Douglas Steakley
Photography Tours and Expeditions
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Magical Myanmar
Sacred Sites~Spiritual Images
October 29-November 10, 2017
A Photography Tour Led by Doug Steakley and Win Kyaw Zan
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Burma or Myanmar is rapidly emerging from decades of isolation and a crippling military dictatorship. In this new environment, visitors soon discover that it is a pleasure to interact with the Burmese people who are kind and gentle, formed by the pervasive and spiritual Theravada Buddhist culture. Due to the many years of political and economic isolation that the Burmese have endured, traveling there is taking a step back in time. Now is the time to go, before western influences alter their intact daily life and customs. In the villages people still dress in indigenous clothing and buffalo and oxen are still used to plow the fields. In many ways the Burmese live their daily lives as they have for centuries, and the wide diversity of ethnic groups and ancient pagodas assures us of images that are unique and unforgettable.
Our journey throughout Burma will begin and end in Yangon and take us on a short flight north to Bagan, where we can take a balloon ride over the many pagodas the following dawn. We will spend three nights in Bagan, visiting and photographing the amazing array of pagodas that sprawl out over the plains. We will then fly to Mandalay with it's array of pagodas and monasteries. We will allow enough time to visit Mingun, with it's large monastery facade with a wide crack running down the face. Mandalay is also the home to arts and crafts in Burma. From Mandalay we will fly to Heho and spend one night in Pindaya to visit the Shwe Oo Min Natural Cave Pagoda with hundreds of Buddha statues. We will then drive to Inle Lake for two nights before returning to Yangon. This is a "classic" tour of Burma in that we will visit many important and photogenic sites as we make the circuit from Yangon>Bagan>Mandalay>Pindaya>Inle Lake and back to Yangon.
I first visited Burma in November, 1967, traveling from Calcutta to Bangkok when tourists were allowed to stay for only 24 hours. My wife Jackie and I visited again in 198, and I returned in 2013, 2014 and 2015. In 2013 I met Win Kyaw Zan, who has designed and led tours for many well-known photographers such as Art Wolfe and Nevada Weir. Win and I have become close friends and I feel very fortunate that he will be available to accompany and guide us on this tour. Aside from being an excellent photographer, Win is very helpful with the local people and helps us understand and respect cultural and religious norms.
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ITINERARY
Day One-October 29-Arrive in Yangon
Plan your flights so you arrive in Yangon on October 29, or you may choose arrive a day early to recover from jet lag. (Arriving a day early requires an additional cost for a hotel room for one night and meals). You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to the hotel. We will have an evening orientation and proceed to the Shwedagon Pagoda for dramatic twilight images. Kwandawgyi Palace or similar hotel.
If you prefer to arrive a day early, please let us know and we will try to reserve a hotel room and pick you up at the airport.
Shwedagon Paya at Night in Yangon
Day Two-October 30-Yangon
We will be up early to photograph the bustling waterfront fish market and return to the hotel for breakfast. We will then drive to Naga Hlainggu Nunnery to photograph the nuns standing in line for lunch. Afterward we will proceed to Chauk Htet Gyi for the large Reclining Buddha and to the Kayin Pariyati Monastery to photograph the monks studying and meditating. Lunch will be at the Green Elephant Myanmar Restaurant. From there we will go to the evening China Town Market. Optional dinner at the House of Memories (General Aung San’s Office) or at the hotel. Kandawgyi Palace Hotel or similar. B,L
Day Three-October 31-Yangon to Bagan
We have a very early morning flight to Bagan, one of the most photogenic destinations in the world. Upon arrival we will go to the Shwesandaw Pagoda for the breathtaking panoramic view and an introduction to Bagan. The plains of Bagan have over 2000 pagodas and the atmosphere is often misty or smoky. Next we will go to the Shwezigon Pagoda to photograph the many columns with monks walking by and one last stop before lunch—the Gu Kyaung Monastery to photograph the Buddhist monks. We will check into the hotel after lunch and take an early afternoon break. Later we will visit the Dhammayangyi Pagoda, the Sulamani Pagoda and continue to the Pyathegyi Pagoda for sunset views. Dinner will be at the Nandar Myanmar Restaurant with a traditional puppet show. We will stay at the beautiful Tharabar Gate Hotel or similar. B,L
