River Cruises in Myanmar
by Paul Hughes: September 2018
River cruising in Asia is one of the fastest-growing travel activities in the world and one of the hottest river cruising destinations is Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) with many new ships being added to the fleets each year.
At 2,400 kilometres, the Salween River is the longest river in Myanmar. However the main river cruises are on the country’s most important river and commercial waterway, the Irrawaddy River (Ayeyarwady in Burmese), which flows 2,170 kilometres from the Himalayas in the north and empties into the Andaman Sea through the massive Irrawaddy Delta which covers around 26,000 square kilometres.
The Chindwin River, a main tributary of the Irrawaddy that is navigable for 1,000 kilometres, is also a popular river cruise destination.
River cruising in Asia is one of the fastest-growing travel activities in the world and one of the hottest river cruising destinations is Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) with many new ships being added to the fleets each year.
At 2,400 kilometres, the Salween River is the longest river in Myanmar. However the main river cruises are on the country’s most important river and commercial waterway, the Irrawaddy River (Ayeyarwady in Burmese), which flows 2,170 kilometres from the Himalayas in the north and empties into the Andaman Sea through the massive Irrawaddy Delta which covers around 26,000 square kilometres.
The Chindwin River, a main tributary of the Irrawaddy that is navigable for 1,000 kilometres, is also a popular river cruise destination.
Commercial vessels have been plying its waters for more than 15 centuries (the Irrawaddy is “The Road to Mandalay” from Rudyard Kipling’s poem), and today the Irrawaddy is also the hub of the burgeoning river cruise holidays in Myanmar.
Burma was a British colony for 124 years until 1948, then in 1962 a coup saw the military take control of government. In 1989 there was an uprising which was quashed by the ruling military junta, following which they renamed a number of destinations, with Burma becoming Myanmar and the nation’s capital Rangoon becoming Yangon.
The Irrawaddy itself is a river of vast changes. It is fed by the Mali and Nmai rivers that start from the remote glacier fields high in the northern mountains. The Nmai commences on the Languela glacier on the border with Tibet and flows so strongly that is almost not navigable. The Mali has significant rapids but is easier to navigate. In total about 1,400 kilometres of the river is navigable.
Burma was a British colony for 124 years until 1948, then in 1962 a coup saw the military take control of government. In 1989 there was an uprising which was quashed by the ruling military junta, following which they renamed a number of destinations, with Burma becoming Myanmar and the nation’s capital Rangoon becoming Yangon.
The Irrawaddy itself is a river of vast changes. It is fed by the Mali and Nmai rivers that start from the remote glacier fields high in the northern mountains. The Nmai commences on the Languela glacier on the border with Tibet and flows so strongly that is almost not navigable. The Mali has significant rapids but is easier to navigate. In total about 1,400 kilometres of the river is navigable.
All of this contributes to some parts of the Irrawaddy only being navigable during the wet season - during the dry season the river can drop from 800 metres to 400 metres wide, with a dry cracked river bed forming between the river flow and the banks and the humidity being oppressive. Main channel depths average just under 10 metres.
When the snow begins to melt in August the river opens to cruises all the way to Bhamo near the border with China, giving access to more new, very remote and rugged lands.
Cruise Lengths: The most popular cruises are three to four-days between Began and Mandalay, passing through massive gorges, jungle covered riverbanks and rice paddies to reach the famous leg-rowing fishermen of Idle Lake.
Packages can include hotel accommodation and other sightseeing trips, including trips to important historic sites.
A number of seven night cruises enable passengers to immerse themselves further into the culture, meet some of the charming and friendly locals and visit important cultural sites like the Myathalon Pagoda.
When the snow begins to melt in August the river opens to cruises all the way to Bhamo near the border with China, giving access to more new, very remote and rugged lands.
Cruise Lengths: The most popular cruises are three to four-days between Began and Mandalay, passing through massive gorges, jungle covered riverbanks and rice paddies to reach the famous leg-rowing fishermen of Idle Lake.
Packages can include hotel accommodation and other sightseeing trips, including trips to important historic sites.
A number of seven night cruises enable passengers to immerse themselves further into the culture, meet some of the charming and friendly locals and visit important cultural sites like the Myathalon Pagoda.
There are also a few luxury river cruises that extend up to 14 nights exploring the northern reaches of the Irrawaddy and, depending to seasonal conditions, can venture almost to the borders of both China and India.
