Our adventure begins with a transfer from Yangon International Airport to the Strand Road Jetty where we board the RV Kanee Pandaw. Crafted from brass and teak by skilled local craftsmen, this elegant vessel blends timeless heritage with modern comfort. Its ultra-shallow draft allows access to remote destinations beyond the reach of larger ships or by overland travel.

Today’s highlight is a visit to the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset, when its golden stupa glows against the evening sky. Set in Yangon, the former capital and formerly known as Rangoon during the British colonial era, this sacred site offers a deeply atmospheric glimpse into Myanmar’s spiritual heart. Dating back over 2,600 years, this glittering shrine is the city’s most iconic landmark and the country’s most sacred Buddhist temple. Its golden stupa rises 99 metres and is clad in gold plates continuously donated by devotees. At its top, a jewel-studded crown sparkles with thousands of diamonds, rubies and golden bells. More than a monument, Shwedagon is the spiritual heart of the nation, uniting history, devotion and breathtaking craftsmanship in one extraordinary structure.

After this exceptional experience, we return to the ship for dinner and our first night on board.

Today’s exploration takes us back in time to the British colonial period between 1824 and 1948, when Rangoon’s architecture evolved to incorporate distinctive European influences alongside traditional Asian forms. The city is home to one of the largest and most intact colonial cityscapes in Asia. Many of these buildings remain in everyday use, giving the city a unique living heritage feel. Our journey begins along Strand Road and the Riverside District, a historic waterfront once at the commercial heart of British Burma. Here we find the iconic Strand Hotel and then continue to other culturally significant sites, including Yangon City Hall, a striking blend of colonial architecture and traditional Burmese design. Another landmark is the High Court Building, an impressive red-brick structure crowned with a clock tower.

A highlight is an exclusive private tour of the Secretariat Building, the former administrative centre and the site of the assassination of independence hero Aung San. We also visit St. Mary’s Cathedral, the nation’s largest cathedral. Lunch is served in a stylish tea house.

Our final stop is the National Museum of Myanmar (closed on public holiday and Monday), where a rich collection of exhibits brings the country’s history and cultural heritage to life under one roof.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Today we swap the lively streets and famed architecture of Yangon for the serenity of the provincial countryside. With breakfast on board, we travel south along the Twante Canal, a 35-km waterway completed by colonial engineers in 1883. This links the Yangon and Irrawaddy rivers.

Our leisurely journey offers a glimpse into the rhythms of rural Myanmar, where life unfolds gently along the water’s edge.

As the boat glides at an unhurried pace, everyday scenes come into view – fishermen casting nets, children waving from the banks and villagers tending chores in stilted wooden homes. Though Yangon is close by, the landscape feels worlds away, revealing a timeless, atmospheric side of the Delta. On arrival in Twante, we pause to explore the town’s renowned pottery tradition, where the past and present intertwine in a blend of art and tradition.

We then proceed to Pyapon, a delightful seaport with lively docks and markets. This is situated along the Irrawaddy River 15 km from the Andaman Sea. After a day of ever-changing views and cultural immersion, we enjoy dinner and overnight onboard.

A new day and a new adventure awaits as we leave Pyapon and proceed to Bogale along the sleepy river. Bogale is at the heart of the Delta and a former Mon capital and port that connected to international trading routes between the 15th and 18th centuries. The journey takes us deeper into the intricate waterways of the Irrawaddy region, where land and water merge.

As we cruise through narrow channels and wider river stretches, the scenery becomes increasingly remote, featuring dense mangroves, nipa palm groves and low-lying fields shaped by the tides. Life in this destination is inseparable from the water. Small wooden boats glide past carrying fishermen, traders and families navigating between villages, with stilted homes rising above the muddy banks in the background. This is a more secluded side of Myanmar – less visited, deeply authentic and rich in atmosphere.

On arrival in Bogale, we disembark to explore, including a visit to a local monastery, a major spiritual and community hub. This concludes a day of quiet discovery, where the rhythms of river life leave a lasting impression.

Dinner and overnight onboard.

Today’s cruise from Bogale to Myaungmya promises to be among the most captivating of the voyage – a true journey of exploration through a maze of narrow creeks and winding channels. We will see dense mangroves that give way to open stretches of water, farmland and quiet riverside villages, offering a vivid glimpse into a way of life influenced by the river. At a sleepy village, we step ashore for a guided walk and our guide will enhance the experience with an insight into local customs and life in this location.

