IFC Pandaw Special Cruises 2007

The Chindwin (B-CH3)

12 nights - Bagan to Homalin - Pandaw

In 2005 we successfully ran our first Chindwin expedition since 2000 and it was a resounding success. For the first time since colonial days a river cruise ship with foreign travelers on board voyaged the full navigable length of the river as far as Homalin. The Chindwin is one of the most difficult rivers in the world to navigate. We must traverse labyrinths of sand bars and mount violent rapids. Whirlpools guard entry to tight gorges. Water levels are prone to drop 6ft (2m) overnight and can leave a ship high and dry in the midst of an island. Then there is a ten month wait for the next rise. No wonder we have been nervous about offering such an experience again. Given the success of the 2005 expedition we will run two back-to-back expeditions in 2006. To make the expedition even more exciting we fly our passengers in or out of Kale-myo airfield by private air charter to embark or disembark the ship at nearby Kalewa. This then gives our expedition a real start to enable us to penetrate deeper into the Upper Chindwin than in the past when reached as far as Kindat.

On the Chindwin you will pass through some of the most dramatic and exciting riverscapes possible. Jungle cascades into the fast flowing, muddy rivers and not far to the west across the steep mountain ranges lies India. Of great interest are a number of unpublished art treasures around Mingkin, which includes the oldest teak carved monastery in Myanmar.

We can only offer this expedition during the monsoon period. It will be rainy but not all the time. River banks will be muddy and slippery. On the positive side the rains do keep the heat off and the atmosphere of cruising through tropical downpours can be romantic in the extreme. But be warned! We are linking this 10 night cruise with the 10 night Upper Irrawaddy so that serious river explorers can cover the two great rivers of Myanmar on one visit with 20 nights on board the much loved Pandaw II. Pagan and Mandalay sight seeing have not been included as most of our passengers know these places well but extra nights on board or in hotels may be booked at these places if required.

Itinerary

From Bagan to Homalin to Kalewa on the Pandaw 2

Date: September 02 2007

2 September - Rangoon

Arrive Yangon International Airport and stay overnight at the Dusit Inya Lake Hotel (or equivalent 4 star); sunset visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda.

3 September - Rangoon to Kalemyo

The gateway town for the Chin State. We explore Kalewa with its markets and quaint wooden architecture.

4 September - Kalewa to Kindat

Stop for morning walk at Balet, a charming and typical river community.

5 September - Kindat to Paungbyin

Kindat was as far as the old IFC steamers ventured outside of the Monsoon season. This part of the Chindwin valley is very sparsely populated and villages are few and far between.

6 September - Paungbyin to Sitthaung

We pass the mouth of the Yu River which drains the Kubu valley. Sitthaung was the final resting place of a number of IFC steamers scuppered there in 1942.

7 September - Sithaung to Toungdoot

Toungdoot or Hsawng-hsup in Tai, is an ancient Shan enclave which in British times still had a ruling prince or sawbwa complete with palace and court.

8 September - Toungdoot to Homalin

We pass the Uyu River worked by gold washers on the way to Homalin, the furthest navigable point on the Chindwin for vessels of our size.

9 September - Homalin to Mawlaik

Mawlaik replaced Kindat as the administrative capital. Like other towns of the Upper Chindwin, they can only be reached by boat so cars are few.

10 September - Mawlaik to Mingkin

Mingkin with its Konbaung court style teak monasteries are sumptuously decorated. Mingkin may be described as the Luang Prabang of the Chindwin.

11 September - Mingkin to Monywa

Entering the Lower Chindwin where the river widens and the forested hills fall away to farmland we pass a number of

attractive villages. We will explore Monywa and time permitting make a quick trip to the Thanbodi Temple with its million Buddha images.

12 September - Monywa to Pagan

Arrive in afternoon for brief tour a selection of the most significant of the 3,000 Buddhist monuments found at this World Heritage Site.

13 September - Pagan to Rangoon

Fly to Rangoon to stay at the Dusit Inya Lake Hotel. Afternoon visit to the Downtown area and the famous Scott Market.

14 September - International Departures

If time permits we can arrange a visit to the War Graves at Taukkyant

 

Chindwin & Upper Irrawaddy (B-CHUI2)

20 nights on board Pandaw II or IV and 2 nights in a Rangoon hotel

In 2005 we were pleased to reintroduce, under demand from many old passengers, our Chindwin Expedition, not attempted since 2000. The expedition, commencing at Kalewa with a special air charter, was the first time foreign travellers have been able to cruise the Upper Chindwin since the 1930s. We repeated this unique formula again in 2006 with similar success.

