Myanmar Photography Tour GTTP10 13 Days

Morning departure for a fascinating and unusual train journey on the Yangon circular line. The (very) slow local train completes a loop through the suburbs and outlying villages providing an original and behind the scenes view of local life and Yangon city – a great introduction to Burma. After lunch, we will take a stroll through the picturesque Kandawgyi Lake Gardens before a sunset visit to the incredible Shwedagon Temple, Burma’s most sacred and certainly one of it is most awe inspiring sights.

Photography Themes; Local life, Markets, Shwedagon Pagoda.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

Morning flight to Mandalay and time to explore the nearby ancient city and former 14th to 19th century capital of Inwa(Ava). Discover the old city, temples and villages by horse and cart. Check-in to our downtown hotel and time at leisure before a sunset visit to the iconic U Bein Bridge-reputed to be the longest wooden bridge in the world.

Photography Themes; Street-life, Temples at Inwa Old City, U Bein Bridge.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

Morning workshop with Robert followed by an afternoon boat trip up the Irrawaddy to the spectacular site of Mingun for an opportunity for chance to put some ideas and advice into practice among the picturesque riverside ruins of the ancient city and temples.

Photography Themes: Technical advice and tips, river-life, ruined temples.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

Early morning departure by boat down the Irrawaddy River to Bagan; bucolic river scenes, mountain views and a great way to arrive in the historic, ancient city. Late afternoon orientation visit to the site of the ruined 11th to 13th century capital – still containing over 2,000 chedis, stupas, pagodas scattered across a riverside plain and certainly one of the most incredible sites of South East Asia.

Photography Themes; River Life, Landscapes, Sunset at Bagan.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Morning dawn visit by pony and trap to the temples with a return to our hotel for late breakfast. Afterwards; visit Bagan at your leisure: with a map, hat and torch (to discover temple’s hidden stairways), roam the country lanes by bicycle, hire a pony and trap, visit the best known temples or find some hidden chedis of your own.

Photography Themes; Temples, Landscape, Village Life, Bagan, Sunrise.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Morning departure by road, heading eastwards to the distant Shan Plateau. Our first stop will be Mount Popa – one of the country’s most sacred sites located on the summit of an extinct volcano which rises dramatically – near vertically – from the plains below. Local style lunch in the town of Meilktila before a scenic climb up the Plateau itself to our destination, the charming little town and old hill-station of Kalaw.

Photography Themes; Landscapes, ‘on the road’, Farms and Villages, Mount Popa.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Kalaw

Morning hike through the surrounding hills to visit one of the local Palaung hill-tribe villages; a scenic walk, mountain views, visit to the village and chance to meet some it’s friendly inhabitants! Afternoon return to Kalaw for a post production session from Robert.

Photography Themes; Hill-Tribe Peoples, Landscapes, Farms and Village Life, Local Markets, Post Production.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Kalaw

Day trip through the picturesque countryside of the Shan Plateau taking in, firstly, one of the local farmer’s markets before heading to the town of Pindaya to visit the spectacular ShweUmin Cave temples. Lunch by the lake and a chance to check out the traditional umbrella making which Pindaya is also famous for. Afternoon transfer to Nyaungshwe gateway town to the famous Inle Lake and some free time to explore the lively market town.

Photography Themes; Landscapes of the Shan Plateau, Handicrafts, Pindaya Cave Temples.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

Day boat trip around the picturesque lake including visits to: a lakeside village market, a traditional hand rolling cheroot factory, a fascinating lotus weaving project and the unusual floating gardens.

Photography Themes: Village Life, Handicrafts and Traditional Industries, Fishing and Lake Life, Landscapes.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

Morning departure across the lake and up river to the small lakeside village of Indein from where we will hike through the picturesque landscape to visit the site of a ruined Shan city known as the ‘Shan Bagan’ where myriad ruined stupas dot the lush vegetation. Return to NyaungShwe for lunch and an afternoon at leisure.

Photography Themes: Lake Life, Local People, Local Markets, Landscapes, Ruined City of Indein.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

Free morning at Inle Lake to do your own thing: cycle to the extraordinary Red Mountain Winery, check out the local market, visit a local village by canoe or just relax in a tea shop before an afternoon return flight to Yangon.

Photography Themes: Local Markets, Street Life.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

Morning walking tour taking in some of the street life and architecture of bustling Yangon before a late afternoon departure.

Photography Themes: Street Life, Architecture, Local People and Markets.

Meal: Breakfast