International Photo Tours and Workshops, Gavriel Jecan Photography, Vietnam, India, Myanmar, Photo Tour, Photo Workshop, Photography Workshop

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ANCIENT MYANMAR
November 18 to November 28, 2010
11 Days / 10 Nights Photo tour workshop with lectures and critiques.
Optional 3 day extension to Thailand: November 28 to November 30, 2010.

Centered amongst the more popular countries of Southeast Asia, limited tourism has resulted in Myanmar holding a wealth of less-seen geographical, historical and scenic opportunities for photographers. On this journey, you’ll have access to photograph the natural beauty inhabited by people with exquisite traditions and learn about their rich cultural heritage that has sustained centuries. Experience working with a professional photographer side-by-side as he negotiates the opportunities this visually-rich location affords. Gavriel will guide you to many of the locations he and master photographer, Art Wolfe, found fascinating on recent trips and share on-location tips and techniques that will improve your field work. This course is limited to 10 participants.
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Photo Tour and Workshop Participant Testimonial
"I recently participated in a workshop led by Gavriel Jecan and Art Wolfe that took us through northern Viet Nam and to Angkor Wat, in Cambodia. Gavriel knows Southeast Asia intimately, having lived and traveled the area for several years. His insights into the locations and the peoples of this region were invaluable in making this a successful and rewarding experience. He organized the tour and arranged for us to visit some little-known locations that yielded some of our best photographic opportunities. My workshop experience with Gavriel was challenging and inspirational. I look forward to joining him on another adventure in the near future."
- Michael, 2010

Trip Itinerary and Details

Day 1 November 18 Yangon

Arrive Yangon International Airport. Welcome and transfer to the Hotel. After the break , enjoy lunch at Padonmar Myanmar Restaurant. After lunch visit 210 feet long Chauk Htet Kyi Reclining Buddha image from 1905. We'll also visit the monasteries around the Buddha image. Evening visit SinOodan Jetty by the river and sunset from there. Proceed to restaurant for welcome dinner. Back to the hotel and overnight at hotel.

Day 2 November 19 Yangon sightseeing

Morning sightseeing in Yangon: Fish market, China Town. Lunch at restaurant. Evening special visit to 2500 old Shwedagon Pagoda with over 60 tons of gold. Sunset from Shwedagon pagoda and dinner at hotel.

Day 3 November 20 Yangon – Bagan

After breakfast, early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Bagan. Arrive Bagan and visit Sulamani temple and photograph monks in the temple. Lunch in Bagan. Check in hotel and prepare for the sightseeing. Sightseeing in Bagan include: Ananda Temple from AD 1090, Ananda Oykkyaung from AD 1137, U Pali Thein from mid- 13 Century. After lunch, visit family lacquarware workshops. We'll also visit Soe Mingyikyaung and pagoda. We'll visit Manuha Temple from AD 1059 and Nanpaya Temple, Myingabar Gubyaukgyi temple with the murals restored by UNESCO, Myazedi Pagoda with the earliest Myanmar writings from AD 1113. Sunset from Shwesandaw Pagoda from AD 1057. Back to the Hotel. Dinner at restaurant with Best Myanmar puppet Show. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4 November 21 Bagan Sightseeing (Full moon day)

Sightseeing in Bagan. Early morning 5:00 a.m. walk to the Minyeingone temple for sunrise. Back to the hotel. After breakfast, proceed to Shwezigon Pagoda festival to enjoy the full moon festival. Over one thousand monks are invited to accept the donations from the villagers. Lunch at restaurant. Evening visit to Shwegugyi temple and Sunset from Dhammazika Pagoda. Dinner at restaurant and enjoy European dinner. Back to the Hotel

Day 5 November 22 Bagan “Balloons Over Bagan”

Early morning pick up. Enjoy balloon ride. Back to the Hotel and enjoy breakfast. Sightseeing in Bagan: Shinpintharlyaung reclining Buddha to photograph the monks praying to the reclining Buddha, and lunch at restaurant. Back to the hotel for a break. After the break, visit to Minanthu village and photograph the ox-carts and the temples. Sunset shooting around Tayoepyay temple. Dinner at hotel. Over night at hotel.

