Irrawaddy River Cruise

Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, meet with the guide and driver and transfer to the hotel for check-in. 

Enjoy your welcome dinner at the iconic colonial Strand Hotel.

Optional: Embark a local train for a ride around Yangon’s suburbs. 

Alternatively, be guided on a tour of Yangon’s thriving art scene, or ride a ferry across the Yangon River to Dhala village.

Later this afternoon you visit Chaukhtatgyi Paya, Yangon’s reclining Buddha.

As the sun is setting, wander around Shwedagon Pagoda and learn about the ritual of oil lamp lighting before partaking in this tradition.

This evening enjoy the included amenities of your Pacific Club access. 
 

After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Yangon's Airport for a flight to Bagan (Nyaung Oo). 

From the 11th to 13th centuries, when Bagan was the capital of Myanmar, rulers constructed thousands of huge stupas and temples, many of which are still standing today on the banks of the Irrawaddy River. 

On arrival, enjoy a local lunch before visiting the Ananda Temple. Afterwards transfer to the jetty and join the luxurious Scenic Aura cruising on the Irawaddy River. 
 

Take advantage of a day of cruising as you sail to Magwe. Spend the day relaxing and getting to know the facilities of Scenic Aura.

Arrive into Magwe later this afternoon. 

Explore Magwe by traditional trishaw and take in the views from Mya Tha Lun Pagoda, a mesmerising architectural vision set on Naguttama Hill. 

Continue cruising downstream to the Italian built Minhla Fort where its capture by the British brought an end to independent Burma. 

Afterwards sail back upstream towards Salay.

Make use of the ship’s luxury and take the time to sip a cocktail by the pool or enjoy some solitude on your private balcony during your day sailing upstream along the Irrawaddy to Salay.

Arrive late in the afternoon to spend the night alongside this colonial riverside town.

On your morning walking tour of Salay admire the colonial buildings, the Youqson Kyaung, a beautiful teak monastery now converted to a museum and look inside the largest lacquer Buddha in Myanmar.

Soak up the ambience of the river and the colonial feel of the town while enjoying traditional local Burmese tea and snacks in a restored colonial villa dating from 1906.

Continue sailing to Bagan. Relax on the Sun Deck with a cocktail in hand viewing the many temples and pagodas that line the river as you approach the ancient location.
 

Rise early to attend and partake in morning alms for the local monks.

Optional: Venture to Mount Popa, home to Myanmar’s nats or nature spirits, or cross the river to Tant Kyi Tuang to take in the expansive elevated views of Bagan.

Alternatively, wander through the markets at Nyaung U before either exploring the Temple Circuit, or enjoying a visit to Old Bagan. Be wowed by a Scenic exclusive mystical themed dinner, with included free flow drinks and cultural show in front of candlelit Bagan temple ruins.
 

Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight - Take a ride in a hot air balloon over the temples of Bagan. Must be purchased prior to your cruise.

Travel by horse and cart through Bagan plain and its temple ruins before learning all about the production of Burmese lacquerware. 

Depart Bagan and sail to Pakkoku for an overnight visit. Here we visit a cheroot cigar workshop, the local market and longyi and blanket factory.
 

Arrive in Yandabo where in 1826, the peace treaty ending the First Anglo-Burmese War was signed. Now famous for its pottery, stroll through the village and witness the artisans honing their craft. 

Continue sailing to Mingun.
 

Cruise to Mingun to discover the stories behind a huge unfinished brick pagoda. 

Nearby, admire the un-cracked Mingun Bell and the all-white Hsinbyume Pagoda.
 

In Sagaing interact with novice monks, nuns and orphans during a visit to a monastic supported school before continuing to a quiet nunnery where you will partake in the ritual and our donation to the resident nuns before their midday meal.

Also take in the views over the Irrawaddy River from Sagaing Hill before sailing to Mandalay to visit Amarapura.

In Amarapura, relax with evening drinks in boats under U-Bein Bridge, to capture that memorable photo of the bridge’s silhouette at sunset.

Back on board enjoy the special farewell by Scenic Aura’s crew.
 

After disembarkation, admire the intricate artistry of Shwenandaw, a beautiful wooden monastery. Equally impressive are the sights at Kuthodaw Pagoda, home to the ‘World’s Largest Book’. Later, walk through the rebuilt Mandalay Palace.

Learn how to produce gold leaf at a local workshop. At Mahamuni Pagoda, male guests will be able to place the gold leaf on the iconic Buddha statue.

Enjoy your farewell dinner at your hotel in Mandalay.

 

Transfer to the airport and fly to Yangon to connect with your journey home.