Mandalay

In the morning board on board Metta cruise and set sail over the mighty river. After an hour our first stop will be made at the Mingun Village. Walk in the famous village where you will see a pagoda dotted range MINGUN, one of the highlights of the region. Visit will include MINGUN BELL, the world’s largest un-cracked bell weighing 90 tons. Continue to the HSINBYUME pagoda and the unfinished MINGUN pagoda built as one of the world’s largest chedis by King Bodaw Paya. Continue the cruise up the river. Lunch on board. Visit a local village call Myaezun where, if luck be in your side, Ayerwaddy dolphins roam around in different seasons. Overnight sleep in a village before we approach Nwe Nyein. Dinner on Board.

Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda

After breakfast on board, explore famous pottery village, Nwe Nyein. Wonder around the village and gain an insightful knowledge of pottery and glazing methods. Continue ashore to one of the most ancient civilizations of Pyu era in Myanmar, a village call Hanlin. Hanlin is one of the Pyu Ancient Cities located 13 kilometers from the river and drive nearly one and half hours. Today Hanlin is listed as a World’s Heritage Sites because of its unique remains. Visit Archeological Museum, excavations, the graveyards, silver coins, inscriptions written in Pyu script and bronze ornaments. According to the archaeological findings, the Pyu ancient people lived during the 2nd century BC until 9th century AD trading with China and India and spoke Tibeto-Burma languages. Come back to the cruise and have lunch and set sail. Dinner on board.

Cast off early morning, sail upriver to Htigyaing. In the morning, we climb the Pagoda Hill at Htigyaing with its stunning views of the Irrawaddy. Moor over night at Thapayar village

Shwegu

Early departure, after breakfast we arrive Katha, the setting of the George Orwell’s book “Burmese Days” and also the place where hundreds of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company ships were scuttled in 1942 before the Japanese could seize them. We explore this pleasant colonial town surrounded by hills plenty of hardwood forests and (if time permit) we will also visit an elephant logging Moor overnight Kyung Daw ( the other bank of Shwe Gu ).

Bhamo

Early departure we enter the dramatic 2nd defile with its magnificent cliffs reaching down the narrow channel. We arrive at Bhamo in the late afternoon. Evening walking tour of the town, an important trading post located just 50 miles from the Chinese border.

Bhamo

Depend on disembarkation & flight time.