Sanctuary Ananda handed over ahead of schedule for November launch on the Irrawaddy

Sanctuary Retreats has taken delivery of Sanctuary Ananda, its new boutique river cruise vessel in Myanmar (Burma), ahead of schedule, following an 18-month build by local shipbuilders.

Sanctuary Retreats has also announced that the 2016 programme for the Ananda will go on sale earlier than originally planned, and will now be available from 15 October.

The ship’s fascinating 3, 4 and 7 night cruises on the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River include a full choice of excursions and unique cultural experiences. Further details of Ananda’s longer 10 and 11 night itineraries on the Chindwin River to Homalin, the Upper Ayeyarwaddy to Bhamo, and sailings between Yangon and Mandalay are on offer.

Sanctuary Ananda is a luxury river cruise ship for 42 passengers; all cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows and full balconies.  The executive chef, who has a wealth of experience in South East Asian top hotels, will prepare fine Asian and international cuisine, served to guests in a variety of settings.

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Pandaw's New Ship For Burma

Luxury river expedition company Pandaw has announced it is building a unique new river-cruise ship for Burma that will allow it to sail the Chindwin River year-round.

The Kha Byoo will feature an ultra-shallow draft and enter service at the end of 2014 on the Chindwin between Monywa and Homalin. Currently being built in Rangoon, the new vessel will be 40 metres in length and feature just 10 cabins, and its small size and draft of just 75cm will allow it to explore the Chindwin after the monsoon season ends and the larger ships have departed.

Like all of Pandaw’s K-class ships, the Kha Byoo is named after one of the original Irrawaddy Flotilla Company’s ships of a similar class and design, built in 1882 by Denny of Dumbarton. The 2014 reincarnation is essentially an enlarged version of another of Pandaw’s current vessels, the Kalay (above). It features the same design features, such as an owner’s stateroom and Louvre French windows in the nine other staterooms that open on either side of the ship to create a light and airy feeling of space.

On a series of seven-night expeditions, the Kha Byoo will explore the rich cultural life of the Upper Chindwin valley, visiting delightful colonial towns like Mawlaik, bustling India border towns like Kalaywa and the capital of Burmese Nagaland, Homalin. Guests are also able to explore some of the oldest teak-carved monasteries around the ancient royal town of Mingkin. In addition, for those looking to enhance their Burma experience, the Kha Byoo can also be booked back-to-back with the Kindat on Pandaw’s Mandalay to Bhamo routing on the Upper Irrawaddy.

Seven-night Chindwin cruises start from £1,890 per person based on two people sharing, including all food and drink, gratuities and all shore excursions.

More info: call 0203 287 6113 or visit www.pandaw.com.

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Pandaw Feature Burma, Vietnam & Cambodia

Travel to the Far East is booming this year as holiday-makers seek out increasingly exotic destinations, and river-cruises are proving especially popular, hence Pandaw River Expeditions are highlighting their great range of options to Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam in 2014.

Operating a fleet of 12 luxurious river-vessels, Pandaw explore many destinations still largely undiscovered by the European traveller, with many areas accessible only by river. The elegant vessels are designed with the shallowest drafts on the rivers, allowing them to access parts of the Irrawaddy and Chindwin Rivers in Burma and the Mekong River through Cambodia and Vietnam that other ships aren’t always able to reach.

Finished in hand-crafted teak and brass, the unique vessels are designed as replicas of the original colonial river steamers and offer the highest passenger space ratio of any ships in the region, sea going or river, with a crew to passenger ratio of 2:1.

Every Pandaw river expedition includes a superb range of intrepid shore excursions to local - and often inaccessible - communities, and all shore excursions are included within the expedition price, as well as a range of locally sourced and international food, all drinks and gratuities. 

 

Guests are able to dine in open-air dining rooms on deck on most expeditions and, in the evening, enjoy cultural performances from local performers and musicians. Pandaw operates cruises in Burma, Vietnam and Cambodia from June to April.