Cruise Times: Seasonal conditions help determine the best river cruise times in Myanmar, because the monsoon rains between May and October coincide with the melting of snow and glaciers at the head of the rivers, increasing the discharge of water from the head of the delta more than 15-fold and, in some areas, increasing the high water level by up to 11 metres!
The prime river cruising season is between November and February, when temperatures average 17C overnight and climb to the low or mid 30s in the day.
That said, there are plenty of cruises running from cooler months as early as August right through to April, when both temperature and humidity rise significantly. Some of the longer journeys to Bhamo run in August and September while the Chindwin River cruises start in July and run for three months, but the “top and tail” of these cruise seasons can be impacted more by weather.
Ships: Due to the strong currents and changing water depths the river cruise ships that ply the Irrawaddy are much smaller and shallower (sandbanks and strong currents are the biggest shipping hazards). Ships range from small, shallow draft vessels to luxury craft similar to those in many other location, but not as large as European river cruise ships.
What to Wear: Almost 90% of the population in Myanmar follow the Buddhist religion, and it has the world’s largest ratio of population to Buddhist monks, so it is important to respect the nation’s customs and beliefs. When visiting any religious sites, in particular temples, it is important for both men and women to cover their shoulders and knees and footwear must be removed when entering a temple (good sandals are a great choice). Lightweight cotton long sleeve shirts/blouses and trousers or slacks offer better sun protection.
Cruise Times: Seasonal conditions help determine the best river cruise times in Myanmar, because the monsoon rains between May and October coincide with the melting of snow and glaciers at the head of the rivers, increasing the discharge of water from the head of the delta more than 15-fold and, in some areas, increasing the high water level by up to 11 metres!
The prime river cruising season is between November and February, when temperatures average 17C overnight and climb to the low or mid 30s in the day.
That said, there are plenty of cruises running from cooler months as early as August right through to April, when both temperature and humidity rise significantly. Some of the longer journeys to Bhamo run in August and September while the Chindwin River cruises start in July and run for three months, but the “top and tail” of these cruise seasons can be impacted more by weather.
Ships: Due to the strong currents and changing water depths the river cruise ships that ply the Irrawaddy are much smaller and shallower (sandbanks and strong currents are the biggest shipping hazards). Ships range from small, shallow draft vessels to luxury craft similar to those in many other location, but not as large as European river cruise ships.
What to Wear: Almost 90% of the population in Myanmar follow the Buddhist religion, and it has the world’s largest ratio of population to Buddhist monks, so it is important to respect the nation’s customs and beliefs. When visiting any religious sites, in particular temples, it is important for both men and women to cover their shoulders and knees and footwear must be removed when entering a temple (good sandals are a great choice). Lightweight cotton long sleeve shirts/blouses and trousers or slacks offer better sun protection.
Cruise Health: As with all cruising make sure you have sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, insect repellent and check with a Travel Doctor about any tropical medications necessary.
Visas: All visitors to Myanmar require a visa. Citizens of 67 countries can obtain a tourist e-Visa online for entry to Yangon by air using an online application. It usually only takes a week, and the eVisa Approval Letter must be presented to Immigration. Such visas are only valid for 90 days.
Currency: While currency exchange opportunities are improving and ATMs are being installed in leading hotels and most tourist areas, it is wise to exchange some cash for local kyats (airports usually have the worst exchange rate). US dollars are widely used across Myanmar but all currency notes must be in excellent condition otherwise they may not be accepted. Larger denominations often get a better exchange rate but small denominations work best in the smaller outlets.
Visas: All visitors to Myanmar require a visa. Citizens of 67 countries can obtain a tourist e-Visa online for entry to Yangon by air using an online application. It usually only takes a week, and the eVisa Approval Letter must be presented to Immigration. Such visas are only valid for 90 days.
Currency: While currency exchange opportunities are improving and ATMs are being installed in leading hotels and most tourist areas, it is wise to exchange some cash for local kyats (airports usually have the worst exchange rate). US dollars are widely used across Myanmar but all currency notes must be in excellent condition otherwise they may not be accepted. Larger denominations often get a better exchange rate but small denominations work best in the smaller outlets.
Myanmar offers more: There is much more to this beautiful country than river cruises, with some great resorts, visits to temples, markets and astonishing beaches just a few options to consider, so it is worthwhile doing some research and adding some time before or after your trip to explore further afield.
