Chidwin and the Upper Irrawaddy
In 2005 we successfully ran our first Chindwin expedition since 2000 and it was a resounding success. For the first time since colonial days a river cruise ship with foreign travelers on board voyaged the full navigable length of the river as far as Homalin. The Chindwin is one of the most difficult rivers in the world to navigate. We must traverse labyrinths of sand bars and mount violent rapids. Whirlpools guard entry to tight gorges. Water levels are prone to drop 6ft (2m) overnight and can leave a ship high and dry in the midst of an island. Then there is a ten month wait for the next rise. No wonder we have been nervous about offering such an experience again. Given the success of the 2005 expedition we will run two back-to-back expeditions in 2006. To make the expedition even more exciting we fly our passengers in or out of Kale-myo airfield by private air charter to embark or disembark the ship at nearby Kalewa. This then gives our expedition a real start to enable us to penetrate deeper into the Upper Chindwin than in the past when reached as far as Kindat.
On the Chindwin you will pass through some of the most dramatic and exciting riverscapes possible. Jungle cascades into the fast flowing, muddy rivers and not far to the west across the steep mountain ranges lies India. Of great interest are a number of unpublished art treasures around Mingkin, which includes the oldest teak carved monastery in Myanmar.
We can only offer this expedition during the monsoon period. It will be rainy but not all the time. River banks will be muddy and slippery. On the positive side the rains do keep the heat off and the atmosphere of cruising through tropical downpours can be romantic in the extreme. But be warned! We are linking this 10 night cruise with the 10 night Upper Irrawaddy so that serious river explorers can cover the two great rivers of Myanmar on one visit with 20 nights on board the much loved Pandaw II. Pagan and Mandalay sight seeing have not been included as most of our passengers know these places well but extra nights on board or in hotels may be booked at these places if required.