Sanctuary Retreats cuts fares for four cruises on Myanmar's Chindwin River

Sanctuary Retreats is offering 20 per cent off the four cruises on the Chindwin River in 2015 which are part of their longer ‘Exploration Cruises’ programme.  These 10 night cruises on the Chindwin exclusively provide access to some of Southeast Asia’s least-visited sites such as Mawleik, Kalewa and the caves of Po Win Taung in Monywa and will begin in July 2015.  The offer must be booked before 31st January 2015.

With this offer, a 10-night Exploration Cruise on the Chindwin River is now available from £2,356 per person based on two people sharing, including suite accommodation, meals, soft drinks and local beer throughout the day, wine with dinner, and the full programme of excursions and experiences.

The ship offers a choice of 6 fascinating itineraries including 3, 4 and 7 night cruises on the Ayeyarwady River with a full choice of excursions and unique cultural experiences. Longer 10 and 11 night itineraries on the Chindwin River to Homalin, the Upper Ayeyarwaddy to Bhamo and sailings between Yangon and Mandalay will begin in 2015.

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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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Michelle Bernstein Highlights New Sanctuary Ananda

Here at World of Cruising we are always ready to highlight a great cruise food story, especially when it features a celebrity chef tie-up with a deluxe travel brand.


In this case, it features luxury cruise and safari specialist Sanctuary Retreats, who have just announced an exclusive partnership with the high-profile American chef Michelle Bernstein, who will be creating a selection of Signature ‘Burmese Fusion’ dishes on board its luxurious new 21-suite Myanmar river cruiser Sanctuary Ananda.

Named after the beautiful Ananda Temple in Bagan, Ananda also translates in Sanskrit as 'extreme happiness' - one of the highest states of being.  Due to set sail for the first time in November, Sanctuary Ananda will offer a choice of six itineraries ranging from 3 and 4-night shorter trips (which can be booked as part of a wider Myanmar tour) to longer exploration cruises for river-cruise lovers, such as a 10-night Chindwin River itinerary. It will offer an authentically Burmese, yet exclusive experience, in line with Sanctuary Retreats’ philosophy of 'Luxury Naturally.'

Bernstein is well known for her appearances on Iron Chef and other top TV culinary shows, as well as her restaurants in Miami that are lauded as some of the best if America and feature a Latin-fusion style. She will bring a unique range of menus to the Sanctuary Ananada, which will also feature Burmese design throughout, with local Myanmar fabrics and artefacts as well as specially commissioned art.  

There are plenty of public areas to relax in, from the stylish Talifoo restaurant, to the spacious Sundeck, and air conditioned Kansi panorama lounge, where guests will be able to enjoy stunning views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, whilst enjoying afternoon tea, or perhaps a sundowner cocktail from the Burma Bar.

Prices start at £1,350 per person, based on two people sharing a Suite including all sightseeing as stated in cruise itinerary, all meals, soft drinks and local beer. Price valid for November 19 and 26, December 3, 10 and 17 sailings on a 3-night itinerary.  

More info: visit www.sanctuaryretreats.com.

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Sanctuary Ananda’s Myanmar Specialities

We are always excited to bring you something new here at Time Spent At Sea and here is a great new river-cruise opportunity from Sanctuary Retreats, with eight enticing itineraries available on the luxurious all-suite Sanctuary Ananda in Myanmar.  

These itineraries include three, four and seven-night ‘Discovery Cruises’ between Bagan and Mandalay as well as a selection of longer and more unusual ‘Exploration Cruises’ allowing guests time to explore the Upper and Lower Ayeyarwady and the shallower Chindwin River. 

Sanctuary Ananda will sail every day on each itinerary and, where possible, guests will experience local transport to reach off the beaten track villages and must-see sights to ensure a true local and unique experience.

Discovery Itineraries include:

Three Nights – Bagan to Mandalay

Setting off from Bagan, this three-night experience includes a visit to some of the most important temples and pagodas in Bagan; a horse-drawn cart visit to Ava, the old imperial capital and archaeological site; Sagaing with its convents, pagodas and silversmiths; and Amarapura to visit textile workshops and drinks at sunset at the mile-long U Bein bridge.

Four Nights – Mandalay to Bagan

This itinerary begins in Mandalay, the cultural capital of Myanmar, and makes its way down to Bagan, the spiritual heart of the country and home to over 2,000 gilded pagodas.  Highlights on the journey include the textile workshops of Amarapura; Sagaing, the centre of Myanmar Buddhist faith; Pakokku with its local markets and traditional shoe factories; and the Sale monasteries

Seven Nights – Bagan-Mandalay-Bagan

This longer cruise is a combination of the three and four-night itineraries but also offers a train ride across the Gokteik Viaduct to Naung Pein and a visit to Pyin Oo Lwin and its Botanical Gardens. There will also be visits to jaggery, lacquerware and brick workshops; the Thone Zu Pagoda with its Nat shrine; and a hike up Mount Popa, an extinct volcano, to see the stunning summit monastery, pagodas and shrines. 

For more info, visit www.sanctuaryretreats.com and, for more luxury adventure-cruise ideas, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's river cruising specialists.

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Sanctuary Retreats Pioneer 10-Night Nile Cruises

Sanctuary Retreats is delighted to announce the successful completion of the first long cruise down the Nile from Cairo to Aswan for 15 years on board the Sanctuary Sun Boat III, which departed Cairo on August 19 and finished in Aswan ten days later.

For the past 15 years, cruise ships have been unable to sail from Cairo to Aswan. However, this  route has now been re-opened by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and, with their support alongside the Egyptian Government and the Floating River Association, Sanctuary Retreats is the first company to have completed this spectacular journey offering an unprecedented selection of Egypt’s ancient wonders over 10 nights.

Dates for 10 night cruises in 2013 are April 6 and 20 on Sanctuary Sun Boat III, May 24 and July 2 on Sanctuary Sun Boat IV and May 10 and September 10 on board Sanctuary Nile Adventurer. All Sanctuary Retreats boats offer the very best in intimate and luxurious Nile cruising.

With 18 cabins, Sun Boat III is a smaller than average 5-star boat in 1930s colonial style with unique personalised service. The boutique Sun Boat IV has 40 luxury cabins and is furnished in a contemporary style with an art deco influence, while the elegant Nile Adventurer has just 32 beautifully designed cabins offering a relaxed cruising experience.

Prices start from $3,440 per person for the 10-night cruises on a full board basis with all sightseeing, entrance fees and guidance from world class Egyptologists included. Flights and transfers not included.

Early Booking Offer

All new bookings for the 10-night cruise made before January 31 can take advantage of a complimentary private transfer on arrival, complimentary re-cruise check-in with one additional night half board on board prior to the departure and an upgrade to an upper category deck, subject to availability.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's river-cruise specialists.

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