Day Two-October 30-Yangon
We will be up early to photograph the bustling waterfront fish market and return to the hotel for breakfast. We will then drive to Naga Hlainggu Nunnery to photograph the nuns standing in line for lunch. Afterward we will proceed to Chauk Htet Gyi for the large Reclining Buddha and to the Kayin Pariyati Monastery to photograph the monks studying and meditating. Lunch will be at the Green Elephant Myanmar Restaurant. From there we will go to the evening China Town Market. Optional dinner at the House of Memories (General Aung San’s Office) or at the hotel. Kandawgyi Palace Hotel or similar. B,L
Day Three-October 31-Yangon to Bagan
We have a very early morning flight to Bagan, one of the most photogenic destinations in the world. Upon arrival we will go to the Shwesandaw Pagoda for the breathtaking panoramic view and an introduction to Bagan. The plains of Bagan have over 2000 pagodas and the atmosphere is often misty or smoky. Next we will go to the Shwezigon Pagoda to photograph the many columns with monks walking by and one last stop before lunch—the Gu Kyaung Monastery to photograph the Buddhist monks. We will check into the hotel after lunch and take an early afternoon break. Later we will visit the Dhammayangyi Pagoda, the Sulamani Pagoda and continue to the Pyathegyi Pagoda for sunset views. Dinner will be at the Nandar Myanmar Restaurant with a traditional puppet show. We will stay at the beautiful Tharabar Gate Hotel or similar. B,L
Balloons over Bagan at Sunrise
Day Four—November 1-Bagan and Ballon Over Bagan
There will be an early morning pick-up for those going on a hot air balloon ride. If you are not going, you can take a horse cart to photograph the sunrise or sleep in and enjoy breakfast by the pool. For those going on the balloon ride, there will be tea or coffee and a most amazing flight over the sweeping plains of Bagan. We will then return to the hotel for breakfast and re-group. We will proceed to photograph the Shinpintharlyaung Reclining Buddha with children, monks or nuns praying and meditating. Lunch will be at the Tharaba Restaurant and we will then proceed to the spectacular Ananda Pagoda, which contains the most beautiful Buddha images in Bagan. We will then visit Minanthu Village to photograph the villagers' daily life and ask them to pose for us at sunset. Dinner will be at the Sunset Garden Restaurant or at the hotel. Depending on the light, we may venture out for night photography, either star trails or the Milky Way B,L.
Day Five-November 2-Bagan
We will be up early to drive to the Shwesandaw Pagoda for sunrise and then to the Taung Pi Monastery to photograph the line of monks as they arrive to collect rice and offerings from the village. We will return to the hotel for breakfast and then visit the Sluamani Pagoda, which has the best murals. The Pagoda 820 is next with the statues of the birth of the Buddha. Lunch will be at the River View Restaurant overlooking the Irrawaddy River. Near the restaurant we can visit a large pen of Burmese Star Tortoises. We may have time for a break at the hotel pool before going out for evening photography of the pagodas around Htilominlo and sunset from the Okkyaunggyi Pagoda. Dinner this evening at the BBB with European cuisine. B,L
Painted Fresco at Sluamani Pagoda in Bagan
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Monk meditating with candles in Bagan
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Female monk at Kuthodaw Paya, Mandalay
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Day Six-November 3-Flight from Bagan to Mandalay Today we will fly from Bagan to Mandalay and check into our new hotel. In the afternoon we can visit the area of Mandalay where craftsmen work carving large marble Buddha statues, casting bronze statues, and forging iron. We will have an opportunity to visit a woodcarving studio and this will be an excellent time to purchase a hand-carved Buddha or other Buddhist sculpture. Mandalay has always been the center of creativity in Myanmar, creating statues that are transported to various pagodas. Sedona Hotel or similar, B,L. |
Day Seven-November 4-Mandalay
We will drive to the beautiful, large unfinished pagoda at Mingun, located on the banks of the Arrawaddy River. This pagoda is distinctive in that it has several large vertical cracks running down the front, caused by and earthquake in 1839. Later in the afternoon we will go to Amarapura, the location of U Bein's Bridge, the world's largest teak bridge. We will be there at sunset to capture the best light as the sun sets behind and underneath the bridge.
