PHOTO TOUR MYANMAR | NOVEMBER 9-22 2021
Hearted people, ancient traditions, and golden pagodas, all convey in Myanmar.
Join us on a 14-day photography tour and expedition to the Golden Land.
WHY MYANMAR
Anyone interested in getting to know and experience South-Eastern Asia’s people and culture should visit Myanmar now.
Myanmar is going through a wake of political and economic reforms, many places were off-limits or totally banned for foreigners to visit just a couple of years back. With that, one of the most fascinating aspects of visiting Myanmar today is that in a lot of ways, you feel like a clock has turned back. Especially in the countryside, where people still use horse carts to get around, buffalos are used to plow the fields, and villagers enjoy the simple pleasures of traditional life.
To a street, documentary, or landscape photographer Burma is heaven. From the street markets in the bustling Yangon, ancient temples in the plains of Bagan, and captivating villages around Inle Lake…nothing can compare. Most importantly, its amazing people and communities that are always ready to welcome visitors and smile back.
OUR TOUR
Our group will start exploring Yangon. Often overlooked, the city has a lot to offer. There are many colonial buildings worth seeing, parks to wander, street markets, the circular train, and of course, the Shwedagon Pagoda, namely the biggest one in the world.
We’ll visit the ancient city of Bagan, an archeological zone located in the Mandalay Region. The site is surrounded by small towns and villages, but the center of the action happens in the plains, which is dotted with over two thousand pagodas and Buddhist temples.
Most of them were constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries during the golden era of the Kingdom of Pagan. Bagan is definitely the place to catch unique sunrises and unique spiritual experience.
We’ll also explore Inle Lake, home of the Intha, they support themselves by tending floating gardens of vegetables, fruits, and fishing. Small boats are the primary way of transportation here, we’ll move around the villages and visit the markets in the same fashion the locals do.
We’ll also go totally off the beaten path and explore traditional tribes and ancient villages, the ones not often covered in the regular photo tours. This journey is the result of two scouting trips to the area and designed not only to show you Myanmar in all its glory but also to learn and interact with its people.
When: November 9th to 22th, 2021.
Who: Open to all skill levels, non-photographer spouses are welcome.
Group Size: Minimum 4 People, Maximum 12 People.
Where: This photo tour starts and ends in Yangon, Myanmar. Airport Code (RGN).
Fitness Level: Easy. Access to most of the shooting locations in Myanmar is easy. The walks are relatively short, and there is no much hiking involved. In the area of Kyaing Tong, there are some easy hikes to the hill tribes; distances are 2 to 3 miles round trip, with little elevation gain.
ITINERARY DETAIL
Day 1 | Arrive in Yangon, Airport Code RGN | (D)
Mingalaba, welcome to Myanmar. You’ll be greeted at the airport and then transferred to our hotel, there you’ll meet the other guests and your tour leaders. After a brief meet and greet, we will enjoy our first evening meal together.
Overnight at Sule Shangri-La or similar.
Day 2 | Yangon | (B, L, D)
Our morning begins with a ride on the iconic Circle Train. Traveling to the outskirts of the city, we pay a visit to the Danyingon Market to capture the hustle and bustle of market life. The rest of the day will be spent at a nunnery, followed by a monastery to photograph the famous Reclining Buddha. After a late lunch and some free time, we will meet late afternoon to photograph Shwegadon, the largest pagoda in the world.
Overnight at Sule Shangri-La or similar.
Day 3 | Yangon to Kyaing Tong | (B, L, D)
Our day starts off with an early morning visit to the fish market to take another glimpse into the daily life of locals. After breakfast, we will fly to Kyaing Tong, there we really begin to explore a side of Myanmar often not seen by tourists. Once settled into your accommodation, we will explore portrait photography at Wat Zom Khan. Here you will get the opportunity to photograph the monks living there.
Overnight at Amazing Kengtung Resort or similar.
Day 4 | Kyaing Tong, En, Lahu, Akha Villages | (B, LB, D)
We will spend the day visiting three traditional villages. Our first stop will be to the En tribe, where we will meet the village chief, in his hut before exploring the village with our cameras. Think Tuk Tuk rides and friendly locals in traditional clothes. There are no long hikes, and you will see very few tourists here having this a unique experience.
Overnight at Amazing Kengtung Resort or similar.
Day 5 | Kyaing Tong, Lahu and Akha Villages | (B, LB, D)
This is the second day of exploring traditional villages. Today we will travel about two hours outside of the main town to reach more tribal communities. We will make stops along the way for a variety of impromptu photos in different settings.
