Myanmar Photography Tours

Arrival

Upon arrival at the airport in Yangon you will be met by a ‘See Asia Differently’ representative and transferred to your hotel. Shortly after, you will go out and explore the former capital Yangon. Its colonial background and religious legacy makes it one of the most mesmerizing and genuine places in all of Asia.

Overnight in Yangon (Meals: _/_/_)

Yangon to Lashio | Flight: 1.5 hour

After breakfast you return to the airport to take a short flight north to the town of Lashio. On arrival in Lashio, you will meet your local guide, who will take you on the main sights around the area. Your day then ends with you boarding a local boat at Thibaw Bridge, where you will navigate your way down to Hispaw, your resting place for the evening.

Overnight in Hsipaw (Meals: B/_/_)

Hsipaw Discovery Tour

Today you will enjoy a wonderful day discovering Hsipaw and the surrounding villages. You will get to explore the fascinating and colourful early morning markets, as well as interacting with the different minority people that live in this beautiful area.

Overnight in Hsipaw (Meals: B/_/_)

Hispaw to Pyin Oo Lwin | Train: 7.5 hours

After breakfast you will be transferred to Hsipaw’s tiny train station and board your train to Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo). This scenic and fabulous train ride of about 5 to 6 hours is a great way to get really connected with Myanmar. The highlight of the day is the crossing of the spectacular valley of the dramatic Gokteik viaduct, built-in 1901.

Overnight in Pyin Oo Lwin (Meals: B/_/_)

Pyin Oo Lwin to Mandalay | Drive: 1.5 hour

Pyin Oo Lwin, formerly Maymyo, was the summer capital of the Raj in Burma, which still retains some of the ‘hill stations’ look. Some colonial Tudor style houses still stand, and it is easy to get an idea of how the Raj used to look. There are many churches in the area and Botanical Gardens (National Kandawgyi Gardens) established in 1915. In the afternoon you drive to Amarapura to visit the Kyauktawgyi Temple before walking across the famous U Bein Bridge at sunset, which is a wonderful way to end the day.

Overnight in Mandalay (Meals: B/_/_)

Inwa Day Tour

This morning you will journey to Inwa (Ava), which was the ancient imperial capital of the successive Burmese kingdoms from the 14th to 19th centuries. Today you can view the remnants of the capital, such as the Nanmyin Tower, Me Nu Ok Kyaung and the outer brick city walls. You also get to visit the teak Bagaya Kyaung Monastery before continuing on to Sagaing, which is one of the most important religious and monastic centres in Myanmar. Last on the agenda for the day is U Min Thoneze Pagoda (Thirty Caves) and the central pagoda of Soon U Pon Nya Shin and Kaungmudaw.

Overnight in Mandalay (Meals: B/_/_)

Mandalay to Monywa | Drive: 2.5 hours

Today in the early morning you leave Mandalay and drive through rural and beautiful scenery on the way Monywa. En route, you will pause at Maha Bodhi Ta Htaung, famous for the giant standing Buddha statue before enjoying a local lunch. In the afternoon you will cross the Chindwin River by ferry and proceed to Po Win Taung by local jeep. This extraordinary complex consists of 947 sandstone caves dug out of the hills and contain what is considered by archaeologists to be the richest collection of mural paintings and Buddhist statues in South East Asia.

Overnight in Monywa (Meals: B/_/_)

Monywa to Bagan | Drive: 3 hours

In the early morning you travel to the Mohnyin Thanboddhay Pagoda with more than 500,000 Buddha images, which cover every wall and archway of this huge Buddhist temple. From here you continue through rural countryside and Tanaka plantations to the small town of Pakoku, before carrying on to Bagan.

Overnight in Bagan (Meals: B/_/_)

Bagan Day Tour

After a morning trip to Nyaung U Market you continue to Mingalazedi, the last of the large Pagodas built in the 13th Century, representing the pinnacle of Bamar pagoda architecture. Next on the list is a trip to the Nanpaya Temple, before discovering the four images of Buddha located in the Manuha Pagoda. Moving on, you stop at the Myazedi Stupa to see Myanmar’s ‘Rosetta Stone’. In the afternoon you visit Minanthu village, famous for its mural paintings and lacquerware factory, where you can watch craftsmen skillfully make the most famous of Bagan’s handicrafts, before heading to the bank of Irrawaddy River for a sunset drink and a splendid view of Irrawaddy River and Bagan Temples.

Overnight in Bagan (Meals: B/_/_)

Bagan Tour Cont.

Start the day a millionaire’s way with a sunrise balloon ride over the temples of Bagan. You then return back to your hotel to relax before an afternoon trip across the Irrawaddy River and up to the secret hill of the Tant Kyi Taung Pagoda. From here on a clear day, you can view all the Bagan temples in the distance bathed in the soft afternoon sun.

Overnight in Bagan (Meals: B/_/_)

Bagan to Inle Lake | Flight: 40 min

Today you take a short flight to Heho and then travel to Nyaung Shwe to visit the Shwe Yan Pyay monastery, well-known for its unique oval-shaped windows, before boarding a boat at Inle. Inle Lake a photographer’s dream! Explore the area by a longboat and enjoy observing life on the water. You will float past the famous leg rowers, see local methods of fishing, and view typical floating gardens, as well as other magnificent sceneries. Visit the weaving village of Inpawkhon and the Phaungdaw Oo Pagoda before making your way to a market, which takes place in different locations depending on the day you visit.

Overnight in Inle Lake (Meals: B/_/_)

Inle Lake Day Tour

Today you board your longboat and head to the Western Shore of the Lake to begin the stair path to the unknown and hidden Paya Shwe Inn Thein. This amazing historical site is located up a narrow jungle lined river and tucked behind a little village. After enjoying lunch at the village, you have the rest of the day to enjoy the serenity of the calm waters of Myanmar’s (Burma’s) biggest lake.

Overnight in Inle Lake (Meals: B/_/_)

Inle Lake to Yangon | Flight: 50 min

An early morning boat ride and a short drive will take you back to Heho’s airport for your flight back to Yangon. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel before having an afternoon to explore the city’s largest, oldest and the most vibrant Bogyoke Market, which is great for photographs, but even better for some hidden gems and souvenir hunting.

Overnight in Yangon (Meals: B/L/_)

Yangon City Tour

This morning you will take a walk through Yangon’s stunning streets. You will get to visit the former High Court and General Telegraph Office, as well as the Independence Monument and St Mary’s Cathedral, the largest in the country. In the afternoon you will make a pilgrimage to the incredible Shwedagon Pagoda, its golden stupa is the ‘heart’ of Buddhist Myanmar. This is the most sacred Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar and is believed to be over 2,500 years old. It is a fitting end to any Myanmar photography holiday.

Overnight in Yangon (Meals: B/_/_)

Departure

Today you are free to enjoy your last morning in Yangon before being picked up from your hotel and transferred back to Bangkok Airport for your departing flight home.

(Meals: B/_/_)