Sedona or similar hotel. There are many excellent restaurants in Mandalay for dinner or we can return to the hotel. Sedona or similar hotel, B,L.
U Bein's Teak Bridge at Sunset
Day Eight-November 5-Mandalay
After breakfast we will drive to the small, quiet village of Ava or Inwa, which takes us away from the bustling city streets of Mandalay for a chance to visit
and explore monastic ruins and pagodas. Inwa was the royal capital of Burma for many years before the seat of power transferred to Mandalay. We will visit the memorable teak monastery from 1834, which is supported by 267 large teak posts. This is a functioning monastery and the door panels have interesting wooden relief carvings. After lunch we will drive to Sagaing Hill and visit a couple of the interesting pagodas in this area, including Umin Thounzeh with 45 Buddhas lined up along a crescent-shaped colonnade. Sedona Hotel or similar, B,L
Forty Five Buddhas at Umin Thounzeh Pagoda
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Monk studying at monastery in Mandalay
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Day Nine-November 6-Flight from Mandalay to Heho and drive to Pindaya
We will have an early flight from Mandalay to Heho where we will be met by our driver and taken to Pindaya, home of the Shwe Oo Min Natural Cave Pagoda. This natural limestone cave contains more than 8,000 Buddhas, which have been donated by patrons from around the world. We will bring candles and place them in front of select Buddha statues for images that are unusual and compelling. Lunch at a lovely outdoor restaurant on the shore of Pone Taloke Lake, located just below the cave. Later in the afternoon we will transfer to our hotel and have an opportunity to explore the charming small city of Pindaya.
Conqueror Hotel or similar. B, L
Day Ten-November 7-Pindaya to Inle Lake
After breakfast we will be picked up by our driver and taken to Inle Lake, where we will board small boats and transfer to our hotel. Inle Lake is one of the highlights of all trips to Myanmar and offers a wide variety of photo opportunities. In the afternoon we will take our small boats and visit the village built on stilts at the northern end of the lake. There are several monasteries as well as a variety of ethnic groups in this area, including the Padaung women who stretch their necks with a series of brass rings. We will also photograph the well-known fishermen of the lake, who precariously propel their boats by wrapping their leg around a long oar. Inle Princess or similar hotel, B,L
Houses built on stilts on Inle Lake
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Fisherman on Inle Lake at dawn
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Day Eleven-November 8-Inle Lake-Indein
For those who want to get up early we will be one the lake for sunrise and try to get photographs of fisherman as the sun rises as seen above.
Later, we will take a boat to the northern end of the lake and visit Shwe Inn Thein Paya, a grouping of old pagodas that date from the 17th and 18 centuries. This area was only recently re-opened to tourism due to local unrest and while some of the pagodas have been refurbished, many are in ruins and walking among them makes one feel like an early explorer. There is also a nearby market place with unusual offerings that are not seen in other areas of Myanmar.
Inle Princess or similar hotel, B,L
The many pagodas at Shwe Inn Thein Paya
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Old face at Shwe Inn Thein
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Day Twelve-November 9-Flight from Heho to Yangon
We will transfer to a dock on Inle Lake where our van will pick us up and take us to the Heho Airport for our return flight to Yangon. In the late afternoon we will visit the Shwedagon Paya at sunset, an amazing time to be there. The Shwedagon Paya is the most stunning monument to Buddhism in south east Asia, indeed, in the world. The tall spire is covered with sixty tons of gold and can be seen from blocks away. Shwedagon is the most important Buddhist pagoda in Myanmar, and all Buddhists desire to visit it at least once in their lifetimes. Shwedagon dates from the 6th century and may be much older. After our visit to Shwedagon we will go to the Kandawmin Chinese Restaurant for our farewell dinner. Kandawgyi Palace Hotel or similar, B,L,D
Monks at the Shwedagon Paya at twilight
Day Thirteen-November 10-Return flights from Yangon
After breakfast you will be driven to the Yangon Airport to connect with return flights.
