Sanctuary Ananda
MYANMAR
Natural beauty, authentic experiences, exciting and exotic locations – all enjoyed
in true luxury – is the guiding philosophy of Sanctuary Retreats and of our
newest ship, Sanctuary Ananda.
Welcome to these, our newest experiences on the rivers of Myanmar, known as
the rivers of spirit and recognised by travellers, explorers, as well as the people
themselves, as the only way to discover the real Myanmar. Flowing from the
high beauty of the Himalayas through undiscovered forests, hidden villages,
half-forgotten monasteries and glorious pagodas, through a land that has been
shrouded in mystery and magic and blessed by its Buddhist culture since almost
the beginning of time. Experience this on Ananda, named after the famous
temple which in turn means extreme happiness and one of the highest states of
being in Sanskrit – something we know you will understand while sailing on
her on Myanmar’s magical rivers.
Luxury, Naturally
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Myanmar .................................................................................................... 6-9
Ananda’s Itineraries ..................................................................................10-23
Ananda – Deck plans ....................................................................................24
Ananda – Our Ship ..................................................................................25-33
Community .............................................................................................34-35
Touring Around Myanmar .......................................................................36-42
China and Myanmar Combined ....................................................................43
Sanctuary Portfolio ..................................................................................44-45
Contents
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A country of smiles … a land of grace … a people of welcome … a place of
history and culture … Myanmar is slowly unfolding its charms and hidden
treasures to a world hungry for new adventures and new experiences. A land
that time had almost forgotten has at last opened her doors to those looking for
wonderment and places to treasure.
Bordered by five countries – Thailand, Laos, China, Bangladesh and India – it
is a gentle land of shimmering lakes, mythical rivers, emerald forests, villages
unchanged for centuries and people of warmth and grace. Its temples and stupas,
shrines and monasteries are as much part of the landscape as the colourful
markets, vibrant festivals and remote villages. It is a land waiting to be uncovered
… waiting to be discovered … but gently, slowly and with care, which is why
one of the best ways to explore its beauty is on our luxury vessel – the Ananda.
As she glides past golden temples, vivid green paddy fields, saffron-swathed
monks and pink-robed nuns, families heading to markets and ox-drawn carts
trundling along uncharted roads, it is like heading back to another time, as this
beautiful country makes its way softly into the future.
Myanmar
As each day dawns, new delights await you, from the exoticism of the ethnic tribes
almost hidden in the Shan Hills to the everyday sights of the men in their longyis
and the women with their faces daubed with silvery white tanakha to protect
them from the sun. Or the great archaeological spectacles such as the pagodas of
Bagan, more than 2,000 of which are spread across this great plain. See them in
the early morning as the sun spreads a pale rose wash over them, or at sunset when
they gleam like burnished gold, kissed by the deep orange-red of the setting sun.
Or indeed visit the heritage cities which mark the country’s history. Most visits
to this magical place begin in Yangon, the former capital and still the commercial
heart of the country. The city offers a glorious mix of grand old British heritage-
era buildings alongside the sleepy side streets, the bustling markets, the vibrant
port and the iconic Shwedagon Pagoda, the most sacred of all the country’s
Buddhist sites. Dominating the city’s skyline on Singuttara Hill, and surrounded
by more than 100 smaller stupas, legend has it that Shwedagon has existed for
more than two and half thousand years. Covered in gold donated throughout
the centuries by the people, its crowning glory is composed of 2,317 rubies
and 5,448 diamonds with a 76-carat diamond right at the top. It is not just
magnificent but the place that every citizen wants to visit at least once during a
lifetime. Invaded and plundered, threatened by foreign armies, earthquakes and
fire, the Pagoda has been central to both the heart and the soul of the Burmese
people, who daily pour in with their offerings and prayers.
Bhamo
Katha
Homalin
Monywa
Sagaing
Sale
Ngapali
Mandalay
Bagan
Pyay
Yangon
Myanmar
China
Laos
India
Thailand
Inle Lake
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Any visit should also take in the second city of Mandalay and the country’s last
capital before colonialism, still recognised as the cultural capital of Myanmar.
Visit Shwenandaw Kyaung, a glorious example of teak architecture with the
finest carvings, and the palace where King Mindon kept his 40 concubines
and housed his hundreds of children. A climb to the top of the Mandalay Hill
has the best views across the town, the plain and the river below. Mandalay
is also the gateway to see the remains of the four oldest cities, from Mingun
which houses the heaviest uncracked bell in the world to Amarapura, with
its wonderful one-mile-long U Bein Bridge across Taungthaman Lake. Go at
sunset, when the monks are taking their last outing of the day and the bridge
resembles a moving spice rack with shades of saffron, turmeric, chilli and
mustard reflected in their robes.
And then of course there is Bagan, unlike anywhere else in the world – 104
square kilometres of a plain housing over 2,000 gilded pagodas. It is the
spiritual heart of the country and the Shwezigon Pagoda is the most important
as well as the largest in the region. Tour it on foot or on bicycle, take a bullock
or horse drawn cart, or even more memorably, soar in a balloon far above the
plain, the villages and the stupas. It is almost like being in a dream.
Myanmar has so much more to give of herself, her culture and her heritage.
There are the two great rivers: the Ayeyarwady and its largest tributary the
Chindwin, which flow through the country like silver ribbons, snaking
through the emerald forests and the jade mountains of the north as well as
the golden beaches of the Bay of Bengal. Surprises abound: vast Inle Lake,
at once serene as you skim across its surface, and yet full of vibrancy along
its banks; traditional fishermen’s villages on stilts; age-old monasteries and
temples; thriving market gardens growing tomatoes, avocados and fruits on the
waterside; and the lively floating market. Not to mention the welcome of the
local Inthe people whose fishermen are admired for their unique leg-rowing
technique. Travel from the lakeside up into the former hill station of Kalaw,
so cool and leafy it is little wonder that British civil servants made it their
summer retreat from the heat of the towns. And for a totally different aspect of
Myanmar there are the beaches of Ngapali.
