Photography tour

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The landscape and people of Myanmar provide wonderful photographic moments at every corner. Enjoy the vivid sunsets and striking colours of this country, whilst visiting bustling markets and meeting friendly tri-shaw drivers, thanaka-adorned locals and saffron-robed monks. Expert photography guiding is provided by the founders of Yangon's renowned Deitta Gallery

Tour Overview

Book Tour

Start: 

Yangon

Finish: 

Yangon

Length: 

12 days/11 nights

Transport: 

plane, car, boat

Accommodation: 

hotel, resort, lodge

Deluxe Hotel Supplement: 

US$52 per day

Total Price From

US$2,9651

Per Day From

US$2471

Tour Highlights
Take photographs of stunning architecture in Yangon with Muslim, Chinese and colonial British influences
Have the company of photography guides who know Myanmar inside out
Meet the distinctive tribal hill peoples around Kalaw on the Shan Plateau
Marvel at the gigantic golden shrine to Buddhism, the Shwedagon Pagoda
Take in sunset at the uniquely beautiful U Bein Bridge, to the south of Mandalay
Witness panoramas over the thousands of pagodas on the plains of Bagan

Day-by-day Itinerary
Day 1 Yangon

Arrive in Yangon and enjoy the Muslim, Chinese and British colonial architecture that make up this vibrant city. Most people don’t mind if you take photos as you pass by on the street, but it is polite to ask and it gives you a chance to engage with the locals. Later on, head to the heart of Myanmar and capture the glory of the dazzling Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset.  

Full day with expert photography guide, including introductory talk at the Deitta Gallery

 

Day 2 Kalaw

Fly to Heho airport, then drive to Kalaw. Feel refreshed by the cool mountain air after the heat of Yangon, and explore this bustling old colonial outpost with its large population of Nepali guides whose families remained here after the Second World War. Meet the people of the surrounding area, including the handsome Lisu, Shan, Danu and Pa-O tribes – there will be plenty of opportunities to take photos of them and their way of life, and the rugged hill terrain provides plenty of ambient light for  landscape shots. 

Days 3-4 Kalaw to Inle Lake hike

Wake up early for a traditional Myanmar breakfast before starting your trek to Inle Lake. Hike through the beautiful and unspoilt Shan hills and spend the night at a local monastery or homestay. Arrive at the serenely picturesque Inle Lake via the crumbling mass of pagodas at Indein and then take some time to explore the area before heading to your hotel. If you go for the superior hotel option, a boat will take you to your hotel on the lake (standard hotels are located in the characterful town of Nyaung Shwe, at the northern end of the lake). Finish up your day with sunset wine tasting at Red Mountain Estate vineyard, which affords stunning sunset views of the area, and then dinner on the lakeshore.

Days 5-7 Mandalay

Fly to Mandalay, where your photography guide will re-join the tour for two days.

Visit the last royal palace of the Konbaung dynasty, recalling the days of Thibaw and his queen, Supayalat, before they were expelled to India by the British. Just to the south of Mandalay, take a stroll down the longest teak bridge in the world, the iconic U Bein bridge, which offers fantastic photo opportunities from the water. The town of Amarapura is full of textiles stores and small metal works factories, where you can watch master craftsmen cast Buddha statues in bronze or visit a weaving factory to see how fabrics are made.

A few kilometres south, at Inwa, you can take a horse and cart around the quiet meandering roads that once made up a powerful kingdom’s capital city. Across the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay, the Mingun Bell is reputed to be the heaviest and largest working bell in the world. If you’ve worked up a hunger wandering around Mingun and its massive unfinished stupa, reward yourself by purchasing some freshly steamed corn on one of the many roadside stalls – it’ll be the sweetest you’ve tried.

Days 9-10 Bagan and Mount Popa

Start a full day exploring Bagan at the Ananda pagoda, dating from the 12th century and famed for its gilded sikhara tower. Gubyaukgyi pagoda has extensive murals of Buddha in his previous lives and the Gawdawpalin or Bupaya pagodas are great for sunsets. Choose from bicycle, horse and cart or minibus tours for your preferred mode of transport around Bagan. The area is renowned for its lacquerware, so schedule an afternoon visit to one of the local shops.

On your second day in the area, head south east of Bagan to explore the spectacular monastery at Mount Popa, which sits precariously on top of a volcanic plug. In the evening, enjoy some Myanmar wine over dinner by the pagodas.

We can arrange a hot-air balloon ride that will give you jaw-dropping views over the plains of Bagan (additional cost, must be booked in advance).

Days 11-12 Yangon

Return to Yangon by air, wander the bustling streets and try some sweet laphayet (Myanmar tea) at one of the many tea shops downtown. Half day with expert photography guide for discussion and debrief. 

Would you like to extend your tour to the deserted ruins of Mrauk U or the beautiful and relaxing Ngapali Beach? Our travel advisors will be able to arrange this for you, along with any other travel, accommodation or activity requirements you may have. Just fill out the ‘Any further queries’ box after you have clicked on the ‘Book Tour’ button.

Indicative standard and deluxe hotels for this tour
Standard hotels for above program Deluxe hotels for above program
 Yangon - Clover Hotel  Yangon - Chatrium Hotel
 Kalaw – Dream Villa Hotel Kalaw - Amara Mountain Resort
 Inle Lake (Nyaung Shwe) - Hupin Hotel  Inle Lake - Amata Garden Resort
 Mandalay - Hotel Rama  Mandalay - Mandalay Hill Resort
Bagan - Floral Breeze Hotel Bagan - Bagan Lodge

To get prices for this tour with luxury accommodation or basic accommodation, please enter a query in the ‘Any further queries’ field when you submit your tour booking form (link below).

Our Service Include: 

Accommodation with breakfast (twin room basis)
Domestic flight tickets, including insurance surcharge and current fuel surcharge
Passenger service charges for domestic flights
Entrance fees and zone fees for the visits mentioned
All transfers and sightseeing by private air-con vehicle with drivers, as mentioned in program
Private local boat fare for Inle Lake excursion, as mentioned in program

Our Service Do Not Include: 

International ticket to/from Yangon
Visa fees and visa arrangements for Myanmar
Visits not mentioned in the program
Dinner at hotel
Drinks and personal expenses
Tips and porters at the hotels
Any other items not mentioned

Important Notes: 

The above itinerary is indicative and some details may change according to conditions and availability; you will always be informed of such changes.

There may be changes to estimated prices depending on air fuel cost, domestic airfares, US$ exchange rates and festive season surcharge. All supplemental cost to be advised.

[1] Price per person based on two person tour (twin hotel room sharing basis) during high season (Oct-Apr). Larger groups will pay less per person, single person purchase will mean a higher price.

 

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Map Data
Map data ©2015 Basarsoft, Google, SK planet, ZENRIN
Map data ©2015 Basarsoft, Google, SK planet, ZENRIN
 
 
 
 
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