8 Days • 7 Nights
Inle Lake & Kalaw Trekking Adventure
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll spend two days walking gentle mountain trails past terraced fields and the villages of the Palaung, Danu and Pa-O peoples, staying overnight in a monastery or village homestay, before descending to the shimmering waters of Inle Lake for its floating gardens and stilted villages. Bagan's temples add a cultural bookend.
With comfortable hotels, expert local guides and the trek fully supported, it is an active, immersive way to see the country.
Trip Highlights
- A two-day trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake
- Tribal villages of the Palaung, Danu and Pa-O peoples
- Terraced fields and cool pine-clad hills
- A monastery or village homestay night
- Inle Lake's leg-rowing fishermen and floating gardens
- Stilted villages and lotus-silk workshops
- The golden Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon
- An active, authentic Myanmar experience
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Arrive and visit the glorious Shwedagon Pagoda at dusk, with a welcome dinner.
Fly to Heho and drive to the cool colonial hill town of Kalaw, set among pine forests, with an afternoon to explore its market and get your bearings.
Set off on foot through terraced fields and tribal villages of the Palaung and Danu peoples, with lunch in a village and an overnight in a monastery or homestay.
Continue down through farmland and villages to the edge of Inle Lake, boarding a boat across the shimmering water to your lakeside hotel.
A full day on the lake — floating gardens, stilted villages, the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda and lotus-silk workshops, with a lakeside lunch.
Cruise to the atmospheric Indein, a hillside of crumbling, moss-covered stupas reached along a reedy creek, with a village market visit.
A free day to relax by the lake, cycle the shore, or add a winery visit in the hills above Inle.
A final breakfast before your boat and transfer to Heho airport for your onward flight.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and a private guide and driver
- 1 night Yangon, 1 night Kalaw, 1 night on trek (monastery/homestay), 3 nights Inle Lake
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, and all meals on the two-day trek
- A Yangon Shwedagon visit on arrival
- A fully guided and supported two-day trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake
- An Inle Lake boat tour with floating gardens and villages
- Domestic flights Yangon-Heho and Heho-Yangon
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Myanmar
- Myanmar eVisa fees (we can assist)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Camera and zone fees where not stated
- Optional excursions, experiences and hot-air balloon flights
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most nationalities need a Myanmar eVisa, applied for online before you travel, with a passport valid at least six months. We can point you to the official portal
- Travel advisories: Conditions in Myanmar can change, so please review your government's latest travel advice and ensure your travel insurance covers the destination before booking
- Cash economy: Myanmar runs largely on cash. Bring clean, crisp, unmarked US dollar notes to exchange, and the local currency is the Myanmar Kyat; cards are rarely accepted outside top hotels
- Temple etiquette: You must remove shoes and socks at all pagodas and monasteries, and cover shoulders and knees. Slip-on footwear makes this much easier
- Best season: The cool, dry season from November to February is by far the best time; March to May is very hot, and June to October brings monsoon rain
- Heat: Central Myanmar (Bagan and Mandalay) is extremely hot from March to May, so start sightseeing early and carry water and sun protection
- Getting around: Small domestic flights link Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and the Inle Lake gateway of Heho, all arranged for you
- Health: Drink only bottled or boiled water, use mosquito repellent and consider anti-malarial advice for rural areas. Comprehensive travel insurance is essential
- Respect: Monks are highly revered; women should not touch them or hand items directly. Never point your feet at people or Buddha images, and always ask before photographing people
- Connectivity & power: Mobile data via a local SIM is cheap but can be slow in remote areas. Bring a universal adapter (Myanmar uses several plug types at 230V)
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific meals named in the itinerary, such as an Inle Lake lunch. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy Myanmar's fragrant curries and street food.
Are transfers and touring private?
Yes — you travel with your own licensed guide and private driver (or boat on Inle Lake), so everything is arranged for you.
Do I need a visa for Myanmar?
Most visitors need a Myanmar eVisa, applied for online before travel. We can guide you to the official portal and requirements.
When is the best time to visit?
November to February is ideal — cool, dry and clear. March to May is very hot, especially in Bagan, and June to October is the green, quieter monsoon season.
Do I need cash?
Yes — Myanmar is largely a cash economy. Bring clean, crisp US dollar notes to exchange, as cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels and ATMs can be unreliable.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can add Ngapali Beach, a river cruise or a balloon flight over Bagan. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between the sights?
By short domestic flights between Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay and Heho (for Inle Lake), plus private cars and boats — all included and arranged.
How hard is the Kalaw to Inle trek?
It is a moderate two-day walk of around 20-25 km on gentle mountain trails, suitable for anyone reasonably fit. Your guide sets an easy pace and a support vehicle carries your main luggage to Inle.
What are the homestays like?
Simple but welcoming — a monastery hall or a village family home with basic shared facilities. It is a highlight of the trek and a rare window into rural Shan life.
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