The New Year’s voyage contains an array of unique visits and experiences devised for this special celebration trip.
Activities include...
- Sunrise yoga and meditation sessions on the top deck or at a local pagoda
- Local art exhibition in the Observation Lounge
- Massages, pedicures and manicures on top deck
- Exclusive lecture and musical introduction to "Music and the Cycles of Life" which aims to help record and preserve the ancient musical heritage of indigenous peoples
- lectures on Burmese culture and history
- Burmese tribal costume show
- Visit to the bridge with the captain
- Lunch on top deck with a local supplier with the chance to taste and learn about local produce
- On 31st December on the top deck there will be a special New Years Eve Cocktail Party, prior to indulging in a special feast prepared by the chef, following by a Jazz band and shan balloons released into the sky at midnight for each guest to make a new year's wish
The voyage also includes a number of excursions and surprises uniquely tailored for this exclusive trip which will only be revealed during the course of the cruise.
Itinerary
Saturday 26th December – Bagan
Morning domestic flight from Yangon to Bagan. On arrival, transfer to the Road To Mandalay berthed on the Ayeyarwady River. Bagan is home to over 2,000 temples and pagodas, scattered over an awe-inspiring plain beside the river. After lunch on the top deck, join the guide for a sunset tour of Bagan and visit the inside of some of the more significant pagodas. A pony and cart ride will take you to Pyadhadgyi Temple to watch the sun setting over a field of glowing pagodas. Upon return to the ship enjoy an aperitif and your first dinner in the Restaurant. Take in a local Art exhibition in the Observation Lounge before retiring to your cabin for the night.
Sunday 27th December – Bagan & cruise
Awaken the senses with early morning Meditation or Yoga at a local pagoda, followed by a leisurely breakfast on board. Join the guide to explore some of Bagan's local markets selling wood carvings, fabrics, longyis and rattan goods and see Myanmar's famous lacquer ware being made. Mid-morning the ship begins its cruise north towards Mandalay. Relax on the top deck with a back revival massage or a pedicure and manicure and watch the fascinating river life glide by. The guide lectures on local places and customs. After lunch on the top deck, enjoy a local Tanaka and longyi presentation, followed by a delightful afternoon tea ceremony. Late afternoon, discover the sights of Yandabo village, famous for the production of terracotta pottery made from the river bank mud. There will be a chance to view a Novication ceremony where the local boys are initiated into the monastery to become Buddhist monks. Return to the ship around sunset where she moors mid-river for the evening. A casual cocktail party with Burmese guest speaker is followed by dinner on board.
Monday 28th December – Mandalay
Sunrise meditation and Yoga sessions are available on the top deck. This morning is spent at leisure on board and local guest speakers will lecture on Burmese culture and history. Arrive at the village of Shwe Kyet Yet after lunch and enjoy a guided tour of the key sights of Mandalay, regarded as the centre of Burmese culture and Buddhist learning. The tour will include a visit to Mahamuni Temple, one of the three holiest places in Myanmar. Before returning to the ship, admire sunset over the river at U Bein’s Bridge, reported to be the longest teak bridge in the world. After dinner experience a musical introduction “Music and the Cycles of Life” which aims to help record and preserve the ancient musical heritage of indigenous peoples.
Tuesday 29th December – Ava & Mandalay
Sunrise Yoga or meditation is followed by an early morning offering of alms at Shew Kyet Yet. Breakfast on board at your leisure and enjoy the lecture of introduction “Music and the Cycles of Life”, following on from yesterday evening. Late morning, transfer by tender boats and horse carts to the ancient city of Ava which has served as capital of the Burmese kingdom for nearly 400 years. After a picnic lunch, transfer by bus to Mandalay and visit Mandalay Palace. A Myanmar wine presentation will take place prior to Dinner on board, followed by an optional local Mandalay evening experience off the ship.
Wednesday 30th December – Mingun & Sagaing
Sunrise Meditation or Yoga for the early risers, and breakfast on board. Transfer by bus and local boat to Mingun. Visit the unfinished Pagoda and the world's largest un-cracked bell. Return by ferry for a delicious lunch served on the top deck. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Sagaing, with visits to a nunnery lead by an 80 year old nun, a local silversmith and Soon U Pon Nya Shin Pagoda. Before sunset return to Road To Mandalay to dress for a special Burmese style dinner served outside at a historical village house. A Burmese tribal costume show will provide tonight’s entertainment before returning to the ship to retire for the night.
Thursday 31st December (NEW YEARS EVE) – Burmese Village
Sunrise meditation and Yoga sessions are available on the top deck. Breakfast on board as the Road to Mandalay departs for Bagan, cruising towards the small Burmese village of Pauk Taw Pauk Myaing. A walking tour of this traditional Burmese village gives you the opportunity to discover the Burmese way of life first hand - from farming and handicrafts to spirit houses and tea-shops. Return to the ship for lunch and set sail for Bagan once more. The rest of the day is spent relaxing on board, observing the fascinating local river life glide by from the top deck. An on-board guide lectures on the Myanmar way of life. A refreshing afternoon tea ceremony will be available on the top deck and piano bar late afternoon. A New Years Eve cocktail party on the top deck will start the evening’s celebrations, followed by Chef’s special buffet dinner feast in the Restaurant and Observation Lounge. The celebrations continue with a Jazz band on the top deck and a champagne countdown to Midnight with some traditional Burmese surprises to welcome in the New Year.
Please note the dress code for this evening is formal – suggested tuxedo for men and long evening dress for ladies.
Friday 1st January 2010 (NEW YEARS DAY) - Bagan
A leisurely New Year’s Brunch is served mid morning on the top deck while cruising towards Bagan. There is a choice of activities and sightseeing today so you can spend New Years day on your preferred program. One Option takes you on a journey to Mount Popa, an extinct Volcano, where you will also visit sugar palm village and the unique Mount Popa monastery, enjoying lunch at Mount Popa Resort. You may decide to join the bike tour and find yourself cycling upstream through pagoda fields and local villages, stopping for a relaxing lunch at a colonial style house restaurant on stilts overlooking the Ayeyarwady River. Alternatively you may wish to discover the pagoda fields and Burmese way of life in a less energetic way by royal horse cart, meeting fellow travellers at the restaurant for lunch. As the sun sets for your final night on board, Chef has prepared a unique farewell dinner served in the restaurant.
Saturday 2nd January - Bagan
After an early breakfast on board, disembark the Road To Mandalay and transfer to Bagan airport for your onward flight to Yangon.
