Sold Out
Trip Style
River Cruise
Accommodation
4 Star
Guide Level
Fully Guided, Locally Guided
Trip Code
MTRIV25
Overview
Read 2 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Travelmarvel's 25 Day The Irrawaddy, Inle Lake & the Mekong. Embrace the marvels of Myanmar, Vietnam & Cambodia on this River Cruise. Cruise the Irrawaddy river, journey down the Mekong River & explore the culture and cuisine of the region.
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Yangon, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, visit the Reclining Buddha, stop for photographs at the Kandawgyi Lake and then take a walk through the colonial downtown area of Yangon. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner. Stay Two Nights: Pullman Yangon Centrepoint (D)
Insider Experience: Stay in the Colonial Quarter at the Pullman Yangon Centrepoint.
Insider Experience: Stay in the Colonial Quarter at the Pullman Yangon Centrepoint.
This morning is at your leisure. Perhaps visit Dala or set off on a history tour. This afternoon, head to Bogyoke Market before enjoying your Insider Experience. (B/D)
Insider Experience: Ascend Singuttara Hill in Yangon to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda.
Insider Experience: Ascend Singuttara Hill in Yangon to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda.
This morning, transfer to Yangon airport for your chartered flight to Magwe. Board the RV Princess Panhwar, your beautiful home for the next seven nights. Enjoy lunch onboard before an afternoon excursion to see the venerated Mya Tha Lun Pagoda and a traditional Buddhist nunnery. Stay Seven Nights: Irrawaddy River, RV Princess Panhwar (B/L/D)
Cruise to Salay. Visit Yoke Sone Kyaung, the region's oldest wooden monastery, built in 1882 and known for its detailed wood carvings. After, see the Mann Paya Pagoda and its impressive golden Buddha that stands almost 20 feet tall. (B/L/D)
Enjoy breakfast on board while cruising to Bagan, one of the world's greatest archaeological sites. This morning, experience a traditional cultural dance followed by a visit to a local lacquerware workshop. Prepare to marvel this afternoon at Bagan's best highlights. See the well-preserved Ananda Temple, called the ‘Westminster Abbey of Myanmar', and the large Htilominlo Temple before gorgeous sunset viewing over the pagodas. (B/L/D)
At sunrise this morning, perhaps ride a hot air balloon over picturesque Bagan (surcharge applies). After, explore the bustling Nyaung U Market and stop by Shwezigon Pagoda. Sail to Pakokku to enjoy your Insider Experience. (B/L/D)
Insider Experience: Explore local workshops in the village of Pakokku.
Insider Experience: Explore local workshops in the village of Pakokku.
Tour the village of Yandabo today, a place famous for its terracotta pots that have been hand-crafted in the same fashion for generations. Afterwards, whet your appetite with an onboard cooking demonstration. (B/L/D)
In Sagaing, explore Soon Oo Ponya Shin Pagoda before visiting a local silversmith's workshop. Cruise to Mingun and visit the Pahtodawgyi and Myatheindan pagodas, as well as the Mingun Bell, one of the largest ringing bells in the world. (B/L/D)
After your Insider Experience at Mahamuni Buddha Temple, head to Kuthodaw Pagoda and the Shwenandaw Monastery. This afternoon, visit a silk workshop followed by your Insider Experience. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner and unique cultural show on board. (B/L/D)
Insider Experience: Visit Mahamuni Buddha Temple to see gold leaf added to the statue of Mahamuni Buddha.
Insider Experience: Visit Mahamuni Buddha Temple to see gold leaf added to the statue of Mahamuni Buddha.
This morning, transfer to Mandalay airport for your flight to Heho. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and take time to unwind Stay Three Nights: Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min (B/D)
Insider Experience: Enjoy three nights at the Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min.
Insider Experience: Enjoy three nights at the Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min.
Spend the day on the lake, sightseeing aboard a local boat. Visit the Nga Phe Chaung Monastery before cruising past a floating village, and stop at the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. After lunch at Inle Heritage, visit a boat building workshop in Nam Pan. (B/L)
Visit Indein village, catching a glimpse of farmers and buffalo on the river banks. Walk through a cluster of hundreds of ancient stupas. (B/D)
Today, fly to Yangon for your onward flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel. Stay Three Nights: Siem Reap, Shinta Mani Shack (B)
Insider Experience: Stay at the stylish Shinta Mani Shack in Siem Reap.
Insider Experience: Stay at the stylish Shinta Mani Shack in Siem Reap.
