We've teamed up with award-winning photographer, Alex Robinson to bring you this very special 12-day trip to Thailand. Alex's photographs have been featured in the Sunday Times, Footprint guidebooks, Conde Nast Traveller, the New York Times, Wanderlust magazine and many many more.
Please note that the pictures on this page are not Alex's, he's in Thailand right now putting some extra touches on this trip, so we'll update the page in a few days! In the meantime, you can see some award-winning snaps on his
website or his
Flickr page.
We've designed this 12-day photography holiday to mainly focus on landscapes and people, but we'll be taking different types of photos at different times of day and you will have access to Alex throughout the trip to brush up on your techniques and get tips to make the most of your camera. Whether you've just bought your first point and shoot or you're getting good with a digital SLR, you are guranteed to come back with amazing photographs to show your friends! (You can follow up with Alex personally via email or on our next trip in Sri Lanka which will focus on wildlife and beaches).
We will kick off the trip in bustling Bangkok before heading into the Central Plains and winding our way to Chiang Mai 'Rose of the North', which will act as our base there. We'll be in locations as diverse as city temples and rooftop bars, to fields of rice and strawberries and local markets from food to flowers and a special one where hilltribes trade their wares. And spectacular landscapes include those of Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain which has waterfalls, a 'sea of fog' and much more.
This will be a group trip with one departure date in March 2012 (with Sri Lanka in November 2012) and will be escorted by Alex throughout though of course there'll be lots of other people involved locally. Though you will be travelling with a group, you'll still get a chance to experience some of the special experiences that make up a Tell Tale trip.
Saturday 3rd March
London Heathrow at 6:15pm, meet Alex and to check in for your 9pm flight to Bangkok, it's overnight and direct (with Thai Airways or Eva Air). You can also book this trip without flights and meet us on Day 2, just tell us your flight details and one of our drivers will meet you at the airport (no supplementary charge).
Sunday 4th March
Afternoon arrival at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport and a 40 minute drive into the centre in one of our private air-conditioned minibuses to a centrally-located hotel. Time to settle in and enjoy the pool. This evening, we will have a special welcome dinner, we'll also discuss the trip even if you think you know what's to come.
Monday 5th March
And we're off! Today's focus is an introduction to photography (so if you think have all the basics covered, you can always have a lie in). We'll have a leisurely exploration of the Grand Palace with its ceremonial gardens and famous Emerald Buddha. We'll stop for an early lunch and then we'll visit neighbouring Wat Pho, one of Thailand's most beautiful temples, home to a giant reclining Buddha. Those with energy to spare can enjoy a late afternoon climb up the golden mount, from where there are sweeping views of Bangkok.
Tuesday 6th March
There's an optional early rise this morning to capture the bustling waterfront markets, where everything from flowers to exotic fruit and Buddha statues are sold wholesale. We'll follow this up with street photography in neighbouring China Town and a visit to the holy shrine of Wat Trimitir. After a leisurely mid-afternoon, we'll take a boat trip around the Thonburi canals to see the house boats and floating markets. We'll be back on the Chao Praya river by sunset, for spectacular shots of the temple Wat Arun and Bangkok's waterfront. Later on, we'll take photographs of the city whilst enjoying a cocktail at the spectacular Vertigo Sky Bar.
Wednesday 7th March
Time to pack up and for a last minute dip in the pool. In the late morning, we'll have a 1-1.5 hour drive to a sleepy traditional Thai village in the Central Plains where we will arrive at the Headman's house and meet him and his wife. We'll have time to settle in and enjoy the scenery, and plenty of opportunities to shoot locals tilling the brilliant emerald green paddy fields.
During the golden afternoon light, we're going to take a boat trip down the canal which runs through the village, not only will we capture life along the river, but we can also take part by feeding fish to make merit. We'll head back to the Headman's house for dinner and then we'll have a special moonlit demonstration of Thai dancing by the village's children. A great opportunity to learn how to get the most out of your camera flash. We're staying here tonight, the house is simple but spacious and a prime example of a traditional Thai teak house on stilts.
