW III ~ now cruising the Mekong
Class - Inland Water - Myanmar DMA
Length - 55m / 180ft
Beam - 10m / 34 ft
Draft - approx 1m / 3ft
Engines - 2 x 400hp engines with outboard propulsion
Power - 2 x 120kva Catepillar (AC) (or equivalent) gensets, port gensets
Cabins - a total of 39 cabins: 28 deluxe double staterooms of 3.65m x 4.26m with own shower, wc, aircon, mini safes, etc (18 on the upper deck and 10 in the main deck). 11 single cabins
Public - saloon/bar, dining, reception, promenade decks and sun deck
Water - de-sedimentation and water treatment plant on board
Sewage - treatment unit
Comms - Inmarsat (or equivalent) phone/fax, SSB radio, internal phone system, PA system, tannoy for navigation
Safety - smoke detectors in all cabins, emergency lighting and generator, fire extinguishers, pumps and hoses, life jackets for all pax, life rafts, ship's boats
Navigation - ship's horn, searchlights
Amenities on board - laundry, bakery and fully equipped kitchen, refrigeration units
Hotel - a full inventory is supplied including all soft furnishings, bedding, bed linen, towels, dining service and cutlery, bar equipment
Pandaw IV
|
Length |
180ft / 55m |
|---|---|
|
Beam |
34ft / 10m |
|
Draught |
3ft / 90cm |
|
Berths |
56 pax |
|
Decks |
3: Main, Upper, Sun |
|
Engines |
2 x 400bhp Cummins |
|
Propulsion |
Schotel outboard |
|
Built |
2004 |
Comms
Cell phones, Sat phones (where permitted by local authorities) VHF and SSB radio, internal phone system, PA system and tannoy system for navigation purposes.
Safety
Smoke detectors in all cabins and public places, emergency lighting and generator, fire pump, hydrants and hoses, fire extinguishers, life jackets for all on board and life rafts.
Navigation
Navigation lights, ships horn, searchlight, GPS, Radar (where permitted by local authorities).
Amenities
On board laundry, bakery, fully equipped galley and refrigeration units; air conditioning for all inside areas.
Water
Treatment plants for desalination, de-sedimentation and purification using UV and osmosis.
Sewage
Microbiotic treatment plants.
Class
Myanmar DMA Inland Water (based on Lloyds Inland Water Class).
Flag
Country flags in areas of operation.
Insurance
Ship Owners UK: P&I policies with over USD45million per vessel.
Crew
28 of mixed Asean nationalities.
Management
European expatriate experts employed directly by Pandaw Cruises supervising experienced Asian Pursers.
Burma River Cruises ~ an experience not to be missed!!
We Take Good Care of You!!
Thursday July 15, 2010