Description

This journey through Thailand will be a visual feast that will inspire you to create stunning photographs reflecting cross-cultural learning and deep respect for the places you visit. Travel from the busy streets of Chiang Mai deep into the mountains of the north, where you'll visit remote Hill Tribe villages. Here you will live like the locals as you sleep on mats in traditional Hill Tribe houses with thatched roofs and bamboo floors. These remote village home stays offer the opportunity to document daily life and rituals just like a working photojournalist.

From here you'll travel to the Rustic Pathways Hill Tribe Orphanage, which provides a home for Karen children who have been separated from their families because of the conflict in Burma. After touring the Orphanage and sharing a meal with everyone, you will head out into the rice fields to capture portraits of the locals planting their crops. This part of the country provides the perfect backdrop for creating stunning images of rural life in Thailand.
The Intriguing Hill Tribes of the North
From the orphanage you will travel north for an elephant ride through the dense jungles of Mae Hong Son Province. Top it off with a boat ride downriver to see a long-neck Kayan village nestled against the Burmese border. The trip will end in Chiang Mai, where you'll have a relaxing traditional Thai massage, edit your photographs with your guides and fellow students, and shop for souvenirs and crafts at the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.

Whether you're an enthusiastic beginner or a shooter for your school newspaper, the trip will offer plenty of opportunities to hone your skills. But the trip is also about more than just making beautiful images. You will learn what it means to "communicate" with individuals from a different culture using nothing more than your camera. Storytelling is an art, and we aim to give you the tools you need to tell the stories of the people you meet along the way.

What Are You Waiting For?
Your guide throughout the journey will be a professional photographer who has spent ample time in Thailand and Burma. He will help you get to know both the culture and your camera. Grab your camera, clean your lenses and get ready for an adventure through one of Asia's most beautiful countries!

Highlights

TRAVEL through beautiful Northwestern Thailand alongside professional photographers who will teach you concrete skills and introduce you to amazing people and stunning places.

CAPTURE village life deep in the mountains, sunsets over stunning pagodas, and gracious monks receiving morning alms.

BECOME a real photojournalist as you travel from place to place, photographing the various Hill Tribe people and learning about the many issues that affect their daily lives.

HONE your documentary skills during stays in traditional Karen villages, where you will photograph daily life.

CONNECT with Hill Tribe people as you shoot incredible photographs and deepen your technical understanding with tutoring from our accomplished staff photographers.

Type of Programs

• Cultural Exploration

Languages

• English
• Thai

Cost in US$:

USD 1,695 + 285 Internal Airfare

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, professional photographer critiques, and all excursions on the program itinerary not listed as optional.

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983