Sanctuary Ananda

Sanctuary Ananda cruise ship is a newbuild (launched in 2014) luxury riverboat operated with 3- to 11-night cruise tour itineraries in Myanmar. Sanctuary Ananda cruises on Irrawaddy and Chindwin (Irrawaddy's tributary) rivers, with departures from Mandalay, Bagan and Yangon. The ship was designed as "floating hotel" and was custom built - using traditional Southeast Asian materials and by local craftsmen. The vessel is named after Bagan's Ananda Temple. The Burmese word "Ananda" is translated as "ultimate happiness".

Sanctuary Retreats fleet of fully-owned vessels also includes Nile Adventurer, Sun Boat 3 and Sun Boat 4 (all three in Egypt) and Yangzi Explorer (China).

Shipowner

The shipowner Sanctuary Retreats owns luxury lodges and safari camps in Eastern and Southern Africa, as well as a fleet of six premium riverboats operating regular cruises in Burma, China and Egypt. Established in 1999, the company focuses on adventurous safari cruises with included stays in some of Africa's most luxurious lodges and nature camps, with professional tour guides having an intimate knowledge of the local environment.

Sanctuary Retreats Myanmar cruise deals are inclusive of 3 daily meals (on all full cruise days) plus debarkation day breakfast, beverages with all meals (local beers, house wines, soft drinks, bottled water), entrance fees (on scheduled sightseeing tours), scheduled shipboard activities and entertainment.

For Ananda ship, Sanctuary Retreats Burma partnered with L'Occitane (France) to offer unrivalled spa experience. Trained by L'Occitane en Provence, expert therapists deliver Burma's best spa treatments. Massages menu was specially designed to include traditional Burmese therapies, Thai massages, reflexology sessions and signature treatments (like "Immortelle Secret of Youth") at ship's "Thambyadine Spa by L/Occitane" (midship-portside on Yangon Deck).

Available between October-March, at about 5:30 am, Sanctuary Ananda cruise passengers can take an optional hot air balloon tour over Bagan's pagoda-filled landscape. These offers are subject to availability and at an additional cost (USD 300 "Standard Package", USD 360 "Premium Package"). Wi-Fi on the ship is complimentary, but with limited coverage outside Bagan and Mandalay.

On the North American market (the USA and Canada), Sanctuary Retreats is represented by the luxury travel company "Abercrombie & Kent Ltd". The company is a subsidiary of Abercrombie & Kent Group and headquartered in Cheltenham (Gloucestershire, England UK).

Cabins

Sanctuary Ananda is an all-suite / all-balcony cruise ship with a total of 21 staterooms ranked among the biggest offered on the cruising market in Myanmar. All passenger cabins feature floor-ceiling windows opening to step-out balconies (fitted with premium outdoor furniture).

All cabins offer as standard amenities polished teak furniture (dark-coloured), hand-made lacquerware, lush silks, top-quality Egyptian-cotton sheets, en-suite bathroom (with L'Occitane bath products, glass shower with monsoon showerhead, mirrored single-sink vanity, magnifying mirror, hairdryer, robes), double bed (convertible to twins), bedside tables, wall-mounted reading lamps, mirrored vanity / writing table with padded stool, flat HDTV (satellite reception, bow camera view), phone (onboard calls only - Reception Desk, passenger cabins), individually controlled air-conditioning.

