Myanmar Exotic Photo Tour

You arrive Yangon International Airport this morning and transfer to your hotel. If you wish to arrive a day earlier, please let our office know as soon as possible, as it is possible to arrange that, based on room availability. After a break to freshen up, enjoy lunch at a lovely restaurant. Afterwards head off to visit the 210-foot long Chauk Htet Kyi Reclining Buddha dating to 1905. Also visit the monasteries around the Buddha image. Late in the afternoon visit to Shwedagon Pagoda for sunset photography, followed by candle light offering. Afterwards, head back to the hotel. Overnight two evenings Yangnon or similar. (L)

5:00 am, early morning special visit to the fish market, where you will photograph the people loading and unloading fish from the boats. Return to the hotel for breakfast, followed by a visit to Mahananda Hlaing Gu monastery to photograph the monks preparing for lunch. Next door is the nunnery to photograph the nuns studying. There will be a late lunch followed photography at the downtown and Chinatown markets. Proceed to Sin Oo Dan Jetty and photograph the long tail boats in the river, with people working by the river, the large ferry boats, and sunset. (B, L)

It is best to register for hot air balloon ($375 per person) ride six months in advance to confirm availability. After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Bagan. Upon arrival in Bagan visit the Sulamani temple and photograph monks
 in the temple. After checking in to the hotel and having a break, the group will photograph in Bagan including: Ananda Temple from AD 1090, U Pali Thein from mid-13th Century, a visit to a family-run lacquer ware workshop. Also
visit Soe Mingyikyaung pagoda, Manuha Temple from AD
1059, and Nanpaya Temple. Plan to photograph sunset from Shwesandaw Pagoda from AD 1057. Those taking optional balloon ride will start at 5:00 a.m. and return to hotel for breakfast. Depart on your drive to Shwezigon
Anauk monastery and photograph the monks, followed by a visit to Shinpintharlyaung to photograph the monks praying to the reclining Buddha. Late this afternoon visit to Minnathu Village to
photograph the village life. Drive to Dhammazika Pagoda and photograph sunset. Overnight Bagan(B, L each day)

After breakfast transfer to the airport for the flight to Mandalay. On the road to Mandalay, visit Palaik
with over 300 stupas from 11 – 15th Century. Visit Palaik weaving factories and a monastic school. Upon arriving in Mandalay, enjoy lunch at
 a restaurant, and check in at hotel. Then visit the Gold-leaf making
house, Mahamuni Temple and street of stone carvers. Drive to Amarapura
 and visit the silk weaving factories. Late afternoon, you will be at Taung Thaman Lake to photograph sunset. 
 The last full day, take a early morning boat ride to Mingun, with sunrise over the village on the
way. Arrive Mingun and photograph the Myatheindan pagoda. Then the Unfinished Pathodawgyi pagoda and the world’s biggest bell. Return to Mandalay for lunch and have an afternoon break at the hotel. Visit a puppet factory and traditional art making families and workshop, which includes photographing those carving and painting. Afterwards enjoy a special visit to Amaparura to photograph the Taungthaman lake, villagers with Thanaka on their faces, photograph the fishermen around the lake and sunset over U Bein Wooden Bridge. Overnight Mandalay (B, L each day)

Early morning drive to the airport for the flight to Heho. Then drive on to Loikaw, where you will have an additional escort, during your stay here. He is an experienced English speaking local Kayan guide, who will be taking you to remote villages with unique tribes. The Kayan tribe is also called Padaung tribe, known to the western world as long neck people. There are a couple of sub tribes with their unique traditional costumes and you will have opportunity to visit and photograph them. Enjoy sunset photography at Taung Kew Zedi. The next day after breakfast, drive to Pampe and explore the Kayan villages. There are villages in this region that in which people where traditional dresses. They work at weaving traditional necklaces, bracelets, and leggings. In the afternoon explore and photograph the Yainphaw tribes in their village, where there may be opportunity to photograph them weaving, or harvesting the fields. There may also be a beautiful sunset from here. The last day you will have a chance to explore the amazing landscape surrounding the villages. Photograph and visit with the spirit pillars, pounding rice, making rice whiskey and doing traditional basket weaving, as well as a local school. They may dress up in ceremonial clothing they wear to weddings and festivals. Continue on to Pa O, and Red Lisu villages with unique traditional dress and culture. Explore their way of life in the village. Afterwards visit Silver Lake, iconic locations such as Shweletwar Monastery and Demowso and Loikaw five-day market. Overnight Loikaw (B, L each day)

Depart Loikaw and drive to Naungshwe, and proceed to Inle Lake, all transportation in Inle lake is by boat. Take a brief break after checking in to the hotel, followed by exploring and photographing the floating villages of Inle Lake at sunset. Early the next morning photograph fishermen and their nets at sunrise, followed by breakfast back at the hotel. Proceed by boat to a local market, and then on to the archeological site of Inndein. Lunch will be taken at Nampam village, followed by photography at lotus weaving village. Photograph the floating gardens, floating villages, and sunset from the village. Overnight NaungshjweHeho – Inle(B, L)

Early morning boat ride back to Nyaungshwe, with a photography stop at Shweyanpyay monastery. Return to Heho, and take an internal flight back
 to Yangon. There will be a special visit this afternoon to Shwedagon pagoda for the February full moon festival. There will also be a photography stop in the people’s park to photograph the full moon. Overnight Inle-Heho-Yangon or similar (B, L)

After early morning sunrise photography, return to the hotel for breakfast, and prepare for departure. Check out and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)