Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
10.30am-9.30pm)
;
Htet Naing
( 09 4283 32317)
, who can also be contacted via Thu Thu
(
09
GOOGLE MAP
4283 72118;
htwe.sunny@yahoo.com
;
cnr Lan Ma Taw St & Yone Gyi Rd;
7am-8pm)
.
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
TREKKING FROM INLE LAKE TO KALAW
Instead of enduring yet another crowded, vomit-inducing bus ride, consider walk-
ing the distance between Inle Lake and Kalaw. There are numerous alternative
routes to take you to your destination, and depending on the route that you and
your guide agree upon, the journey can take between two and four days.
Although scenic, it's important to understand that this trek is more of a cultural
(or even agricultural) experience than a nature walk. The only real forest you'll en-
counter is just outside Kalaw, and the bulk of the trek passes through relatively
modern Pa-O and Danu settlements and extensive wheat, rice, tea, potato, sesame
and chilli plantations. At some points you'll be walking on footpaths, while other
parts of the trek are on roads (both paved and unpaved) or even along train tracks.
You'll most likely spend one night with a Pa-O or Danu family and another at a
Buddhist temple.
There are numerous alternate long and short routes; some choose to go by car
to Lamaing and walk to Kalaw in one day, while other guides have found ways to ex-
tend the trip to four nights. Discuss the options with your guide. If you're doing the
standard three-day option, you'll most likely begin at one of the lakeside villages of
Inthein, Tone Le, Thandaung or Khaung Daing. In general, you can expect at least
four hours of mostly level walking each day, the only truly steep part being the as-
cent from Thandaung at Inle Lake. The second day passes through hilly agricultur-
al areas, and as you approach Kalaw on day three, the trek passes through tall
mountains fringed with pine trees and tea plantations.
The winter months are the best time to do the trek, the only downside being that
you'll almost certainly run into other trekkers - nights with as many as 50 people
sleeping at the monastery have been reported. During the rainy season many of
the roads are irritatingly muddy and slippery. Leeches and mosquitoes can also be
a problem.
Guides can arrange to have your bags transported to a hotel in Nyaungshwe, so
you carry only what you need for the walk - a towel and a torch (flashlight) are
good extras to bring along.
If arranging your trek from Inle Lake, expect to pay from approximately $15 to
$30 per person, per day, in groups of two or more. Rates include food, but not the
cost of shipping your gear to your destination (per bag K3000), if you want to do
so, and the boat fee at Inle Lake (from K8000 to K18,000).
