Myanmar Photography Tours
Myanmar sits at the crossroads of Asia’s great civilizations of India and China, and looks out onto the vast Indian Ocean next to Thailand. One of South East Asia’s largest and most diverse countries, Myanmar stretches from the sparkling islands of the Andaman Sea in the south right up into the Eastern Himalayan mountain range.
To this day Myanmar remains one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the world. A land of breathtaking beauty and charm yet only recently emerging into the modern world
Tour Leader: David Marx
Itinerary
Day 1: Depart USA. The first leg of your mystical photo journey to Myanmar begins this afternoon as you check in for your flight to Taipei, Taiwan.
Day 2: En route. Cross the International Dateline and lose a day. (You'll recover this day on your return trip)..
Day 3: Taipei & Yangon, Myanmar. After breakfast, transfer to the airport where you will continue your journey to Yangon, the main gateway and capital city of Myanmar. After completing immigration and customs formalities, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon there will be a small workshop with your GPT instructor. This evening join your fellow photographers for a welcome dinner. (B,D)
Day 4: Yangon & Bagan. After an early breakfast transfer to Yangon airport for the morning flight to Bagan. Known as the city of four million pagodas, Bagan is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia. Upon arrival in Bagan, you will photograph the most significant and well preserved Pagodas including Shwezigon, Gubyaukgyi, Htilo Minlo and the amazing Ananda Temple. Next, participate in a food donation ceremony in a local Buddhist Monastery. After the ceremony photograph the grounds of the monastery and observe the everyday life of a Buddhist Monk.
After lunch at a local restaurant, check in to your hotel for a short workshop plus a little rest and relaxation. This evening, photograph a beautiful sunset from the top of a Pagoda with the panoramic view of the temples surrounding you.Photograph and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind these ancient lands. (B,L)
Day 5: Bagan. This morning, photograph the Nyaung Oo market and see the vast variety of fresh fruit and vegetables for sale, experiencing a bustling market atmosphere. Later this morning, continue to Phwar Saw Village. This village is a perfect example of how the locals live. Bagan is also famous for its artistic handicrafts and master craftsmanship of lacquer-ware. Visit a local lacquer-ware store where the process of making each piece can be seen. Enjoy lunch with your fellow photographers at a local restaurant.
Later on this afternoon explore and photograph Bagan from a different perspective, by pony cart. The carts can gain access to areas unreachable by cars and buses and you will be able to see and photograph some of the more remote temples up close and personal. This evening take a photo sunset cruise along the Ayeyarwady River, watching life on the river as the sun slowly sets in the background. Have dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel for the night. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Bagan & Mandalay. Transfer to the Bagan airport for your morning flight to Mandalay. The last capital of the third Myanmar Empire, Mandalay is located in the center of the country due north of Yangon. It is the largest city after Yangon and is both a bustling commercial center and a repository of ancient culture. Upon arrival in Mandalay, check in to your hotel.
After lunch at a local restaurant, your photography tour of Mandalay will begin at the Mahamuni Pagoda, housing one of the most sacred statues of Buddha in Myanmar. The statue is said to have been brought to life after seven embraces by the Gautama Buddha. Consequently, devout Buddhists hold it to be alive and refer to it as the Maha Muni Sacred Living Image. Proceed to the Shwe Kyaung, the Golden Palace Monastery, famous for its intricate woodcarvings. Next, photograph the Kuthodaw Pagoda, which is known as the world’s largest book due to the Buddhist scripture carved on 729 massive marble slabs. Complete your day on the top of Mandalay Hill and witness another beautiful sunset in this mystical land. (B,L)
Day 7: Mandalay, Mingun & Ava. This morning transfer to pier for your morning boat excursion to Mingun. Located on the western bank of the Ayeyarwady River, Mingun lies approximately 7 miles north of Mandalay. It is famous for its many Buddhist shrines, monasteries, and meditation centers. Upon arrival in Mingun, photograph the unfinished Mingun Pagoda, begun in 1790 by King Bodawpaya; it is one of the most famous buildings in the world. After photographing Mingun, return to Mandalay and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
This afternoon continue your journey to the ancient village of Ava. photograph picturesque ruins and villages by pony cart through the peaceful countryside. Proceed to Sagaing Hills, crossing one of the very few bridges that span the mighty Ayeyarwady River. Sagaing is considered to be the living center of the Buddhist faith in Myanmar and the hundreds of monasteries reverberate with the echoes of cymbals, gongs and pagoda bells. Your tour concludes in Amarapura, situated just south of Mandalay, it is one of the capitals of the third Myanmar Empire. Here you will see the U Bein Bridge, the longest teak bridge in the world. (B,L)
Day 8: Mandalay, Heho & Inle Lake. After breakfast, transfer to Mandalay airport for your flight to Heho. Upon arrival, drive to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway to Inle Lake and proceed to your hotel via private boat. The prime attraction of the Shan State is Inle Lake, a vast, picturesque lake surrounded by hazy blue mountains. Inle Lake is famous for its Inthas (native lake-dwellers) and their unique way of rowing their boats with one leg.
