April 2018
Join Wine Diva Deb on the AMAPura for a 10-night upstream cruise embarking in Pyay. Visit sacred sites, small villages, craftsmen’s workshops, markets and Buddhist monasteries, and enjoy a full-day tour of Bagan and its rich collection of stupas, temples and pagodas. Take in the stunning view from atop Mt. Popa and visit the Golden City of Mandalay.
Cruise Details
| Day | Port | Activity |
| 1 | YANGON – PYAY – EMBARKATION | Welcome to Pyay, also known as Prome, an important commercial center for trade between the Ayeyarwaddy Delta. Tonight, meet your fellow travelers at a Welcome Dinner. (D) |
| 2 | PYAY | Take a walking tour of Pyay, the former capital that once served as an important junction between Lower and Upper Burma and home to more than 80 gilded pagodas. During your city tour you will see the ancient Sri Kestra City Gate, enjoy a visit to the Sri Kestra Museum and the Payagi Pagoda. (B,L,D) |
| 3 | MINHLA – MAGWE | Further upstream today, the ship will stop at Minhla, site of a great battle during the Second Anglo-Burmese War. A short walk brings you to a Colonial Fort, built by Italian engineers in 1860 to keep British forces out of Burma. Later, visit Magwe and take a panoramic coach tour to see the Mud Volcano in Minbu, the mythical home of fire breathing dragons living deep beneath the earth. You’ll also see the General Aung San “Bogyoke” Statue and the Myathalon Pagoda, situated on the banks of the river. (B,L,D) |
| 4 | SALAY | Your ship cruises to Salay today, a small community that boasts more than 50 monasteries built of teak. Visit Yokesonekyaung, built in 1882 and the region’s oldest surviving wooden monastery, famous for its wood carvings and collection of religious artifacts. You will also see a splendid colonial-era house and the 13th century Man Pagoda, which contains the largest lacquer Buddha in Myanmar. (B,L,D) |
| 5 | THANT KYI TAUNG – BAGAN | Join your fellow passengers for an excursion up Tant Kyi Taung Mountain to visit its famous pagoda, built in the year 1059 by King Anawrahta and known to house a sacred Buddha relic. Later, your ship’s Sun Deck offers the perfect vantage point for your first glimpse of the plain of Bagan, one of the world’s most awe-inspiring archeological sites. Upon arrival in Bagan, you will visit an observation tower where you will enjoy a beautiful sunset while sipping on a refreshing cocktail. Afterwards, transfer to a local temple and participate in a candle lighting ceremony blessed by local monks. (B,L,D) |
| 6 | BAGAN | Your full day in Bagan offers you three sightseeing choices. The first is climbing to the observation deck (250 steps) or the top (777 steps) of Mount Popa, legendary home of animist nat spirits. Afterwards, stop for lunch and enjoy a tasting of Jaggery, a palm sugar that is made from the Totty Palm Tree. Alternatively, you may enjoy free time to shop and explore other attractions at the Mount Popa Resort. Your third option is an excursion to some of the most distinctive pagodas in the Bagan Archaeological Zone, like Shwezigan Pagoda and the Ananda temple. Afterwards, you will spend some time at the lively Nyaungoo market, where you can search for local handicrafts, colorful textiles and other unique souvenirs. Later, visit the 13th century Gubyaulgyi Temple, which is situated near the Wetkyi-inn Village, and the Pyathada temple. (B,L,D) |
| 7 | BAGAN – YANDABO | Admire one last sunrise over Bagan before the ship departs for Yandabo, a peaceful village where the British and Burmese signed a treaty ending the First Anglo-Burmese War in 1826. Yandabo is widely known for its finely crafted terracotta wares and you’ll have a chance to see a pottery-making demonstration by local artisans, as well as glimpses of typical village life. (B,L,D) |
| 8 | INWA – AMARAPURA – SAGAING | This afternoon you will visit Inwa, the capital of the Burmese kingdom for more than four centuries. Explore the ancient ruins of the city by horse-drawn carriage and see the splendid Bagaya monastery, built entirely of teak. Afterwards, drive to Amarapura to watch the sunset at the world’s longest teak wood footbridge, the U-Bein Bridge. If you prefer to spend more time relaxing on board, you may forego the Inwa village visit and choose to take the U-Bein Bridge excursion only. (B,L,D) |
| 9 | SAGAING – MINGUN – MANDALAY | This morning ship stops today at the former royal capital of Sagaing, famous for its hundreds of monasteries and its tranquil atmosphere. In Sagaing, you’ll visit a local monastic school and the Soonuponyashin Pagoda. Continue on to Mingun where you will see its famous 12-foot high bronze bell and the massive ruins of Pathodawgyi (the “unfinished pagoda”), originally intended to be 499 feet high. Although only a third of it was ever completed, it remains the world’s largest brick pagoda. Alternatively, take a tuk-tuk ride through Mingun to explore the sights. You’ll also have a chance to visit the Myatheindan Pagoda, built in 1816 and painted white as a representation of the mythological Buddhist mountain, Mount Meru. Another option today in Mingun allows you to visit the Pathodawgyi, the Mingun bronze bell, and also offers you a chance to climb to the top of Myatheindan Pagoda (77 steps). (B,L,D) |
