Inle Lake & The Shan Highlands

Inle Lake
Just a short plane ride away from Yangon in the cool green highlands of Shan State, and yet seemingly worlds apart from the rest of Myanmar, lies Inle Lake in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The lake itself sits at a pleasant 1300 meters above sea level and is famous for its leg rowers, floating markets and prolific birdlife. In this unique wetland environment, whole villages sit on floating islands on the Lake. Colorful hill tribes inhabit fertile valleys and forested mountaintops, and their own hand-woven silks are a specialty of the region. The native Intha people who inhabit the lake regions send their village leg rowers to compete each year during the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival in September / October. Nyaung Shwe is the starting point of the trip into the Inle Lake.

Heho
The airport for Southern Shan State, Taunggyi and Inle Lake is situated in Heho. Heho also has a very colorful 5 Day Market in which the cattle market is especially interesting. Visitors can easily visit in the morning when arriving at the airport on market days.

Kalaw
Kalaw is a beautiful hill station surrounded by pine trees and forests. There are several interesting hill tribe villages in the area including the Palaung and Pa-O tribes. These people are known for their very colourful costumes and friendly faces.

Kyaingtong
Kyaingtong (Kengtaung), in the easternmost part of Shan State near the Chinese and Thai border, is an old colonial town and surrounded by the villages of the Khun, Wa, Anh, Akha, Akhu, Palaung and Lahu hill tribes. The forests and mountains of this region offer a peaceful setting of natural beauty. Depart Yangon or Heho by air to Kyaingtong. Highlights: Yan-Gone Pottery Village, Kyaingtong Lacquer ware workshop, trekking to nearby tribal villages, morning market to meet the local hill tribes.

KakKu
KakKu, a unique temple complex of more than 2000 stupas has lied hidden in the Pa-O heartland of Southern Shan State for centuries. Unknown to the outside world and to most of Myanmar until recently, these exquisite monuments can now be visited. A day trip from Inle Lake is sufficient.

Taunggyi
Capital of Shan State, Taunggyi is a pine clad hill station about 1500 metres high. The weather is cool all year round and the winter months can be quite cold at night. Taunggyi can be easily reached by road from Inle Lake. The local market is well known throughout Myanmar and the road south will lead you to the unique Kakku sight of 2000 stupas in Pa-O country. The Fire Balloon Festival held annually at the full moon of Tazaungmon in November is not to be missed.

Pindaya
Pindaya is a peaceful town famous for its caves in which thousands of centuries-old Buddha images are seated. The road from Kalaw to Pindaya passes through Pa-O villages and countryside of magnificent scenic beauty. Pindaya is also known for the Shan paper and monk umbrella makers.

Yasagyi
Journey by foot from Pindaya up to Yasagyi – a Palaung village - through the countryside & villages of the Danu & Pa-O tribes reaching Yasagyi at 6020 feet. Overnight accommodation at the Yasagyi Monastery with a pre-dawn trek to the 7030 Foot Yasagyi summit for sunrise. Returning to Pindaya through farm fields and meadowlands.

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