Amara Cruises

The Amara River Cruise is a traditional Myanmar riverboat plying the Ayeyarwaddy River. It is made of teakwood and was completely refurbished by local craftsmen in 2003. It is 30 metres long and with a shallow draft of 1 metre it can travel as far north as Bhamo. The Amara River Cruise has a total of seven cabins, each with their own bathroom with hot and cold shower. There are communal areas, bar and canopied sun deck.  Safety is provided by smoke detectors in all cabins, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, life jackets and a dinghy. Amenities include on-board laundry, fully equipped kitchen and refrigerators. All bed linen and towels as well as dining service and bar equipment are provided. You will be taken care of by our friendly and hospitable staff and be able to relax and enjoy the personal atmosphere on board. There are now two boats the Amara 1 & Amara 2.

MANDALAY to BHAMO

Day 1 Mandalay Jetty – Sheinmaga Embark the Amara River Cruise at 08:00. We sail north of Mandalay along Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun and see the Mingun Bell, weighing 90 tones and the biggest hanging undamaged bell in the world; Shin Phyume Pagoda; and the unfinished Mingun Pagoda, a colossal brick monument.  Set sail and cruise up the Ayarwaddy River to the town of Sheinmaga. (Meals: L/D) 

Day 2 Sheinmaga - Thabeikkyin. We leave Sheinmaga at 06:00 and sail to Thabeikkyin and visit the Nwe Nyein Pottery Village. We then continue upriver and pass the Third Defile. The river banks get hilly and from now on are covered with Teak forest. Small villages along the river make a living from the trade of wood and fishing. (Meals: B/L/D) 

Day 3 Thabeikkyin - Tagaung. Set sail at 06:00. Our journey will continue upstream until Tagaung, one of the oldest capitals of Myanmar. Sightseeing at Tagaung. Overnight just north of Tagaung. (Meals: B/L/D)

Day 4 Tagaung - Katha. Set sail at 06:00. Today we sail to Katha, a beautiful town with a colorful market, friendly people and a unique atmosphere. Katha is the town depicted in the book “Burmese Days”, written by George Orwell. Dinner and overnight on board near the harbor of Katha. (Meals: B/L/D)

Day 5 Katha - Shwegu. Depart from Katha at 06:00 and sail to Shwegu. We have a good chance to see the famous Ayeyarwaddy Dolphins which are quite common in this area. The Amara will anchor at the opposite side of the river from Shwegu near to the pagodas of Shwe Baw Kyunn where there are thousands of pagodas, probably built around the 10^th century. Meals: (B/L/D) 

Day 6 Shwegu  - Bhamo. Set sail at 08:00. We pass the Second Defile today where the river banks become very steep indeed. The scenery is beautiful and amazing. In the afternoon the Amara will arrive in Bhamo, the most northern port the Amara can reach. Overnight and dinner on board the Amara. (Meals: B/L/D)

 Day 7 Bhamo. Disembark after breakfast (Meals: B) 

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BHAMO to MANDALAY 

Day 1 Bhamo. Embark the Amara River Cruise in the afternoon.
(Meals: D) 

Day 2 Bhamo – Shwegu. Set sail down the Ayarwaddy at 8:00. We pass the beautiful Second Defile where the river banks become very steep and the river becomes very deep. The river scene is amazing with beautiful scenery. In the afternoon, we arrive in Shwegu and visit the pagodas of Shwe Baw Kyunn on the opposite side of the river to Shwegu, where the Amara will anchor overnight. (Meals: B/L/D) 

Day 3 Shwegu – Katha. We leave Shwegu in the morning at 8:00. The scenery along the river is beautiful with small villages and dense tropical forest. This day is a good chance to see the famous Ayeyarwaddy Dolphin, which are quite common in this area. In the afternoon, we will reach Katha, a beautiful town with an interesting market, friendly people and a unique atmosphere. Katha is the town depicted in the book “Burmese Days” written by George Orwell. Dinner and overnight on board the Amara.
(Meals:B/L/D ) 