| 10 | MANDALAY | After arriving in Mandalay, head ashore for a full-day tour that includes many of the city’s most iconic sights, including the bronze Mahamuni Buddha, covered by the faithful with a thick layer of gold leaf. Visit the workshops of skilled craftsmen making thin sheets of gold and stop at Kuthodaw Pagoda (said to contain the world’s largest book, Buddhist scriptures inscribed on 729 marble slabs), Mandalay Hill, and Shwenandaw monastery, an architectural masterpiece filled with wood carvings. Instead, you may choose to take a half-day city tour of Mandalay which includes the Kuthodaw Pagoda, Shwenadaw Monastery, and Mahamuni Buddha. Afterwards you will have the unique opportunity to visit a local school in Mandalay. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board the ship with your fellow travelers. (B,L,D) |
| 11 | MANDALAY – DISEMBARKATION – YANGON | After breakfast aboard the AmaPura, bid farewell to Myanmar and prepare for your homeward journey. (B) |
On Board Inclusions
- 10 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom
- Most with French balconies or revolutionary Twin Balconies
- Life enriching tours and excursions daily
- State-of-the-art Infotainment System in all staterooms featuring free high-speed Internet access, hit Hollywood movies, extensive music library & English language TV stations
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board
- Terry bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding
- Gourmet dining with all meals included during your cruise
- Multiple dining venues on select vessels
- Free-flowing red & white wines from Europe’s great wine regions, beer & soft drinks with every lunch and dinner on board
- Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
- Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain’s Gala Dinner
- Special highlights including lectures, cooking demonstration, on board music performances and piano music
- Bicycles to explore on your own & guided bicycle tours
- Services of professional Cruise Manager
- All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
- All local taxes
- All gratuities
Pricing Details* (per person US$)
River Cruise
| Category | Deck | Stateroom | Price/person |
| E | Piano | Fixed windows | TBA |
| D | Piano | Fixed windows | TBA |
| C | Violin & Cello | French Balcony | TBA |
| BB | Cello | French Balcony & Outside Balcony | TBA |
| BA | Violin | French Balcony & Outside Balcony | TBA |
| AB | Cello | French Balcony & Outside Balcony | TBA |
| AA | Violin | French Balcony & Outside Balcony | TBA |
| AA+ | Violin | French Balcony & Outside Balcony | TBA |
| Suite | Violin | French Balcony & Outside Balcony | TBA |
*Port charges of US$161 per person are additional
To Reserve your space
Send email to: winedivadeb@yahoo.com or call Wine Diva Deb on 206-617-6160.
River Cruise: Deposit of $400/person is required.
All reservations based on double occupancy. Non refundable $25 booking fee will apply to all booking. Travel Insurance highly recommended as well as Personal & Medical Insurance.
Prices Do Not Include: Published prices do not include vessel fuel surcharges; passport and visa fees; baggage fees; port charges and fees; travel, health, accident or other insurance; vaccinations; laundry; additional food and beverages; optional excursions; gratuities or other items or services of a personal nature.
Passport and Visas: A valid passport is required for each participant. Passports must be valid for at least six (6) months after the scheduled return date to your home country. For travel to Asia, we require a copy of your valid passport prior to or at final payment. If not received at this time, embarkation may be denied and cancellation penalties will apply. At publication time, a visa is required for a US citizen to travel to Myanmar. Non-US citizens must consult the appropriate consulates regarding visa and other document requirements. Obtaining required visas and any other required travel documentation, and assuring these are complete and correct in all ways, is the sole responsibility of each participant. We are not in a position to obtain or verify the accuracy or completeness of any participant’s visa or other required documentation and shall not be responsible or liable for delay or missed portion of any part of the itinerary or other problems resulting from the participant lacking the appropriate travel documentation.