This afternoon, travel to the temple of Ta Prohm and explore its verdant, intertwined trees. For the rest of your day, you have two Insider Experiences to look forward to. (B/D)
Insider Experience: See an Apsara performance, a historic Khmer dance.
Insider Experience: See an Apsara performance, a historic Khmer dance.
Discover the remains of the iconic Angkor Archaeological Park, including the 12th-century temple Bayon. Finish the day with sunset at Angkor Wat. (B)
Transfer to Kampong Cham for your Mekong River cruise. The RV Apsara will be your home for the next seven nights. Stay Seven Nights: Mekong River, RV Apsara (B/L/D)
Insider Experience: Explore the agricultural Koh Pen Island by tuk tuk.
Insider Experience: Explore the agricultural Koh Pen Island by tuk tuk.
Disembark this morning for a walking tour of Angkor Ban, one of the few traditional villages left in Cambodia. Later, tour Oknha Tey, or ‘Silk Island', located on the lush banks of the Mekong River. Visit the village and see the traditional silk weaving that has been preserved for centuries. (B/L/D)
This morning, an excursion takes you to Oudong, Cambodia's former royal capital. While here, enjoy an Insider Experience. En route back to Phnom Penh, explore Koh Chen, a village specialising in the manufacture of copperware. Here you'll visit some small family workshops and have the opportunity to buy some souvenirs. (B/L/D)
Insider Experience: Receive a traditional Buddhist blessing by monks in Oudong.
Insider Experience: Receive a traditional Buddhist blessing by monks in Oudong.
Today, join an excursion to the infamous Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, on the site of the Khmer Rouge's notorious Security Prison 21. Later in Phnom Penh, a tour takes you to visit the extravagant Royal Palace. See the Silver Pagoda and admire the Emerald Buddha. (B/L/D)
Spend today on board as you cross over the border into Vietnam. (B/L/D)
After breakfast, step ashore for a tour of Tan Chau by rickshaw. (B/L/D)
Take a boat to Sa Dec and visit Huynh Thuy Le's old house, once the lover of French writer Marguerite Duras. After lunch, travel to Cai Be. Go ashore to see Cai Be's French Gothic Cathedral and visit a local rice paper manufacturer to learn how rice paper is made. (B/L/D)
Disembark at My Tho Port today and take a step back in time on your visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The Cu Chi Tunnels, built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the Vietnam War, were used by Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots during combat. Stay Two Nights: Ho Chi Minh City, Fusion Suites Saigon (B/L)
Insider Experience: Dine at The Chopsticks Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City.
Insider Experience: Dine at The Chopsticks Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City.
Your last day in Ho Chi Minh City is yours to spend at leisure. This evening, a final Insider Experience awaits. (B/D)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Stay in the Colonial Quarter at the Pullman Yangon Centrepoint
- Ascend Singuttara Hill in Yangon to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda
- Experience local workshops in the village of Pakokku
- Visit Mahamuni Buddha Temple to see gold leaf added to the statue of Mahamuni Buddha
- Enjoy a boat ride as the sun sinks behind U-Bein Bridge
- Spend three nights at Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min
- Stay at the stylish Shinta Mani Shack in Siem Reap
- Visit Opportunities of Development thru Art (ODA) which supports local underprivileged children
- See an Apsara performance, a historic Khmer dance
- Explore the agricultural Koh Pen Island by tuk tuk
- Receive a traditional Buddhist blessing by monks in Oudong
- Stay at the modern Fusion Suites Saigon
- Dine at The Chopsticks Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City
- 10 nights in premium accommodation
- Seven night Irrawaddy River cruise on the RV Princess Panhwar
- Seven-night Mekong River cruise aboard the RV Apsara featuring all suite categories with balconies
- Services of Travelmarvel Tour Directors and local guides
- Airport transfers, port charges and tipping
- Flights within itinerary
- 60 meals – 24 breakfasts, 16 lunches and 20 dinners
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change
- Prices include transfers, port charges and tipping
- Flights must arrive in Yangon by 10am
- Low water itinerary may come into effect for February sailings on the RV Princess Panhwar
- Day 13 is unescorted
- Disruptions to cruising and itinerary may occur
- Prices are for land/cruise only. Flights not included (unless specified)
Trip Reviews (2) Most Recent 'The Irrawaddy, Inle Lake & the Mekong' Reviews
5.0
5 Star
4 Star
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Southbound Irrawaddy cruise 1 William, WA, Australia, Nov 2018
This was a wonderful cruise and both the crew and staff were wonderful, the boat was luxurious and very comfortable. It was extremely relaxing, most of the excursions were very informative, and overall the trip was great value for money. I would truly recommend using Travelmarvel and visiting Myanmar anytime, don't believe the bad press about the country, ...read more the people are very warm and friendly.