Day 4 Katha – Tagaung. Set sail at 8:00. Our journey continues downstream until Tagaung, one of the oldest capitals of Myanmar. Sightseeing at Tagaung. Overnight just south of Tagaung. (Meals: B/L/D) 

Day 5 Tagaung - Kyaukmyaung.  Set sail at 8:00 bound for Thabeikkyin passing through the Third Defile. This area is covered with dense teak forest. Overnight near Kyaukmyaung. (Meals: B/L/D) 

Day 6 Kyaukmyaung – Mandalay Jetty Set sail at 8:00 downstream to the pottery village of Nwe Nyein. After sightseeing sail downstream to Mingun and see the Mingun Bell, weighing 90 tones and the biggest hanging undamaged bell in the world; Shin Phyume Pagoda, and the unfinished Mingun Pagoda, a colossal brick monument. After visiting Mingun set sail for Mandalay. Disembark at Mandalay Jetty in the afternoon. (Meals:B/L) 

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MANDALAY to BAGAN 

 Day 1  Mandalay Jetty – Mingun – Sagaing. Embark the Amara River Cruise at 10:00. We sail north of Mandalay along Ayeyarwaddy River to Mingun and see the Mingun Bell, weighing 90 tones and the biggest hanging undamaged bell in the world; Shin Phyume Pagoda, and the unfinished Mingun Pagoda, a colossal brick monument.  Set sail and cruise to Sagaing. Visit the Sagaing Pagodas and Monasteries in the afternoon by foot or horsecart. (Meals: L/D) 

Day 2 Sagaing - Innwa – Semikhong. After sunrise cruise to Innwa (Ava).Visit Nan Myint Watch Tower, nicknamed "leaning tower of Ava", the only remaining palace building in this ancient capital; the Princess's swimming pool; Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, built of brick and stucco and the all-teak and carved Bagaya Monastery.  We set sail downstream and visit Semikhong Village with it's old wooden monasteries and colourful market. Overnight on a sandbank. (Meals: B/L/D) 

Day 3 Semikhong – Mt. Tangyi. In the early morning we set sail, pass Bagan and stop at the river bank of Mt Tangyi which we climb by foot or car. From the Pagoda you will enjoy the evening view of Bagan. Dinner and overnight at a sandbank. (Meals: B/L/D)  

Day 4 Mt Tangyi – Bagan Jetty. In the early morning we set sail and arrive at Bagan Jetty and disembark at 08:00. (Meals: B)

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BAGAN to MANDALAY 

Day 1 Bagan Jetty - Mt. Tangyi. Embark the Amara River Cruise at 15:00. We cruise to the foot of Mt Tangyi which we climb by foot or car. From the Pagoda you will enjoy the evening view of Bagan. Dinner and overnight at a sandbank. (Meals: D)

Day 2 Mt. Tangyi – Yandabo. Set sail at 6:00 for Mandalay and in the afternoon arrive at Yandabo, a small rural village that is famous for a treaty between the British and Burmese which was signed here  in 1826. Now the village is famous for its handmade terracotta pots produced by traditional methods. Overnight at sandbank. (Meals: B/L/D)

Day 3 Yandabo – Inwa. We sail north to Mandalay and on the way visit Semikhong Village. We continue cruising and arrive at Innwa (Ava) in the late afternoon. We visit the Nan Myint Watch Tower, the only remaining palace building and nicknamed "leaning tower of Ava"; the Princess's swimming pool; Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, built of brick and stucco and the all-teak and carved Bagaya Monastery. Overnight at Sagaing. (Meals: B/ L/D)

Day 4   Innwa  - Sagaing – Mandalay Jetty. After breakfast we visit the Sagaing Pagodas and Monasteries in the morning sun by foot or horse-cart. We set sail for Mandalay and disembark at 12:00.  (Meals: B)