Wherever you go, whatever you see and experience you will be welcomed
everywhere by people so charming, so warm and so open-hearted – and so
pleased that you have chosen to visit and get to know their country. In the
Burmese language there is no word for tourist – everyone is a guest, and all
these people want to do is welcome you to their home.
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Each day Ananda brings you new experiences, new sights, and new delights
on eight cruise itineraries. Our luxurious, all-suite ship takes you in style on
voyages of breathtaking beauty and discovery on the great rivers of Myanmar:
the majestic Ayeyarwady between Bagan and Mandalay, visiting temples,
pagodas, palaces and monasteries along the way; and its great tributary, the
Chindwin, which takes you to places visitors rarely see: through the jungles of
the north, forgotten villages, and ancient towns almost to the Indian border.
Not to mention the great towns and cities throughout the land, from the
vibrant metropolis of Yangon to the old imperial capital of Pyay and the tropical
township of Bhamo, the gateway to the great gorges of Kachin State.
We also offer guests arriving on an early flight in Mandalay the opportunity to
book an optional city tour. You can also experience early morning ballooning
over Bagan on many of our cruise itineraries. Both activities are at an
additional charge.
Ananda’s Itineraries
Sagaing
Pyin Oo Lwin
Amarapura
Sale
Ava
Pakokku
Mandalay
Bagan
Myanmar
Mt. Popa
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Day 1: Join Ananda. Guests arriving early can book an optional tour to
Minanthu weavers’ village, a jaggery workshop and Thone Zu Pagoda. In the
afternoon, travel to Bagan by coach to visit some of the most important pagodas
among the 2,000 at this most magnificent archaeological site: the Ananda (which
our ship is named after), and the Htilominlo. Visit a laquerware workshop at
Myinkaba village, before enjoying the sunset from Pyathatgyi Pagoda.
Day 2: Choose one of two early morning optional excursions: a balloon
ride over Bagan or sunrise meditation at a temple. Visit the sacred Buddhist
Shwezigon Pagoda, which houses a bone and tooth of the Gautama Buddha,
and the Gubyaukgyi Temple as well as Nyaung U market. Return to our ship to
sail northwards. Choose from a range of afternoon lectures and demonstrations
or simply enjoy the scenery.
Day 3: Our ship sails towards Ava, the ancient imperial capital for five centuries.
Visit the monasteries and pagodas of Bagaya, Sagaing and Amarapura by horse
drawn cart or coach. Take time to visit local silversmiths or textile workshops
before heading by coach to the U Bein Bridge for drinks at sunset.
Day 4: Arrive in Mandalay and disembark.
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Bagan to Mandalay, 3 nights
Day 1: Join Ananda and in the afternoon, travel to Bagan by coach to visit
some of the most important temples and pagodas among the 2,000 – the
Ananda (namesake of our ship), the Htilominlo and the Pyathatgyi. Enjoy the
sunset from the latter.
Day 2: Choose one of two early morning optional excursions: a balloon
ride over Bagan or sunrise meditation at one of the temples. Visit the sacred
Buddhist Shwezigon Pagoda, which houses a bone and tooth of the Gautama
Buddha, and the Gubyaukgyi Temple, as well as Nyaung U market. Return to
our ship and sail northwards. A choice of lectures and demonstrations are on
offer during the afternoon.
Day 3: Enjoy the scenery along the river – the villages, rice fields and distant
stupas. Arrive in Ava, which was for five centuries the ancient imperial capital.
Explore Ava by horse drawn cart to visit the Bagaya monastery, and afterwards
by coach to Sagaing with its convents, pagodas and silversmiths. Continue onto
Amarapura to visit its textile workshops, and then by coach to the U Bein
Bridge to watch the sunset and enjoy a drink.
Day 4: Transfer by car to Pyin Oo Lwin to take the train across the Gokteik
Viaduct to Naung Pein, where a picnic lunch awaits. Return to Pyin Oo Lwin
and its Botanical Gardens via a visit to the Peik Chin Myaung Caves. Tour the
colonial houses by pony and cart before returning to the ship.
Bagan to Bagan, 7 nights
Day 5: Early morning sightseeing tour of Mandalay visiting the temples and
pagodas of Mahamuni (the holiest site in the city), Kuthodaw and Shwenandaw,
as well as the gold-beating workshops. Then your ship begins to cruise south.
There is a choice of lectures and demonstrations to enjoy as well as savouring
the scenery.
Day 6: Enjoy sunrise meditation and yoga before arriving at Pakokku. Here a
trishaw waits to take you on a tour of the local market as well as the cheroot
and shoe factories before you rejoin the ship and sail on towards Bagan. Enjoy
a tour of Bagan with its extraordinary collection of temples, as well as a visit to
Minanthu village, famed for its weavers and the Thone Zu Pagoda.
Day 7: Choose one of two early morning optional excursions: a balloon ride
over Bagan or sunrise meditation at one of the temples. Sail southwards to Sale,
where a trishaw awaits to take you to Yoke Sone Monastery and the wooden
monastery of Thartana Yaunggyi before the cruise back to Bagan. Spend the
afternoon on a horse drawn cart enjoying a final visit to the temples of Bagan
and watch the marvellous sunset.
