Aung San Suu Kyi the Nobel Peace Prize winner is encouraging responsible travelers to visit her country, and as result, Burma has become the 'hottest' travel destination of the year. With our new cruise tour, we'll be able to offer more Americans the chance to experience this intriguing country."

Grand Circle Cruise Line's Burma & the Irrawaddy River: Bagan to Mandalay itinerary follows the Irrawaddy River through the heart of central Burma.

The journey begins with a 4-night stay at the Montien Bangkok Hotel (or similar) in Bangkok, Thailand, and a 3-night stay at the Sedona Hotel Yangon (or similar) in Rangoon, Burma's most populous city and former capital. Travelers then fly to Bagan, renowned for the 2,000 ancient temples that dot its 26-square-mile plain. There, they board the cruise line's privately chartered, new, 34-passenger river cruise ship RV Paukan for a 7-night cruise, calling on remote villages, untouristed trading centers, and important Buddhist sites en route to Mandalay, one of the country's major cultural centers.

The cruise tour will be led by a resident Program Director. Grand Circle Cruise Line is the only cruise line to provide the services and perspective of a local resident.

Departures are available for March-May and September-December 2013. Includes are the services of a resident Program Director, the 15-day cruise tour includes: 7 nights aboard the privately chartered, 34-passenger RV Paukan; 34 meals (14B, 10L, 10D), including a home-hosted dinner; 11 exclusive, included sightseeing tours with audio headset during the cruise portion of the trip; a Burmese language lesson; and more.

To extend the value of one's vacation and to add more choices, travelers may choose optional 6-night extensions to Vientiane & Luang Prabang, Laos, and The Hill Station of Maymyo & Inle Lake, Burma, both priced at $1395, or $233 per day. Solo travelers benefit further from a FREE single supplement on both the base cruise tour as well as any pre-or-post trip extension.