Orient-Express Introduces New River Cruiser in Myanmar

On July 22, 2013, Orient-Express will launch a new river cruiser, Orcaella, which will offer visitors even more opportunities to experience sights and culture.

Orcaella (‘Or-kay-la') will embark on both an Ayeyarwady River schedule and a Chindwin River schedule, exploring popular cultural sites along the way. The craft's small size (200 feet) will also allow it to sail along untouched waters and through remote destinations. Each of Orcaella's 25 spacious river-facing cabins, 17 of which are suites, will feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and ensuite bathrooms. There is also a lounge area, bar, and swimming pool.

Orcaella will offer seven- and 11-night itineraries between Yangon and Bhamo and will operate January-April and July-December.

Highlights of the Chindwin River schedule will include:

• Discovering the Chindwin River:
• An 11-night cruise through rugged and dramatic scenery. Highlights include a visit to a monastery that houses the Shwe Sagar Buddha, one of 10 carved from a single trunk of wood 1,000 years ago.

This new addition complements Orcaella's larger sister ship, the Road To Mandalay, which cruises the Ayeyarwady River for three, four, seven, or eleven nights between Bagan and Mandalay with a variety of itineraries. This river cruiser can accommodate up to 82 passengers in 43 cabins. There is also the option to extend itineraries with additional nights in historic Yangon, Ngapali, and Inle Lake, and Bhamo. Orcaella also joins Orient-Express' colonial-style mansion, The Governor's Residence, featuring 48 accommodations set in a lush garden dotted with lotus pools. The hotel serves as an excellent base for travelers hoping to explore the country's unique destinations

Road To Mandalay, Orcaella's sister ship, has been cruising the Ayeyarwady for 17 years. The company also operates The Governor's Residence, a colonial-style hotel in Yangon.

Highlights of the Ayeyarwady River schedule will include:

• Gorges of the far North:
• An 11-night cruise departing from Mandalay and ending in Bagan. Highlights include cruising near the Chinese border, at the foothills of Yunnan, and the temples in Bagan

• The Jewels of the Ayeyarwady:
• A seven-night cruise departing from Yangon and ending in Bagan. Highlights include guided excursions to Bagan and a visit to the Pyi Taw Pyan Pagoda.

• The Ayeyarwady Experience:
• A seven-night cruise departing from Bagan and ending in Yangon. Highlights include a visit to an impressive 20-foot Buddha made of straw lacquer.

Prices on the Orcaella start from $5,040 per person for a seven-night cruise and include all onboard meals, excursions, transfers, and domestic flights.

More information: https://www.orient-express.com/web/orc/orcaella.jsp