The Strand Cruise has announced details of a new 11-night itinerary between Mandalay and Yangon, offering passengers the option of a longer and more immersive cruise experience, as well as access to less frequently visited temple sites and villages along Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady River.
The Strand Cruise will operate an 11-night itinerary cruising the 596 mile section of the Ayeyarwady River from Mandalay, via Ava, downstream to Yangon on Friday, April 28. Passengers will have the option to book the entire itinerary, or alternatively shorter sectors of the voyage between either Mandalay and Bagan, or Bagan and Yangon.
Highlights of the journey include a visit to the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, a 2,500-year-old pagoda and one of the most sacred and impressive Buddhist sites in Myanmar, covered with hundreds of gold leaves and a stupa encrusted with 4,531 diamonds; the forts of Gwechaung, two strategically significant hillside forts constructed in 1860; the Myat-thalon pagoda, which is constructed of solid gold bricks; the beautiful teak monastery of Yoke Sone-Kyaung in Sale; the Shwe San Daw temple in Bagan, which contains a series of five terraces, topped with a cylindrical stupa, which has a bejewelled umbrella; Mingun, one of the country’s former capitals; and the U-Bein Bridge, a crossing that spans the Taungthaman Lake near Amarapura, believed to be the oldest and longest teakwood bridge in the world.
While the ship is cruising between stopping points, passengers can choose to spend their time relaxing by the pool, on the shaded sofas of the sun deck, or in the ship’s spa. A schedule of activities, lectures and cooking demonstrations on the country’s many traditions and culture is also on offer, as well as the chance to mix and mingle with other passengers during cocktail parties thrown by the crew.
Rates for the 11-night journey from Mandalay to Yangon are priced from $4,076 (from £3,383) per person sharing a Deluxe Cabin based on double occupancy. Rates include all excursions and activities on board The Strand Cruise as described in the set itinerary, three meals during full sailing days, breakfast on day of disembarkation, soft drinks & local beer, house wine during meals, port charges, English speaking guides (alternative language guides can be provided on request subject to availability) and satellite WI-FI in all cabins and public areas.
This new itinerary is offered in addition to The Strand Cruise’s regular schedule of twice-weekly three- and four-night sailings between Bagan and Mandalay, departing Mondays from Bagan on the four-night journey to Mandalay, and every Friday for the three-night journey from Mandalay to Bagan.
Visit www.thestrandcruise.com