Sanctuary Ananda – 3 Nights – Asialink Holidays

Sanctuary Ananda – 3 Nights

3 Nights Bagan to Mandalay

Day One | Bagan

Welcome on board the Sanctuary Ananda.

Check in at 12:30pm and se le into your suite.

If you arrive on an early ight we will arrange for you to take a tour in Bagan. Leaving at 9am we will visit a local village in the heart of the Bagan plain, to see the way of life of the local people. Next visit a lacquerware workshop. This ancient cra has been produced in Bagan since the me of King Anawrahta around 1050 AD. Here in the workshop the tradi onal methods are s ll used.

A er lunch on board, we will visit Kayminga pagoda complex to see the di erent architecture of the stupas rst-hand. This is the perfect star ng point to understand how Bagan was built over several centuries and how the architectural style has evolved.

Next, visit Bagan to see the Ananda Temple. Completed in 1091 AD, it is commonly referred to as one of the four great temples in Bagan. The Ananda is regarded by folklore as one of the most beau ful temples in Myanmar.

Enjoy the sunset over the Bagan plains and admire the light change on the pagodas as they exude an quity and mystery. Finally the sun sets behind the hills on the far side of the Ayeyarwady River, lling the sky with a reddish glow, a truly magic moment.

A welcome brie ng and champagne recep on will be hosted in the Kansi Panorama Lounge before a candlelit sandbank dinner is served with the backdrop of the twinkling lights of Bagan.

Day Two | Set Sail From Bagan

Take an op onal early morning balloon tour to capture a birds-eye view of the Bagan plain (an addi onal charge applies, please book in advance. Available October – March only. Subject to weather condi ons on the day of the ight), followed by breakfast back on board.

Alterna vely, visit the bustling local market of Nyaung U. The daily market is where the farmers meet to buy and sell a variety of goods, ranging from fruit and vegetables to china and lacquerware.

After our visit to Nyaung U, we will move on to the great golden Shwezigon Pagoda. This holds a special place among Burmese pagodas for two reasons: it was the rst major monument built in the Burmese style (as dis nct from Mon style) following the country’s conversion to Theravada Buddhism, and was the rst pagoda to have nat (spirit) images allowed within the precinct. The Shwezigon is said to contain important relics of the Gautama Buddha, two bones and a copy of a tooth.

We will then return to the ship for lunch and start sailing upstream towards Sagaing. Relax as we past villages set against a backdrop of so browns, rich tamarind trees with white and golden pagodas gracing the distant hills. There is no be er way to enjoy this riverine picture than from the Kansi panorama lounge.

After lunch a variety of on board ac vi es will be o ered including a longyi (sarong) and thanaka (cosme c) demonstra on, a back of house tour, and a talk on Myanmar – covering the country’s incredibly rich history, more recent & controversial events and prospects for the future.

A delicious dinner in the Talifoo Restaurant will then follow.

Day Three | Mandalay

The morning will be spent sailing as you enjoy the passing countryside. A cooking class with our Executive Chef will be available.

In the a ernoon visit the pagoda sprinkled Sagaing Hill, an important religious and monas c centre, home to some 554 monasteries and 6,000 monks and nuns. Here we will visit a Monas c school and orphanage where you will have the opportunity to meet some of the residents and understand the teachings of Buddhism.

Next, take in the views from the top of the hill on the terraces of the Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda which are truly breathtaking. Below and all around, pagodas of di erent shapes and sizes dot the landscape.

Amarapura, was once known as ‘The City of Immortals’. Today, the leisurely ‘clack-clack’ from the looms of the co on and silk weavers has replaced the noisy bustle of this former capital.

Visit the U Bein Bridge, a spectacular place to enjoy the sunset. This long teak bridge snakes across the Taungthaman Lake and each evening you can watch monks crossing the bridge to collect food dona ons. This is a very spiritual and me travelling experience.

The view of the bridge as the sun goes down is perhaps one of the most beau ful sights in Mandalay, making it an excellent photography opportunity. A er sunset, return to the Sanctuary Ananda.

A local performance will be followed by dinner on board.

Day Four | Mandalay

Breakfast is served before check out in Mandalay.

If you are leaving on a later ight we can arrange a tour of Mandalay. This will include a visit to Mahamuni Pagoda, one of Myanmar’s most religious monuments housing the revered Mahamuni Image. Continue on to visit Shwenandaw Monastery, the only palace building to survive the bombings of World War II. This beau ful teak monastery had been the apartment of King Mindon and a er his death in 1879, his son Kong Theebaw, moved it out of the palace.

Lastly a visit to Kuthodaw Pagoda (Maha Lawka Marazein) built by King Mindon in 1857, in e ect a copy of the Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan. Kuthodaw is o en called the biggest book in the world, for surrounding it are 729 marble slabs inscribed with the Tripitaka texts (Buddhist cannon).

Need Further Information

info@asialink-holidays.com – Indonesia +62 (0)361 286 978 – Thailand +66 (0)2634 4922 – Vietnam +84 (0)4 3972 4899