Day 8: Early morning disembarkation.
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Day 1: Join Ananda and then set off on an afternoon coach excursion to
Amarapura with its textile workshops and Sagaing, the centre of Myanmar
Buddhist faith, renowned for its monasteries, nunneries, pagodas and
silversmiths. Take a coach to the U Bein Bridge to enjoy the sunset with drinks.
Day 2: Travel by horse drawn cart to Ava, the ancient imperial capital, and visit
the monasteries and pagodas of Bagaya. Sail southwards to Bagan. Spend the
afternoon watching the shifting scenery or join a demonstration or lecture to
learn more about Myanmar.
Day 3: Take a trishaw to the local Pakokku markets and traditional shoe and
cheroot factories. In the afternoon take a coach tour of Bagan to see some
Mandalay to Bagan, 4 nights
of the most important pagodas at this amazing site, the Ananda (our ship’s
namesake), the Htilominlo and the Pyathatgyi. Wonder at the sunset from the
Pyathatgyi Temple.
Day 4: Choose from early morning optional excursions: a Bagan balloon ride
or sunrise temple meditation. Sail southwards to Sale and take a trishaw to visit
Yoke Sone Monastery and Thartana Yaunggyi, a wooden monastery. Cruise
back to Bagan and visit the sacred Shwezigon Pagoda and the Gubyaukgyi
Temple. Return to our ship by horse drawn cart.
Day 5: Early morning disembarkation.
Day 1: Embark Ananda. Take an afternoon excursion to Sagaing, central
to Myanmar Buddhism with its myriad of temples, pagodas, convents and
monasteries. Visit its main temple, Soon U Ponya Shin, connected by covered
staircases up a high hill before seeing silversmiths at work and then heading for
the U Bein Bridge by coach in time for the sunset and drinks.
Day 2: Enjoy a horse drawn cart tour to Ava, an old imperial capital and a
charming archaeological site. At mid-morning Ananda sets sail southwards.
There is a wide choice of on board activities including cookery demonstrations,
longyi tying, a massage or a lecture on Myanmar traditions. Alternatively, you
may simply enjoy the glorious scenery.
Day 3: Mid-morning, set off by trishaw to Pakokku, a former Ayeyarwady
trading and shipping centre with its lively market, and to visit cheroot and shoe
factories. The afternoon is taken up with the glories of Bagan, with some 2,000
temples and pagodas scattered across a vast plain. See the magnificence of the
Htilminlo and Ananda temples (our ship’s namesake). Visit Myinkaba village
and its lacquerware workshop, before watching the sunset from the terraces of
the Pyathatgyi Temple.
Day 4: The day begins early with either temple meditation practice or a
sunrise balloon flight over Bagan before beginning the cruise south to Sale. A
trishaw will take you to the Yoke Sone Monastery, Thartana Yaunggyi and the
bamboo Buddha image. Enjoy a walking tour of the area before sailing back to
Mandalay to Mandalay, 7 nights
Bagan. A horse drawn cart will be waiting to take you around the temples and
pagodas and you can marvel at the magnificent sunset across the gold stupas.
Day 5: Visit a jaggery workshop and a traditional village en route to Mount
Popa, an extinct volcano and known as the home of the nats (spirits). Pilgrims
climb up 777 steps to give offerings and pray to the carved figures; it’s a climb
to take slowly, relishing the views. Then visit the fairytale pagoda of Taung
Kalat. Before returning to our ship, explore the area and visit a brick factory
and Thone Zu pagoda.
Day 6: Early risers can take a sunrise balloon flight over Bagan or practice
yoga at a temple before touring some of Bagan’s spectacular pagodas, the
Gubyaukgyi Temple, as well as Shwezigon in the nearby town of Nyaung U,
which also sports a colourful market. Mid-morning, Ananda sets sail north to
Mandalay. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the scenery or simply relaxing
on our sundeck or your balcony. There will be a choice of lectures and
demonstrations on Burmese life and culture.
Day 7: Our ship sails towards Ava, an imperial capital which held sway for
five centuries, and Mandalay. On arrival, your tour includes the Shwenandaw
monastery, a miracle of carved teak, and Mahamuni pagoda, the holiest pilgrim
site in Mandalay, followed a visit to the gold beating workshops.
Day 8: Early morning check out.
Day 1: Check in on Ananda this morning before taking an excursion to the
charming archaeological site of the old imperial capital, Ava, by horse drawn
cart. Afterward, a coach takes you to Sagaing, a place central to Myanmar
Buddhism with its numerous temples, pagodas, convents and monasteries.
Visit the main temple – Soon U Ponya Shin – that is connected by covered
staircases all the way up one of the highest hills. Then an afternoon tour of
Mandalay, known as the golden city as it is the centre of the country’s gold leaf
production for use on statues and pagodas. Visit its Shwe Sande Royal Palace,
a most imposing teak building where King Mindon housed his 40 concubines
and more than 200 children, as well as the Mahmuni Pagoda, an important
pilgrim site, before heading to the U Bein Bridge for sunset.
Day 2: Enjoy the passing scenery as you sail south. After lunch, sail on to
Magyibinbu and anchor for the night.
Day 3: Our ship sails on to Bagan, where you visit Nyaung U market and the
Shwezigon Pagoda, a sacred site which houses the Buddha’s bone and tooth.
Take a horse drawn cart tour of some of the most important of the more
than 2,000 temples in Bagan: the Ananda (which our ship is named after), the
Htilominlo and the Pyathatgyi. Afterward, take a coach tour to the lacquerware
workshops in the village of Myinkaba.
