THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 348

nice monastery at its northern end; in addition, the lake also makes a lovely sight during the
silence of night-time, when twinkly lights are turned on around the shoreline.
TREKKING AROUND PINDAYA
The three-day route from Kalaw to Inle Lake is absolutely fantastic , but there are also
trekking opportunities around Pindaya itself; best is the five-hour hike up to Yazagyi, a
Padaung village up in the mountains. Ask at the Golden Cave hotel, or the Old Home
Tour Information Centre ( 081 66188) on the crossroads beside the market. Both charge
around $15per person per day including food,plus a small donation foraccommodation at
a monastery.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: PINDAYA
By plane Heho airport is 65km from Pindaya; a taxi will set you back at least K45,000.
If that's too steep, you could walk the 2km south to the main road and find a bus or pick-
up heading west to Aungban; from there, it's easy to find a pick-up (K1000) or motorbike
(K7000) for the remaining 1hr 30min to Pindaya. Heading from Pindaya to the airport, you
couldmakeuseofthefewdailybusesto Taunggyi , thoughobviouslythesemaynotdepartat
times appropriate for you.
By bus Pindaya doesn't crop up on many schedules, though there are two daily buses
(5.30amand5.45am),andtwodailyminibuses(6amand2pm),toTaunggyi(3hr30min),de-
parting from the junction outside the Dagon restaurant/beer station. These are useful if head-
ing to Inle Lake; they'll drop you off in Shwenyaung (3hr into the trip). Coming from the
lake it's harder for sure; be at the Shwenyaung junction by 2pm, and hope against hope that
there's still a seat for you.
By pick-up and motorbike taxi These are the cheapest ways to hit Pindaya from Kalaw.
There are no direct pick-ups; heading from Kalaw, first get yourself to Aungban (K700
by pick-up, K3000 by motorbike), then change to another pick-up (K1000), or motorbike
(K7000) if you can brave 1hr 30min on a dusty, bumpy (though scenic) road.
Bytaxi Since Pindaya isn't the easiest place to reach on public transport, do think about tak-
ing a taxi: it'll be a minimum K35,000 to Kalaw, or more like K55,000 to visit the caves and
head to Nyaungshwe.
ACCOMMODATION
Pindaya is not the most wi-fi-friendly destination - don't count on it at any of the following
accommodation options, though they may have internet-ready terminals in the common
areas.
Conqueror Resort Shwe Oo Min Rd, southwest of the lake 081 66355, conquerorres-
orthotel.com . Located near the caves, this large, resort-like complex was pretty enough when