Overnight at Amazing Kengtung Resort or similar.
Day 6 | Kyaing Tong, to Bagan | (B, L, D)
Today we will start early visiting the Kyaing Tong Street Market, where local tribes meet and gather to sell and exchange goods. This is one of the largest and most exciting markets you will find in Burma because of the diversity of the people gathered here. You will then have some free time to explore on your own. If you prefer, we can take some time to review your images before our flight to Bagan.
Overnight at Thiripytsaya Sanctuary Resort or similar
Day 7 | Bagan | (B, L, D)
With its sweeping temple-scapes filled with glittering pagodas, Bagan is the ultimate destination to perfect your sunrise and sunset photography. Our first morning will be dedicated to capturing your first sunrise temple-scape. The rest of the day is all about lighting and portraits. We will be focusing on candlelight and window light, as well as pictures of monks and local people. Our final shoot of the day will be capturing rural village life with cattle, goats, and villagers at sunset.
Overnight at Thiripytsaya Sanctuary Resort or similar
Day 8 | Bagan | (B, L, D)
Our morning will begin with a second Bagan sunrise photoshoot, where we hope there will be some hot air balloons for you to capture. After breakfast, we have arranged a photoshoot with some Buddhist monks and locals. In the afternoon, we will travel back to a monastery in Bagan to photograph window light rays before finishing the day photographing the sunset from a monastery with panoramic views of Bagan.
Overnight at Thiripytsaya Sanctuary Resort or similar
Day 9 | Bagan | (B, L, D)
If you still haven’t taken that killer sunrise or sunset photograph, don’t worry. Today is our final full day in Bagan, and we have chosen two incredible locations for you to photograph as well. The highlights of today include: photographing an old farmer smoking cheroot, low light portraits in a monastery, photographing silhouettes, Sulamani Temple garden, and umbrellas.
Also, there will be an option to photograph from the Hot Air Balloon.
Overnight at Thiripytsaya Sanctuary Resort or similar
Day 10 | Bagan to Inle Lake | (B, L, D)
We will visit Shwezigon Pagoda to photograph its hall of pillars before taking an early lunch and catching a flight to Lake Inle. Lake Inle is the last stop on our incredible adventure across Myanmar. Here we will be focusing on our documentation and street photography at the famous floating markets and gardens on the lake.
Overnight at Golden Island Cottages or similar.
Day 11 | Inle Lake | (B, L, D)
Our morning begins with another sunrise photoshoot, for today, we have arranged for you to capture three local fishermen working. This is sure to be a magical morning. After breakfast, we will travel to the 5-day market, visit the floating villages, and capture the lotus silk weaving. We will spend the afternoon taking our time capturing the beauty of the floating gardens of Lake Inle before returning to our accommodation for the evening meal.
Overnight at Golden Island Cottages or similar.
Day 12 | Inle Lake | (B, L, D)
After a relaxing boat ride to Indein, you will have time to explore the marketplace. This is a free-shoot, and you are welcome to practice your street, documentation, and portrait photography here. Our second location of the day is the ruins of Nyuang Oak, where we will spend some time before taking a walk to a traditional village.
Overnight at Golden Island Cottages or similar.
Day 13 | Inle Lake to Yangon | (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we make our way back to Yangon, where our tour began. After our flight, you will have some free time to rest, explore Yangon, squeeze in one final street shoot, or get some last-minute gifts from the 2000 shops of Scotts Market! In the evening we will have our last dinner together during the tour. This is always an exceptional evening where we share our fondest memories and enjoy our final night together as a group.
Overnight at Sule Shangri-La or similar.
Day 14 | Yangon | (B)
This is the final day, after breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home according to your flight schedule.
Overnight at Sule Shangri-La or similar.
The tour is open to all levels of photographic skills, from beginner to experienced. However, there will be no formal workshops or critiques. We will share knowledge and skills along the way, in the spirit of real adventurers.
PRICING INFORMATION
Price: $5,895 US Dollars.
Single Supplement: $890 US Dollars.
Small-Group Fee: $595 US Dollars. For less than 6 registered participants, a small group supplement will apply.
Optional Balloon Flight in Bagan: $ 350
Deposit: $595 US Dollars, secures your spot.
Balance: Due 90 days before departure. Full terms and conditions below.
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OPTIONAL GOLDEN ROCK PRE-TOUR EXTENSION
This optional extension will take us to see and photograph the famous Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, also known as the Golden Rock. This is an easy day trip from Yangon, and we will have the opportunity to photograph it both, during sunset and sunrise.