Day 4: Early birds can choose sunrise yoga and meditation practice on deck
or a thrilling balloon ride over the temples and pagodas of Bagan, before then
Mandalay to Pyay (Prome), 7 nights
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Mandalay
Bagan
Myanmar
Sale
Magwe
Minbu
Thayet
Pyay
sailing on to Sale. Here a trishaw takes you to the curved architectural gems
Yoke Sone Monastery, Thartana Yaunggyi and the bamboo Buddha image.
Day 5: Ananda will arrive at A Magwe from where you can visit the hilltop
Myat Than Lun Paya, a pagoda built in 1929 of solid gold bricks. This is
an astonishing building with amazing views of the river and its surrounds.
Afterward, drive to Minbu, a small village home to the Nga Ka Pwe Taung
(Dragon Lake), a pond of butane gas which is set in a lunar-like landscape
dotted with bubbling pools. There is an afternoon excursion to Minlha Fort,
built for the Burmese king by Italian engineers to resist a British invasion in the
second Anglo-Burmese war.
Day 6: A relaxing day on board enjoying the countryside and life on the
riverbanks as our ship sails onto Thayat, an authentic Burmese village with its
white pagodas and elegant colonial buildings. Take time for a walking tour of
this charming settlement. The afternoon sailing to Pyay gives ample time for
relaxation, enjoying the spa and its treatments, and learning more about the
culture and history of the country from a menu of demonstrations or lectures.
Arrive at Pyay at sunset.
Day 7: Visit Pyay, one of the country’s ancient capitals and where the British
Irrawaddy Flotilla Company established the cargo port for upper and lower
Burma in the 19th century. Visit Shwedaung village where you can see the
Shwemyetman Paya Pagoda and the only Buddha wearing gold sunglasses.
Afterward, visit the hilltop Shwedesabdaw Paya and its Sethagy Paya Buddha
which stands 10 metres high in front of the pagoda.
Day 8: Early morning check out and disembarkation.
Sagaing
Sale
Mandalay
Bagan
Magwe
Minbu
Minhla
Thayet
Kanaung
Danubyu
Zalun
Pyay
Yangon
Myanmar
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Day 1: Check in to Ananda. Take our afternoon tour to Sagaing, a place central to Myanmar
Buddhism with its myriad of temples, pagodas, convents and monasteries. Visit its main temple,
Soon U Ponya Shin, before going on to see silversmiths at work, the textile workshops of
Amarapura, and finally the U Bein Bridge by coach in time for drinks at sunset .
Day 2: Enjoy a horse drawn cart tour to Ava, an old imperial capital. At mid-morning our the
ship sails south. There is a wide choice of activities including a cookery demonstration, longyi
tying lesson or a lecture on Myanmar traditions; you may also choose simply to enjoy the glorious
scenery. Our ship anchors for the night by a sand bank.
Day 3: Sail towards Bagan, stopping on the way at Pakokku. Take a trishaw tour of the local market
as well as the cheroot and shoe factories. Arrive in Bagan, where a coach takes you to visit some
of the most important temples and pagodas: the Ananda (our ship’s namesake) and the Htilominlo.
Marvel at the sunset views from the Pyathatgyi.
Day 4: Choose an early morning optional excursion: a balloon ride over Bagan or sunrise temple
meditation. Visit the sacred Buddhist Shwezigon Pagoda and the Gubyaukgyi Temple, as well as
Nyaung U market. Our ship sails on to Sale, where a trishaw takes you to the Yoke Sone Monastery,
Thartana Yaunggyi and the bamboo Buddha image. Enjoy a walking tour of the area.
Day 5: Ananda arrives at Magwe where you can visit the hilltop Myat Than Lun Paya, a pagoda
built in 1929 of solid gold bricks. Then drive to Minbu, a small village which hosts the Nga Ka
Pwe Taung, a butane gas pond set in a moon-like landscape dotted with bubbling pools. In the
afternoon, go on a walking tour of Minlha Fort built for the Burmese king by Italian engineers.
Mandalay to Yangon, 11 nights
Day 6: Spend an unhurried day sailing, which gives you time to drink in the magic of the Myanmar
countryside, river life and the sheer beauty of the place. Enjoy a morning’s visit to Thayat, an authentic
Burmese village with its white pagodas and elegant colonial buildings, before sailing for Pyay.
Day 7: Visit Pyay, another ancient capital and which the British Irrawaddy Flotilla Company
established in the 19th century as the cargo port for upper and lower Burma. Visit Shwedaung village
where you can see the Shwemyetman Paya pagoda and the only Buddha wearing gold sunglasses.
Also home to the hilltop Shwedesabdaw Paya and its ten-metre-high Sethagy Paya Buddha.
Day 8: Ananda sails close to the Akauk Taung caves for a photo opportunity of the hundreds of
Buddhas carved along the river bank. Our ship anchors on the river bank tonight.
Day 9: This morning provides a scenic introduction to the beauties of Myanmar from its villages,
paddy fields, distant pagodas and hills. Savour the sights before arriving at Kenaung village where
you can enjoy a chinlon demonstration. Chinlon is part sport, part dance as teams of six pass a ball
with their feet, knees and heads as they walk in a circle. It is played throughout Myanmar by people
of all ages.
Day 10: Explore the port of Zalon by trishaw. Here you can visit the Pyi Taw Pyan pagoda, which
houses the famous bronze Buddha stolen by the British Army and returned by order of Queen
Victoria. Spend a leisurely day back on board before arriving at Danuphyu to visit of the Monastery
of Maha Bandula and the Pagoda of Tyuakalon Pun.
