Myanmar in photos

David Fritz recently traveled to Myanmar where he enjoyed a trip tailored to his passion for photography.

By Audley Travel

June 9^th, 2017

Having traveled extensively for the past forty years both for business and leisure (my passion is photography) I have always preferred traveling solo as opposed to being in a group with a fixed tour agenda. However, traveling solo to the more exotic destinations sometimes requires a skilled travel outfitter, especially where in-country expertise is both a necessity and an enhancement. Though there are a plethora of companies that offer travel adventure services, finding one that understands my particular preferences and more importantly, delivers on that, is no easy task.

I liken my search for the right travel outfitter to finding the right architect. I may know what type of home I want to build but I do not have the know-how to design it. For me, customized travel requires comparable expertise, understanding and skill.

Earlier this year I found Audley Travel through my internet search in laying the groundwork for a planned trip to Myanmar. It was on that first phone call to Audley Travel when I was introduced to Jack, their specialist for S.E. Asia. I began by telling Jack about my “architect” analogy and he confidently responded that what I was looking for is exactly what Audley Travel is about.

Several weeks ago I returned from my Myanmar trip and I can enthusiastically report that Jack and Audley Travel not only delivered, they exceeded my expectations. As I had hoped, my travels in Myanmar were both immersive and authentic as evidenced by some 8,000 images I captured in Yangon, Bagan, Inle Lake and the Shan State hill country, not to mention so many wonderful people I met along the way.

In the planning and fine-tuning of my itinerary Jack was always accessible and responsive. More importantly, his travels in Myanmar provided insight and guidance that were invaluable. Further, we designed the itinerary around what I was hoping to see as much as what I wanted to avoid.

I said I wanted guides that would be sensitive to my photography wishes and Audley Travel provided guides that not only understood photography but also knew the all the right places for taking some amazing pictures. I said I did not want to be locked in to a fixed schedule and needed flexibility whether to catch a sunrise or a sunset or stay longer in a village and sure enough, each day’s planned activity could be adjusted on the fly. I said I did not want to be in steered to the usual tourist places or “gotch-ya” shops and sure enough we often went off the “beaten path”. I wanted to see authentic village life and my guides took me to some isolated villages, even trekking 4 hours to stay overnight in a hill country village’s monastery. And along the way, my guides introduced me to many families who I found to be among the warmest and most hospital people you will ever meet.

I can recite example after example of Audley Travel’s services, from the developing of my (not their) itinerary to the selection of guides, flights and accommodations. I came home without any second thoughts, disappointments or regrets. Audley Travel designed (and delivered) a travel experience in Myanmar that was both personal and memorable.