The trek from Kalaw to Inle Lake is a must-do! This three day hike included the best food and best conversations during my time in Myanmar.
Even better, it’s cheap! I went through the Jungle King booking agency in Kalaw (just walk up the day before you want to go) and paid 38,000 kyats ($25) to reserve the full three day experience.
You will also need to pay 15,000 kyats ($10) for entrance to Inle Lake.
Accommodation, meals, and transport of your large bag to Inle Lake are all included.
I explored a couple different options, but Jungle King was the cheapest.
*There is nowhere to charge your phone during the trek!*
My group of 9 was led by 22 year old David, a Myanmar local. He was fantastic, and knew back roads that even the other guides were not familiar with. Ask for him specifically if you get the chance!
The first two days are 20 kilometers of hiking, and day three is 15.5 kilometers. The walk is relatively easy - just a jaunt through the rural roads and fields in Myanmar. It is not something I could have self-navigated - you definitely need a guide.
The first night is a homestay, which is the main reason you should do the three day hike rather than the two day hike.
We slept in the home of Ucho and “Grandma,” a couple that had been married for 30 years. Grandma is 70, and Ucho is 55 - an unusual age difference. We asked about their story as we all sat around the fire after dinner, and David. When Ucho, a businessman, was in his 20s, his business went under and he was unable to repay his debts to the widowed woman. Therefore, he had to marry her. “Grandma” already had five kids from her first marriage, and after this marriage they had two more children.
The food was to die for.
David also explained to us why so many young people have yellow paste on their cheeks. While it primarily serves as a cosmetic (Grandma believed I was much more beautiful with this paint), it also protects your face from sunlight. Untanned skin is highly desirable in Burmese culture.
As a bonus, he pulled out his paste materials and showed us how to make it, then smeared it on our cheeks as well! So cool.
The second night was spent in a monastery. We saw young monks playing soccer as we approached at the end of a long day. The monastery also had great food, and we slept on mats on the floor just as we did at the homestay.
David taught us all to play bamboo ball halfway through day two. Basically, it is the rules of soccer but on a volleyball court - so cool.
At the end of the third day, we said goodbye to David and loaded up on the boats that are included in the Jungle King tour. These traditionally styled boats took us the long distance over Inle Lake to the city, where we walked to our hostels to catch up with our bags.
Such a great experience to share with amazing people.
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