Day 11: Explore the charming little town by trishaw. It was from here that General Maha Bandula
led the Burmese against the British in the Anglo-Burmese War. Return to the ship to enjoy your
last afternoon and evening on Ananda.
Day 12: Arrive in Yangon, check out and disembark.
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Mandalay, Bhamo, Bagan, 11 nights
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20
Bhamo
Katha
Shwe Paw Zinbon
Shwegu
Amarapura
Tagaung
Male
Mogok
Bagan
Myanmar
Mingun
Nwe Nyein
Sagaing
Ava
Mandalay
Burmese Days), take a trishaw tour round town.
Day 7: Tour the nearby village of Kyan Hnyat to visit the school and meet the locals, giving you a
true glimpse at how the local people live — an opportunity that few travellers have ever enjoyed.
Later, sail towards Mogok.
Day 8: A coach tour takes you to Mogok, an area famed for the precious stones found nearby,
especially rubies and sapphires. Continue to a forestry reserve where healing plants are grown for
their essential oils, after which you head for the teak forest to encounter the working elephants.
Day 9: Ananda heads towards Ava, one of the old imperial capitals, touring either on foot or by
horse drawn cart. Then stop at Sagaing, where you visit its myriad of temples, pagodas, convents
and monasteries. Visit the main temple, Soon U Ponya Shin, before going on to see silversmiths at
work and then heading the textile workshops of Amarapura. Proceed to U Bein Bridge by coach,
arriving in time for the sunset.
Day 10: Relax and admire the scenery before arriving in Bagan. This afternoon take in some of
the grand sights and stupas of this extraordinary archaeological masterpiece, such as the the sacred
Buddhist Shwezigon Pagoda, which houses a bone and tooth of the Gautama Buddha and the
Gubyaukgyi Temple.
Day 11: Choose from a sunrise balloon ride over the stupas of Bagan, or an early morning
temple meditation. A coach takes you to Mount Popa, stopping to visit a jaggery workshop and
a traditional village on the way. Mount Popa is an extinct volcano and is known as the home of
the nats (spirits). Pilgrims climb up 777 steps to give offerings and pray to the carved figures, a
climb to take slowly. Visit by horse drawn cart, a lacquerware workshop as well as some of the most
magnificent of the 2,000 temples in Bagan. Witness sunset from the steps of Pyathatgyi.
Day 12: Check out and disembark.
Day 1: Check in on Ananda. Our ship sails to Mingun where you can visit the vast unfinished
stupa of King Bodawpaya. To accompany the temple the huge Mingun Bell was cast and, at 90 tons,
it is still the largest ringing bell in the world. Close by visit the elegant Asinphyumae Pagoda.
Day 2: Enjoy the river life before heading into the first of the three gorges and marvel at how
the scenery changes from expansive to high and dramatic as the river files through these narrow
channels with vast cliffs on either side. Dock for a walking tour of the village of New Nyein, where
the huge 50-gallon clay water pots are made.
Day 3: Sail further north and on arrival at Naba you can take a short train journey into the dense
jungle hinterland and teak forests of northern Myanmar. This is the land of the Kachin people,
known for their fighting and jungle survival skills as well as their craftsmanship.
Day 4: Another memorable day of sailing into almost unexplored territory, visiting settlements and
villages which have barely changed in the last century. One such village is Mae Dar, which you can
explore on foot before heading off to Shwe Paw Island with its ancient pagodas.
Day 5: Our ship begins to enter the second of the great gorges, passing logging camps and
traditional settlements before arriving at the old colonial village of Zinbon. Arrive at Bhamo, which
gives access to the town centre and its colourful, lively market, before you head back to Ananda for
lectures or a massage or simply to relax.
Day 6: A fleet of smaller boats will take you to the bustling port of Shwegu and onwards to a Shan
village to meet the local people and get an insight into their lives and customs. Sail southwards
towards Katha. On arrival at this traditional market town (which features in George Orwell’s
Day 1: Check in and discover the delights of Ananda, and enjoy the cruise along the Chindwin,
sailing by local villages, paddy fields and distant pagodas.
Day 2: Ananda sets sail from the Chindwin confluence to Monywa, stopping at Yesagyo, a
charming market town. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Monywa and its famed Thanboddhay Pagoda,
the walls of which are covered with thousands of Buddha images. Continue to Bodithaung Pagoda,
which houses the largest Buddha statue in Myanmar.
Day 3: This morning’s cruise takes you to the simple country town of Moktaw where you can
explore its workshops, markets and monastery. Then cruise to Maukkadaw, where you can relax
and learn a little more about Burmese traditions and history from demonstrations and a lecture on
World War II.
Day 4: Arrive at Maukkdaw, a famous teak port. Explore the town and its stunning teak buildings
made even more exotic by the tropical jungle that surrounds them. Your cruise continues through
the lush Chindwin gorges, thick jungle and tiny riverside villages in a land that time forgot. Relax
or join a lecture on the history of the Burmese Chindits, a special allied World War II force.
Day 5: Cruise to Kalewa and Mawleik. Kalewa is a charming old-fashioned town and you will
have time to stroll through and explore it, while Mawleik, once the administrative centre of the
Bombay Burmah Trading Company, is still a lively town with a vibrant market and some old
colonial buildings. This is a part of Myanmar that few tourists see.
Mandalay, Homalin, Bagan, 10 nights
Day 6: Relax on board as we sail for the town of Sittaung through some of the most remote parts
of the Chin Province. On arrival you can explore this little town or take an optional jungle trek, or
remain on board to learn about the tastes and flavours of Myanmar from a cookery demonstration.
