A Photo Cultural Journey with photographer Lewis Kemper

On this photographic journey we will take time to experience and photograph the fascinating aspects of daily life in contemporary and traditional Myanmar and be at the incomparable World heritage site of Angkor Wat for the full moon.

Although their emphasis is on photography, our Photo Cultural tours are suitable for any adventurous traveler looking for a vacation that is out of the ordinary. In addition to our photography expert, the tours are also fully escorted by a cultural guide.

Departure: October 15 – 30, 2015

Outline Itinerary

Day 1: DEPART USA

Day 2: ARRIVE YANGON – Met on arrival and transferred to our hotel. Depending on your arrival time you may have time to explore the city. This evening we will meet as a full group for the first time. We will have an orientation meeting, followed by our group “welcome dinner.” An early night as we have a pre-dawn departure to historic Bagan.

Day 3: TO BAGAN – This morning transfer to Yangon’s airport for the flight to historic, ancient Bagan. During its golden age in the 12th Century, Bagan was known as “the city of four million pagodas.” Visit the Gubyaukgyi Temple, an Indian-style monument that features exquisite interior murals. On the way back to Old Bagan, visit the Shwesandaw, a graceful 11th Century temple. Climb the terraces, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding temples, including the 14th Century Shwegugyi temple.

Day 4: EXPLORING BAGAN – After our sunrise shoot, we will head out into the countryside to Mt. Popa visiting villages along the way. Sunset will find us back on the "fields of Pagodas."

Days 5, 6: IN MANDALAY – Mandalay provides visitors with a wonderful glimpse into the imperial era in 19th-century British Burma. On arrival in Mandalay, our sightseeing tour will include a visit to the Mahamuni Image, covered with a very thick layer of pure gold leaves weighing between 3-5 tons, followed by visits to a wood carving, tapestry and gold-leaf workshops. We will photograph the U Bein teak bridge at sunset.

Days 7, 8, 9: IN INLAY LAKE - We fly to Heho airport and then drive to the lake famous for its scenic beauty and the unique 'leg-rower fisherman" of Inthas - the native lake dwellers. We have three relaxing days days at this very photogenic site so plenty of photography opportunities. We will also visit the Indien ruins, the 'lotus-silk' weavers and Pagodas built on islands.

Day 10: TO YANGON –Departing Inlay, we make the return flight to Yangon, where we will have afternoon to to take in some additional sites and to enjoy your last evening in Myanmar. Our final sunset in Burma, will find us at the marvelous Shwedagon Pagoda

Day 11: TO SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - This morning we fly to Cambodia (via Bangkok) to explore the World heritage site - the temples at Angkor Wat - a location that should be on very photographer's 'bucket list."

Days 12, 13, 14: AT ANGKOR WAT - We have three additional days to explore and photograph the various sites. Amongst other we will visit the famous Ta Prohn which has been taken over by nature. Angkor Thom with its giant Buddha heads making up the large temple complex. We will also explore the fishing villages on Tonle Sap Lake and of course the regions crowning glory, Angkor Wat.

Sunrises and sunset will find us at strategic spots for photography and we have also timed our tour to be at Angkor Wat during a full moon. If weather (cloud cover) cooperates we will be photographing the moon rise on Angkor Wat.

Day 15: MORNING IN ANGKOR WAT, DEPART CAMBODIA - We have the day to continue our exploration of the region. Depending on your international flight timing you will be transferred to the airport after lunch or later in the day.

Day 16: ARRIVE USA

Download detail PDF itinerary here.

To book this trip please call us at 1-800- MY INDIA.

Lewis Kemper

Lewis has been photographing the natural beauty of North America, and its park lands for over 33 years specializing in nature and outdoor photography. His work has been exhibited and published in magazines, books, and calendars worldwide. Lewis has taught photography for many organizations including Palm Beach Photographic Centre, Santa Fe Workshops, Lepp Institute, Light Workshops and BetterPhoto.com. He is the author of The Yosemite Photographer's Handbook, and The Yellowstone Photographer's Handbook.

Lewis’ monograph, “Capturing the Light” won the People’s Choice Awards in Fine Art in the 2009 Photography.Book.Now competition. His latest publication “Photographing Yosemite Digital Field Guide” was voted in the top 20 field guides. Lewis also produces the acclaimed digital imaging training DVD’s “The Photographer’s Toolbox for Photoshop®” and the “Photographer’s Toolbox for Lightroom”. Lewis is a contributing editor to Outdoor Photographer, and NANPA’s Currents magazine. He has been selected to Canon’s Explorers of Light program featuring 50 of the country’s most influential photographers.

For more on Lewis, please visit his website.

Call us toll free at 1-800 MY INDIA (1-800-694-6342) or email us to request a detailed day-to-day itinerary.

“You really went the extra mile too, in getting us to locations in time for sunrise or sunsets so that we could get those “KILLER” shots.” 
- William Barton

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Nat Temple, Mt. Popa

Burmese Girl

Meditating monk

Leg rowers, Inle Lake

Temples at Angkor Wat

Detail, Angkor Wat