Why YOU MUST Trek from Inle Lake to Kalaw

with 8 Comments

A Journey through a land that time forgot

Globemad Myanmar Inle lake Kalaw travel photography ideas backpacking journey guide

This Trek will blow your mind!

Is it the most challenging trek we have ever done? = NO

Does it have the best views we have ever seen? = NO

Is it the most varied landscape we have trekked through? = NO

Does it have any unique landmarks that you wont see anywhere else in the world? = Not really!

 

AAARGH?? SO Why is everyone raving about it?? Why am I claiming it will blow your mind??

 

Myanmar is acutely unique due to both its ancient history, recent civil war and location.  It has been closed off from much of the world during an era of rapid advancements and globalisation.  Being nestled in between India, China and Thailand has lead to an eclectic clash of cultural makeup you wont see anywhere else in the world.  Due to their own fascinating history enveloped by a mash of tribal beliefs and Buddhism, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma is truly like no other place on the planet.  

Inle Lake to Kalaw is not simply about the beauty of the landscape.  It is a trek through a land that time forgot.  A trek through a world infused by other cultures, but still with enough of it’s own creativity to  will keep suspended in fascination.  

As for the deep sense of hospitality and ever smiling giddy children eager to get a glimpse of you too … well that just seals the deal.  It is one of the best walks in the world, but I doubt it will stay this way for long.  So after you’ve scrolled through our photo’s, start to plan you of adventure here.  Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section.

 

A Photo Journey

Myanmar Inle lake Kalaw travel jungle rice photography ideas backpacking globemad emma tryon
The first day trekking gives you epic views of what is to come
Myanmar Inle lake Kalaw travel monk photography ideas backpacking
We met two very friendly monks farming away
Myanmar Inle lake trek hiking rice villages countryside photography ideas
Some were less fortunate making this crossing and ended up caked in mud
Myanmar Inle lake Kalaw travel trainstation photography ideas backpacking
We walked down the train tracks to find the station that time had forgot
Myanmar Inle lake Kalaw travel trainstation photography ideas backpacking
The hustle and bustle of everyone buying and selling was so much fun to be part of.
Myanmar Inle lake Kalaw travel trainstation photography ideas backpacking
Love how they just deal through the windows, I can’t imagine this at Kings Cross London…
Myanmar Inle lake Kalaw travel trainstation photography ideas backpacking
As it got late in the day, the train began to trundle towards its next destination.
Myanmar Inle lake trek home stay children learning countryside photography
It was really sweet to see the daughter of the family we stayed with working hard on her school work by candle night.
Myanmar Inle lake countryside hills trekking photography glow fly glowfly
Pete managed to find a glow fly!
Myanmar Inle lake countryside hills trek people photography farming
They really all do use old school farming stuff that we would perhaps only have in a museum.
Myanmar Inle lake countryside hills trek people photography farming
We actually talked till the cows came home! This was a shot of one of the villagers retuning home in the second village we stayed in.
Myanmar Inle lake countryside hills trekking photography temples
Note the different eras in which they were built. Fascinating.
Myanmar Inle lake countryside hills trekking photography temples
Fun Fact: This is the leaf shape Myanmar have based their Stupa temple designs on over the years!
Myanmar Inle lake trek hiking rice villages countryside photography ideas
This is an ingenious answer to needle and thread that the locals use.
Myanmar Inle lake hills trekking photography textiles travel globemad pete tryon
Pete buying his handwoven man bag from a sweet local lady.
Myanmar Inle lake trek travel village people photography ideas globemad emma
Donning the local head ware, I actually quite like it!
Myanmar Inle lake trek hiking countryside pete tryon photography bubble plant
My favourite plant! You can actually blow bubbles through the stalk!
Myanmar Inle lake countryside hills trek people photography farming
Cow surfing is a popular sport in Myanmar … Just kidding, definitely looks like a fun way to farm though!
Myanmar Inle lake Kalaw travel photography ideas backpacking school children monks
Adorable students pouring our from their school ready to go play
Myanmar people Inle lake Kalaw travel photography ideas backpacking tribes locals babies
A local Nana in traditional dress who kindly agreed to letting me take her photo.
Myanmar Inle lake trek hiking rice villages countryside photography ideas bamboo forest
Just your standard giant artistic bamboo arch part way through the trek.
Myanmar Inle lake trek hiking rice villages countryside photography ideas
I love the reflection in rice paddy water, serene.
Myanmar Inle lake trek hiking rice villages countryside photography ideas giant big tree
Always a sucker for climbing trees! Can’t resist!
Betal nut bright red chewing myanmar trek Pete emma tryon
Woah! Trying the local Betel Nut! Gives you a head spin and a bright red mouth…and crazy eye!
Myanmar Inle lake trek travel village people photography ideas globemad
Another scene typical of the gorgeous simple farming life of locals.
Myanmar Inle lake trek travel village people photography ideas globemad
This captured the mood of one of the villages we stayed in.
Myanmar Inle lake trek hiking rice villages countryside photography ideas
The glorious descent on the final day as you reach Inle Lake
Myanmar Inle lake travel floating village people travel photography ideas
The floating villages of Inle Lake are fascinating.
Myanmar Inle lake travel floating village fishermen people travel photography ideas
The fishermen are renowned for the ingenious techniques.
Myanmar Inle lake travel floating village fishermen people travel photography ideas
I just love this shot!