Day 7: Sail from Sittaung to Homalin, a small town close to the Indian border. It is where the
Uyu, a Chindwin tributary, flows into the main river and where you can see it change colour as the
sand in it carries gold particles. Locals can be seen panning the river in the hope of finding gold.
Visit the Buddha Lotus Garden and the market while exploring the town.
Day 8: The Homalin market is at its liveliest in the early mornings, so take a stroll through it as the
town comes to life. Then head back on board for a leisurely day cruise down the Chindwin towards
Mingin and Kani.
Day 9: Arriving at Mingin, a must-see is the Mahar Minkyaung Monastery, an extraordinary
mélange of European and Burmese architecture. Here you can see the Shwe Sagar Buddha, which
was one of ten carved from a single trunk of wood almost 1,000 years ago. Carry on to Kyidaung, a
typical riverside village and see local life. Overnight at Kani and visit the shrine of the Lord of the
White Horse nat.
Day 10: Join our excursion to Po Win Taung caves and the Shwe Ba Taung complex, where some
492 Buddha sandstone chambers are carved into the hillside. Cruise to Bagan, stopping at Pakakgyi
to visit the Kaung Taw Gyi Monastery and Sithushin Pagoda. Arrive in Bagan in time for one of its
spectacular sunsets.
Day 11: Check out and disembark.
Sagaing
Mandalay
Bagan
Kalewa
Maukkdaw
Kani
Monywa
Mawlaik
Sittaung
Homalin
Myanmar
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Ananda will commence sailing in late 2014. She is being custom built for the Myanmar Rivers by
local shipbuilders using age-old knowledge and traditional materials while incorporating the most
modern technology. She has a shallow draft so that she can navigate both the Upper and Lower
Ayeyarwady and Chindwin Rivers.
Across four decks, Ananda is spacious and gracious, allowing her guests to enjoy the luxury on
offer. This includes 20 large suites, including our outstanding Aloungpayah Suite with its panoramic
views, and our two restaurants: Talifoo, for indoor dining, and its al fresco counterpart, Mindoon.
Both offer a choice of international and Asian cuisine as well as a wide selection of traditional
Burmese dishes.
Our Kansi panorama lounge on the top deck is the ideal place to watch and wonder at the
sights, scenery and glories of Myanmar as we sail along these magical rivers, it is also an enjoyable
meeting place as well as hosting a number of lectures and demonstrations on the history and
culture of the country.
For the ultimate in relaxation, visit our Thambyadine spa to enjoy a number of therapies and
treatments which have their origins in the age-old healing traditions of Myanmar and its
surrounding countries, or cool off in the outdoor plunge pool. In fact, the Ananda offers everything
a memorable holiday requires.
Sanctuary Ananda
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BHAMO deck
BAGAN deck
MANdALAY deck
61m
YANGON deck
11m
Deck Plans
aloungpayah Suite
kanSi panorama lounge
luxury SuiteS
Deluxe SuiteS
minDoon al freSco Dining
WheelhouSe
Dufferin library
talifoo reStaurant
Deluxe SuiteS
lobby
guiDe accommoDation
thambyaDine Spa anD gym
engine room
Our Aloungpayah suite is named after the 1876 Irrawaddy Flotilla Paddle
Steamer, which in turn was named after one of the 18th-century kings of
Burma who founded the Konbaung dynasty and reunified all of Burma, driving
out the French and English and founding Yangon.
Aloungpayah is as lavish in space as it is luxurious in style. Its 67m
2
(721ft
2
)
consists of both a living and dining area that also provide a breathtaking aspect
of the river and its environs.
The master bedroom has a king-size bed, a spacious dressing area and its own
private balcony complete with sun loungers. The large bathroom sports a
generous tub, monsoon shower and ‘his and hers’ sinks.
Aloungpayah Suite
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Luxury and Deluxe Suites
All suites have their own private balcony with chairs and a table, allowing you
every comfort while savouring the spectacular views along the river.
Deluxe suites (27-28m
2
/ 291-301ft
2
) have living space as well as either a
double or twin beds, depending on preference. Each has a separate en suite
bathroom with monsoon shower, basin and separate toilet.
Luxury suites (31-33m
2
/ 334-356ft
2
) also have an indoor sitting area,
complimentary minibar and laundry. Enjoy private butler service as well as early
morning tea and coffee.
All suites have air-conditioning, iPod docking station and iPad TV connection.
Each reflects Myanmar’s renowned arts, crafts and textiles in its furnishings and
décor, which showcases local fabrics, wood and lacquerware. The old Irrawaddy
Flotilla is remembered as each suite is named after a ship, complete with a
splendid vintage photograph of that ship in suite.
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The culture and cuisine of Myanmar are reflected in the dining options
available to guests each day, alongside a choice of Western favourites and
international dishes. Our elegant Talifoo restaurant welcomes guests from
early morning through late evening while our Mandalay deck is home to our
Mindoon al fresco restaurant for lunches and snacks.
A full continental breakfast of fresh juices, fruits and freshly baked bread is
served each morning alongside a full cooked menu as well as Myanmar’s
traditional mohinga breakfast dish (fish noodle soup). Lunch can be taken either
in the restaurant or on our Mandalay deck and offers a wide selection of salads
served on Kantokes (local wooden trays) as well as a daily changing choice of
hot à la carte specials of local and western dishes.
Dining
In the evening dinner too, offers a choice of both Western and Burmese
dishes. The local cuisine shows influences from its neighbours Thailand,
India and China as well as reflecting its own indigenous tastes. This latter can
include seafood and freshwater fish as well as chicken and all kinds of meat
served with noodles, potato or rice. Fresh fruits and vegetables are always
available while sour and shellfish based soups or vegetables with noodles are
very popular. Flavours are enhanced by herbs and spices such as tamarind,
ginger, lemongrass and chilli.
