Myanmar (Burma) Through the Lens

The Rangoon circular line will be our first major excursion outside the city. This local train chugs its way slowly through the suburbs and outlying villages providing a great opportunity to photograph the daily life of Yangoon (Rangoon) in a wide variety of locations. Lunch time (yum) then off to the In Sein wet market before a sunset visit to the incredible Shwedagon Temple, one of Burma’s most sacred and iconic destinations.

Transportation: Train, Bus, Walk
Included Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Yangon (Ho Chi Minh City)

Day three we get up with the birds to catch our flight to the city of Mandalay where we will explore outward to Ava (Inwa). Check-in to our downtown hotel for some leisure time before going back out again to photograph the iconic U Bein Bridge at sunset – reputed to be the longest teak bridge in the world. Is it? Maybe, but it’s very cool no matter.

Transportation: Flight, Minibus
Included Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Mandalay

Morning workshop with your photographer. We then will leave by boat up the Irrawaddy River to the site of Mingun. Put your new skills to use among the picturesque riverside ruins of the ancient city and temples.

Transportation: Boat, Walk
Included Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Mandalay

Overland travel is the word of the day. We first will visit the little known town of Monywa on the banks of the Chindwin River.  Other sites along the way include the world’s largest standing Buddha statue, a monastery housing a mind blowing 500,000 Buddha images and some ancient underground temples carved out of the solid rock. By afternoon we will continue south to Bagan for a visit at dusk to one of the ancient city’s lovely pagodas.

Transportation: Mini-bus
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Bagan

Explore the ancient capital of Bagan. The area still contains over 2,000 chedis, stupas and pagodas, scattered across a riverside plain, and is certainly one of the most incredible photographic opportunities you will ever encounter.

Transportation: Minibus, Walk
Meals: Breakfast, Breakfast
Overnight: Bagan

Everyone needs time to explore on their own to truly find the images that speak to them. Roam the country lanes by bicycle, hire a pony and trap, visit the best known temples or find some hidden chedis of your own. If you have it in you try getting up early to capture dawn over a pagoda. If you’re feeling spent, sit out the hot part of the day by the pool. Your guide will be on hand to advise and recommend, but we feel it is important that you have the opportunity to explore this phenomenal and highly photogenic site at your own leisure and pace.

Transportation: Minibus, Walk
Meals: Breakfast, Breakfast
Overnight: Bagan

Flight to Heho Airport followed by a drive through the picturesque countryside of the Shan Plateau. We will take in one of the local markets before heading to the town of Pindaya to visit the spectacular Shwe Umin cave temples. Then lunch by the lake and a chance to check out the traditional umbrella makers for which Pindaya is famous. In the afternoon we will continue our scenic route to Nyaung Shwe – gateway town to the famous Inle Lake.

Transportation: Flight, Mini-bus
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Inle Lake

Fascinating day trip by boat around the picturesque Inle lake.  We will visit a lakeside village market, a traditional hand rolling cheroot factory, a lotus weaving project and the unusual floating gardens.

Transportation: Boat
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Inle Lake

An early departure by boat will take us to the small lakeside village of In Dein. Here we will capture photos of the beautiful landscape and visit the site of a ruined Shan city.  The site, known as the ‘Shan Bagan’, has many ancient stupas scattered throughout the lush vegetation. Return to Nyaung Shwe for lunch and an afternoon at leisure.

Transportation: Boat
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Inle Lake

Our morning is open for individual exploration (markets, winery, tea shops and street life) until time to fly back to Yangon. That night we will enjoy a farewell dinner.

Transportation: Flight, Minibus
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Yangon (Rangoon)

Last chance to explore or go shopping on your own. Perhaps spend time with your instructor going over your images and gathering last minute photography tips.

Transportation: n/a
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Yangon (Rangoon)