Their seven-night Mekong cruises cost from £1,095 per person based on two people sharing, including all food and drink, gratuities and all shore excursions.

More info: call 0203 287 6113 or visit www.pandaw.com.

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AMA Take To The Irrawaddy

Award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways has announced a new ship and new river cruise programme on Burma’s Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, starting in November 2014.

Two itineraries will be on offer: the 10-night Golden Treasures of Myanmar and 14-night Hidden Wonders of Myanmar, both detailed in a new brochure. All voyages start in Yangon and include pre-cruise hotel accommodation in the city. The first departure is on November 24.

One of the world’s most secretive, mysterious and fascinating places, Burma has a unique, centuries-old culture and spectacular architectural wonders, including sacred structures gilded with gold leaf and encrusted with precious gems, and these two new itineraries are designed to take in all the highlights:
 

• Bagan – A cultural treasure trove of more than 2,200 temples, stupas and pagodas, on par with Cambodia’s massive Angkor Wat temple complex.
• Mandalay – The country’s last royal capital and second largest city, the “Golden City” of Mandalay is regarded as Myanmar’s cultural heart, renowned for its master craftsmen and its patronage of the arts.
• Mount Popa – The stunning shrine perched at the top of Mt. Popa is considered the legendary home of spirit gods worshipped by Burmese Buddhists.
• Ancient Royal Cities – Inwa (Ava) was the capital of Burma for more than 400 years; Amarapura has the world’s longest teak bridge; Sagaing is famous for its tranquil atmosphere; and Mingun has many historic sites to explore.
• Yangon (Rangoon) – The “Garden City of the East,” retains much of its colonial charm with cobblestoned streets, tree-lined avenues and Victorian architecture.

Guests will cruise the Ayeyarwady aboard the all-suite AmaPura (above), a 56-passenger vessel furnished with a combination of modern and traditional motifs. All 28 suites feature a balcony (a French balcony, step-out full balcony or twin balconies), a well-appointed en suite bathroom and many other deluxe amenities. The public areas include a restaurant, main lounge and bar, gift shop, spa, refreshing pool and a Sun Deck perfect for lounging, enjoying a cool drink, or simply gazing out at the passing scenery.

An optional four-night post-cruise land extension is available on both itineraries, featuring three nights in Inle Lake and one further night in Yangon.

The Golden Treasures of Myanmar itinerary costs from £4,999pp, including return UK flights from London, two nights pre-cruise and one night post-cruise stay in Yangon, transfers to and from the ship, 10 nights on board, all tours, all meals, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, on-board entertainment including cultural shows and lectures, and port charges.   

More info: call 0808 223 5009 or visit www.amawaterways.co.uk.

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Discover The Irrawaddy With Zegrahm

Zegrahm Expeditions is pleased to present an intimate look at Myanmar, a country once shrouded in mystery and now an up-and-coming adventure travel destination. While some have described Myanmar as a time-warped country, travellers will see the contrast of the bustling cities of Yangon and Mandalay with the peaceful serenity and timeless landscapes of villages along the Irrawaddy River.

Zegrahm began offering travel to Myanmar more than 10 years ago with the belief that the company could do more to help the people of Myanmar by travelling to the country than by not going at all. Each visit makes a point to take visitors to the less glittering parts of the region to see how the people, particularly the children, go about daily living. Additionally, the 15-day itinerary features an archaeological exploration of Mrauk U, the medieval capital of Myanmar; meeting the women of the Chin tribe, who have traditional face tattoos unique to this ethnic minority group; and a 7-day cruise of the Irrawaddy River. 

The expedition is being led by Gary Wintz, a renowned Asia expert who has lectured at esteemed institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Brown, Columbia and the National Geographic Society. Wintz has been visiting Myanmar since 1977 and has made more than 60 visits to the country since that time.

Myanmar Revealed: Life Along the Irrawaddy River takes place January 2-16, 2014, and is priced from $13,980 per person. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's Adventure Cruising specialists.

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