Pyay - Bagan - Mandalay

Pyay

• Activities:

  Check in cruise, join longyi presentation, afternoon excursion to Pyay, visit Shwesan-Daw pagoda

• Meal:

  Lunch]Onboard,Dinner]Onboard

• Included:

  735,

Acquaint yourself with the Makara Queen as you prepare for your voyage. Our staff will be on hand to answer any question or query you may have about your upcoming journey. After settling into your room, enjoy a refreshing welcome beverage on Makara’s sundeck and take in spectacular views of the Ayeyarwady River. A longyi (a traditional Myanmar outfit similar to a sarong) presentation follows, where we teach you the traditions behind Myanmar’s most famous garment. Take an afternoon excursion to Pyay, which was once an important trade town on the Ayeyarwady. We will visit the famous Shwesan-Daw pagoda before travelling to Shwe Daung village and see the famous glasses-wearing Buddha.

Thayetmyo

• Activities:

  Horse-drawn carriage to Thayet Myo, join a cooking class

• Meal:

  Breakfast]Onboard,Lunch]Onboard,Dinner]Onboard

• Included:

  735,

After a freshly brewed cup of tea or coffee on the sundeck of the Makara Queen, we will embark on an excursion by horse-drawn carriage to Thayet Myo, formerly a border town between the Royal Burmese North and the British Colonial South. We will then return to the boat where you can enjoy an afternoon of leisure. Browse the books in the on-board library, have a refreshing drink in the dining room or just relax by our swimming pool. In the early evening, join a cooking class where we showcase two of Myanmar’s most famous dishes: lahpet thoke (green tea leaf salad) and gin thoke (ginger salad).

Minhla Fort

• Activities:

  Visit Minhla fortress, explore ‘Dragon Volcano’, bus to the ancient Myat Thalon Pagoda, watch

• Meal:

  Breakfast],Lunch],Dinner]

• Included:

  735,

After breakfast we will take an excursion to the fortress of Minhla, built by Italian architects to assist the Burmese King in preventing British troops from advancing from the south. Following this we will enjoy an à la carte lunch aboard the Makara Queen. In the afternoon, we will embark on an excursion to the holy ‘Dragon Volcano’ and then continue by bus to the ancient Myat Thalon Pagoda in Magwe, before enjoying a spectacular sunset over the Ayeryarwady River back in the boat. After a pre-dinner beverage and dinner from our à la carte menu, we will show The Lady, a film that details the life of Aung Suun Suu Kyi, one Myanmar’s most popular political figures, and provides an in-depth overview of the country’s modern history.

Magway

• Activities:

  Ride rickshaw around Magwe, visit market and local factory, learn about Myanmar argiculture and medical techniques

• Meal:

  Breakfast]Onboard,Lunch]Onboard,Dinner]Onboard

• Included:

  735,

After breakfast, we will take a tour around Magwe city on a local rickshaw. During the excursion, you will be able to explore an authentic Myanmar market and learn ancient techniques from a traditional blacksmith. We will then return to the Makara where you can enjoy an afternoon of leisure. Browse the books in the on-board library, have a refreshing drink in the dining room or just relax by our swimming pool. After dinner, we will have a presentation from a local farmer about the exotic fruits and vegetables of Myanmar. Afterwards, a traditional medicine practitioner will give a lecture on ancient Myanmar medical techniques.

Bagan

• Activities:

  Explore Bagan archaeological sites, watch traditional Myanmar Puppet show

• Meal:

  Breakfast]Onboard,Lunch]Onboard,Dinner]Onboard

• Included:

  735,

After sailing overnight, we will arrive at the ancient royal capital of Bagan. With over 3,000 religious buildings, Bagan is one of the largest archaeological sites in Southeast Asia and a true spectacle to behold. We will visit its many temples in the morning. After lunch on board, we will continue our discovery of Myanmar. During the day, our tour guide will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about this ancient kingdom. Finish off your day aboard the Makara with a dinner prepared from only the freshest organic ingredients. Following the meal, a traditional Myanmar Puppet show, complete with live music, will take place on the upper deck. This fun performance is not to be missed.

Yandabo village

• Activities:

  Visit Shwe Pyi Tha & Yandabo village

• Meal:

  Breakfast],Lunch],Dinner]

• Included:

  735,

In the morning we will embark on an excursion to Shwe Pyi Tha Village and get a glimpse of life in a traditional Myanmar village and learn about the Makara Queen’s charity work with the community. We will then continue our voyage, and sail through the confluence of the Chindwin and Ayeyarwady rivers. After lunch on board, we will explore the picturesque village of Yandabo. Famous for producing unique terracotta pottery out of riverbank clay, Yandabo is also steeped in history. The village is recognised as the site where the Yandabo Treaty was signed, ending the first Anglo-Burmese war between the British East India Company and the Royal Burmese Household of Ava in 1826.

Sagaing

• Activities:

• Meal:

  Breakfast]Onboard,Lunch]Onboard,Dinner]Onboard

• Included:

  735,

After enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast on board the Makara, we will embark on a bus excursion to the beautiful Sagaing Hills. Sagaing is an important religious and meditation centre for Myanmar people. We will visit the Sun-U-Ponnya-Shin pagoda, which dates back to the 14th century. Following this, we will travel by horse and cart to the ancient city of Ava, formerly known as Inwa. In the afternoon, we will visit the famous Mingun Paya Pagoda. Originally planned to be the largest pagoda in the world, the construction was halted after the death of King Bodawphaya in 1918. As this is the last evening of your voyage, we will enjoy a farewell cocktail party on board, followed by a gala dinner.

Mandalay

• Activities:

• Meal:

  Breakfast]Onboard

• Included:

Rise early to enjoy your last morning aboard the Makara. Enjoy a freshly brewed cup of tea or coffee on the sundeck before heading to our international breakfast buffet. Prior to disembarking, a historical expert will provide an enthralling storytelling session on the ancient history of Buddhism in Myanmar. Don’t forget to say goodbye to the staff and the Makara Queen before disembarking. We will arrange for transportation to pick you up from the pier to continue to discover Myanmar in all her glory.