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Peregrine Travel Centre

Chindwin & Nagaland Cruise

Chindwin & Nagaland Cruise

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Description

For the first time, sail the entire Chindwin river from Monywa to Nagaland on this limited 14-night combo expedition aboard the 10-cabin Zawgyi Pandaw. Take your time to explore one of the most remote and beautiful regions of Asia as we sail slowly along the Irrawaddy’s main tributary, only accessible with ultra-low-draft vessels such as ours. We will visit remote villages, pass through dramatic gorges and breath-taking scenery as well as explore the ancient Nagaland region, famous for its fierce and distinctive Naga Warriors.

Trip Name
Chindwin & Nagaland Cruise
Days
15
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury River Cruising Passenger Capacity: 20 passengers Length: 132.9 ft / 40.58m Built: 2014 ACCOMMODATION 6 main deck and 4 upper deck staterooms - 150 square feet (14sqm), finished in teak and brass - Premium mattresses - Convertible bed configuration - 24h laundry service WINING & DINING Local master chef heading an experienced international culinary team - Personalized meal service - Daily lean & light menu options - Complimentary coffee, water, tea, soft drinks, local beer, local spirits, juices - Extensive wine list with premium wines - Welcome drink on arrival - Welcome cocktail - Farewell reception - Theme- and gala dinners ON EXCURSIONS Admission fees - Shoe cleaning after excursions - Bottled drinking water - We give away aluminium water bottles - Cold towel service after excursions - Refreshing drink following excursions - Private guide and transportation for all excursions - Quality mountain bikes available for independent exploration SAFETY & SECURITY All onboard crew is trained and certified as per international marine standards - Fire alarm system in all cabins, public areas and back areas - Firefighting system in all ship areas - Expert marine superintendant - 24 hrs watch on duty

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1 MONYWA
Lunch on board. Afternoon excursion to see Thandboodi Temple, Bawdhi Tahaung statue and the night market in the evening.PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary for this expedition is indicative only. As we travel to remote areas, changes to the itinerary will inevitably occur. A flexible approach is required if you book this cruise.
Day 2 - DAY 2 PHOWIN TAUNG
Morning Excursion by coach to Phowin Taung Hill where we visit the Phowin Taung Caves with beautiful mural paintings and Buddha statues dating back to the 14th and 18th centuries. In the afternoon, cruise upstream.
Day 3 - DAY 3 KANEE
The river narrows and the forested hills fall away to farmland. Enjoy a morning culinary demonstration by our head chef on how to prepare a traditional Burmese Ginger Salad. Arrive in Kanee and take an afternoon walking tour of the village.
Day 4 - DAY 4 MINGKIN - KHONE GYI VILLAGE
Morning cruise up river. After lunch, we explore Mingkin, rediscovered by Paul Strachan in 1987 and described in some detail in his book Mandalay: Travels from the Golden City. It remains for Paul the most art historically interesting site in Myanmar (more so than the now spoilt Pagan) with its Konbaung court style teak monasteries sumptuously decorated. Mingkin may be described as the Luang Prabang of the Chindwin. In the evening, we visit to Khone Gyi village near Mingkin.
Day 5 - DAY 5 MA SEIN
Morning visit to Masein Village and then sail to Mawlaik , the former seat of the Bombay Burma Corporation's timber extraction operations for the Chindwin Area. The old Headquarters building still stands here.
Day 6 - DAY 6 MAWLAIK- ELEPHANT CAMP
The town that replaced Kindat as the administrative capital but ironically the Myanma refused to move there from upstream Kindat. It was mainly settled with the company houses of the by the Scottish owned and run Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation in the 1920s and 1930s. There are many splendid ‘Dak Bungalows’ set around a verdant golf course. Mawlaik and the other towns of the Upper Chindwin can only be reached by boat so cars are few. There is a dreamy otherworldly quality to such places and truly one feels that one has travelled there in the Pandaw time machine!. In the afternoon, Continue to the Pyar Swe Elephant Camp, a working camp where the elephants are protected in natural surroundings.
Day 7 - DAY 7 MAWLAIK - SHWE TAUNG
Morning excursion by Tuk Tuk or coach to view the teak forests outside Mawlaik. In the evening, visit to Shwe Taung village. We then sail to Kalewa where we overnight.
Day 8 - DAY 8 KALEWA
Explore ashore visiting the local market and enjoying panoramic views over the Chindwin from top of a hill.
Day 9 - DAY 9 MAWLAIK - YUWA
Morning visit to Masein Village and then sail to Mawlaik , the former seat of the Bombay Burma Corporation's timber extraction operations for the Chindwin Area. The old Headquarters building still stands here.Also visit the tiny village of Yuwa,where previous Pandaw travellers report a delightful atmosphere from friendly locals.
Day 10 - DAY 10 SITTHAUNG - PAUNGPYIN
Continuing upstream we sail to Sitthaung, the final resting place of a number of Irrawaddy Flotilla Company steamers scuppered there in 1942 in an ‘act of denial’ from the advancing Japanese who were a matter of hours behind. Remains of these ships can be found here. It was from here that the survivors of the Japanese invasion marched out to Tamu on the India border. Pantha was an important oil refinery belonging to the Indo-Burma Petroleum Co (Steel Brothers). We also explore Paungpyin village and take a walking tour including a visit to the market and the attractive wooden houses.
Day 11 - DAY 11 TOUNGDOOT
Morning visit to Toungdoot or Hsawng-hsup in Tai, is an ancient Shan enclave who in British times still had a ruling Sawbwa complete with palace and court. It will be interesting to see what has become of the royal family and their home and to see these Shan people so far from their Tai-Shan homelands. Alistair McCrae wrote of his visit there 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'.
Day 12 - DAY 12 NAGALAND
Scenic explorations upstream into the remote Nagaland.
Day 13 - DAY 13 KHAMTI
Afternoon arrive at Khamti, known as 'the land full of gold' due to the prevalence of gold panning in the nearby tributary of the Chindwin. We visit the town, the monastery meet local Tai speaking peoples.
Day 14 - DAY 14 CRUISING - HOMALIN
Evening visit Homalin, an interesting town close to the Indian border with attractive forested mountains on either side – some rising to over 9,000 feet. Irrawaddy Flotilla Company used to visit here and during World War II, Homalin was occupied by the Japanese.
Day 15 - DAY 15 HOMALIN
Disembark and transfer to the air field for onward flights.
Day 16 - Please Note:
The itinerary for this expedition is indicative only. As we travel to remote areas, changes to the itinerary will inevitably occur. A flexible approach is required if you book this cruise.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type

Inclusions

    • Visit the Phowin Taung Caves with beautiful mural paintings and Buddha statues dating back to the 14th and 18th centuries.
    • Explore Mingkin, rediscovered by Paul Strachan in 1987 and described in some detail in his book Mandalay: Travels from the Golden City.
    • Sail to Sitthaung, the final resting place of a number of Irrawaddy Flotilla Company steamers scuppered there in 1942 in an ‘act of denial’ from the advancing Japanese who were a matter of hours behind.
    • Arrive at Khamti, known as 'the land full of gold' due to the prevalence of gold panning in the nearby tributary of the Chindwin.

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