After lunch, photograph the five Buddha images of Phaung Daw U Pagoda. The images have been covered in so much gold they look like balls of solid gold. Then proceed to Nampan Village where locals make the boats that can be seen traveling on the lake. Continue to the silk weaving village, Inn Paw Khone, and see the manufacture of their intricate silk products. Return to the hotel for dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Inle Lake. This morning photograph one of the "5-Day Markets". These markets are so called because the Shan people rotate between 5 different locations over a 5 day period. They are undoubtedly the most interesting in Myanmar as the Shan people still wear their customary tribal garbs. Life in the Shan State remains very traditional and these markets are a great way to experience the life of the Shan tribes. Next, photograph the beautiful temples of Inndein. Situated through a covered passage overlooking the lake, this area is a peaceful and relaxing place. The temples of Inndein have been left in their natural state and the views are enough to take your breath away.
After lunch continue back towards the hotel stopping to photograph some of the fishermen on the lake skillfully row with one leg while fishing at the same time. Take a break and enjoy some leisure time before an evening canoe ride exploring some of the floating villages of Inle Lake. Return to the hotel for dinner. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Inle Lake, Heho & Yangon. In the morning return to Nyaung Shwe by boat, then drive to Heho for the return flight to Yangon. Upon arrival in Yangon, explore the downtown area where the British colonial influence still remains. Begin at the Sule Pagoda that marks the centre of the city and continue through the streets of the downtown area. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue on to the Chaukhtatgyi Reclining Buddha, said to be one of the largest statues of its kind in the world. Next, photograph theis 70 year old famous Scott Market. Proceed to your hotel to check in and get settled before continuing your photo tour of Myanmar’s capital city.
This evening yourphoto exploration will take you to the Shwedagon Pagoda towering above the green cityscape of Yangon, as the sun begins to fall over the city. One of the wonders of the religious world, the Shwedagon Pagoda is believed to have built more than 2,500 years ago. A testament to the faith of the Myanma, the Pagoda is covered with hundreds of gold plates; the top of the Stupa is encrusted with 4,531 diamonds; the largest of which is a single 76 Carat diamond. Tonight, join your fellow photographers for a farewell dinner as your journey to Mystical Myanmar comes to an end.(B,L,D)
Day 11: Yangon. Spend your final day in Myanmar with your photography instructor as you explore Yangon’s Chinatown as well as for some last minute shopping and some authentic Chinese cuisine. (B)
Day 12: Yangon & Taipei, Taiwan. After breakfast this morning, bid farewell to the Mystical lands of Myanmar as you are transferred to the airport in Yangon to board your flight to Taipei. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. (B)
Day 13: After breakfast this morning, enjoy some time in Taipei. In the early afternoon, transfer to the airport for to board your flight. Your journey comes to end as you arrive back in the USA.
Photo Tour Includes
- Includes: •All intra-Myanmar flights and ground transportation •Accommodations in deluxe and superior first class hotels •Buffet breakfast daily, 7 lunches 5 dinners •Comprehensive sightseeing tours •Professional English speaking tour guides
Trip details
Start Date
24 March 2013
Package Price
$3190
Deposit
$500
Max. Number of Students
12
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