Day 1 | Arrive in Yangon, Airport Code RGN | (D)
Mingalaba, welcome to Myanmar. If you are joining the pre-tour extension, this one will be your first day in the country. You’ll be greeted at the airport and then transferred to our hotel. After a brief meet and greet, we will enjoy our first evening meal together.
Day 2 | Yangon to Kyaiktiyo | (B, L, D)
After an early breakfast, we will drive for about five hours along a scenic drive. We will make several stops along the way to photograph exciting sights. Upon reaching Golden Rock, we will stop in Kin Pun, a small town at the base of the mountain, where we will switch vehicles to proceed up the steep mountain path. Our designated hotel is walking distance from the pagoda, so depending on the time of arrival, we might get a chance to photograph the Golden Rock for the first time.
Overnight at Mountain Top Hotel or similar.
Day 3 | Kyaiktiyo to Yangon | (B, L, D)
Today we will et up early to catch the best view of Golden Rock during the morning. The glimmering boulder will be bathed in the misty, purple light of dawn – a truly memorable sight. There will also be time to wander and photograph the other stupas scattered on the outer ridges atop Kyaiktiyo Pagoda. We’ll stop in Bago, the former capital of the Mon kingdom, on the way back. The place remains a bustling city with a busy commercial center, and we will take this time to browse through the colorful local markets.
Overnight at Sule Shangri-La or similar.
Day 4 | Yangon | (B)
Today is the first day of the main tour. So you’ll have time to relax during the day, maybe use the hotel Spa, and get ready for the meet and greet with the rest of the group in the afternoon.
Price: for the Extension: $745 US Dollars.
Single Supplement: $295 US Dollars.
The price of the tour includes:
- 13 nights accommodations in twin/double sharing basis as listed above.
- Meals, 13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 13 dinners. (Includes non-alcoholic beverages and tips).
- 3 Domestic flights.
- 2 photo tour leaders.
- Model fees and camera fees in each city.
- Local English-speaking Guide.
- Air-conditioned ground transportation and included driver.
- Excursions and activities as listed above.
- Private motorboat tour on Inle Lake.
- All monuments entrance fees.
- Daily bottled water and refreshment towel
- Porter fees at airports, tips for hotels, and waiters.
- Government tax and Service charge.
The price DOES NOT include:
- Your flight or other travel to Myanmar
- Tips for your guide and driver.
- Visa arrangements for Myanmar
- Meal and snacks that were not listed above.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Personal travel and medical insurance.
- Medical expenses.
- Personal spending (souvenirs, spa treatments, laundry, etc.)
- Optional activities, anything outside what’s listed above.
Your Tour Leaders
Daniel Korzeniewski
George Plucienkowski
What you will photograph in Myanmar
Frequently Asked Questions
Terms and Conditions
1) Booking procedure:
- All prices for the tours are quoted in US Dollars.
- To book a place in the selected photo tour, we require a deposit. The deposit is due at the time of booking. The deposit shall be paid online via credit card.
- Other than the deposit, you need to fully complete the registration form for you and your guests, if any.
- If you are traveling solo and want to share a room, we will try our best to find you a match. However, if, for any reason, we don't find a suitable match, the single supplement fee will apply.
We will send you an email shortly after confirming your booking. Do not book your flights at this time unless otherwise indicated by us. We will let you know once the minimum number of guests to run the tour has been reached.
2) Balance of Payments:
The final payment for the trip is 90 days before departure. Such payment shall be made via credit card or wire transfer. Failure to meet the payment schedule will result in cancelation and forfeit of deposit.
3) Cancelation and Refunds
If, for any reason, DAK Photography Inc. must cancel the trip, 100% of paid deposits will be fully refunded. We reserve the right to cancel any trip/tour/group due to insufficient registration at any time. In the event of such cancellation, those with reservations shall be notified as soon as possible, and a full refund of trip payment will be given.
If a guest needs to cancel, we must receive written notification, email is accepted.
The following cancelation fees apply:
- 120 days or more before departure: no charge.
- 91 days to 119 days before departure: 50% of the deposit.
- 61 days to 90 days before departure: 50% of tour fee.
- 60 days or less before departure: 100% of tour fee.
In the event that you have to cancel, we will do our best to fill your spot. If we do so, we will refund 100% of the tour fee less an administrative fee of $ 150.-
Refunds will be not be made for any other costs you may have incurred as a result of your booking.
Travel and medical insurance that includes emergency evacuation coverage are mandatory. We recommend that you purchase this as soon as the trip is confirmed to protect your investment.