Mystical Myanmar Photographic Tour – 2013

“Mystical Myanmar” Photographic Tour 7-17th March 2013

FOR LATEST DETAILS ON THIS TOUR PLEASE CLICK: ICONIC IMAGES INTERNATIONAL.

Myanmar, or as many people know it, Burma, is a fantastic place to visit. It is one of the few places on earth where the lifestyle hasn’t evolved much over the last century. As it emerges from relative isolation, the nation of Myanmar is still somehow caught between its past and its yet to be formed future. It is a place that is momentarily paused in space-time, yet each visit becomes a dizzying aggregation of stories, images and memories.

It is a land of shadows that lends itself to magic photography and is probably one of the safest place on earth. Few countries retain so much traditional culture. Thousands of pagodas testify to the former greatness of the ancient Buddhist capital, Bagan. There’s just endless opportunities for the photographer, from the magnificent shrines and temples to the monasteries and the monks. The Buddhist background to the country really is the thread that runs through it, from the bustling waterfront in Yangon where fishermen return each day with their daily catch, to the timeless haunting beauty of the Bagan region where over a thousand-year old temples await you. The city is a bustling commercial center, yet the layers of its past are still evident in religious structures like the 2,000-year-old Sule Pagoda and in the British colonial architecture. Ride a hot air balloon over these temples at dawn and it is virtually like looking down on a giant ethereal tapestry or painting.

Mandalay, one of the larger cities in Myanmar is especially good for street photography and all sorts of monastery activity. The giant, 120 square kilometre, Inle Lake , with its very unique fishermen, their style of dress, the unique nets they use to catch fish, is a photographer’s paradise. Rowing with their legs to leave their hands free, these graceful fishermen of Inle Lake appeal to every photographer’s desire to capture a land untouched by modernity.Everywhere you turn, a mesmerising scene awaits your lens. Stay in bungalows over the lake, photograph or just watch the sunrise and the sunset; go onto the lake and photographic magic happens. You cannot but come away without countless memorable moments captured with your camera.

Gavriel Jecan is one of the most experienced photography guides in this part of Asia. He has photographed professionally and worked with Art Wolfe for over twenty years and is resident in Thailand. The exclusive access to the photography offered on this tour is possible because of the wealth of local knowledge Gavriel has garnished from many previous tours of Myanmar, from those he has co-led with Art Wolfe and from his own private tours.

Not a moment will be wasted searching for shots during the ten days we will spend in Myanmar. All locations have been thoroughly researched a number of times and all access to monasteries, monks and temples have been pre-arranged.

It would be a challenge to surpass the itinerary for this tour and it is unashamedly photography focused to provide every opportunity for you returning home with a collection of classic and unique images of this extraordinary part of the world.

THIS PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR IS CONFINED TO A MAXIMUM OF TEN PEOPLE, EXCLUSIVE OF THE TWO TOUR LEADERS.

HIGHLIGHTS

Photograph the best of Yangon including its bustling Thiri Mingalar fish market, Indiatown, Chinatown and a sunset shoot of Sin Oodan jetty and the gold Shwedagon Pagoda (reportedly contains over 60-tons of gold).
In Bagan enjoy exclusive admission to two monasteries for our group and photograph monks as they go about their daily routine; not available to “normal” tourist groups.
A private dawn photography shoot from hot air balloon as it glides over the 5000 Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins of Bagan - a transcendent experience each time.
Capture the iconic silhouette images of monks at the unique teak bridges at Taung Thaman lake, near Mandalay.
Special admission to photograph Mahagandayon monastery, in Mandalay, with its 1000+ monks in residence.
Visit the Inle Lake floating village to photograph from our own boats the “ballet” fishermen in the sunset – this access provides for amazing photography opportunities.
Several sessions of street photography in Yangon, Bagan and Mandalay as well as photo shoots of blacksmiths’ village, ox carts at work, silk weaving, students at a monastic school, trainee monks, lacquer ware workshop, etc.
Continuous assistance with your photography from two professional photographers.

DATES AND SUMMARY ITINERARY

The tour officially commences in Yangon on Thurs 7th March and officially finishes in Yangon on Sun 17th March 2013. A complete itinerary will be provided to all registered participants.

A summary of the itinerary is:

6 Mar or earlier: Depart Australia, from home city
7 Mar: Arrive Yangon International Airport and stay at Traders Hotel, Yangon - 2 nights. Street photography and monastery shoot.
8 Mar: Yangon – early morning, afternoon and late evening shoots
9 Mar: Transfer to airport and fly to Bagan. Stay at Aye Yar River View Hotel - 3 nights. Photographing Sulamani temple and monks, lacquer ware workshop, and sunset shoot from Shwesandaw Pagoda.
10 Mar: Early morning shoot at Minyeingone temple, with monks. Photography tutorial and a gentle critique of participants’ images (for those who wish to receive constructive comments). Sunset shoot from Dhammazika Pagoda.
11 Mar: “Balloons Over Bagan” photo shoot. Photography tutorial and visit to Minanthu village to photograph ox-carts, village lifestyle, etc. finishing with a sunset shoot around the magnificent Tayoepyay temple.
12 Mar: Transfer to Bagan airport and fly to Mandalay. Stay at the Sedona Mandalay Hotel - 2 nights. Photograph girls with tanaca painting on faces. Evening shoot at the renowned teak bridge on Taung Thaman lake.
13 Mar: Early morning drive to Amarapura and visit Mahagandayon monastery with over one thousand monks. Photograph the monks eating, and bathing (male photographers only allowed). Afternoon and evening shoots on the Irrawaddy River.
14 Mar: Transfer to airport and fly to Heho/Inle Lake. Stay at Myanmar Treasure Resort - 3 nights. Photograph fishermen on lake at sunset.
15 Mar: Early morning photo shoot with fishermen. Visit and photograph Padaung “long neck” ladies, blacksmith village and silk weavers. Sunset shoot with fishermen on lake.
16 Mar: Early morning boat ride to Nyaungshwe, drive to Heho and fly to Yangon. Photo critique (voluntary involvement). Sunset shoot from Shwedagon pagoda. Farewell dinner.
17 Mar. Early morning transfer to Yangon International Airport for return flights to Australia or your home country.

COST, PAYMENT AND REGISTRATION

COST

AUD$7990.00 per person, twin share. [The original price was $9890/person].

A single supplement of AUD1150.00 applies, if specifically requested.

TERMS OF PAYMENT

1. A non-refundable 50% deposit together with a completed Registration Form, on or before Fri 30th November 2012.

2. A final payment of the remaining 50%, on or before Friday 11th January 2013.

HOW TO REGISTER

To register, download and complete the registration form and return it to the booking agent nominated. To download the registration form, please click: Registration Form

DAILY ITINERARY AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Details of “what is included”, “what is not included”, cancellation policy, compulsory insurance requirements, health considerations, etc., pertaining to this photographic tour, plus some helpful information on packing and travelling with camera gear, are available in a down-loadable PDF.

It is important that you read the contents of this PDF carefully; please click: Myanmar Tour 2013 – Daily Itinerary and Other Important Information

QUERIES?

If you would like to discuss any aspect of international flights for the photo safari, please contact the booking agent, Flightworld, 200 St. Georges Tce., Perth and request to speak to Mrs Khush Suntoke. Alternatively you can email Khush at khush@flightworld.com.au.

If you would like to discuss any photographic aspect of the tour, please telephone Denis Glennon on 0418 923 103 or send an email to denis@denisglennon.com

If this photography tour is not for you, perhaps you might consider forwarding this link to a friend who may like to know about it. Thank you sincerely.