But there were a couple of downsides to this trip along with criticisms, if I had been informed;
In Mandalay I would not be visiting the Royal Palace and the Mandalay Hill Su Taung Pyae Pagoda, I would have arranged to visit there off my own back on the Saturday. Also it would have been worth Travelmarvel actually offering this excursion to the early arrivals on the Saturday joining the boat rather than waste all afternoon doing nothing.
The teams of Blue, Orange and Yellow should have been split up into peoples physical ability, you ended up with people who were reasonably fit being slowed down and missing out out on things because of this issue.
And further a trip to the Mandalay Jade market early on the Sunday morning would have been better than visiting the workshops we visited on the Sunday, as most travellers we have seen loads of silver, gold and silk workshops previously.
Sometimes the lack of information and different versions of the same story didn't help e.g. In AVA/Amarapura we did a horse cart ride, there was still visible the old brick castle wall and moat to be seen as we drove past it for some distance, our guides didn't even think to point out that we could see it as we passed through the old gates.
In Bagan we should have visited the world famous five sided Dhammayazika Pagoda in the afternoon excursion, rather than the ones on offer. When questioned about this we were told it's too far to travel and having flown over the pagoda on the morning balloon ride it was clearly not more than 30 minutes from where the boat was moored. Additionally in Bagan we visited a brick pagoda whose mural was stolen in the 19th century by a German explorer, I noticed there was still an early depiction of Buddha shown in an early Egyptian style, sadly our guide didn't even think it was worth pointing out.
I really disagreed with the school visit, I don't mind supporting or visiting the school but disagree with the children been disrupted often regularly by travel excursions (and to be taught the birdy song, really). If I had this happening in my child's school in Australia regularly by a busload of Myanmar visitors I would be making huge complaints.
The visit to the burial site of General Mahaa Bandula was sadly lacking in detail about one of Myanmar's great Generals, apart from there he is by our guide, when his life story was fascinating. The evening entertainment l felt let the boat down, the putting on of any movies from documentary and historical was pointless after 9pm, most passengers went to bed after the evening meal at 8.30pm. They would have been better shown in the afternoon on days with one excursion in the morning when we were sailing for 5-6 hours in the afternoon. More people would have watched and then they could have offered something else in the evening with passenger participation.
Additionally as a solo traveller to find out that some passengers had been given generous discounts and also the two for one deals with couples paying half of what I paid for myself really left me feeling ripped off, especially considering what I got hit in a single supplement. I feel Travelmarvel should have offered a free laundry and local drinks package as compensation to solo travellers or better still scrapped the solo supplement, please pass my feedback to Travelmarvel.
Lastly Global Journeys were wonderful from the day I contacted them to when I returned, nothing was too much trouble and I am very happy with the service Jemma gave me and would use you again.
But there were a couple of downsides to this trip along with criticisms, if I had been informed;
In Mandalay I would not be visiting the Royal Palace and the Mandalay Hill Su Taung Pyae Pagoda, I would have arranged to visit there off my own back on the Saturday. Also it would have been worth Travelmarvel actually offering this excursion to the early arrivals on the Saturday joining the boat rather than waste all afternoon doing nothing.
The teams of Blue, Orange and Yellow should have been split up into peoples physical ability, you ended up with people who were reasonably fit being slowed down and missing out out on things because of this issue.
And further a trip to the Mandalay Jade market early on the Sunday morning would have been better than visiting the workshops we visited on the Sunday, as most travellers we have seen loads of silver, gold and silk workshops previously.
Sometimes the lack of information and different versions of the same story didn't help e.g. In AVA/Amarapura we did a horse cart ride, there was still visible the old brick castle wall and moat to be seen as we drove past it for some distance, our guides didn't even think to point out that we could see it as we passed through the old gates.
In Bagan we should have visited the world famous five sided Dhammayazika Pagoda in the afternoon excursion, rather than the ones on offer. When questioned about this we were told it's too far to travel and having flown over the pagoda on the morning balloon ride it was clearly not more than 30 minutes from where the boat was moored. Additionally in Bagan we visited a brick pagoda whose mural was stolen in the 19th century by a German explorer, I noticed there was still an early depiction of Buddha shown in an early Egyptian style, sadly our guide didn't even think it was worth pointing out.