 

OK, now it’s your turn for Adventure, to help you get equipped we’ve written a Full Guide To Trekking From Kalaw to Inle Lake.  Full top tips on how to book, what you will need, where your bags go, what to pack …

Myanmar Inle lake Kalaw trekking travel adventure guide photos ideas backpacking burma globemad

 

First Time in Myanmar ?? 

Myanmar is changing rapidly, so up-to-date blogs (like this one, ahem!) will be a great source.  But If it’s you’re first time visiting Myanmar you will probably want to grab a travel guide too. I always think you don’t need more than a Rough Guide‘ as it is about making it your own adventure! They have a pretty cheap kindle copy as well as the actual book. 

 

Looking for a place to stay ???

Check out our blogs on local little guesthouse you can find on route for each place:

Bagan>>     Inle Lake>>    Kalaw>>     Mandalay>>     Hpa An>>    Hsipaw>>      Pyin U Lwin>>     Myawaddy>>

OR

if you prefer to get organised and book everything in advance, this should be uber helpful:

Book you room in Yangon HERE (Explore the golden cities temples)

Book your room in Nyaung U (Bagan) HERE (A base for exploring famous temples)

Book your room in Inle Lake HERE (See the famous local fishermen)

Book your room in Kalaw HERE (Prepare for the Iconic Inle Lake Trek)

Book your room for Mandalay HERE (Walk the beautiful U Bein Bridge)

Book your room in Pyin oo Lwin HERE (Explore stunning waterfalls)

Book your room in Hsipaw HERE (For beautiful hill tribe trekking)

Book your room in Hpa An HERE (For climbing Mt. Zwegabin)

 

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Travel Inspiration for Trekking in Myanmar. Myanmar Photography Ideas for travellers visiting Burma and hiking from Kalaw to Inle lake | Globemad Travel Blog

8 Responses

  1. Raymond @ Man On The Lam
    | Reply

    You’ve actually inspired me to take this trek — I’m heading to Myanmar next month for 3 weeks. Maybe I’ll even get to try cow surfing. 🙂

    • Globemad Emma
      | Reply

      WOW! That just made me smile so much! Thank you telling me that, thats exactly why I write! If you have any questions I haven’t answered, please just ask. Very excited for you too, Myanmar is amazing!!

  2. Josh Hearn
    | Reply

    Haven’t got any questions but I just wanted to thankyou for sharing this trek and your experience.
    I’ll be arriving in Yangon on the 22nd march and after reading this, I’m now looking forward to this more than anything right now. Thanks again, well sold lol.

    • Globemad Emma
      | Reply

      haha! Glad I could convince you 😉 It really is an amazing trek, you wont regret it and thank you so much for dropping a message it, really is nice to know the blog helped.

  3. Lucie ( Czech Republic)
    | Reply

    Thanks so much for this blog .. it helps me to find what I need for planing my trip to Myanmar:-)

    • Globemad Emma
      | Reply

      Hey Lucie, thank you for taking the time to let me know its helpful, really means a lot! Hope you have an awesome trip!

  4. Karen, Singapore
    | Reply

    Thanks for sharing! Feeling inspired! Now I want to do the Inle lake to Kalaw!

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