Inle Lake to Kalaw - Day 1/3
We started our trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake, a classic on the backpacking circuit in Myanmar. So don't expect to be alone on this adventure.
The guide, Hla Soe, was waiting for us with a French couple, Jonathan and Lisa, who end up being funny, great people and very easy going. We had such a great time with them that it made our hike a complete success. One of the best experience we had in Myanmar.
We paid 52 dollars each for the 3-days hike including the guide, all the meals, tea and coffee, basic accommodations in the villages, luggage transfer between hotels, a boat ride from the south of Inle Lake to Nyaungshwe and free unlimited cold showers. The more you have in the group, the cheaper is become, but we found 4 people to be the perfect number. 52 USD was a bargain anyway, and we practically saved money by being on this adventure. We paid for the beers, soft drinks and bottled water but the prices were reasonable.
Unfortunately, the weather was bad, and it was pouring down until lunch. Equipped with our raincoats, we walked without really enjoying the views - as there was no view to admire. For lunch, we had chapati with curry at a hilltop restaurant with no visibility on what was supposed to be the perfect viewpoint. Indeed, it was still pouring down, and we were struggling to keep warm.
And then, the rain stopped, and the sky cleared up in minutes. We could eventually enjoy the spectacular views of the valleys, mountains and villages below from our panoramic viewpoint.
With a full belly, we kept on walking passing through hill tribe villages, rice paddies fields, vegetables and chilli gardens and a number of schools. The guide was knowledgeable, genuine and playful. He would stop and talk with the locals and Kro met kids from the different schools.
We continued on, walking on train tracks for a while until we reached a train station for another break. We got off the train tracks and walked on dirt roads until we reached the village where we would stay for the night.
We slept at the guide home and met his wife and kids. The cook also joined us to prepare a delicious dinner with so many dishes including French Belgian fries - David's favourite meal! We drank four bottles of Myanmar beer with our new road companions hoping to have a good night sleep.
Practical Information
Essential packing list for the Kalaw to Inle Lake trek
- Pack light! You'll carry your bag for three days. The heavier your pack, the harder the trek becomes.
- Good walking shoes (muddy and slippery conditions), 3 pairs of socks (wet feet are miserable), 2-3 shirts, convertible pants, warm clothes for freezing evenings
- Headlamp for dark showers and nighttime bathroom trips, towel for cold showers, toiletries, first aid kit (band-aids, ibuprofen, anti-itch cream)
- Water bottle (bottled water available during breaks at 300-500 kyat), hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toilet paper, sunscreen, mosquito repellent (helps with leeches too)
- Poncho or raincoat - tropical rain can happen anytime in Myanmar
- Cash for tips, snacks, bottled water, and beers along the way. Water: 300-500 kyat, Beer: 2000-2500 kyat
- Good camera to capture the stunning landscapes and village life
- Optional: Sleeping bag liner, mosquito net (not always provided), umbrella for sun protection
Note:
Pin These Moments
🏔️ Mountain Trek Adventure
Three days of trekking through Myanmar's stunning hill tribe villages and rice paddies, from Kalaw to Inle Lake.
🏡 Village Homestay Experience
Sleeping at our guide's home, meeting local families, and experiencing authentic Myanmar village life.
🌄 Breathtaking Valley Views
When the rain cleared, we were rewarded with spectacular views of valleys, mountains, and villages below.
Have you done the Kalaw to Inle Lake trek? Which trekking company did you use? How many days did you hike for? Leave us your comments below. We would love to hear from you.