Back on board, the voyage continues at a gentle pace. This is slow travel at its most rewarding – immersive, authentic and rich in atmosphere, providing us with an insight into one of Myanmar’s least-visited regions.

Dinner and overnight onboard.

Our journey continues from Myaungmya, where a network of smaller waterways gradually opens into broader channels. This stretch offers a striking contrast as quiet creeks give way to the wide expanse of the Pathein River, also known as the Bassein River. This takes us to Pathein, the capital of the Delta and one of Myanmar’s most important seaports.

As we approach Pathein, formerly known as Bassein, river life becomes more animated, with fishing boats and cargo vessels reflecting the city’s long-standing role as a vibrant trading hub. On arrival, we step ashore to explore a destination rich in character, with colonial-era influences blending with traditional Burmese life.

A highlight is a visit to an umbrella workshop, where skilled artisans craft the distinctive parasols used by Buddhist monks. This engaging day blends scenic cruising with cultural discovery.

Dinner and overnight onboard.

A day moored up enables us to enjoy a fascinating day of discovery in lively Pathein. Boasting a scenic riverfront, impressive pagodas and a riverside night market, we have abundant exploration options. The capital of the Irrawaddy Delta, this lively river port offers an authentic window into life in one of Myanmar’s most fertile and culturally rich regions.

Once known as Bassein during the colonial era, Pathein remains an important regional trading hub, with river access to the Andaman Sea linking the Delta to wider maritime routes. At the heart of the city stands the revered Shwemokhtaw Pagoda, a golden landmark believed to be 2,000 years old. Its shimmering stupa rises above the town and serves as both a spiritual centre and a point of orientation.

Nearby, local markets overflowing with fresh produce, dried fish, spices and textiles offer a vivid and sensory glimpse into the Delta’s bounty. Beyond its key sights, Pathein’s charm lies in its atmosphere. Colonial-era buildings hint at its past as a major port, while quiet streets, monasteries and riverside scenes reveal a slower pace of life. Our leisurely exploration offers a rewarding and deeply authentic experience at the heart of the Delta.

Dinner and overnight onboard.

Our cruise continues as we depart in the morning, setting course for Wakema along the established Upper Delta route. This route was once served by the historic Irrawaddy Flotilla Company launch service, which linked Yangon with the Delta. This classic waterway offers a fascinating perspective on the region, where broad river channels meander through fertile landscapes dotted with villages and monasteries.

Lunch is served on board as we continue along this storied route. By late afternoon, we arrive in Wakema, an attractive and lesser-visited river port with a distinctly local character. As evening falls, we step ashore to explore, wandering through lively streets and markets where daily life unfolds against a river backdrop. This relaxed exploration offers a glimpse into an authentic Delta town, far from the established tourist trail.

Dinner and overnight onboard.

Our cruise resumes from Wakema to Maubin, as we navigate some of the busier waterways of the Delta. Along these well-travelled channels, a lively variety of river traffic comes into view, ranging from cargo boats and passenger ferries to small wooden vessels transporting diverse produce.

As the day unfolds, we continue at a leisurely pace towards Maubin, a charming riverside town known for its relaxed atmosphere. In the early evening, we step ashore for a gentle walk along the colourful Strand. This is a peaceful and atmospheric way to end the day, ahead of a relaxing night’s sleep onboard.

Dinner and overnight onboard.

Our final day’s journey takes us from Maubin back to Yangon, with a morning cruise through ever-changing scenery. We make an early start, navigating a network of rivers and channels before re-entering the historic Twante Canal. As the scenery gradually shifts from rural to urban, we rejoin the Yangon River, arriving back in the former capital in time for lunch on board.

The afternoon is at leisure, offering the opportunity to explore Yangon at our own pace. We can choose to enjoy a relaxed walk through the downtown area, with its blend of colonial architecture and lively street scenes or visit the renowned Bogyoke Aung San Market (Scott Market), where a wide array of handicrafts, textiles and local treasures can be bought – perfect souvenirs of our trip.

In the evening, we gather on board for a memorable farewell dinner, accompanied by the evocative sounds of traditional classical musicians. This is a fitting finale, enabling us to celebrate the unforgettable experiences of our voyage through the famed Irrawaddy Delta.

Today our grand tour concludes. After breakfast on board, we bid farewell to the ship’s crew and transfer to Yangon International Airport for onward flights. For those with later departures, lunch will be served on board before the transfer, offering a final opportunity to relax and reflect on the journey across the amazing Irrawaddy Delta.