Travel Guide for Inle Lake: Best Things to Do in Inle Lake & More!
Since Myanmar has only recently opened up for tourism, you’ll be able to discover some of the local traditions that are mostly untouched by the outside world. This is part of what makes Inle Lake such a magical place. In this travel guide for Inle Lake we’ll touch on some of the adventures that await you, including the 5 best things to do in Inle Lake and some other “need to know” facts.
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How to Get to Inle Lake
There are lots of options for getting to Inle Lake from other cities in Myanmar. Here are the four options you should consider when planning your trip to Inle Lake.
Domestic Flights to Heho + Taxi
The fastest, most comfortable, and most expensive option to get to Inle Lake is taking a domestic flight. You’ll have to fly into Heho, which is about an hour away from Inle Lake. From there you can then share a taxi with other travelers to get to Inle Lake. This will typically run about 25,000 kyat per taxi.
Check flights on SkyScanner.
Long Distance (and Overnight) Buses from Other Main Cities
The most common way for locals to get into town, and how I left town to get to Yangon, was by bus. Inle Lake to Yangon is about a 12 hour ride while Mandalay is about 7-8 hours. Note that the buses are generally kept very cold so take some warm clothes!
Check routes on JJ Express.
Long Distance Train from Kalaw or Yangon
Another less traveled option is the train. From Kalaw it will take only about 3.5 hours but the journey from Yangon will last a solid 30 hours. Yikes! If that doesn’t deter you, and you want to arrive at Inle Lake by train, look for Shwenyaung Station.
Walk to Inle Lake from Kalaw
Yup, you read that right. You can walk to Inle Lake. It will take 3 days from Kalaw. This is actually a “famous” trek that takes you through some of the backcountry and small villages of Myanmar. If you have time to fit it into your Myanmar itinerary and you like walking, do it!
Here are the full details on the 3 day hike from Kalaw to Inle Lake.
How to Get around Inle Lake
Seeing as Inle Lake is a massive lake, it’s not so easy to just walk around it. You will need to consider alternate modes of transportation. I recommend you explore by both boat and bicycle.
Take a Boat Trip on Inle Lake
One of the most popular things to do in Inle Lake, and perhaps the best way to get around the Inle Lake area, is taking a boat trip. You can do this as either a full day or a half day trip, or simply as a point-to-point option as true transportation. No matter which you decide upon, I highly recommend you visit the Southern part of the lake by boat at some point during your stay in Inle Lake.
Pro Tip: If you are arriving from the Kalaw to Inle Lake trek, the Southern part of the lake can be included in a half day tour. If you are coming from the town of Nyaung Shwe, it will likely require a full day tour.
The Cost of a Boat Trip around Inle Lake
The cost of the half day boat trip for our group of four was 7,000 kyat. When you divide this by four people it came out to under $1.50 US for seeing eight stops throughout the lake. This is one of the most cost effective, and amazing tours you will ever take!
How to Structure Your Boat Trip
Each boat trip around Inle Lake will be different. Our guide provided us a list of 15 places, and we were told to choose eight of them. Options varied from:
- Visiting the blacksmiths
- Admiring Inn Dein Pagodas, an ancient Buddhist pagoda
- Experiencing the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
- Seeing the Pa Daung Women from the longneck tribe and their weaving shop
- Watching cigar making
- Discovering the jumping cat monastery, Nga Phe Kyaung
- Being amazed by Maing Thauk, a bamboo stilted village
- Shopping at the floating market in Ywama Village
- Catching the sunset on the lake
The multitude of options enable you to tailor your boat trip to your interests.
Rent a Bike to Explore around Inle Lake
The other great way to get around the Inle Lake area is to rent a bike. Some accommodations might include a bike rental, or you can find them around the town of Nyaung Shwe for 3,000 – 5,000 kyats.
Then, from Nyaung Shwe, you can easily bike to the nearby villages, the Red Mountain Winery, hot springs, and more!
5 Best Things to Do Around Inle Lake
While there are endless opportunities of things to explore, here are some of the top things to do in Inle Lake.
1. Catch Sunset Over Lake Inle
One of the best things to do in Inle Lake is also one of the simplest. Take in the sunset on Lake Inle. Here you can not only see the stunning beauty of the sun sinking into the lake, but you can also witness the famous Intha basket fishermen of the lake.
Quick Note on the Intha Basket Fishermen
Unfortunately, the Intha basket fishermen these days are more for show than for functional fishing. While they are most famous for their one leg paddling and giant cone shaped nets, this is no longer how fishing is done around Inle Lake. These fishermen mostly survive off of tourist tips rather than catching fish. Generally a 2,000 – 5,000 kyat tip will satisfy these fishermen.
2. Explore Maing Thauk Village
The Maing Thauk Village sits half on dry land and half on stilts over the water. You’ll find a long wooden bridge that takes you from the mainland out onto the water to the floating part of the town. This village is truly stunning with its stilted houses and their little boats parked beneath them.
Maing Thauk is also a great place to catch a boat if you wish to go through the village, out onto the lake, or simply cross the water to the other side of the lake to where the hot springs are located.
