Trip Reports
Duration
10 Nights
Journey Type
Sailing from Myanmar (Burma)
Ports
10 Ports
1 November
Setting sail from Mandalay
Burma's second largest city is not especially pretty, though there are a few temples and pagodas of interest. More likely you will be in Mandalay at the beginning or end of a cruise along the Ayeyarwady river, or perhaps using the city as a hub to visit the sights of nearby Inwa and Sagaing.
2 November
Myanmar (Burma): Amarapura
3 November
Myanmar (Burma): Sagaing
Once the capital of a 14th century Shan kingdom, Sagaing is quite a sight, clustered around a series of hills dotted with myriad white and gold pagodas. For the best views head up to the top of Sagaing Hill, where you’ll also find the shimmering Soon U Ponya Shin Paya temple.
4 November
Myanmar (Burma): Pakokku
5 November
Myanmar (Burma): Bagan
It’s the sheer scale of Bagan that has catapulted the arid plains of central Burma to the top of so many travellers’ bucket lists. Over 2,000 temples, stupas and monasteries are spread over some 26 square miles, a stunning vista that’s best appreciated from a hot air balloon.
6-8 November
Myanmar (Burma): Sale, Minhla, Magwe
9-10 November
Myanmar (Burma): Bagan
It’s the sheer scale of Bagan that has catapulted the arid plains of central Burma to the top of so many travellers’ bucket lists. Over 2,000 temples, stupas and monasteries are spread over some 26 square miles, a stunning vista that’s best appreciated from a hot air balloon.
11 November
Arriving in Yangon
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, may no longer be Myanmar's capital, but it remains the largest and most important city, and the gateway to exploring this beautiful country. Visible from all around the city is Yangon's crowning jewel, the shimmering golden Shwedagon Paya, one of South East Asia's most beautiful Buddhist temples. As in the rest of the country, Yangon's creaking infrastructure has not yet caught up with the recent tourism boom, and much of the city remains in a state of elegant decay. It's also blissfully free of western chain stores and burger restaurants, offering a snapshot of an Orient that has largely disappeared from other big cities in the region.
Our tip
Since the people were allowed to buy cars of their own, the traffic has been terrible – walk if you can.
Your home from home
Scenic Aura accommodates just 44 guests in 22 sumptuous balcony suites, a supremely luxurious way to explore Myanmar and the Ayeyarwady River.
What we love
Boasting a crew-to-guest ratio of almost 1:1, along with facilities including a swimming pool, steam sauna and open-air cinema, Scenic's first foray into Myanmar is a beautiful vessel with the feel of a small boutique hotel.
| Capacity | 44 Guests |
|---|---|
| Crew | 43 International Staff |
| Style | Relaxed and informal during the day, giving way to an elegant evening atmosphere. |
| Inclusions |
|
| Year Built | 2016 |
| Length | 213 feet |
Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Our favourite hotel in Yangon
It has to be The Strand – grand colonial splendour.
See more of Myanmar
Assuming your call is overnight, don’t miss flying to Bagan, and include ballooning at dawn if you possibly can.
