RV Zawgyi Pandaw

We spend all the afternoon visiting Thandboodi Temple and Bawdhi Tahaung statue. And then, you can do some shopping at the night market in the evening.

IMPORTANT: In December, the itinerary can be changed due to the low water level. The ship will sail through Mawlaik and return at Kalewa where you can hop a flight to Yangon or Mandalay. The alternative voyage promises to be as interesting as the original one. 

PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary of this voyage can be changed as we access to the remote areas.

Morning is the best time to visit the Phowin Taung Caves, where we enjoy the beautiful of mural paintings and Buddha images in various shapes and sizes. Transfer by coach.

After that, we sail up the Chindwin river.

When the river narrows and the forest hills are replaced with farmland, we pass through a lot of beautiful villages in which Kanea is our stop for relaxing.

Mingkin is considered as Luang Prabang of the Chindwin which was re - explored by Paul Strachan in 1987. As he noted in his famous book – Mandalay: Travels from the Golden Land, Mingkin is the most historical and artisitic place in Myanmar. You can also find a beautiful teak monastery here.

Afterwards, we procced to visit the gateway town of the Chin State - Kalewa. Here, we have a chance to explore a bustling market and a stunning wooden construction.  

Mawlaik is one of the most historical locations in Myanmar – which is chose to replace Kindat as the administrative capital. Sadly, Burmese people refused to move there from upstream Kindat. During the period of 1920s and 1930s, the town was mainly colonized as houses of the Scottish, which owned and run Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation. You will also see a lush golf course covered with lots of magnificent ‘Dak Bungalows’.

Mawlaik and the other towns of the Upper Chindwin will bring to you a new experience of travelling by boat. Once setting foot onto this land, you will feel like travelling on the Pandaw time machine to a dream land. 

When passing the mouth of the Yu River which drains the Kubu valley, our guides will tell a story about this place. It is a place that provided the route for a Lieutenant Grant to march to the relief of the Manipur garrison when the chief commissioner of Assam was murdered in a local revolt. 

Sitthaung was known as the final resting place of many IFC steamers scuppered in 1942. This was a movement against the invasion of the Japanese. If you are looking for the historical exhibits, we hope some remains of these ships like those in Katha on the Irrawaddy will interested you. Moreover, an impotant oil refinery called Pantha can be founded here which belongs to the Indo-Burma Petroleum Co (Steel Brothers).

Also from here, some survivors of the Japanese invasion marched out to Tamu through the India border.

Today, you will have a chance to explore the ancient Shan enclave – Tougdoot or known as Hsawng – hsup in Tai where lies the palace and court of the ruling Sawbwa since the British administration. It is an interesting experience to learn about the history of the region, its culture and people. 

After that, we cruise to Homalin – the furthest point of Chinwind river that our ship can reach. As Alister McCrae used to say in the visit in 1935 ‘I loved the atmosphere of quiet and peaceful living there. At night I could hear greylag geese as they came in to the flooded land around us from far away north’. And Bird in 1897 also says little that Homalin is the headquarters of a township, but it seems having a small trade’. However, the destination promises to bring many surprises. You have to go there and experience by yourself.  

Disembark from the ship.

Homalin – the furthest point of Chinwind river that our ship can reach. As Alister McCrae used to say in the visit in 1935 ‘I loved the atmosphere of quiet and peaceful living there. At night I could hear greylag geese as they came in to the flooded land around us from far away north’. However, the destination promises to bring many surprises. You have to go there and experience by yourself.  

IMPORTANT: Due to the low water level in December, we will cruise to Kalay instead of Homalin. We will embark at Kalewa, then sailing north to Mawlaik and cruising back to Monywa. 

Today, you will have a chance to explore the ancient Shan enclave – Toungdoot or known as Hsawng – hsup in Tai where lies the palace and court of the ruling Sawbwa since the British administration. It is an interesting experience to learn about the history of the region, its culture and people. 

