Registration is at 06:00 at the Chatrium Hotel in Yangon. Transfer by coach to Prome (4.5 hours) and board your Pandaw; after lunch visit 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. Hmawza is a picturesque site and we cross jungle and countryside to visit monumental Pyu stupas and the excavations of the former palace-city in this walled early centre of Buddhism. Cast off at sundown with cocktails on deck.
Day 2: Thayetmyo Frontier Post
This pleasant colonial town once guarded the border between Royal Burmah and British Burmah following the 2nd Anglo Burmese War of 1855; many of the buildings including the covered market date from this period. Thayet also boasts the oldest golf course in Burma (1885) said by the locals to be reciprocally clubbed with the Royal & Ancient St Andrews (however, when we mentioned this in an early brochure we received a curt note from the R&A Secretary denying any such association). Outside the town is an extensive war cemetery where Turkish prisoners of war were laid to rest. Captured in Iraq, the Turks were transported to labour camps in Burma where they died in their hundreds of malaria. In the town itself, we visit the market, see the colonial houses and ride out by horse cart to see the countryside and golf links.
Day 3: Minhla Forts and Magwe
Minhla and Gwechaung - a visit to the two Italian built forts constructed to keep the British at bay from Royal Burmah; climbing the Gwechaung hill to take in the view. The forts were captured by the British in the 3rd Anglo Burmese 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. Gwechaung, the more impressive of the forts, was captured from the rear before the Burnese could turn the guns around.
In the afternoon, we cruise on to Magwe where we climb the river bank and wend our way through a labyrinth of passages and paths to reach the magnificent Myat-thalon Pagoda. This pagoda is constructed with solid gold bricks. Of interest are the many nat shrines and hermitages within the temple precincts. Casting off at noon, we sail through a leisurely afternoon.
Day 4: Sale Monasteries
Here we visit a number of teak monasteries including the Yout-saun-kyaung with its spectacular wood carvings, explore an area of splendid colonial-style housesand finally moor at the Tan-chi-taung mountain. Here, ascend on foot or by WWII jeep for the spectacular sunset over Pagan.
Day 5: Pagan
We tour by coach a selection of the 3,000 listed monuments at this World Heritage Site. Puppet show on deck at night.
Day 6: Pagan Monuments
Further exploration by coach of the monuments and visit to a lacquerware school and markets. Cast off in the afternoon.
Day 7: Yandabo Potteries and Pandaw School
This very small rural village specialises in pot making. We visit the Pandaw School, built with past donations from Pandaw passengers.
