Expeditions in Photography INTRODUCTION
This trip starts in the cultural city of Mandalay, where we will photograph the highlights of this city, with secret temples, and the life around the lake of U-Bein. We then proceed to Bagan to photograph the Novice Monks doing prayers in the temples, sunrise with Balloons over Bagan, and Ox Card riding in the golden hour. We then proceed to the Ile Lake through Kalaw and spend some days Photographing the Highlights of the lake. After a flight to Yangon, we cover the Shwedagon pagoda and explore some street Photography highlights of the old capital.
Cities and highlights covered: Mandalay – Bagan -Kalaw – Inle Lake – Yangon
EXPERIENCE
Beginner, amateur, enthusiast and pro photographers.
Travel by private a/c car or minibus or local transports. Moderate elevation changes and some easy walking. (*non-photographers also welcome)
Arrival in Mandalay, if the flight arrives on time we will visit Thaung Tha Man lake for photoshoot with young kids playing soccer in the lake, the bathing of buffalos and many other local life scenes.
DAY 2: Full day Mandalay At dawn we go to the iconic U-bein Bridge where we hope to capture monks and locals carrying their wares atop their heads and the see the sun rising through the bridge from an island at the lake below. We organize a shoot with young monks in the most attractive teak pagoda. After a riverside lunch, we cross the Ayerwaddy to Sagaing where we visit the white temple with novice monks and nuns.
DAY 3: Mandalay to Bagan
After breakfast we move to Bagan, on the way we photograph some scenes with Novice Monks at the Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery. After lunch proceed to Bagan and evening scene with Ox-Cart riding in Bagan.
DAY 4: Full day Bagan.
Explore the ancient sites of Bagan including Shwezigon Pagoda, the Gubyaukgyi cave temple, and Manuha and Nan Paya temples. In the afternoon we photograph local scenes like a Grandfather showing puppets to his grandchildren. Evening scene with cattle farmers bringing in their herd at dusk.
DAY 5: Full day Bagan
We shoot the sunrise over Bagan again and proceed in a few remote temples with candle lit scenes and many more areas with local people as a subject. After lunch relax and evening sunet scene at one of the temples to shoot the famous Bagan Skyline.
DAY 6: Bagan To Kalaw
Today, we move from Bagan to Kalaw. After breakfast we head through beautiful farmeland and some amazing landscapes. Free afternoon in Kalaw .
DAY 7: Kalaw to Nyaung Shwe
Morning scenes and portrait with Tattoo ladies and rice field working scenes and scenes with farmers and buffalos in Saw. We also visit the last two full tattood ladies if we are lucky (they could be working in the field) – Around 2 PM leave to Bagan, check in the Hotel and overnight in Bagan. Night star scene at temple.
DAY 8: Inle Lake
An early start ahead of the crowds in order to get a prime spot from which to view the spectacular sunrise over Old Bagan. After breakfast back at the hotel we will venture out again to explore more temples in Old Bagan and many shoots with novice monks to increase foreground interest. In the late afternoon we provide a bus to another less known temple for sunset shots, fitting in a couple interesting local villages for cultural photos on the way.
DAY 9: Inle Lake
After breakfast we head to the airport for our flight to Inle.
We leave for the airport for a lunchtime flight to Heho, Afternoon shoot near Nyaung Shwe, local life, traditional scenes with a big family of Buffalo keepers.
Kakku and the Pao Tribe
Full day of shooting on Inle Lake, starting from 5 AM to shoot the fishermen at first light. We also cover Indein Village, It is a photographic highlight with its busy riverside, and its many ancient and modern pagodas littering the hillside as far as the eye can see. After lunch, we use the boats to explore the fascinating way of life on Inle Lake culminating with an organized shoot with the famous leg-rowing fishermen at sunset.
DAY 11: Flight Inle Lake Yangon
Early morning shoot at the Shwe Yan Pyay Monastery with local Burmese models and Monks (if allowed by abbot). Then we proceed to an amazing sight of the Hanging Boddhi trees and Novice monk meditation scenes. Flight to Yangon.
Transfer to our hotel in Yangon.
DAY 12: Yangon – Flight out (INTERNATIONAL)
After breakfast we make a city walk in Yangon around Sule Pagoda and Scott Market. We then check out around 11 AM and head to the Shwedagon Pagoda for a visit of the highlight of Yangon. We proceed to the airport for your flight out.
NOTE
Departure:
This last day depends on your flight out of Yangon, most take the late afternoon or evening flight from Yangon to Bangkok. In case your flight is earlier you can skip the morning trip and head to the airport by taxi.
Arrival :
On day 1 we meet up in Mandalay. People departing from Bangkok will be noticed of the flight most people will take from BKK. In case you have different flights you need to find your own transportation from airport to hotel and back, which is very easy by taxi in Myanmar.
INCLUSIONS
All teaching done by professional photographers and guides that know the locations very well
Accommodations based on shared double room, please note accommodations in Chin State are basic, also sometimes the transport bus is basic, as the Mandalay drivers will not drive to Chin state we use the local transport from the Chin State bus system.
All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Photography guidance
Transport (A/C Autocar, Minibus or Local bus in Chin State (no AC).
Entree fees for all parks (Bagan, Inle, Mount Victoria)
Model fees, guides setup, assistants and special entree fees for specific locations
Domestic flights Bagan to Inle Lake and Inle Lake to Yangon
EXCLUSIONS
International travel to Mandalay (Arrival City) and Yangon (Departure City).
Any kind of insurance, please apply for a good travel insurance.
Other personal expenses, e.g. laundry, phone calls, gifts etc. Tips for local guide and staff.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Accommodation is included for all nights in the price of this tour and based on shared double room. Extra charges apply for single occupancy.
FOOD
Sometimes we eat local food and go to restaurants on the way. Some areas are remote so will eat local (clean) food.
HOW TO BOOK
Transfer 50 percent of the amount on registration, the remaining balance should be transferred before 3 weeks departure date. Then send your passport copy details and payment slip to hotelfiles@gmail.com.
INTERNATIONAL BANK TRANSFER
PAYABLE TO: Asia 4 You Co Ltd, based in Onnut 53 Yeek 1-7, Ket Praweth Bangkok 10250.
Bangkok Bank: Account Number: 232-481172-4
Branch: Seacon Square SWIFT code is BKKBTHBK
Email payment slip to: hotelfiles@gmail.com
You need a passport and a Myanmar Visa to join this trip. Passport should be valid for 6 months after return date. Visa can be applied for online:
https://evisa.moip.gov.mm