Moreover, an important oil refinery called Pantha can be founded here which belongs to the Indo-Burma Petroleum Co (Steel Brothers).

Sitthaung was known as the final resting place of many IFC steamers scuppered in 1942. This was a movement against the invasion of the Japanese. If you are looking for the historical exhibits, we hope some remains of these ships like those in Katha on the Irrawaddy will interested you. 

Also from here, some survivors of the Japanese invasion marched out to Tamu through the India border.

When passing the mouth of the Yu River which drains the Kubu valley, our guides will tell a story about this place. It is a place that provided the route for a Lieutenant Grant to march to the relief of the Manipur garrison when the chief commissioner of Assam was murdered in a local revolt. 

Mawlaik is one of the most historical locations in Myanmar – which is chose to replace Kindat as the administrative capital. Sadly, Burmese people refused to move there from upstream Kindat. During the period of 1920s and 1930s, the town was mainly colonized as houses of the Scottish, which owned and run Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation. You will also see a lush golf course covered with lots of magnificent ‘Dak Bungalows’.

Mawlaik and the other towns of the Upper Chindwin will bring to you a new experience of travelling by boat. Once setting foot onto this land, you will feel like travelling on the Pandaw time machine to a dream land. 

Afterwards, we procced to visit the gateway town of the Chin State - Kalewa. Here, we have a chance to explore a bustling market and a stunning wooden construction.  

Mingkin is considered as Luang Prabang of the Chindwin which was re - explored by Paul Strachan in 1987. As he noted in his famous book – Mandalay: Travels from the Golden Land, Mingkin is the most historical and artisitic place in Myanmar. You can also find a beautiful teak monastery here.

We sail through many villages and greenery hills as the ship enter the lower Chindwind. Then, we stop at Monywa and pay a visit to the magnificent Thanbodi Temple.

Morning is the best time to visit the Phowin Taung Caves, where we enjoy the beautiful of mural paintings and Buddha images in various shapes and sizes. Transfer by coach.

Disembark from the ship at Monywa and transfer to Mandalay.

You will be transferred to your Pandaw ship. Then, it’s time for an inland excursion to begin. We will visit a local market first and after that, get on the top of the hill to catch the panoramic view over the Chinwind river and the surroundings. 

PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary of this voyage can be changed as we access to the remote areas. The itinerary of this voyage can be changed as we access to the remote areas.

On this day, we visit a beautiful village called Ma Sein. Then, we move on saling to Mawlaik where placed the former headquater of the Bombay Burmah Corporation for timer harvesting operation in the Chindwin Area. 

We cruise to Kindat today whose name is known as “military garrison” in Burmese language. We will pay a visit to a colonial post office which now becomes a school. Next, enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and the hospitality at the favorite place of many Pandaw’s passengers – Yuwa village.

Sitthaung was known as the final resting place of many IFC steamers scuppered in 1942. This was a movement against the invasion of the Japanese. If you are looking for the historical exhibits, we hope some remains of these ships like those in Katha on the Irrawaddy will interested you. Moreover, an impotant oil refinery called Pantha can be founded here which belongs to the Indo-Burma Petroleum Co (Steel Brothers).

Also from here, some survivors of the Japanese invasion marched out to Tamu through the India border.

Last but not least, we take a walking tour at Paungpyin village through its colorful market and the charming wooden houses.

Today, you will have a chance to explore the ancient Shan enclave – Tougdoot or known as Hsawng – hsup in Tai where lies the palace and court of the ruling Sawbwa since the British administration. It is an interesting experience to learn about the history of the region, its culture and people. 

As Alister McCrae used to say in the visit in 1935 ‘I loved the atmosphere of quiet and peaceful living there. At night I could hear greylag geese as they came in to the flooded land around us from far away north’.

We continue sailing upstream to the beautiful remote area of Nagaland. In the afternoon, we approach Khamti. The town is known for the massive resource of gold in the nearby branch of the Chindwin river. Therfore, the tilte “the land full of Gold” was named to this region. Here, you will have an opportunity to explore the town, the stunning monastery and interact with the people speaking Tai.