A comprehensive wine cellar is on offer to guests while a complementary
selection of local beers and soft drinks are available at each meal to
complement our menus.
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Ananda’s sundeck is an area of peace and calm where you can relax and enjoy
the countryside, villages, farms and temples as you float past. Comfortable,
inviting sun loungers are shaded by canopies for when the sun is too high,
while the plunge pool provides a cooling experience. Complimentary early
morning meditation and yoga is offered each day on the sundeck.
Our Thambyadine spa and gym are available on the Yangon deck where guests
can enjoy invigorating workouts or relaxing massage and sensual spa treatments.
Our Kansi panorama lounge is fully air-conditioned and has floor to ceiling
windows, providing uninterrupted views of the passing scenery. It’s the ideal
place for mid-morning coffee, afternoon tea or evening cocktails, while
a number of lectures and demonstrations on the culture and traditions of
Myanmar take place here so that you can learn more about this magical
country. Its comfortable chairs and colonial style sofas allow plenty of space for
relaxing as well.
Life on Board
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One of the greatest attractions of Myanmar is its people: their charm,
gentleness and hospitality. And it is a great pleasure for us to introduce you not
only to this extraordinary country, but to its people.
Sanctuary Retreats is committed to support local communities and projects
to help bring work and investment to the land. Ananda itself is being built at
a local Myanmar shipyard by two Burmese brothers, U Soe Naing and Myo
Aung, and will be based out of Mandalay bringing new jobs at our private
dock in Ava.
All our guides are Burmese Myanmar experts who will share their knowledge
and expertise with you. They will organise opportunities for guests to enjoy
interacting with local communities, from eating in local restaurants and visiting
local markets and workshops to watching silversmiths, lacquer workers, cigar
makers and weavers display their age-old traditions. They will share with you
the fun of local transport, be it a bullock cart or a swift rowboat. They will take
you to off-the-beaten-track temples and monasteries. Most importantly of all,
they will introduce you to local communities and tribespeople. It will be their
pleasure to share their country with you.
Not only will Sanctuary Retreats aid local employment and training, but also
we are already involved in helping local orphaned children. This is a cause
close to the heart of Goldene, one of our leading guides who looks after
the abandoned children from the Nargis cyclone and is now funding their
secondary education. We are supporting small local businesses such as the ladies
who make soap for our suites and the local weavers making the fabrics for
our bedroom headboards. We are also researching further projects, including
freshwater wells for villages without clean drinking water. We want the people
of Myanmar to know how much they are valued and how crucial they are in
helping us — and you — to know and enjoy their homeland.
Community
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The extraordinary thing about visiting Myanmar is that guests always want
the experience and the holiday to linger on, because there is always more to
see, more to do, and more enchantment lying in wait. This is why we offer
a number of extensions where you can spend time discovering more about
this magical country – whether it’s an extra few days in Yangon, a visit to the
villages of Inle Lake, a short stay in a monastery, a trip to the hill stations of the
north, time to discover more about the tribal people of Shan State or simply
some relaxation time on the beach at Ngapali, Sanctuary Retreats will make it
happen for you.
Touring Around Myanmar
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When the time comes to relax and consider all the wonders of Myanmar you
have seen and visited, there is no better place than Ngapali. Not only does it
have the best beach in Myanmar at Sandoway, it is also a place full of gentle
people, wonderful restaurants and almost constant sunshine. Even for those
connoisseurs of beach holidays, Sandoway is a complete surprise and revelation.
Here in a country of pagodas and palaces, a country still so unexplored, it is also
possible to discover a pristine beach with pale gold sand edging down to a clear
warm sea … a sea which invites and excites. Even better, dotted along the sands
are friendly little beach cafes serving the freshest fish, the crispest salads and
the most exotic of fruits – sustenance and sunshine, a gorgeous combination.
Located in Rakhine, the westernmost state of Myanmar, where the Arakan
Mountains come down to the turquoise waters of the Bay of Bengal it provides
the perfect way to end your holiday.
Ngapali
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Yangon
The former capital is a glorious mélange of temples, a thriving port and
colourful markets. Take a walking tour along the esplanade to see gracious
British heritage mansions and the elegance of the Strand and Pansoden
Street. Enjoy the bustle of the food and flower markets, the Chinese area, the
secondhand bookstalls, but most of all visit the Shwedagon Pagoda. This is the
most important Buddhist shrine in Myanmar as well as the most awe-inspiring.
Seen across the city, it’s sheathed in gold and topped by a crown of 2,317 rubies,
5,448 diamonds with a huge 76 carat diamond at the top. Or visit the reclining
Buddha at Chaukhtatgyi Paya and its small shrine to Ma Thay, a holy man who
could stop rain. For something totally different head for Bogyoke Market. It’s
a spellbinding place with local handicrafts – Shan bags and slippers, t-shirts,
scarves and longyi, not to mention the pearls and gems for which Myanmar is
renowned. The National Museum offers a tour of the country’s past while the
city streets offer a rich experience of its people and life.
Kalaw and Pindaya
The centre of trekking and hiking heaven lies just west of Inle Lake in the
Shan Plateau, and is the gateway for travellers to visit a number of tribal
settlements and villages of the Shan, Palaung and Danu people. Overnight
trekkers are invited to spend the night in one of the many monasteries dotted
throughout the hills, an authentic experience almost as old as time and a
privilege for any traveller.
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En route to Kalaw, stop at Pindaya, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site.
