Best of Inle Lake – 3 Days

Mingalabar – Welcome to Heho! Upon arrival, our guide and driver will welcome you at the airport. Enjoy a scenic drive to Pindaya with opportunities to stop and photograph the colourful farms and rolling hills of the Shan Plateau. In Pindaya, visit the limestone caves that house more than 8,000 Buddha well preserved statues of various sizes.  Continue to the handicraft village to see how the locals make the Shan parasols and paper. Finally, take the drive to Nyaung Shwe town, embark a long boat for a ride to resort in Inle lake.

Meal: N/A

Accommodations: Hotel in Inle Lake.

Being the 2nd largest freshwater lake in Myanmar, Inle Lake measures about 70 square kilometres. There are an estimated 70,000 people living in more than 200 villages on or around the lake. To get a real sense of the lake’s expanse, you will take a longboat cruise navigating pass floating gardens and stilt houses, observe the “one-leg rowing technique” of the Intha fisherman with incredible balance. It’s indispensable to immerse yourselves in the magnificent view of peaceful lake and cascading mountains.

Journey by boat to visit 5-day market which is rotating between 5 different lakeside villages on the period of 5 days. The market is a unique culture; people all around the lake and mountains come here to exchange not only their daily products but also the indigenous cultures. Next, you head to the most outstanding sites, including: Phaungdawoo Pagoda, the holiest one of Inle Lake with five 800-year-old golden Buddha images. In the afternoon, you continue to Ngaphechaung monastery, the biggest and oldest one over Inle Lake. Here you observe the unique architecture, remarkable collection of Buddha images (But it’s best known for the ‘jumping cats’. In the past, they were trained to jump through hoops in the air). From here, you proceed to Nam Pan village; cigar house, cotton and lotus weaving factory of Intha people. Wrap up the fruitful day trip with fantastic sunset over the beautiful lake.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodation: Hotel in Inle Lake

Boarding on boat again and sail toward Indein. Upon arrival, you take an easy walk through verdant bamboo groves to the hilltop of more than 1000 ruined stupas embracing the Shwe Indein pagoda in the middle. All were constructed during the 17th and 18th centuries. You then visit small communities living along the lake.

If time permits, stop for some moments at Inthar Heritage House on the way back. The restaurant reflects the style and elegance of the Inthar. It’s also a hotel and catering school, a gallery and a Cat Sanctuary for nearly extinct Burmese cats. Finally, you head to Heho for the onward flights.

Meals: Breakfast.

Accommodations: N/A