A new year, a new list of adventures to plan.
Before you finalise your 2020 itineraries, flick through this list of unique photographic travel destinations for the upcoming year. By the end, you might find yourself making space for an extra stopover or two (or changing your destinations completely)!
Inle Lake, Myanmar (Burma)
Vast and serene, Inle Lake is located in central Burma and is renowned for its one-legged rowing fishermen. Floating gardens fringe the idyllic lake while stilt-house villages and Buddhist temples lay below the rolling hills – making for beautiful landscape photographic images. Filled with rich culture and an indescribable charm there are plenty of unique photography opportunities.
Myanmar (Burma) recommended shot list:
- Inle Lake to see fisherman, temples, markets and floating gardens
- U Bein bridge
- Temples of Bagan
- Padaung to meet the Kayan tribes
- Rice paddies at Kyaing Tong
- Buddhist pilgrimage to Sagaing
- Diving in Myeik Archipelago
Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Tuk Tuk to idyllic beaches where you share footsteps with the local stick fishermen and occasional surfer. Capture the bustling seaside towns and markets, while sampling traditional cuisine. Or hire a Jeep and explore national parks to witness an abundance of elephants, big cats and black bears along with magical birdlife. The diversity of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka is guaranteed to excite the most adventurous photographer.
Sri Lanka recommended shot list:
- Sigiriya Rock
- Kandy to Ella train trip
- 9 Arches Bridge in Ella (be sure to check the train times and ensure you are there for when the infamous blue train crosses the bridge!)
- Day trip to Diyaluma Waterfalls south of Ella
- Weligama Beach to watch the stick Fisherman
- National park safaris
- Whale-watching in Trincomalee (most sightings occur in March/April and August/September)
Aswan, Egypt
As a less familiar destination of Egypt, escape the crowds and take the opportunity to look twice and notice the enormity and tranquillity of the Nile, the dramatic the black-granite boulders, the magic of the Abi Simbel temples and colours flooding the waterfront villages of Nubian.
Egypt recommended shot list:
- Magical Abi Simbel (the best time to visit is between February and March)
- Feluccas boat ride down the Nile at sunset
- Philae Temple
- The Tombs of Nobles or go further to Nubian Village
- Mohamed Mahmoud Street graffiti
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Lose yourself in the remarkable vistas of Salar de Uyuni, which stretch over 10 thousand square kilometres. Each season (or day) can provide photographers with a variety of photographic opportunities. For example, travel when the salt has a trick crust and reveal polygonal patterns or rather during the wet season when a thin layer of water turns the flats into a landscape of reflections. Be sure to pack your wide lens and battery pack.
Bolivia recommended shot list:
- Jeep tour on the Salar de Uyuni (the world’s largest salt flat)
- Lake Titicaca
- La Paz cable car ride
- The Death Road
- Madidi National Park
- Oruro Carnival (mid-February)
- Vineyards of Tarija
Namibia, West Africa
Home to the planet’s oldest Desert (Namib), enormous sand dunes and incredible wildlife viewing make Namibia full of unimaginable natural landscapes and panoramic views. With endless photographic opportunities at every angle, the magnificence of West Africa is a must for any passionate travel photographer looking to get off the beaten path.
Namibia recommended shot list:
- White clay pan of Deadvlei
- Remote Kunene region to meet the Himba tribe
- Dune 7 (highest sand dune in the world)
- Ai-Ais Hot Springs
- Skydive in Swakopmund and search for shipwrecks
- Sand dunes of Sesriem in the Namib Desert
Geilo, Norway
Geilo is a seasonal destination so be sure to plan your trip accordingly. Snow-covered terrain during the winter months attracts photographers seeking to witness the northern lights while the summer provides an abundance of natural and dramatic natural landscapes.
Norway recommended shot list:
- Oslo Opera House
- The Arctic coastline for polar bears, whales and wildlife
- Sognefjord or Geiranger Fjord
- Hike the Seven Mountains
- Tromso Fjords for the northern (November to March)
- Snowsports in Geilo
Kochi, India
Kochi is located on a breathtaking estuary in South-West India and holds a rich history which has shaped the intriguing mix of attractions to draw the modern explorer. A combination of Indian, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and English heritage lends way to a medieval fishing village with a vibrant culture, Keralan art and the Fort Kichi – renowned for its picturesque sunset shot with the iconic fishing nets.
South West India recommended shot list:
- Fishermen of Fort Kochi
- Holi Festival in Kolkata
- Sadhus (holy men) of Varanasi
- Hippie trail to Anjuna
- Kaziranga National Park
- Darjeeling tea fields
- Monasteries of Sikkim
- The romantic white city of Udaipur
Antigua, Guatemala
Flooded with character, Antigua’s beauty is both calming and unbelievably breathtaking. The pastel facades of the colonial buildings line the streets beneath the enormity of three volcanoes. Meander down streets, past buildings and through markets capturing the rich character then adventure out to the volcanoes and coffee plantations.
Antigua recommended shot list:
- Lake Atitlan
- Antigua Guatemala
- Tajumulco Volcano
- Bustling streets of Arco de Santa Catalina
- Los Mates Waterfall
- Santa Catarina painted homes
- El Peten virgin rainforests
- Monterrico Natural Reserve
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