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Pricing:
The cost of the trip is $6950 per person, double occupancy. A single supplement is $1950.00.
The optional Balloon over Bagan costs $325 per person and must be booked six months in advance.
What is Included:
Pricing:
The cost of the trip is $6950 per person, double occupancy. A single supplement is $1950.00.
The optional Balloon over Bagan costs $325 per person and must be booked six months in advance.
What is Included:
- Hotels with Deluxe or Superior rooms
- Yanon-Kandawgyi Palace or similar hotel
- Bagan-The Tharabar Gate Hotel or similar hotel
- Mandalay-Sedona or similar hotel
- Pindaya-Conqueror Hotel or similar hotel
- Three domestic flights with Air Bagan or Asia Wings, the best private airlines in Myanmar
- Sightseeing and transportation in air-conditioned vans
- Guide Fees with professional photographer Win Kyaw Zan
- Entrance fees to all archeological zones
- Porters at airports
- Breakfasts and lunches
- All special permits required for the tour
- Optional fees or tips for the local people who may pose for us
- All service charges and government taxes
- Farewell dinner at Mandawmin Chinese Restaurant in Yangon
What is Not Included:
A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required with registration. A payment of 50% of the trip cost is required 120 days prior to departure (July 1, 2017). The final payment is due 60 days prior to departure (September 1, 2017).
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations more than 120 days prior to departure will receive any deposits less $1,000.
Cancellations made less than 90 days but 60 days prior to departure will fore fit 50% of the trip cost.
Cancellations made less than 60 days prior to departure will forfeit all deposits.
Trip Insurance:
To allow for any unexpected contingencies, all participants are strongly urged to purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
Responsibility:
Asia Photo Tours and Douglas Steakley Photography Tours and Expeditions and their agents act only in the capacity as agents in all matters pertaining to hotel accommodations, sightseeing tours, and transportation, and are not responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or injury to persons or property resulting from a defect in any vehicle, or the actions of any persons who provide services for this tour or for the action or inaction of any third party. Baggage is at the owner’s risk entirely. The tour operator reserves the right to withdraw the tour at any time, to decline any person as a member of the tour for any cause at any time.
Health:
It is the responsibility of each tour member to inform the tour operators of any possible health problems or handicaps upon registration. By forwarding a signed reservation form and trip deposit, you certify that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions of disability that would create a risk for you or other trip participants. Once a trip has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. We assume no responsibility for medical care or for special dietary requirements.
Itinerary:
While Asia Photo Tours and Douglas Steakley Photography Tours and Expeditions endeavor to make the itinerary as accurate as possible, it should be considered an approximate schedule of activities, rather than a rigid schedule of events. Trip itineraries are subject to revision due to weather or other conditions, government restrictions, and other reasons beyond our control. The tour leaders have the right to make changes to the published itinerary, whenever in their judgment conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort or safety of participants on the tour.
- International airfares
- Visa fees
- Departure taxes ($10 US)
- Drinks and personal shopping
- Tips to locals
- Optional Balloon Over Bagan-$325.00 and please reserve asap
- We have decided to not include most dinners in this tour because many people are tired after a long day of photography and prefer to return to the hotel and eat there. We will recommend restaurants for those who want to go out to eat in Bagan, Mandalay and Pindaya.
A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required with registration. A payment of 50% of the trip cost is required 120 days prior to departure (July 1, 2017). The final payment is due 60 days prior to departure (September 1, 2017).
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations more than 120 days prior to departure will receive any deposits less $1,000.
Cancellations made less than 90 days but 60 days prior to departure will fore fit 50% of the trip cost.
Cancellations made less than 60 days prior to departure will forfeit all deposits.