The scenery was spectacular and we were welcomed with astonishment by the many remote communities through which we passed. Achieving our goal of Homalin over 600 miles from the Chindwin’s confluence with the Irrawaddy we returned downstream all the way to the ancient city of Pagan just below the confluence. Then we continued a further 700 miles up the Irrawaddy past Mandalay to Bhamo, the most northerly navigable point on the Irrawaddy and gateway to China. From Bhamo a second air charter took us back to Rangoon.

Twenty nights on a river cruise may seem a long time but the majority of our passengers were old clients and happy to spend so long in the convivial atmosphere of a Pandaw. No two days were the same with varied scenery and diverse cultural sites. In view of the success of this expedition we will repeat it again as a special offer to old passengers with a considerably reduced price.

Note this expedition takes place during the monsoon season which is the only time we have sufficient water levels to attempt these remote rivers. It may rain but not continuously. River banks may be muddy and slippery. This is a real expedition and the itinerary subject to sudden changes due to water levels or other local conditions.

Cruise price includes 22 nights accommodation in Burma, all main meals, tea, coffee and water, free flow bar for local spirits, beers and soft drinks, transfers, domestic flights, guides, entrance fees, port dues. Cruise price excludes imported wines and spirits, laundry, gratuity to crew.

Departure/Arrival dates:  September 02 to September 24 2007

Itinerary

20 nights on board Pandaw II or IV and 2 nights in a Rangoon hotel

2 September - Rangoon

Arrive Yangon International Airport and stay overnight at the Dusit Inya Lake Hotel (or equivalent 4 star); sunset visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda.

3 September - Rangoon to Kalemyo

The gateway town for the Chin State. We explore Kalewa with its markets and quaint wooden architecture.

4 September - Kalewa to Kindat

Stop for morning walk at Balet, a charming and typical river community.

5 September - Kindat to Paungbyin

Kindat was as far as the old IFC steamers ventured outside of the Monsoon season. This part of the Chindwin valley is very sparsely populated and villages are few and far between.

6 September - Paungbyin to Sitthaung

We pass the mouth of the Yu River which drains the Kubu valley. Sitthaung was the final resting place of a number of IFC steamers scuppered there in 1942.

7 September - Sithaung to Toungdoot

Toungdoot or Hsawng-hsup in Tai, is an ancient Shan enclave which in British times still had a ruling prince or sawbwa complete with palace and court.

8 September - Toungdoot to Homalin

We pass the Uyu River worked by gold washers on the way to Homalin, the furthest navigable point on the Chindwinfor vessels of our size.

9 September - Homalin to Mawlaik

Mawlaik replaced Kindat as the administrative capital. Like other towns of the Upper Chindwin, they can only be reached by boat so cars are few.

10 September - Mawlaik to Mingkin

Mingkin with its Konbaung court style teak monasteries are sumptuously decorated. Mingkin may be described as the Luang Prabang of the Chindwin.

11 September - Mingkin to Monywa

Entering the Lower Chindwin where the river widens and the forested hills fall away to farmland we pass a number of attractive villages. We will explore Monywa and time permitting make a quick trip to the Thanbodi Temple with its million Buddha images.

12 September - Monywa to Pagan

Cruise all day through the great Lower Chindwin plain.

13 September - Pagan

Tour a selection of the most significant of the 3,000 Buddhist monuments found at this World Heritage Site. We will visit lacquerware manufacturers. Sail in the afternoon and moor overnight at Thein Gone village to visit the new school and the monastery.

14 September - Yandabo Village

We head upstream to the Chindwin confluence and stop in the evening at Yandabo. Here we visit the Pandaw School built with donations from past Pandaw passengers.

15 September - Ava and Amarapura

In the morning we travel to Ava and explore the ruins, visiting Bagaya Kyaung, a 200 year old royal monastery made of teak with elaborate wood carvings. In the afternoon travel to Mandalay for an orientation tour of the city area visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and sunset at Amarapura U-Bein Bridge.

16 September - Mingun Pagoda and Bell

We cast off early and stop at Mingun to see the largest working bell in the world and the unfinished pagoda that is the largest single mass of brick building in the world. We also visit the Mingun Old People’s Home originally established with the assistance of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the 1930s.

17 September - Kyaung-myoung Potteries

Visit the spectacular potteries near Kyauk-myoung We enter the Third Defile and sail upstream all day stopping at Khan-nyat village with its many Buddhist monasteries and an orphanage we support.

18 September - Tagaung Ancient City

Explore by foot the ancient city of Tagaung viewing the fortifications. In the evening we climb the Pagoda Hill at Tigyang with its stunning views of the Irrawaddy.

