Officially known as the Ayeyarwady River, the Irrawaddy River flows north to south in Myanmar, and is the country's largest river. It spans 1,350 miles through Myanmar. Its name comes from a Sanskrit word meaning "elephant river." Therefore, one of the great ways to see the country of Myanmar and travel through the rainforest by boat is to embark on one of the Irrawaddy River cruises featured online. Many journeys last 10 days and allow you to immerse yourself in all things Myanmar. This river cruise typically begins in Mandalay and leads to the city of Bagan. View the sublime river scenery as your thoughts drift back to another era and time. Experience memorable sunrises and sunsets, as the sun ascends or sets behind the rooftops of pagodas. With river cruise volume buys plus our low everyday prices you can save up to 50% versus the brochure price! Book your Irrawaddy river cruise today with AffordableTours.com, your discounted river cruise headquarters.
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The city of Mandalay sits next to the Irrawaddy River. The city lies over two tectonic plates, which meet beneath the city. The tectonic fault below Mandalay is called the Sagaing Fault. The fault is the meeting place for the Sunda and India tectonic plates. Because tectonic plates can trigger earthquakes, the city is at risk for a seismic event. A magnitude 7 earthquake took place in Mandalay in 1956. The quake damaged a large part of the city of Sagaing and therefore is known as the Great Sagaing Quake.
Located next to the Irrawaddy River northwest of Mandalay, Mingun is a small town in the center of Myanmar. It is known as the home for a number of interesting landmarks, such as the Mingun Pahtodawgyi, also known as the unfinished pagoda.
Inwa or Ava, located in Myanmar, is known for its religious ruins and structures – buildings that existed during the 1300s to 1800s, during several reigns as the Burmese capital. One of the primary structures is the Bagaya Kyaung, a teak monastery built during the 19th century.
Bagan is one of the most popular attractions in Myanmar. Known as a temple town, Bagan's archaeological zone occupies a 26 square-mile area. The Irrawaddy River drifts along the town's north and west sides. The overgrown village does not feature a thriving nightlife. Instead, it is a place to explore ancient temples and architecture.
Serving as the gateway to Inle Lake, Nyaung Shwe has a backpacker and hiker type of feel. Its main street, Yone Gyi Road. features an array of budget restaurants, Internet cafes, shops, and stupas. If you are looking for a peaceful escape, you will find what you are seeking when you enter Nyaung Shwe.
Kalaw allows you to see Myanmar village life up-close and permits you to immerse yourself in Myanmar culture. Some of Kalaw's well-visited sites include the Myoma Market and the Thein Taung Monastery. Another must-see site is the Hnee Pagoda with its large gold Buddha.
Inle Lake is one destination that allows you to take in both the culture and natural scenery of Myanmar. The watery spot is the ideal venue for cycling and exploring. Intha fisherman row their canoes with one leg and gardens float over the quiet waves. Wooden stilt houses, at the lake, perch above the water, somewhat like a crane or similar water bird.
Besides Bagan, Yangon is another popular tourist attraction in Myanmar. Originally, a fishing village named Dagon, Yangon was the capital of Myanmar from 1948 to 2005. After 2005, Naypyidaw became the capital. Nevertheless, Yangon is considered the largest city in the country. People refer to Yangon as the "city of Golden Pagodas," with the biggest pagoda being the Shwedagon Pagoda.
The rain seasons lasts from May to October. Therefore, the Irrawaddy river cruises between Mandalay and Bagan often operate between September and April. This schedule prevents cruise operators from having to deal with flooding or finding another way to transport passengers.
Your best time to travel to Myanmar is during the cool and dry season that spans from November through February. During this time, the temperatures are cooler and drop to a comfortable level at night. Don't worry about rains or flooding. You can drift over the Irrawaddy River and go at a slower pace.
When the wet seasons begins in March, temperatures climb dramatically along with the humidity. However, if you can take the heat, you will also find that you can find some river cruise packages that will allow you to spend more money on souvenirs or extended tours. You can also get some good values on airfare.
Irrawaddy River cruises normally feature transport between Mandalay and Bagan. Some reach Yangon as well. It just depends on the length of travel. The Irrawaddy River makes it possible for you to stop at towns and villages and view pagodas and temples in various venues.
On an Irrawaddy River cruise, you will get all your meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for free and can enjoy complimentary beverages on your trip. All-inclusive packages include Wi-Fi, deluxe cabins or staterooms, and balconies outside of cabins. Enjoy offshore guided excursions or relax on the ship's upper deck.
The best Irrawaddy River cruise is one that meets your expectations with respect to luxury, convenience, and price. Concierges and local guides make it possible for you to truly experience an interesting and informative trip.
A river cruise trip of 10 days runs around $3,200 per person. That price covers butler services, onboard Wi-Fi, free meals and beverages, and airport transfers.
By Libby Brame, CTA, Cruise Groups Coordinator, Cruise Training Manager & Clendon DuRapau, Senior Travel Consultant, CTA Traveling to Myanmar, known as “The Golden Land,” we knew we were in for a treat. We were looking for something different because both of us are pretty well-traveled and love off the beaten path destinations. We wanted to…
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