Thursday 8th March
We'll wake up early this morning to photograph the abundant birdlife in and around the paddyfields at sunrise and then the locals giving alms to saffron-robed monks who come to the village by boat and on foot. We'll have breakfast and pack up then drive to nearby Ayutthaya. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was a capital of Thailand's ancient Kingdom and is littered with majestic crumbling and jungle-covered temples, all of which make wonderful photographs. At the end of the day, we'll stop to have a shower and relax before we catch an overnight sleeper train north to Chiang Mai.
You also have the option of flying up Chiang Mai this evening, you would be met at the airport at the other end and taken to the hotel (and you can meet the others in the morning).
Friday 9th March
A leisurely arrival into Chiang Mai train station (if you've ever been on a train in Thailand, you'll know what we mean..) but luckily we have patient drivers, they'll wait till we get there. Then it's a 15-20 drive to our hotel in the centre and time to settle in and relax by the pool.
Free afternoon by the pool or for spa time, or you can spend some time with Alex for personal photo tips. In the evening, we'll explore Chiang Mai's famous night bazaar, so you can finesse flash technique as we photograph local people cooking at the food market and selling their arts and crafts.
Saturday 10th March
Today, we're visiting Doi Inthanon, Thailand's largest mountain, first stop waterfalls where you'll learn how to melt the water into mist on camera. We'll also photograph a sea of cloud hovering over the mountain peaks, tropical birds and butterflies and a beautiful hill top temple. We'll also visit a colourful hilltribe village on the mountain, the villagers here grow crops which are considered exotic for Thailand, such as strawberries and asparagus.
Sunday 11th March
A day at a unique sanctuary for elephants, Elephant Nature Park, set in the countryside outside Chiang Mai. We'll wander around the land taking photographs of the elephants going about their day, though you can also get involved if you prefer too.
This evening, there is an optional night on the town, there's time for a lie-in in the morning.
Monday 12th March:
There will be plenty of colour today with a visit to the Royal Flora show. This huge flower extravaganza is on for only 99 days (the number 9 is considered lucky in Thailand), held in honour of the birthday celebrations for Thailand's King, Queen and Crown Prince. A great place to practice close-up photography of everything from orchids to brilliantly coloured butterflies and birds. There will also be a diverse range of garden displays from countries the world over.
Tuesday 13th March
Early start, we're off to nearby Chiang Dao, home to what are thought to be Thailand's deepest caves. Haunted by ghosts too! We'll stay away from them though, we're going to take photos of the once-a-week market where hilltribes who live in the surrounding countryside come to trade their wares. We'll stop for lunch then we'll head back to Chiang Mai. You can have this last afternoon to yourself to enjoy the pool, a Thai massage at a nearby spa or do some last minute shopping.
This evening, we're having a special wrap up and farewell dinner with a chance to review all of your holiday photographs.
Wednesday 14th March
Breakfast and end of Tell Tale tour. There will be a minibus transfer to the airport at 8:15 am (15 minute drive) for a 10am flight to Bangkok to connect to a direct flight back to the UK, arriving at London Heathrow at approximately 7pm (same day UK time). We are also able to book your return flight on a different date at no extra charge. If you have booked your tour without flights, you are welcome to join this transfer to the airport.
This photography holiday costs costs £1,500 (or £2,100 with flights) including accommodation, photography and workshops with Alex, sightseeing and other activities/excursions, guides, most meals and transport in private comfortable air-conditioned minibuses and an overnight sleeper train. There is No Single Supplement and you get your own room. Please allow up to £50 for entrance fees.
If you would like to book without flights and meet the group on Day 2, the tour cost of £1,500 is approximately $2,347, EUR 1,739, CAD 2,434 and AUD 2,388.
Anyone who takes this trip will have the opportunity to follow up with Alex via email. You will also be able to follow up with him in person if you take a
photography holiday in Sri Lanka in November 2012 (if there are any places left!).
SECURE A LIMITED PLACE TODAY with a 20% deposit* Telephone us to book (or with any questions) on freephone 0800 011 2571 or if you're calling from a mobile, it's better to use 020 70 60 4571. From other countries + 44 207 060 4571. US Freephone 1 866 211 5972.
*Balance due in January 2012.
