Southeast Asia Festival Photo Tour and Workshop

Oct 30 - Nov 18, 2011

 

South East Asia has a storied history thousands of years old.  The kingdoms that have occupied these lands left plenty of evidence for you to find.  The people that live here today are both friendly and interesting. This tour leads you to some of the most photogenic sites in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia including two different festivals.  You will come home with jaw dropping photos of the people that live here and the temples, pagodas, monasteries, cities, villages and farms they live, work and worship in.

 

SE Asia Festival Photo Tour & Workshop is specifically designed for people that want to experience these mystical travel destinations while improving their travel photography skills.  You will start your journey in Bangkok, a modern international city with many colorful attractions of its own.  You will travel through northern Thailand into Laos, down to Cambodia and back to Bangkok.  Along the way, the best sites have been chosen to maximize your photo opportunities at the best time of day.

 

The tour starts in Bangkok, Thailand where you will explore the Bangkok canals and the temples along them.  You will visit two interesting markets, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and the Samut Songkhram market on the train tracks.  In the afternoon you’ll visit a couple of the highlights of Bangkok, the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.  The next day you will fly to Chiang Rai to visit the rural side of Thailand with visits to Palong, Lisu, Shan, Karen and Akha hill tribe villages.

 

From Chiang Rai you will travel to the border of Laos and board a riverboat for a two-day cruise on the Mekong River.  You will have plenty of opportunities to photograph rural life along the river the first day.  On the second day you will visit the Pakbeng market and the Pak Ou Caves before arriving in Luang Prabang, one of the most photogenic cities in Laos.  Here you will have the opportunity to photograph dozens of monks collecting alms from devotees as well as the temples and monasteries they live and work at.  You will visit an elephant camp where you will have an opportunity to ride and photograph these magnificent beasts.  You will also visit a nearby weaving village where the residents make fine silk cloth.  You will have several opportunities for impressive sunset photos too from the riverfront and the top of Mount Phousi.

 

After a few days in Luang Prabang, you will fly to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, which will be preparing for the That Luang Festival.  You will visit Wat Simuang in the evening to photograph the candelight procession starting the festival.  You will also visit the That Luang Stupa in the early morning for Tak Bat, watch Tikhy being played and enjoy the festival’s fireworks display.  People watching will be the main attraction though as people tend to dress up and celebrate during festivals.  While in Vientiane you will also visit the morning fresh market and the Ban Keune Salt Mines.

 

From Vientiane you will fly to Phnom Penh, Cambodia where they are preparing for the Water Festival.  You will visit several sites around town including the National Museum and Royal Palace but the highlight here is the boat races.  Teams of rowers race their long boats in the river to claim bragging rights.  Again, it is people watching at the festival that makes this so photogenic.

 

After 2 days in Phnom Penh, you will fly to Siem Reap to begin exploring Angkor Wat and the surrounding area.  You will have both sunrise and sunset photo ops here and will visit other temple complexes too including Taprohm, Angkor Thom, Banyon and Banteay Srei.  You will also visit Tonle Sap Lake to see the floating villages by boat and see a traditional dance show at dinner one evening.  You even have an opportunity to see the Angkor region from the air via Skyventure flight or stationary balloon.  On your way out of Siem Reap, you will stop at a craft school where you can photograph students practicing the local arts and crafts.

 

With one final flight, the tour ends where it began, back in Bangkok where you will have a free afternoon for shopping before your farewell dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River.  The next day you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home or onward bound.

 

Trip Ratings

 

Physical Demands: 2      Comfort: 3 - 4      Culture Shock: 3

 

• Tour Cost: $8,500 per person

• Single Supplement Fee: $1,600 per person

 

For more information, a detailed itinerary and application can be downloaded by clicking on the links below.

 

Southeast Asia 2011 Itinerary

 

Southeast Asia Application