Photography Tour GTTP6 25 Days

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; a great introduction to Burma. After lunch we’ll take a stroll through picturesque Kandawgyi Lake Gardens before a sunset visit to Shwedagon Temple, Burma’s most sacred, & certainly one it’s most awe inspiring, sites.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

Morning flight to Mandalay and a visit to the nearby ancient city, and former 14th to 19th century capital, Ava (Inwa). Discover the ruined city, temples and villages by horse and cart before an afternoon visit to the prestigious Mahamuni temple and sunset at the iconic U Bein Bridge – reputed to be the longest teak bridge in the world.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

Day tour and scenic drive to the old British hill-station of Pyin U Lwin located on the edge of the Shan Plateau. The small town’s 1,200m altitude meant it was a popular and cool retreat for the former British colonists and many historic buildings remain as well as its famous botanical gardens. We’ll time our return journey for sunset (and sundowners), on the Mandalay riverside with spectacular views over the Irrawaddy River.

Meal: Breakfast
Hotel in Mandalay

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

Meal: Breakfast
Hotel in Bagan

Up early for sunrise, an experience not to be missed by any photographer! I like the ShwesandawPaya for this although so do many others! Back to the hotel for breakfast and then a leisurely full day in Bagan.E bikes or a/c car with all day for sightseeing. Any main pagodas we may have missed yesterday we will see today and enjoy a picnic lunch at one them. We will visit a couple of local workshops including where the delicate lacquer ware is made. Sunset at another pagoda.

Meal: Breakfast
Hotel in Bagan

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 cone of an extinct volcano which rises dramatically, and near vertically, from the plains below. Local style lunch before a scenic climb up the Plateau itself to our destination, the charming little town and old hill-station of Kalaw.

Meal: Breakfast
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 of it’s friendly inhabitants. Afternoon return to Kalaw with time to wander around the small town, perhaps explore the market or sit in a local tea shop and watch the world go by?

Meal: Breakfast
Hotel in Kalaw

Day trip through the picturesque countryside of the Shan Plateau taking in, firstly, one of the local farmers’ markets before heading to the town of Pindaya to visit the spectacular ShweUmincave temples. Lunch by the lake and a chance to check out the traditional umbrella making which Pindaya is famous for. In the afternoon we’ll continue our scenic route to NyaungShwe – gateway town to the famous Inle Lake.

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, fishing villages, a fascinating lotus weaving project and of course the highly unusual floating gardens.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

Morning departure across the lake and up river to the small lakeside village of Insein from where we’ll 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.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

In the morning take photo in Lake area and ready to depart from lake to Yangon.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

Travel by local train to the ancient Mon capital of Pegu, now Bago, & on to Kyaiktiyo – the Golden Rock. Yes, the gold leaf clad boulder balanced precariously on a mountain top, is spectacular, but it’s the whole experience that’s so memorable. Ride 1/2 way up the mountain on an open-topped truck crammed with locals before continuing on foot with the pilgrims. Awesome views & overnight in a ridge-top hotel as absurdly situated as the rock itself.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Golden Rock

Down the mountain and off south to Hpa-an Town – capital of Karen State. Stop off on route to visit some spectacular cave temples and hot springs with the afternoon to explore the bustling and friendly town itself before a sunset visit to a beautiful riverside pagoda.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hpa-An

Hpa-an is surrounded by dramatic limestone karst scenery including the sacred Zwegabin Mountain – symbol of Karen State – and we’ll spend the day exploring the area’s caves, tunnels, temples and mountains by road, boat and on foot, as well as passing through some of the area’s traditional Karen villages.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hpa-An

Early morning departure for a boat journey down the scenic Salween River to Moulmein, (now Mawlamlyine), with a stop at a riverside Karen fishing village on the way. Formerly home for several years to George Orwell and immortalized by Kipling, we reckon it’s one of the country’s friendliest and most scenic towns. Visit a lively market before heading up for sunset at one of the hill-top pagodas overlooking the town and Gulf of Martaban.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mawlamying

Off by local boat for a day trip trip to nearby BiluKyun, (‘Ogre Island’), where we’ll visit the very traditional Mon villages and discover some of the local handicrafts and cottage industries. They don’t see many tourists yet, but the villagers will be happy to show you how they make cane walking sticks, Burmese style bamboo hats, slate blackboards and even back-garden rubber band making! (Sounds odd but it is absolutely fascinating). Afternoon return to Moulmein for perhaps some sundowners at a waterfront café?

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Mawlamying

We’ll begin with a visit to the town’s lively morning market before heading south to visit some of the region’s sites: Kyauktalon Pagoda perched Mount Popa style atop a sheer limestone outcrop, the world’s largest reclining Buddha – Win Sein Taw Ya – a stop at Thanbyuzayat, terminus of the infamous WW2 ‘Death Railway’ from Kanchanaburi, while last but not least, we visit the iconic Kyaikkami Monastery in the old colonial town of Amherst, situated on a rock outcrop jutting into the sea. Continue to the charming little seaside town of Setse for a night in beachfront chalets.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Setse Beach

A short drive south brings us to the delightful little town of Ye. Until late 2013 the town had been of limits to foreigners since independence in 1948 due to perceived security issues with Mon and Karen autonomists so, to say it’s off the beaten track, is an understatement. We’ll visit the spectacular temple site atop charmingly named Banana Mountain as well as taking in the rustic riverside market before continuing our journey to Dawei, former Tavoy.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Dawei

Our day tour of Dawei starts out with another lively waterfront market before heading to the nearby Dawei Peninsula. There can’t be many such spectacular, yet so little developed, stretches of coast left in Southeast Asia so visit now and in 10 years time remember what its fishing villages, deserted bays and seaside pagodas used to look like!

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Dawei

Next stop, after a morning drive, is the charming old colonial port of Mergui, now renamed Myeik. In the afternoon we’ll do a walking tour through streets barely changed in 70 years and take in sunset views of the bustling port from one of the hilltop pagodas.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Myeik

A fascinating day discovering – by road and by boat – some of the area’s traditional industries such as lobster and soft-shelled crab farming, bird’s nest processing, a traditional style shipyard and an unsual visit to a cashew factory.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Myeik

For our final day in Myeik we offer, weather permitting, cruise by boat through some of the myriad isles of the spectacular Mergui Archipelago. Swimming and snorkeling opportunities plus a picnic lunch on the beach and a chance to explore some islands on foot. An alternative day in Myeik allows you to explore the town’s ancient temples and windy lanes; mingle in some of the friendly tea-shops and stroll around a lily covered lake.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Myeik

Morning at leisure in Myeik and return flight to Yangon. Tour ends in Yangon late afternoon.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

MMorning Breakfast at Hotel after sending to the airport for you departure.

Meal: Breakfast