• Owner's Suite (1x cabin, named "Aloungpayah Suite", sized 75 m2 / 810 ft2, location aft-portside on Bhamo Deck) is ship's largest cabin. It has separate dressing and living areas, bedroom (with king-size bed, bedroom bench, daybed), large step-out balcony (with sun loungers, table and chairs), en-suite bathroom (with freestanding bathtub, double-sink vanity). Suite perks include 24-hour butler service, private tour guide, complimentary laundry, exclusive in-cabin dining, early morning coffee-tea service.
• Luxury Suite (4x cabins, sized 31-33 m2 / 335-355 ft2, on Bhamo Deck) have a seating area with a single sofa bed (for 1 child) and 2x armchairs. Suite perks include complimentary laundry, early morning coffee-tea service.
• Deluxe Cabin (14x rooms, sized 27-28 m2 / 290-300 ft2, on decks Bagan and Mandalay) are with double beds convertible to twins. Two pairs are offered as connecting cabins (with adjoining doors).
• Classic Cabin (2x rooms, sized 27 m2 / 290 ft2, on Bagan Deck) are with double beds convertible to twins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Onboard dining options reflect the culture and cuisine of Myanmar. A choice of international dishes and Western favourites is also offered. Specially crafted menus include dishes like red curries, soft-shell crab, mango and pomelo salad. Extensive Italian-cuisine experience features fresh salads, freshly made pasta, excellent burgers and steaks. For guests who would like to learn how to cook delicious traditional meals, there are cooking demonstrations run by ferry's professional chefs.

• Talifoo Restaurant (midship-aft on Bagan Deck) is a complimentary restaurant with a la carte menu. Complimentary beverages (local beers, house wines, soft drinks, water) are served at all meals.
• Kansi Panorama Lounge (midship on Bhamo Deck) features floor-ceiling windows, making it the perfect spot for Afternoon Tea or evening cocktails. The lounge hosts daily lectures, as well as arts-crafts and cooking demonstrations. Sliding doors lead to the sundeck area with a small plunge pool.
• Mindoon Al Fresco (aft on Mandalay Deck) offers fine food, from house-baked pastries and just-squeezed juices at the buffet-style breakfast to a rich menu of international and local favourites. Lunchtime features salad buffet, a la carte options and a spread of desserts.
• Dufferin Library is a lounge in the lobby area on Bagan Deck (midship-portside).
• Six staircases (1 forward, 2 midship, 3 aft) connect all decks.

Guest speakers and professional guides hold regular lectures on interesting topics about the history and culture of Myanmar. After seeing local customs during the shore trips and learning about them from the guide, guests can try some during the onboard demonstrations. Passengers will be taught how to make and apply natural sun cream called Tanaka, or how to tie the skirt that men and women wear, named longyi.

Evening entertainment consists of local performances by skilled Burmese dancers dressed in bright costumes. The performances are enjoyed after the delicious dinner.

Sanctuary Retreats Burma cruise itineraries

Next, are listed all Sanctuary Retreats Myanmar cruise tours on Irrawaddy River.

• 2-day from BAGAN to MANDALAY is a northbound (upstream) itinerary.
• 3-day from BAGAN to MANDALAY is a southbound (downstream) itinerary.
• 4-day from MANDALAY to BAGAN via SIN KYUN and TAN CHI TAUNG MOUNTAIN
• 4-day from MONYWA to BAGAN via MANDALAY (Chindwin and Irrawaddy rivers) visiting SALINGYI, PO WIN CAVES and BODHI TATHAUNG
• 7-day roundtrip from BAGAN, and 7-NIGHT roundtrip from MANDALAY - both visiting SIN KYUN and TAN CHI TAUNG MOUNTAIN
• 10-day on Chindwin River (from MANDALAY to BAGAN via PAUNG PYIN, visiting SIN TAE, MONYWA, OWN PIN SEIK, NGAR OWN, KALEWA, MAWLEIK, HAE NIN, SITTHAUNG, PAUNG PYIN, MASEIN, MINKIN, KANI, Po Win Taung caves, YESAGYO, PAKOKKU
• 11-day from MANDALAY to BAGAN via BHAMO (Upper Irrawaddy River) visiting NWE NYEIN, KYAR NYET, KANN NI, KATHA, SHWE GU, BHAMO, SIN KHAN, MOEDA, KYAR NYAT, SIN KYUN, SAGAING, MANDALAY, YANDABO
• 11-day from YANGON to MANDALAY via PYAY and BAGAN

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.