TOUR TYPE:

Private Photography Tour

TOur Length:

Days

Departure Date:

November 3, 2023

Myanmar by Rail

Follow in the footsteps of Kipling and Theroux

Discover magical Myanmar along the tracks of its nationwide railway, from bustling Yangon to the ancient temples of Bagan, exotic Mandalay to the placid waters of Inle Lake. We climb aboard for a photographic adventure, following in the footsteps of Kipling and Theroux. Myanmar’s railways are slow but scenic, and highlights of the trip include the slow train from Inle Lake to Kalaw, and a jaw-dropping trip across the Gokteik Viaduct. Along the way we document a country on the cusp of incredible change. Our photographic tour leaders will help you to develop your composition and storytelling skills, and our team of local guides welcome us to the real Myanmar.

This is a premium photographic adventure, and we’ll enjoy beautiful accommodation and delicious cuisine throughout the trip. When not on the train, we travel by spacious and comfortable minibus, with an extra vehicle to transport our luggage between accommodation. At the same time, our close connection to the people of this region, local friendships and many years of experience give us unparalleled access to the authentic life of local Burmese. As working photographers and journalists, with many years of teaching experience, we provide you unique insights and knowledge about Myanmar and photographic storytelling.

Due to Covid 19 and current political events Myanmar by Rail has been postponed until further notice.

Expectations

This trip involves moderate activity: travelers should be in good health, comfortable walking or standing for extended periods, and prepared for several hours of activity on some days. Excursions may include navigating uneven terrain, and walking on paths with steep ascents/descents. Those who are prone to motion sickness may be uncomfortable on the train or during drives on bumpy roads. We will also spend one day aboard a tourist riverboat on the Irrawaddy River. Although the water here is very calm, those prone to motion sickness may feel uncomfortable. The Balloons Over Bagan trip is opt-in (with extra payment) and guests should only join this if comfortable with heights.

Guiding Team

Tour leader Mostafa Mansour is a documentary-style and travel photographer from Cairo who has been living in Southeast Asia for over three years. His work is mainly focused on capturing the daily life of people from different ethnicities, and photographing aspects of culture and street life with a journalistic approach. His photography has most recently featured in Vice Magazine, and he has documented numerous NGO projects in Vietnam and Indonesia.

Mansour has travelled extensively in Myanmar, and led acclaimed photography tours both here and in Vietnam.

Transportation

The trains in Myanmar are slow, creaky, bumpy, and sometimes late, but an unparalleled adventure. We will only be taking relatively short daytime journeys by train, of two to six hours maximum (according to schedule). The longest journey will be from Pyin Oo Lwin to Hsipaw (six hours), but this is also the most spectacular one, traversing the immense Gokteik Viaduct. The train journeys in general are a visual feast for photographers, and we’ll soon forget a bit of backache. Bathrooms on board vary in quality, but are generally serviceable. Dining facilities are not great, so we make sure to include as many meals before and after journeys as possible, and bring our own prepared picnics for the longer trips.

We’ll be taking three domestic flights during the trip, from Yangon to Inle Lake, from Inle to Mandalay and from Bagan to Yangon. We use Myanmar’s number one carrier, Myanmar Airways.

Our river cruise from Mandalay to Bagan is on a comfortable, modern tourist boat equipped with AC cabin, open deck and well-maintained bathroom and dining facilities.

At all other times, we travel by comfortable 16-seat, AC minibus.

Tour Add-Ons

Balloons over Bagan: $325

Enjoy a spectacular hot air balloon ride over the temples of Bagan

Seasonality

This is a small private group tour with designated departure dates. However we can tailor this tour or something similar for your required dates.

Due to Covid 19 and current political events Myanmar by Rail has been postponed until further notice.

What's included

Transfers upon arrival and departure
Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Daily activities and excursions as indicated in the itinerary
All gratuities

What's not included

Airfare to and from destination, as well as internal airfare where applicable
Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
Visas
Alcoholic beverages

Reviews

The tour was truly outstanding -- even better than I could have possibly expected -- and my son and I both enjoyed it immensely. We really liked every single shooting locale, and Mansour was a superb tour leader and enthusiastic and encouraging adviser; always up for an extra shoot (as were we), full of good ideas and aesthetic insights, patient and helpful, and excellent and worldly company besides. Between the sheer beauty (and warmth) of the Myanmar people, the extraordinary activities in the markets, fields, and workshops, the exotic and stunning structures, and the landscapes, it's simply an incredible place to visit.

Tour FAQ and Information

Tour Brochures

Please contact us directly and request a Brochure for this tour.

Tour Accommodation

Throughout the trip, we stay in quality 4 star hotels or the best mountain eco-lodges available locally. In some places there are shared bathroom facilities. There is a surcharge for single bookings. If you are open to sharing with someone outside your group, we will do our best to make sure your preferences are met.

Please contact us for more Information

Tour Transportation

Throughout the tour we travel by comfortable, air-conditioned 16 seat private minibus. There will be enough room in the vehicle to carry our maximum 5 guests, guide, driver, luggage and camera gear. Please however bring a maximum of 1 large suitcase, small daypack and/or camera bag.

Tour Pricing

Prices are per person based on double occupancy, and do not include international airfare to/from your destination or internal flights during the tour. Single supplement is available at request. Surcharges may apply to certain travel dates based on international or local holidays, as well as local events and festivals. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change. See the terms and conditions for this trip for more information

Please contact us for more Information

Early Bird Discounts

Yes. We offer a 5% early bird discount on all featured tours if bookings are received 12 months in advance of departure.

What is the Payment Process

We take an initial holding deposit of $500 per person, which is non-refundable (unless we call off the trip for some reason). The remainder is due 3 months in advance of the departure date. We also confirm tour departure at this point, and people can go ahead and book flights.

What are you Cancellation Fees

Our Cancellation policy includes the following fees and cut of periods:

90 to 61 days before departure is 25% of the trip price.

60 to 46 days before departure is 50% of the trip price.

45-0 days prior to departure is 100% of the trip price.

What is the maximum group size

We take a maximum number of 5 guests per 1 tour leader. With larger groups we will split between 2 tour leaders.

Tour Departures

Tour departures will be confirmed 3 months in advance, and depend on a minimum number of guests. Guests should not book flights until they receive confirmation of the tour departure.

Do I need insurance

Yes, you do. You will be asked to sign a legally-binding liability disclaimer before tour departure

Can my non-photographer partner and / or kids come along

Yes, they are most welcome.

What should I bring

Please see the What to Bring list included in each itinerary

Should I book my flight to arrive one or two days before the tour starts

It’s a good idea to do this, as you’ll have a chance to get over the jetlag and do a bit of exploring before the action begins. We can help you arrange accommodation and adventures.

Is everything included

Yes, apart from your own shopping and alcohol (but we’ll cover some wine and beer along the way, don’t worry)

How late can I book

As early as possible – tours book up fast

How late can I cancel and retrieve my payment

Please see terms and conditions included on each tour page

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Myanmar by Rail

Follow in the footsteps of Kipling and Theroux

Expectations

Guiding Team