Capture | Myanmar Photo Tour Highlights

Justin Kase Conder
WRITTEN BY
Justin Kase Conder

I have photographed all over the world, and Myanmar continues to be a place of mystery, warmth, and beauty to me. Travel to Myanmar and you realize the country and its people offer a unique view of the world—as if they’ve gone back in time.

Continue reading to see the photos from my Myanmar photography tours that illustrate my wonderment of this beautiful country.


One of the best things about working and photographing in a developing nation is that so many places rely on the actual light to illuminate the interiors of buildings. This provides a full, warm glow that one cannot find easily in developed parts of the world where artificial light is prevalent.

In the ancient city of the Bagan, between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed, of which the remains of over 2200 of them still survive today.

Like many countries around the world, has a varied climate depending on where in the country you find yourself, some regions are extremely arid and do not see but just a little rain each year.

As part of our community service efforts, we sponsored a water truck that visited and delivered water to a very rule and remote village where it had not rained for quite some time.

People who have not had the fortune of traveling often expressed concern about how they will be welcomed in lands foreign to their own.

Of the 38 countries I’ve traveled to as a photographer, I’ve yet to experience a place where people have not been warm and inviting. Without question this certainly includes the country of Myanmar.

One distinctive characteristic of Burma that separates itself from other Southeast Asian countries is the thanaka, or yellowish-white paste made from ground bark that children and women wear on their faces.

The creamy paste is applied to the face in varying designs, the most common being a circular patch on each cheek. Apart from its cosmetic beauty, thanaka also gives a cooling sensation and provides protection from sunburn.

One of my favorite types of photographs to capture are candid portraits. There is so much one can glean from looking into the eyes of another in a photograph. Here the pilot of a very small river boat looks into the setting sun as he pilots his craft across the Irrawaddy River.

Due to arid climate farmers often have to move their cattle to various locations in order that their cattle may graze on land that has tall grass. Sometimes this means crossing the deep waters of the deep waters of the Irrawaddy River.

One of the most fascinating parts of Burma is Inle Lake, the second largest lake in the country and a place vibrant with activity. Whether it be fishermen out on the water to gather their nets or water taxis ferrying people from one small village to another, it’s a beautiful and fascinating place, easily one of my favorite in the country.

Young women tend to the temples of Shwe Indein Pagoda near Inlay Lake. The care and upkeep of such sacred sited requires a tremendous amount of time and energy, particularly in the damp climates where overgrowth can quickly take over.

It’s easy to forget what the label “hand made” truly means until you have the opportunity to see it firsthand, as we did here on out visit to a stilted shop on Inlay Lake that weaves lotus strands into textiles.

The Mahagandayon Monastery in Mandalay serves hundreds of monks each day who come from throughout Burma to study there. It’s a sight to behold.

Having led Rustic Pathways programs for six years in more than 18 countries, one of the things that still hits me at the core is how quickly people who have never met can grow so close. Whether students come from different countries, or staff, like my wonderful friend Minzo here and Max, whose lives are separated by 8,105 miles, their goodbyes looked like this after only a few weeks.

About the Author
Justin Kase Conder
International Photography Manager

Justin's insatiable curiosity and love of people inspire every aspect of his photography. Over the past 18 years, his work as a photographer has taken him to every U.S. state and 39 countries around the world. A native of California, he has worked as a photographer for USA Today and The Associated Press. Justin has photographed and led service and adventure programs all around the world for Rustic Pathways. He also coordinates the hiring and training of all of our summer Photographer Guides.