Today morning starts with a visit to Khamti’s local market. Then, our ship keeps cruising on Chindwin river to Homalin. We will stop at a pristine village which is rarely visited by the tourists.  

We spend this whole morning exploring Homalin. Located near the Indian border, Homalin is blessed with stunning landscape and spectacular mountains with some reaching the height of 9,000 feet. During World War II, Japanese army took over the town. And the famous Irrawaddy Flotilla Company used to pay a visit here either.

In the afternoon, disembark from the ship and you will be transferred to the airport for your flight.

Embark the ship at Homalin.

PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary of this voyage can be changed as we access to the remote areas.

On this day, we sail to the far north into Nagaland, an untouched and spectacular tribal area. The truth is that Pandaw is the first luxury cruise line to reach this point. We will stop at some villages where foreigners are completely strangers to the inhabitants.

Today, we will arrive at Khamti. The town is known for the massive resource of gold in the nearby branch of the Chindwin river. Therfore, the tilte “the land full of Gold” was named to this region. Here, you will have an opportunity to explore the town, the stunning monastery and interact with the people speaking Tai. Afterwards, we cruise downstream to Homalin.

We spend this whole morning exploring Homalin. Located near the Indian border, Homalin is blessed with stunning landscape and spectacular mountains with some reaching the height of 9,000 feet. During World War II, Japanese army took over the town. And the famous Irrawaddy Flotilla Company used to pay a visit here either.

Next, we will explore the ancient Shan enclave – Tougdoot or known as Hsawng – hsup in Tai where lies the palace and court of the ruling Sawbwa since the British administration. It is an interesting experience to learn about the history of the region, its culture and people. 

As Alister McCrae used to say in the visit in 1935 ‘I loved the atmosphere of quiet and peaceful living there. At night I could hear greylag geese as they came in to the flooded land around us from far away north’

Sitthaung was known as the final resting place of many IFC steamers scuppered in 1942. This was a movement against the invasion of the Japanese. If you are looking for the historical exhibits, we hope some remains of these ships like those in Katha on the Irrawaddy will interested you. Moreover, an impotant oil refinery called Pantha can be founded here which belongs to the Indo-Burma Petroleum Co (Steel Brothers).

Also from here, some survivors of the Japanese invasion marched out to Tamu through the India border.

We continue cruise downstream until reaching Yuwa village where we anchor overnight.

We cruise to Kindat today whose name is known as “military garrison” in Burmese language. We will pay a visit to a colonial post office which now becomes a school. Next, enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and the hospitality at the favorite place of many Pandaw’s passengers – Yuwa village.

On this day, we visit a beautiful village called Ma Sein. Then, we move on saling to Mawlaik where placed the former headquater of the Bombay Burmah Corporation for timer harvesting operation in the Chindwin Area. 

Afterwards, we move on sailing to Kalewa to discover the area called the gateway of the Chin State. Then, it’s time for an inland excursion to begin. We will visit a local market first and after that, get on the top of the hill to catch the panoramic view over the Chinwind river and the surroundings. 

Enjoy your last breakfast on board and then, say goodbye to the crew. You will be transferred to the airport in Kalay for your next flight.

A delicious lunch will be served on board after the embarkation. Then, we start sailing upstream to Pakokku. Upon arrival in the afternoon, taking a trishaw to explore the town is the best choice.

Yandabo is one the most famous places in Myanmar producing the finest pottery. In the morning, we will have a peaceful walking tour around this lovely village and see the Pandaw school.

Enjoy your breakfast before disembark from the ship in Mandalay.

Embark the ship and have lunch. We spend the afternoon cruising to the next destination.

Yandabo is one the most famous places in Myanmar producing the finest pottery. In the morning, we will have a peaceful walking tour around this lovely village and see the Pandaw school.

Enjoy your breakfast before disembark from the ship in Pagan.