Metta Cruise 8 days Homalin – Phar Bote – Bagan

In the morning check in on board Metta Cruise. Soon after safety instructions and introductions, start sailing on the beautiful river Chindwin. Both sides, you will see the jungles which are filled with rare and beautifully grained hardwoods such as teak, Pyingado and Padauk, as well as Thanakha, the tree with the fragrant bark grinded to a paste and used as a cosmetic and sunscreen. The most fragrant Thanakha comes from this area, and in old times such trees are kept aside only for the use of queens and princesses. The guardian of these trees was richly rewarded when they present the cut branches once a year to the palace.

Arrive Phar Bote in the very late afternoon where you will explore the life of former Naga tribes who were famous as head hunters way back in time. Lunch & Dinner on board. Overnight on board.

In the early morning, set sail through the wonderful sceneries of Chindwin River. Visit Pharpoke village on the way. This is a very interesting Tankho Naga Village, on the west bank of river. The children can’t speak Burmese, but speak Naga language. They built their traditional homes and are preparing for the 50th Anniversery of founding that village in 2009.

If time permits, a visit will be made also to Maung Khan village . A big village with many shops. All are Shan people and quite rich. We can go shopping here. The village streets are very straight and laid down systematically. Dock near Tonheik Village. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board. Overnight on board.

After some time sailing, visit Thaung Htut village. Hike up a peak of the hill and enjoy the best panoramic view seen from the hill at the west bank of the river. Excursion will be made in the village and visit “Police Pagoda” just adjacent to the police station and “Four Storey Monastery” with beautiful ceilings which are lacking the maintenance.

Visit Mawlaik on the West bank of river, a small delightful town , Set on a hill, it is a pretty spot with old colonial style buildings and pretty houses. Offices as well as the guesthouse once called the ?Dak Bungalow? are still preserved and used. The cool weather must have been reminiscent of English springtime, and although undiscovered by the general public, it is a wonderful spot to get away from everything stressful. It was also a trading post for the colonial era enterprise the Bombay Burmah Company that dealt in teak, abundantly found in the area. It was founded by British and said to have the best fire-precaution system. Walk along the harbor, visit central market with a horse cart and the clock tower.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board. Overnight on board.

Main focus of the day would be Kalewa , a small town which is still the trading post between Myanmar and India, and this town rests at the point where the Myit Tha River with its source in India joins with the Chindwin. Kalewa is right at the foot of the Western Mountain Ranges that loom over the town, the pagoda on the hill and the placid waters of the river. Apart from the monsoon season of June to October when rainfall can reach up to 60 inches, the market of wholesale and retail goods is a bustling place for traders of two countries to meet. Visit trading areas of the town, sit down in the central tea shop, where you will see a lot of traders doing business.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board. Overnight on board.

One enchanting town is called Mingin, with various temples and wooden houses that have stood for over a hundred years. The Min Kyaung or King?s Monastery is their pride of place especially as it houses old and beautiful Buddha images. Just a short ride away from Mingin is Kyidaw, where the Shwe Zawar Yaw Monastery is the prestige of the villagers. Shwe Zawar means figures painted out of gold leaf on a flat surface, and the monastery walls are covered with these in a rare example of this artwork, which is usually seen on small utensils such as lacquer bowls or trays. Yaw is the name of a large part of this region where fine hand-woven cotton or silk with distinctive designs are woven, and coloured in black or deep red with organic dyes.Cruise on while sampling the amazing scenery as we pass through jungle clad gorges.

Enjoy a local ‘tea-shop’ experience in Maukkadaw, there are also chances to pay a visit to the local school. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board. Overnight on board.

nother beautiful sailing day. Another fascinating aspect of the Chindwin region are the small towns and villages that give an insight into the way of life of these proud by friendly people. They are proud of their heritage, and while living with less material comforts, their integrity and faith in themselves give them the dignity of royalty.

The tiny Kin Village is a place of devout Buddhists who are proud of their wonderful monasteries, built both in traditional carved teak and in brick colonial styles. The wooden steps of the jetty are long, where children sit to watch the boats passing by. Water levels differ hugely between summer and monsoon seasons and the steps offer a grandstand view of the river.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board. Overnight on board.

Call in Kani, a small town on the west bank on the late morning. Visit Kani. The town of Kani has been known all through Myanmar history as birthplace of learned nobles and wealthy merchants. The nearby Mahu Mountain Range is the location of the Alaungdaw Katthapa Wild Life Park where endangered tiger roam freely. The jungles are filled with rare and beautifully grained hardwoods such as teak, Pyingado and Padauk, as well as Thanakha, the tree with the fragrant bark grinded to a paste and used as a cosmetic and sunscreen. The most fragrant Thanakha comes from this area, and in old times such trees are kept aside only for the use of queens and princesses. The guardian of these trees was richly rewarded when they present the cut branches once a year to the palace.

Moor overnight near Monywa. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on board. Overnight on board.

Set sail in the early morning. Just 12 miles down from Monywa, there is an interesting village called A-Myint, specializing in bamboo-ware products. Have a delightful stroll among the ruins and pagodas from 17th-19th Century.

A visit to Yandapo village will be made in the afternoon. Historically, the village was famous for the second Englo-Burmese War treaty that takes place in the village. The village is famous for making drinking water pots.

In the late afternoon, the final lag of sailing to Bagan. Breakfast & Lunch on Board.