It is comprised of three caves, of which only one can be entered and which
contains more than 8,000 images of the Buddha, many with inscriptions
brought by supplicants. The area, famed for its paper umbrellas and hand-rolled
cheroots, is also host to an itinerant market every five days.
A vast freshwater lake, 900 metres above sea level, in the heart of the Shan
Plateau, Inle Lake is a magical water wonderland. Surrounded by mountains,
edged by floating gardens, plant nurseries and villages on stilts and host to one
of the best floating markets in Asia. Add to that monasteries and stupas, pagodas
and paddy fields; a visit to the traditional silk weavers is also not to be missed.
Here they spin, weave, dye and make garments, textiles and accessories often
incorporating a yarn they make from the fibres of the lotus plant, which is
Inle Lake
unique to this area. The lake is also home to the Inthe people who are famed
for their extraordinary leg-rowing technique, which allows them to keep their
hands free for fishing. Another wonder can be seen at a lakeside monastery
where the monks have taught their cats how to leap on command – a true sight
to behold. Spend a day on the lake to truly savour its offerings. Thadingyut
festival, one of Myanmar’s best known events, takes place here every autumn,
almost immediately after the three-week Phaung Daw U festival.
China and Myanmar Itinerary
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Combine one of our Myanmar cruises with a China cruise and get to know and
marvel at the magic of two great Asian rivers – the Yangtze and the Ayeyarwady.
Join Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer at Chongqing or Yichang in China, for either
a three- or four-night cruise along the mighty Yangtze where you can see the
glorious Three Gorges region, alongside the eponymous dam, the largest on
earth. You then go on to visit ancient towns such as Fengdu, learn the authentic
way to prepare tea and tour in a local sampan along smaller tributaries. You can
even learn to cook dumplings and begin each day with a tai chi class.
From Chongqing it’s a short flight to Kunming and then on to Mandalay,
where you embark Sanctuary Ananda to head south along the Ayeryarwady. An
unforgettable journey now begins to the ancient imperial capital of Ava and
to Sagaing, the centre of the Buddhist faith in Myanmar, before arriving in the
great plain of Bagan and the 2,000 pagodas that make up one of the greatest
archaeological sites in the world. See sanctuaryretreats.com for more details.
Mrauk U
In the northern Rakhine state is the village of Mrauk U, which was once
the capital of a sizeable empire and is now an archaeological site of some 700
temples. Until recently this area was off-limits to tourists and few outsiders
have ever seen it. Travel there by small boats along the river from Sittwe, before
visiting some of the pagodas by either horse drawn cart or bicycle, including
the Shittaung Paya, the Dukkanthein Paya and Kothaung Payas. Look on them
and marvel that though they sit there in their timeless idyll, life goes on around
them with the villagers and farmers working the land and the fields.
Monywa
Monywa is a thriving commercial centre on the banks of the Chindwin River,
trading in jaggery and a number of regional crafts including bamboo and
textiles. However, its major attraction is the glorious Mohnyin Thambuddhei
Paya Temple, which dates back to the twelfth century, albeit reconstructed in
the first half of the 20th century. Its walls are covered in tiny Buddha images.
Nearby is the Bodhi Tataung Laykyun Setkyar, the second-tallest standing
Buddha in the world at 129 metres. This is located in a vast area housing
numerous statues and stupas.
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Sanctuary Retreats offer some of the most exclusive travel experiences
and destinations in the world. We promise adventure, enchantment, and
enlightenment in natural luxury. Visit one of our lodges or camps in Botswana,
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda or Zambia to experience the African wilderness in all
its glory. Walk with the elephants in Botswana, meet the Maasai tribespeople on
the vast Masai Mara, trek to find gorillas in Uganda or luxuriate in a star bath in
Botswana – all magical experiences.
Cruise with us in style and splendour along some of the world’s great rivers – the
Nile, the Ayeyarwady, the Yangtze – or discover the Galapagos and all its wonders.
It would be our pleasure to have you as our guest at one of our 13 lodges and
safari camps or on one of our eight boutique cruise ships. Please see our website
sanctuaryretreats.com for further information.
Our Sanctuary Portfolio
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At Sanctuary Retreats, we believe that luxury is as much about experiencing
the true beauty and charm of a destination as it is the quality of the service we
deliver. This is why we are proud to champion and support local people, their
crafts, traditions, knowledge and history in each destination where we have a
lodge or ship.
This is why our newest ship, Ananda, is being built in a Myanmar shipyard by
local shipbuilders using local materials … and why we felt that our brochure,
too, needed to reflect the country’s arts and traditions. Throughout Myanmar,
especially around the temples and monasteries of Bagan, local artists show their
paintings – gentle watercolours depicting the beauty and majesty that surrounds
them: the pagodas, the statues and the shrines, the skies, the landscapes and the
people. We felt this would be the perfect introduction to a country our guests
had heard so much about … and yet still knew so little. A country opening like
a flower before us. And then we met Maung Thiha, a renowned watercolourist
who has been capturing the magic of his city, Bagan, from his quiet roadside
gallery for over 43 years.
Maung Thiha does not speak English and our marketing director does not
speak Burmese, but through the patience and imagination of our guide Zaw
Lynn, along with a number of digital renderings of the ship, discussions about
aspect ratios and river views, we are proud to present the illustrations in this,
our first brochure for our Ananda. This is a true artist’s impression of a new ship
in an age-old landscape highlighting its serenity and beauty.
Our Brochure Story
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tO MAke A BOOkiNG pLeAse cONtAct YOuR tRAveL pROfessiONAL, OR visit
sANctuARYRetReAts.cOM/MYANMAR
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