Experience this timeless land from the comfort of the "Road to Mandalay" river cruiser, as you take a fabled journey along the Ayeyarwady River to Mandalay.

DAY ONE

Following breakfast this morning, you'll be transferred to Singapore's Changi International Airport for your Silk Air flight to Myanmar.  You are headed for Yangon (formerly Rangoon), the colonial capital of Myanmar.  soon after arrival, you'll proceed by air-conditioned coach to your hotel where lunch will be served.

This afternoon, you'll venture out to explore Yangon's must-see sights.   See impressive government buildings and pass along the famous thoroughfares of Strand Road, Merchant Street and Maha Bandoola.

Dinner and your accommodations for two nights will be at the Inya Lake Hotel, or similar, in Yangon.  this property is idyllically set amid 38 acres of grounds overlooking picturesque Inya Lake.

DAY TWO

Following breakfast, you'll proceed to the 2,500-year-old Schwedagon Pagoda, whose spire soars a massive 326 feet into the air.  glistening gold bullion adorns its dome, which is topped with over 6,500 diamonds and rubies.  Later, shopping aficionados will delight in browsing through the endless variety of goods on offer at Scott's Market.

Lunch will be served back at your hotel before you relax and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.  dinner and your overnight stay will again be at the Inya Lake Hotel, or similar in Yangon.

DAY THREE

Breakfast will be served before you proceed to the airport for your air Mandalay flight to Bagan.  On arrival, you'll enjoy a brief introductory look at Bagan en route to the "Road to Mandalay" river cruiser.  You are about to discover one of Asia's most extraordinary travel experiences.  Over 2,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and stupas are gathered in this area, which lies inland from the Ayeyarwady.

Your arrival at the "Road to Mandalay" will be prior to buffet lunch service on board.  this beautifully-appointed ship provides the perfect base from which to view and visit the wondrous sites that await.  Your comfortable cabin has an en-suite bathroom, telephone, personal safe and satellite TV with in-house video.  Every cabin has a window (or two) to frame views of the river and the ever-changing scenes beyond.

Later today, knowledgeable local guides will introduce you to some of Bagan's most famous sights including the renowned Ananda Temple.  this shrine was built in 1090 A.D. and contains four magnificent golden Buddha statues.  later today, the spectacle of sunset over Bagan's rose-red ruins will provide memories to cherish forever.

Back aboard the ship, there will be time to relax in the piano bar with cocktails, prior to a delicious dinner.  this will be followed by a lively local show in the Observation Lounge.

DAY FOUR

This morning's sightseeing will feature the Schwezigon Pagoda and a visit to a lacquerware shop.  alternatively, you may prefer to take a horse-cart or bicycle and explore the nearby area on your own.

At approximately 10:30 a.m., the ship will sail from Bagan, heading along the Ayeyarwady River for Mandalay.  Life beside the river is filled with never-ending fascination!  See tiny teak dwellings with walls of woven palm leaves.  Nearby, placid bullocks pull heavily laden carts surmounted by cheerful waving youngsters.   Statuesque ladies casually balance water jugs on their heads while vermilion-clad monks move purposefully about their daily tasks.

After lunch, enjoy a lecture on Myanmar history, cool off in the swimming pool, relax with a book from the library or visit the ship's shop.  Dinner will be served on board this evening.  At sunset, the "Road to Mandalay" will anchor for the remainder of the night.

DAY FIVE

Early this morning, the ship will leave its anchorage and continue north to Mandalay, where it will arrive about 2:30 p.m.  From the dock at Shwe Kyet Yet, you'll survey the splendid Sagging Hills, which rise dramatically above the Ayeyarwady's western bank.   White and golden-spired pagodas, temples and monasteries dot the hills of this holy city, which encompasses no less than 600 shrines.

After a buffet lunch on board, you'll explore the essential sights of Mandalay including the Mahamuni Temple, the Shwenandaw Monastery and the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which contains the world's largest book.  You'll also pause for Photos at the foot of Mandalay Hill.  After dinner this evening, you'll again be entertained by a local show in the Observation Lounge.

DAY SIX

Breakfast will be served this morning prior to a 30 minute journey to the airport, from where you'll fly to Yangon with onward connection to Singapore.  Soon after arrival there you proceed to a leading hotel for dinner.  later tonight you will fly on Singapore airlines to Male in the Maldives, where touchdown is scheduled for approximately 11 p.m. Your overnight stay will be at the Kurumba village, or similar, in the Maldives.

DAY SEVEN

After breakfast this morning, you'll reboard Crystal Symphony soon after she anchors at 8 a.m.  Your shipboard friends will be filled with curiosity, eager for you to recount the thrilling tales of your Myanmar adventure.

Duration 6 nights.