19 September - Burmese Days

We reach the enchanting colonial town of Katha, setting for George Orwell’s Myanma Days. Katha was the final resting place of the old flotilla and here over a hundred ships were scuppered in 1942.

20 September - Shwegu

We continue upstream to Shwegu, another centre of pot making, and Kyun-daw a midstream island of monasteries and countless small pagodas.

21 September - Bhamo

Cruise through the 2nd Defile, the most dramatic of the three gorges with cliffs towering over the narrow channel.

Reach Bhamo in the afternoon, an important trading town close to the Chinese border.

22 September - 1st Defile

Chartering a smaller ‘country boat’ we will proceed upstream from Bhamo and attempt to reach the dramatic 1st Defile. In the evening explore Bhamo’s bustling markets.

23 September - Bhamo to Rangoon

Disembark at Bhamo, transfer to airport by local bus, and fly to Rangoon and check in to Dusit Inya Lake Hotel. Coach trip to visit the famous Scots Market and if of interest the gem emporia.

24 September – Rangoon

Optional early morning visit the World War II cemetery at Taukkyant. International departures.

 

Upper Irrawaddy

12 nights - Bagan to Bhamo - Pandaw IV

This expedition combines scenic interest with a study of local life and culture. We visit the main historic and cultural centres as well as many remoter places well off the beaten track. Such small towns and villages are part of a rich river economy and thriving with local industry and activity. Irrawaddy valley civilisation has changed little in hundreds of years and wherever we go the people are warm, friendly and very hospitable.

The river varies enormously: it is vast with endless winding channels just above Mandalay and then d

ark and narrow through the 3rd Defile. It is a constantly changing landscape with a stunning back drop of mountains.

Departure/Arrival Dates 2007:

UI18 - 8 Oct 08 to 20 Oct 08 (Upstream)

UI19 - 18 Oct 08 to 30 Oct 08 (Downstream)

UI20 - 31 Oct 08 to 12 Nov 08 (Upstream)

UI21 - 10 Nov 08 to 22 Nov 08 (Downstream)

Itinerary

Bhamo to Bagan on Pandaw IV

Day 1: Rangoon

Transfer from the airport check in to the 4 star Dusit Inya Lake Hotel. Lunch and rest. We visit the Shwedagon for the sunset followed by a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: Fly to Bhamo

Transfer to ship by local bus, Bhamo. Tour Bhamo in the afternoon for an evening walking tour of this important trading town set close to the Chinese border. In the evening we will have more time to explore Bhamo’s bustling markets and Chinese temples.

Day 3: Singu

Chartering a smaller ‘country boat’ we will proceed upstream from Bhamo and attempt to reach the village of Singu below the dramatic 1st Defile. Cruise through the 2nd Defile, the most dramatic of the three gorges with cliffs towering over the narrow channel.

Day 4: Shwegu

We continue upstream to Shwe-gu, another centre of pot making, and Kyun-daw a midstream island of monasteries and countless small pagodas. Stop overnight at a tribal village.

Day 5: Katha - Myanma Days

We reach the enchanting colonial town of Katha, setting for George Orwell’s Myanma Days, and little changed since then. Of interested are the fire station’s collection of IFC ship’s bells taken from sunken ships in the Second War.

Katha was the final resting place of the old flotilla and here over a hundred ships were scuppered in 1942 in an Act of Denial before the advancing Japanese. If permitted we visit an elephant logging camp in the hardwood forests of the hills that surround the town and if time allows a visit to the lake at Indaw-lay offers a glimpse of highland Myanmar with its rich bird life.

Day 6: Tagaung Ancient City

We explore by foot the ancient city of Tagaung viewing the fortifications, a famous nat or spirit shrine and the archaeological area. In the evening we climb the Pagoda Hill at Tigyang with its stunning views of the Irrawaddy.

Day 7: Kyaung-myoung Potteries

Visit the spectacular potteries near Kyauk-myoung where the famous 50 gallon water pots are hand made. We see all stages of manufacture from the throwing of the pots to the week long firing in huge kilns. We enter the Third Defile and sail upstream all day stopping at Khan-nyat village with its many Buddhist monasteries and an orphanage we support. If free, the village orchestra and dancers will perform for us on the sun deck after dinner.

Day 8: Mingun Pagoda and Mandalay

We cast off early in the morning and stop at Mingun to see the largest working bell in the world and the unfinished pagoda that is the largest single mass of brick building in the world. We also visit the Mingun Old People’s Home originally established with the assistance of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the 1930s. In the afternoon we travel to Mandalay for an orientation tour of the Mandalay city area visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda.

The Mandalay classical ballet troupe will perform, on deck scenes from court dramas.