Trip Insurance:
To allow for any unexpected contingencies, all participants are strongly urged to purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
Responsibility:
Asia Photo Tours and Douglas Steakley Photography Tours and Expeditions and their agents act only in the capacity as agents in all matters pertaining to hotel accommodations, sightseeing tours, and transportation, and are not responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or injury to persons or property resulting from a defect in any vehicle, or the actions of any persons who provide services for this tour or for the action or inaction of any third party. Baggage is at the owner’s risk entirely. The tour operator reserves the right to withdraw the tour at any time, to decline any person as a member of the tour for any cause at any time.
Health:
It is the responsibility of each tour member to inform the tour operators of any possible health problems or handicaps upon registration. By forwarding a signed reservation form and trip deposit, you certify that you do not knowingly have any physical or other conditions of disability that would create a risk for you or other trip participants. Once a trip has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. We assume no responsibility for medical care or for special dietary requirements.
Itinerary:
While Asia Photo Tours and Douglas Steakley Photography Tours and Expeditions endeavor to make the itinerary as accurate as possible, it should be considered an approximate schedule of activities, rather than a rigid schedule of events. Trip itineraries are subject to revision due to weather or other conditions, government restrictions, and other reasons beyond our control. The tour leaders have the right to make changes to the published itinerary, whenever in their judgment conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort or safety of participants on the tour.
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Novice female monks at The Shwedagon Paya in Yangon Young monk lines up in Mandalay
A Word About Photography:
While this tour is designed for photographers, non-photographer spouses and others are also welcome. My experience has been that almost everyone wants to return with stunning images and improve their photographic skills and to that end, we will have photography discussions whenever we have some free time. In these sessions we will review a wide range of topics, such as which shooting mode to use (aperture, shutter or program), jpeg vs. raw capture, composition, exposure, and much more. We will also review processing images in Photoshop and Lightroom as time allows.
It has been my experience with past tours that everyone's skill level improves dramatically regardless of their starting point.
There are several very important benefits for going on a photo tour which can be a bonus for all participants:
--We get up early in the morning to photograph in the best lighting conditions that occur at sunrise
~We will ask local people to assist us in composing our shots, such as monks lighting candles or walking into the sunset.
Whether you are an advanced photographer or a beginner, you will appreciate the numerous photo opportunities that will avail themselves and the time we will take to review images and discuss shooting techniques. We are always on the lookout for scenes and people that are photogenic and will make suggestions about how to compose a subject and which camera settings to use.
Participants:
This tour will be limited to twelve participants
Registration:
To register, please print and fill out the two forms below and send them with a copy of the signature page of your passport and a deposit
check for $1000.00 to:
Douglas Steakley
P.O. Box 736
Carmel Valley, CA. 93924
Please click here for a registration form and here for a liability release form.
A Word About Photography:
While this tour is designed for photographers, non-photographer spouses and others are also welcome. My experience has been that almost everyone wants to return with stunning images and improve their photographic skills and to that end, we will have photography discussions whenever we have some free time. In these sessions we will review a wide range of topics, such as which shooting mode to use (aperture, shutter or program), jpeg vs. raw capture, composition, exposure, and much more. We will also review processing images in Photoshop and Lightroom as time allows.
It has been my experience with past tours that everyone's skill level improves dramatically regardless of their starting point.
There are several very important benefits for going on a photo tour which can be a bonus for all participants:
--We get up early in the morning to photograph in the best lighting conditions that occur at sunrise
~We will ask local people to assist us in composing our shots, such as monks lighting candles or walking into the sunset.
Whether you are an advanced photographer or a beginner, you will appreciate the numerous photo opportunities that will avail themselves and the time we will take to review images and discuss shooting techniques. We are always on the lookout for scenes and people that are photogenic and will make suggestions about how to compose a subject and which camera settings to use.
Participants:
This tour will be limited to twelve participants
Registration:
To register, please print and fill out the two forms below and send them with a copy of the signature page of your passport and a deposit
check for $1000.00 to:
Douglas Steakley
P.O. Box 736
Carmel Valley, CA. 93924
Please click here for a registration form and here for a liability release form.