I really disagreed with the school visit, I don't mind supporting or visiting the school but disagree with the children been disrupted often regularly by travel excursions (and to be taught the birdy song, really). If I had this happening in my child's school in Australia regularly by a busload of Myanmar visitors I would be making huge complaints.
The visit to the burial site of General Mahaa Bandula was sadly lacking in detail about one of Myanmar's great Generals, apart from there he is by our guide, when his life story was fascinating. The evening entertainment l felt let the boat down, the putting on of any movies from documentary and historical was pointless after 9pm, most passengers went to bed after the evening meal at 8.30pm. They would have been better shown in the afternoon on days with one excursion in the morning when we were sailing for 5-6 hours in the afternoon. More people would have watched and then they could have offered something else in the evening with passenger participation.
Additionally as a solo traveller to find out that some passengers had been given generous discounts and also the two for one deals with couples paying half of what I paid for myself really left me feeling ripped off, especially considering what I got hit in a single supplement. I feel Travelmarvel should have offered a free laundry and local drinks package as compensation to solo travellers or better still scrapped the solo supplement, please pass my feedback to Travelmarvel.
Lastly Global Journeys were wonderful from the day I contacted them to when I returned, nothing was too much trouble and I am very happy with the service Jemma gave me and would use you again.
Majestic Myanmar 7 Brian & Merilyn, WA, Australia, Apr 2018
What a lovely relaxing holiday - unpack, sit back and relax. All meals were marvelous with the staff almost like family. The tours were very informative and with excellent guides. You might not agree with the politics of the country but we found the village life and cities were very interesting.
The weather was hot but there wasn't any rush to get ...read more the tours over and done. The buses which took us to the various places were air conditioned and water was supplied. We experienced the Burmese "New Year" AND the "Water Festival" which had us interacting with the locals and getting just as wet as they did. We had been warned about the "getting wet" and ship provided us with water pistols and waterproof satchels for cameras. One way of cooling off and joining in with lots of laughter.
Wonderful sunsets and magnificent photos to take. Will look back on this holiday with fondness and wonderful memories.
The weather was hot but there wasn't any rush to get ...read more the tours over and done. The buses which took us to the various places were air conditioned and water was supplied. We experienced the Burmese "New Year" AND the "Water Festival" which had us interacting with the locals and getting just as wet as they did. We had been warned about the "getting wet" and ship provided us with water pistols and waterproof satchels for cameras. One way of cooling off and joining in with lots of laughter.
Wonderful sunsets and magnificent photos to take. Will look back on this holiday with fondness and wonderful memories.
Deck Plans
Category B
French Balcony & Outside Balcony
French Balcony & Outside Balcony
Category C
French Balcony & Outside Balcony
French Balcony & Outside Balcony
Category A
French Balcony & Outside Balcony
French Balcony & Outside Balcony
Category B+
French Balcony & Outside Balcony
French Balcony & Outside Balcony
Sadec Suite
French Balcony & Outside Balcony
French Balcony & Outside Balcony
Mekong Suite
French Balcony, Outside Balcony & Balcony Terrace
French Balcony, Outside Balcony & Balcony Terrace
Cabins
Category C (Balcony Suite)
- Suite size 226 sq ft/ 21 sq m
- Deluxe Queen-size bed
- Ensuite with shower and toilet
- Personal safe and mini-bar
- Spacious wardrobe and desk/dressing table
- Outside balcony
- Wall-mounted Flat-screen TV
Category B, B+ & A (Balcony Suite)
- Suite size 226 sq ft/ 21 sq m
- Deluxe Queen-size bed
- Ensuite with shower and toilet
- Personal safe and mini-bar
- Spacious wardrobe and desk/dressing table
- Outside balcony
- Wall-mounted Flat-screen TV
Sadec Twin Balcony Suite
- Suite size 290 sq ft/ 26 sq m
- Deluxe Queen-size bed
- Ensuite with shower and toilet
- Separate spa bath
- Personal safe and mini-bar
- Spacious wardrobe and desk/dressing table
- Outside balcony
- Wall-mounted Flat-screen TV
Mekong Suite
- Suite size 624 sq ft/ 58 sq m
- Deluxe King-size bed
- 2 Ensuites with shower and toilet
- Separate spa bath
- Personal safe and mini-bar
- Spacious wardrobe and desk/dressing table
- Flat-screen TV
- Chaise lounge and foot stool
- Adjoining living room
- Sofa bed
- Large balcony terrace with sun lounges
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Travelmarvel. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Travelmarvel. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Travelmarvel. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Travelmarvel. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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