Day 9: Ava and Amarapura Old Capitals

In the morning we travel to Ava and explore the ruins, visiting the superb Bagaya Kyaung, a 200 year old royal monastery made of teak with elaborate wood carvings. and sunset at Amarapura U-Bein Bridge.

Day 10: Yandabo Village and School

Upstream to the Chindwin confluence and stop in the evening at Yandabo, a picturesque village with small family run potteries. Here we visit the Pandaw School built with donations from past Pandaw passengers. Sail in the afternoon and moor overnight at Thein Gone village to visit the new school and the monastery.

Day 11: Pagan

Tour a selection of the most significant of the 3,000 Buddhist monuments found at this World Heritage Site. We visit lacquerware manufacturers. Puppet show on deck at night.

Day 12: Pagan to Rangoon

Fly to the capital and check in at Dusit Inya Lake Hotel. Coach trip to visit the famous Scots Market and if of interest the gem emporia.

Day 13: Rangoon

Optional early morning visit to the World War II cemetery at Htaukchan. International departures.

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Pagan to Bhamo on Pandaw IV

Day 1 : Rangoon

Transfer from the airport check in to our 4 star hotel. Lunch and rest. We visit the Shwedagon for the sunset followed by a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 2 : Pagan

Fly up and board Pandaw II. Tour a selection of the most significant of the 3,000 Buddhist monuments found at this World Heritage Site. We will visit lacquerware manufacturers. Sail in the afternoon and moor overnight at Thein Gone village to visit the new school and the monastery. Puppet show on deck at night.

Day 3 : Yandabo Village and School

Upstream to the Chindwin confluence and stop in the evening at Yandabo, a picturesque village with small family run potteries. Here we visit the Pandaw School built with donations from past Pandaw passengers.

Day 4 : Ava and Amarapura Old Capitals

In the morning we travel to Ava and explore the ruins, visiting the superb Bagaya Kyaung, a 200 year old royal monastery made of teak with elaborate wood carvings. In the afternoon we travel to Mandalay for an orientation tour of the Mandalay city area visiting the Mahamuni Pagoda and sunset at Amarapura U-Bein Bridge.

The Mandalay classical ballet troupe will perform, on deck scenes from court dramas.

Day 5 : Mingun Pagoda and Bell

We cast off early in the morning and stop at Mingun to see the largest working bell in the world and the unfinished pagoda that is the largest single mass of brick building in the world. We also visit the Mingun Old Peoples Home originally established with the assistance of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in the 1930s.

Day 6 : Kyaung-myoung Potteries

Visit the spectacular potteries near Kyauk-myoung where the famous 50 gallon water pots are hand made. We see all stages of manufacture from the throwing of the pots to the week long firing in huge kilns. We enter the Third Defile and sail upstream all day stopping at Khan-nyat village with its many Buddhist monasteries and an orphanage we support. If free, the village orchestra and dancers will perform for us on the sun deck after dinner.

Day 7 : Tagaung Ancient City

We explore by foot the ancient city of Tagaung viewing the fortifications, a famous nat or spirit shrine and the archaeological area. In the evening we climb the Pagoda Hill at Tigyang with its stunning views of the Irrawaddy.

Day 8 : Katha - Myanma Days

We reach the enchanting colonial town of Katha, setting for George Orwells Myanma Days, and little changed since then. Of interested are the fire stations collection of IFC ships bells taken from sunken ships in the Second War. Katha was the final resting place of the old flotilla and here over a hundred ships were scuppered in 1942 in an Act of Denial before the advancing Japanese. If permitted, we visit an elephant logging camp in the hardwood forests of the hills that surround the town and if time allows a visit to the lake at Indaw-lay offers a glimpse of highland Myanmar with its rich bird life.

Day 9 : Shwegu

We continue upstream past Shwe-gu, another centre of pot making, to Kyun-daw a midstream island of monasteries and countless small pagodas. Stop overnight at a tribal village.

Day 10 : Bhamo

Cruise through the 2nd Defile, the most dramatic of the three gorges with cliffs towering over the narrow channel.

Reach Bhamo in the afternoon for an evening walking tour of this important trading town set close to the Chinese border.

Day 11 : Singu

Chartering a smaller country boat we will proceed upstream from Bhamo and attempt to reach the village of Singu below the dramatic 1st Defile. In the evening we will have more time to explore Bhamos bustling markets and Chinese temples.

Day 12 : Bhamo to Rangoon

Disembark at Bhamo, transfer to airport by local bus, and fly to Rangoon and check in to our hotel. Coach trip to visit the famous Scots Market and if of interest the gem emporia.

Day 13 : Rangoon

Optional early morning visit the World War II cemetery at Taukkyant. International departures.

 

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