Day 6 November 23 Bagan – Mandalay

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Mandalay. Arrive Mandalay airport. On the road to Mandalay, we'll visit Palaik with over 300 stupas from 11 - 15 century. We'll visit Palaik weaving factories and a monastaric school. Proceed to Mandalay. Lunch at restaurant. Check in at hotel. Afternoon sightseeing: Goldleaf making house, Mahamuni Temple and stone carving street. Drive to Amarapura and visit silk weaving factories. Proceed to Taung Thaman lake with famous teak bridge, U Bein. Sunset by the bridge. Back to Mandalay and enjoy dinner at restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 November 24 Mandalay

Early morning drive to Amarapura and visit Mahagandayon monastery with over one thousand monks. We’ll photograph the monks studying, bathing and stand in line for lunch. Back to Mandalay. Lunch at restaurant. Afternoon sightseeing: Visit Shwe Inn Bin Monastery with finest wood-carvings from 1895. Drive to the market near the River and sunset from the River. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8 November 25 Mandalay – Heho – Inle (By flight)

Early morning drive to the airport for the flight to Heho. Arrive Heho and drive to Nyaungshwe and visit Shweyanpyay monastery and pagoda. Lunch at hotel. Drive to jetty and boat ride to the sky lake floating resort. Check in hotel and have a break. Sightseeing in Inle lake: floating villages. Back to the hotel and dinner at hotel.

Day 9 November 26 Inle lake sightseeing

Early morning sunrise with the fishermen. Back to the Hotel for the breakfast. Visit Padaung long neck families. Lunch at restaurant. Visit black smith village, silk weavings and cheroot factory. Sunset with the fishermen on the lake. Back to the hotel and dinner at hotel. Overnight at floating resort.

Day 10 Nov 27 Inle – Heho – Yangon (By flight)

Early morning boat ride to Nyaungshwe. Drive to Heho and flight back to Yangon. Shopping in Yangon. Lunch at restaurant. Evening visit to hotel and the downtown. Special visit to Shwedagon pagoda for the second time. Sunset from there. Farewell dinner at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 Nov 28 Yangon Departure

Early morning transfer to the airport for the departure flight.

Three-Day Thailand Extension: Details forthcoming

Price

US $ 5,500 per person

Single room option: Additional US $ 350 per person
Thailand Extension (3 days): Additional US $ 900 per person
Single room option on Thailand Extension: Additional US $200 per person

Price includes:

Hotels

Flights

Sightseeing Bus: Air-conditioned Bus (22 seater). Everyone will have two seats.

Entrance and archeological zone fees.

Porters at the airports and when ever necessary.

Video and camera fees for the whole trip.

Tipping to the locals and to the models.

Donations to the monasteries and to the schools.

Meals: Breakfast , lunch and dinners at hotels.

Balloon Ride Over Bagan.

Boat fees for Mingun, Ava, Amarapura and Inle lake.

Horse cart fare for Ava with sightseeing.

Drinking water in the buses.

SIM cards for everyone for cell phone. ($20 card which is for 20 minutes)

Maps for everyone.

Guide fees for the tour guide

Price does not include:

Visa Fees

International airfare

Airport departure tax

Drinks and personal shopping

Payment schedule

A deposit of $400 per person is required when registering more than 120 days before the trip, and the balance is due 120 days before the departure date of the trip. When registering within 120 days of the trip departure date, full payment is due at the time of registering. If full payment is not received by the due date, we have the right to cancel your reservation and retain deposit and trip fee per the payment schedule.

If you need to cancel your reservation, we must receive written notice, at which time the following fees apply:

- 120 days or more before departure: 100% of deposit

- 119 to 91 days before departure: 50% of trip fee

- 90 or fewer days before departure: 100% of trip fee

This photo tour and workshop is offered as a complete package. Once the trip commences, we do not provide partial refunds for any cancellation or unused portion or service for any reason.

To register and pay for the Ancient Myanmar Photo Tour and Workshop (Optional 3-day Thailand Extension):

1. Please print out and complete the following forms. Send the completed and signed forms via mail to:

International Photo Tours

10710 35th Avenue SW

Seattle, WA 98146

Or FAX the forms to 206-332-0990

Registration Form
Release and Assumption of Risk Form
Health and Insurance Form

2. Pay the Deposit. To pay the $400 deposit, click Pay Now, which will take you to our Pay Pal website.

3. Pay the balance, which is due is 120 days before the trip departure date. Select from the options below (Myanmar Workshop only; Myanmar Workshop plus single room option; Myanmar Workshop plus Thailand 3-day Extension; Myanmar and Thailand Workshops with single room option for both). To pay, click Pay Now below, which will take you to our Pay Pal website. Please note: When registering within 120 days of the trip departure date, please pay both the deposit (Pay Now button above) and the balance due (Pay Now button below).

For additional information, please contact Gavriel Jecan at jgavriel@gmail.com

Space is limited for the photo tours and workshops.
The small group size allows for maximum photographic opportunities.

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