River Cruising in Myanmar

At its eastern extremity, Himalaya has an arc turning south toward Myanmar in the form of three ranges: (Western) Rakhine Yoma, (Central) Bago Yoma and (Eastern) Shan Plateau. These mountain ranges serve as the troughs in creating great rivers flowing down south.

River Salween has its root in Tibet (China) together with River Mekong. It runs through Shan Plateau to be merged into Andaman Sea at Moulmein, Myanmar's third largest city. Although it is 1,450 miles (2320 km) long, river cruising is possible only about 100 miles at the lower end.

River Irrawaddy has its root well inside Myanmar territory with her two originating rivulets, Mae-Kha and Mae-Li-Kha reaching up to Hkaka-bo Razi National Park. River cruising is possible through out its 1360 miles (2170 km) length with various size, draught and type of boat according to season and particular segment of voyage. 

  1. Mandalay-Bagan-Pyay is well plied route facilitating international tourism; "Road to Mandalay" (Luxurious River Cruise) and Pandaws (Superior River Cruise) among governmental IWT boats and chartered smaller river boats. Pandaw have wide ranges of routes down to Prome (Pyay), and Yangon as well.
     
  2. Mandalay-Bhamo segment has to rely more on Government run Inland Water Transportation (IWT). Yet, both "Road to Mandalay" and Pandaws have their seasonal routes scheduled to Bhamo. 

    Views are mesmerizing through out the course: spectacular Irrawaddy 2nd Defile and 3rd Defile, Ta-gaung is the place of foremost Myanmar kingdom as historical evidence and records have presented, and just a couple of miles downstream of Ta-gaung is Tropic of Cancer. 

    IWT runs scheduled routes of Mon, Thu, Sat departures of North bounds from Mandalay and Wed, Sat, Mon departures of Bhamo for South bounds; all with two nights stay en route. Also available are smaller river boats prepared to cater international tourists to be chartered through Tour Agencies. Various kinds of boat for all Group size can be arranged.
     

  3. Bhamo-Myitkyina section of River Irrawaddy has diesel powered long ferry boats. Daily, from both terminus departure is at 06:00 and arriving around mid to late afternoon. It is the farthest upstream section of River Irrawaddy and scenic views of a mighty river flowing between dense forests, rocky river- banks with 1st Defile along is a memorable traveling experience.
     

  4. Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) Delta with her vast riverine web, this most populated area gives superb river cruising experience. One R.V. Ba Nyar Latt "Delta Queen" plies the Yangon-Pathein(Bassein) routes among IWT daily liners and chartered smaller river boats.

River Chindwin originated at the area between Brahmaputra of India and Mae-Li-Kha of River Irrawaddy. It flows south with navigable capacity beginning at Khamti. Near Myingyan, about 30 miles (48 km) upstream from Bagan, it merged into River Irrawaddy.

"Road to Mandalay" runs up to Mawlaik as "Chindwin Cruise", during draught permitting season. Whereas chartered smaller river boats with lesser facilities are more adaptable for all seasons.