River Cruises In Irrawaddy River, Myanmar

Jayric
Jayric 
Updated
| 4 min read

Known as Myanmar’s most important commercial waterway, the Irrawaddy River is the country’s largest river flowing North to South until it reaches the sea. The river is also known as Ayerawaddy Myit, which means a river that brings blessings to the people (which it does). A river is also a popular place for travelers to visit and experience. Although sightseeing and admiring the view is certainly a great activity, the best way to experience a river is to go on a cruise, allowing the river to take you on a wonderful journey. Taking a cruise on the Irrawaddy River is perfect for just about any special occasion, whether it be a romantic one or something for the family. There are several ways to cruise the river, the most popular one and also the safest way, would be to join a river cruise tour. If you are looking to join one, down below is a list of the best river cruises in Irrawaddy River, Myanmar.

1. Look up to see hot air balloons as you traverse the Irrawaddy River

river cruise irrawaddy | look up to see hot air balloons as you traverse the irrawaddy river
Source: www.klook.com

This river cruise tour is great for people looking to cruise the Irrawaddy River calmly and smoothly. Guests will have to options for the tour - either they start the journey from Bagan to Mandalay or vice versa. The entire tour will last for about 10 to 12 hours. Guests will be able to enjoy the journey with ease through the provided plush seats inside the ferry and the ability to free-roam at the main deck. Guest will have a great view of the cities, get to meet the locals, and also have the chance to see the iconic hot air balloons of Bagan afloat if visiting from Mandalay. Meals, snacks, and drinks will also be served within the ship for convenience.

Visited this place?

RV NMAI HKA Irrawaddy River Cruise Ticket (One Way) between Bagan and Mandalay, Myanmar - Klook

Duration: 10hrs30 Min - 12hrsDuration

2. Embark on a 10-day luxury expedition from Pagan to Mandalay

Sibu pandaw river cruise at night
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Albert Ng used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Would you prefer to take a journey on the Irrawaddy River in luxury? This Pagan to Mandalay river cruise is the ultimate luxury expedition you might want to check out. This massive tour takes 10 night sto accomplish, traveling nearly 1,000 miles (1.6 kilometers) in a ship complete with bedrooms, bathrooms, dining areas, and lounge, fully furnished with all the amenities passengers may need throughout the trip. In 10 days, the ship will travel to places such as Pagan, Yandabo, Amarapura, Kyakuk-Myoung, Khanyat, Katha, Taguang, Mingun, and Mandalay. Enjoy all the great views and attractions and be sure to take photographs as there will be a lot of experiences you’ll want to remember. The expedition will include all breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and beverages, and quality mountain bikes for the passengers’ independent exploration of Zawgyi and Kindat Pandas.

Pagan and Upper Irrawaddy Cruise

Website: Pagan and Upper Irrawaddy Cruise

Price: From 3,780 USD

Visited this place?

3. Go on a river cruise from Mandalay to Bagan (from USD 41.18)

river cruise irrawaddy | go on a river cruise from mandalay to bagan

Take a river cruise journey from Royal Mandalay to ancient Bagan. This river cruise will allow all guests to have a great view of amazing landscape and well-known historical attractions along the great river. The cruise will also stop by Yandabo pottery village, where guests will enjoy breakfast and lunch as well as meet the friendly locals of the village. Guest will also have the chance to view the site where the Burmese and British once signed a peace treaty that ended the first Burma-Anglo war. The main deck of the fairy can accommodate up to 90 people all in furnished reclining seats with a spacious sundeck for guests to relax and enjoy the experience in pure bliss. This river cruise tour will be great for people not only looking to traverse the river but also to learn some history and interact with the locals of the area.

Visited this place?

From Mandalay: Irrawaddy River Cruise to Bagan

Duration: 10 hour

26 reviews

4. Visit the world's largest bell by taking this cruise (from USD 46.0)

Looking for a river cruise tour that takes half a day and provides an awesome experience? This Mandalay tour will pass by the Mahamuni pagoda, Ayeyarwady River, and Mandalay Urban Adventures. Join a group of 12 people where each person is served and accommodated throughout the tour, as you calmly cruise along the great river. Guests will be able to view the world’s biggest bell and a pure-white pagoda, pass by a few villages, and catch a beautiful sunset along the river as the tour comes to an end. Passengers will also have a chance to meet the locals on their stopover as well as have snacks and water as they advance through the tour.

Visited this place?

Mandalay Irrawaddy River Cruise with Sunset

Duration: 4 to 5 hours

5. Cruise blissfully from Mandalay to Bagan (from USD 32.0)

Experience a blissful and therapeutic journey as you take partake in this Mandalay to Bagan day cruise. Spend the day sightseeing and experiencing the river as you and your group sip tea and enjoy great conversations with each other. By the time your group reaches the Irrawaddy Bridge, breakfast will be served. After the bridge, the ferry will pass by Sagaing Hill, where lunch will be served. The last place you’ll be visiting would be Yandabo Pottery Village. At the village, your group can meet and interact will the locals as well as have a chance to visit the Yandabo Monument. The ferry taking you on the trip will be a double-decker equipped with a dining room stocked with drinks and snacks. As for vegetarian passengers, the cruise will also provide a vegetarian meal option upon request.

Visited this place?

Mandalay-Bagan Irrawaddy River Sightseeing Day Cruise

Duration: 9 to 12 hours

A change of perspective

The Irrawaddy River is the largest in the country of Myanmar and passes by all kinds of great views and attractions. If you have been traveling on land for a while now, taking a river cruise will surely give you a change of perspective. You will have great panoramic views of the villages and mesmerizing land formations that you cannot get when stepping on land. Many of the river cruises above will not strictly be on the water -they will have stopovers on land where you can visit popular attractions. If you are planning a visit, better take one of these river cruise tours for you to really experience the place to its fullest.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Jayric, a young man in his early twenties, possesses a passion for tech, philosophy, and the arts. He's currently engrossed in personal projects, occasionally indulging in writing on the side, and...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore Myanmar
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.