Mandalay to Homalin River Cruise

You will be transferred from Mandalay to the pier in Monywa in the morning, arriving midday. You’ll have the afternoon to explore the city, including a visit to the prominent Thanbodi Temple, with its countless Buddha images.

Tonight is spent in Monywa on board ship. You set sail tomorrow afternoon.

Beyond Monywa and the Phowintaung Caves you’ll enter the Upper Chindwin.

The scenery will change as you journey further north, with the river beginning to narrow and the forested hills falling away to reveal brilliant-green paddy fields. During the afternoon, you’ll make a brief stop at a local fishing village to stretch and explore. Otherwise, today is at leisure on board ship.

Formerly a royal retreat, the town’s teak monasteries are remnants of Myanmar’s pre-colonial history. They survive in excellent condition and are beautifully decorated with relics from the Konbaung era. You’ll have ample time to explore them today, including the oldest wooden monastery in Myanmar, which is to be found in the nearby village of Kan. You’ll also find time to visit Mingin’s bustling market.

Unlike Mingin, there’s little that is traditionally Burmese about the place; certainly not the abandoned golf course, the colonial houses, or what is perhaps the most curious of all of Mawlaik’s features, the ‘Olympic stadium’, long past its prime and now a convenient cattle grazing field. Mawlaik truly feels like a relic from a bygone age, and the small number of cars—this region is only easily accessed by boat—and lack of any other signs of modernity only add to this feeling.

In the afternoon continue across the confluence of Yu and Chindwin Rivers to Sitthaung.

Occupied by the Japanese during WWII, the town is the resting place of several IFC steamers scuppered there in 1942 by the retreating British forces. When the water levels are low, you can see the remains of these old ships. There will also be time to visit Tamu, a small town on the Indian border where the survivors of the Japanese invasions retreated to.

Arrive at Homalin late afternoon. The last stop of your tour, the remote city of Homalin is the furthest point on the Chindwin River that can be accessed by larger vessels such as the RV Kalay. Close the day with a sumptuous dinner to mark the end of your cruise.

Your tour ends in Mandalay/Yangon. If you are continuing your travels in Myanmar, you will be met by your guide and/or driver on arrival at the airport for the continuation of your itinerary.