Getting to Maing Thauk Village from Nyaung Shwe
You can get to Maing Thauk Village by boat or bike. If you choose to bike there from Nyaung Shwe, it will take about one hour to make the 11 km trek. It also will take you directly by the Red Mountain Estate Vineyards & Winery as mentioned below, in case you need to stop for a beverage.
3. Visit the Buddhist Pagodas and Monasteries of Lake Inle
Around Lake Inle there are a number of pagodas and over 200 monasteries. These are mostly Buddhist and offer you a glimpse into this beautiful religion.
Nga Hpe Kyaung, or Jumping Cat Monastery
One of the most famous monasteries on the lake, Nga Hpe Kyaung, or more commonly known as the Jumping Cat Monastery, features…. dozens of cats! Are you surprised? Previously these cats were trained by monks to “jump” through hoops, but now they mostly lounge around doing cat things. You’ll also find a number of ornate buddhas that were brought here for safekeeping during WWII and were never returned.
Kyaung Daw Pagoda, also known as Hpaung Daw U Pagoda
This famous pagoda houses five small gilded images of Buddha. They have been covered with so much gold leaf that it is hard to tell their original form.
Shwe Indein Pagoda
This pagoda is actually a grouping of Buddhist pagodas that date as far back as the 8th century. You can visit these pagodas by taking the 2,300 ft. covered walkway starting on Indein Creek and ending up at the Shwe Indein Pagoda. What makes this set of pagodas stand out are the quantity of them and the contrast to the nearby Nyaung Ohak stupas which are crumbling and feature trees growing out of them.
4. Try Myanmar Wine at Red Mountain Winery
While you might not expect a winery to be located in the middle of Myanmar, Red Mountain Winery is a great stop in the area. It is one of just two prime wineries in Myanmar featuring 185 acres of vineyard. During your visit you can take a tour of the facility, visit their restaurant, or simply relax with some of their wine.
Getting to Red Mountain Winery
Red Mountain Winery is only 4.5 km outside of Nyaung Shwe. You can walk it in about 55 minutes, or you can bike it in about 20 minutes. If you’re allergic to exercise, you can also catch a quick taxi which will take about 11 minutes of driving.
5. Discover the Town of Nyaung Shwe
Other than boating and bicycling around the Inle Lake region, there are some great activities available in the town of Nyaung Shwe. Nyaung Shwe is a small town with a backpacker feel, and the main tourist hub for Inle Lake. Here you’ll find the best budget and mid-range accommodations as well as a few stupas, multiple restaurants, markets, and lots of tour agencies.
Where to Eat in Nyaung Shwe
There are tons of affordable restaurants dotting Nyaung Shwe. They typically offer western food or Burmese food options, although I was impressed with a few Nepalese options about. If you venture down the main street, Yone Gyi Road, you’ll also find Mingalar Market which offers all kinds of handicrafts, fresh local produce, and other types of food stalls.
Where to Stay in Nyaung Shwe
You’ll find a number of budget friendly options in Nyaung Shwe. In fact, most luxury accommodations will be found out on the lakes edge, or floating or stilted on the lake.
Here are a few recommendations for the budget conscious travelers:
- Ostello Bello Nyaung Shwe: A hostel featuring super affordable dorm rooms, and breakfast is included!
- BaobaBed Hostel Nyaung Shwe: Another great hostel option with breakfast included.
- Golden Empress Hotel: Private rooms and some luxury (and breakfast) at an reasonable price.
Or, if you really want to treat yourself, there are lots of amazing four and five star accommodations in this region that are mid-price range by Western standards. Take a look at these:
- Sanctum Inle Resort: Treat yourself with this beautiful resort featuring an amazing terrace and swimming pool.
- Aureum Palace Hotel & Resort Inle: Stay in your own villa over the water!
- ViewPoint Ecolodge: This ecolodge is located right on the water, including a pool area that meets the water’s edge!
Your Questions about Inle Lake Answered
While we’ve covered how to get around the Inle Lake area and what to do while you’re there, you likely still have a few other questions. Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions.
Why is Inle Lake famous?
This beautiful lake is one of the most natural and unpolluted lakes in the region and offers stunning scenery, in addition to the famous Intha basket fishermen who are native to this region.
How many days do you need to explore Inle Lake?
Unfortunately, Inle Lake is quite far from the surrounding tourist areas which makes getting there a bit of a challenge, but you only really need two to three days to take in the 5 best things to do in Inle Lake (and more!). If you want to have some time to relax, you can add another day or two.
When is the best time of year to visit Inle Lake?
It’s best to visit Inle Lake during the cool and dry season between November and February. You’ll find temperatures generally between 72 – 91 degrees Fahrenheit (22 – 33 Celcius) and typically experience very little rain.
Plan Your Trip around Myanmar
Hopefully this travel guide for Inle Lake has given you the insight into the best things to do in Inle Lake and how to get around this wonderful place that you need. Let’s take a look at other posts that will help you spend your time in Myanmar wisely.
- 3 Day Hike from Kalaw to Inle Lake
- Budgeting for a Trip to Myanmar: 24 Tips to Know Before You Go
- Temple Hopping in Bagan
- How to Plan a Quick Visit to Mandalay
- Visiting Yangon – Formerly Rangoon
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