Inle Lake Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Inle Lake is a shallow lake in the middle of Myanmar, southeast of Mandalay. The lake is 22 km long, and is densely inhabited by many different tribes.

Due to its higher altitude, temperatures around the lake tend to be cooler than in Mandalay. Winter temperatures often fall below 10°C at night so make sure you are prepared for that.

The closest airport is in Heho, about 45 minutes away by taxi from the main town by Lake Nyaungshwe (walk down the road towards the main highway to negotiate a better rate). Taking a taxi from the airport can be quite expensive, at around 25,000 kyat. Most people share a taxi with 3 people. A good way to save money is to book a taxi in advance with your guesthouse for about 15,000 kyat.

There are winter and summer rates for flights through all major airlines in the country.

Buses depart daily from Yangon and take about 13 hours. Buses take 10 hours from Mandalay. Air conditioned buses from Bagan take 9 hours with JJ express and cost US$11-20 (2 hours from Kalaw) and operate day and night. The journey is a little bumpy although there are frequent stops including for lunch. From Bago 13,000 kyat, 14hr. Bring warmer clothing on the bus as air-con temperatures can get low. If you are looking to sleep, earplugs are a good idea as music will be playing on the video screen in front of the bus.

A very cheap option from Taunggyi is a pick-up (1 hour and around 600 kyat). Pickup trucks will leave from the main market.

The next train station is Shwenyaung station, from where Lake Inle can be reached by bus, pick-up or taxi.

You can walk around town easily or rent a bicycle for about 1,500 kyat per day, which you also use to tour the surroundings.

• 20.44535697.1366071 Kakku Pagodas. 2,000 Buddhist pagodas dating back to the 12th century, and an important religious site for the Pa-O ethnic group. South east of the lake in the hills and quite isolated and tricky to get to. Foreigners are required to be accompanied by a local Pa-O guide to access the site, who can be hired at the Tourism Office in Taunggyi. Closes at 17:00. (updated Oct 2017)
• 20.602996.88152 Kaung Daing village. A small fishermen's village reachable by bicycle. Hot springs & mountain monastery 1 km to the north. There will be boat drivers offering to take you across the lake to Maing Thauk (max 8,000 kyat per boat, 30 minute). (updated Oct 2017)
• 20.57791296.9601713 Maing Thauk Monastery & Pagoda. 20-30 minutes walk up the hill from Maing Thauk village (updated Oct 2017)
• 20.45876696.8328734 Shwe Inn Dein Pagoda. A stupa forest. Broken down stupas, some still intact, overgrown with plants, hidden somewhere in the forest around Inle Lake, near Tone Le. You will most likely be the only one there and may feel like you're the first person to ever see them – although there are now shops all along the path. Free entrance, but a 500 kyat camera fee at the bottom. From Nyuang Shwe this is about 90 mins drive. A return taxi will cost in the region of 40,000 kyat. You can also reach it by boat (include it in your daytrip boat tour on the lake, for about 5,000 kyat). Possibly reachable by bicycle as well. (updated Oct 2017)

There is a 15,000 Kyat (as of January 2019) entry fee per person to the lake, charged by the government. This fee is often collected at the bus or at the airport when you arrive. The ticket is not checked once you have passed the checkpoint.

A boat trip on the lake is a must do. Most of the trips will visit a few workshops selling local souvenirs, like teak objects, paper, silver and lotus silk fabrics. You can tell your boat driver that you don't want to visit any of them if you are not interested in these shops. However, learning about the local small-scale industries and arts is certainly worth it. Informative guided tours are provided by the shops for free. Bring cash if you consider buying souvenirs.

Upon the canal to the open lake you may see people in traditional clothes standing on one leg in their boat and posing with a fishing basket, presenting then dead caught fish and will finally ask for tips. Full day trip takes about 7 hours and costs 15,000-20,000 kyat, driver will go wherever you tell them to, but remember that he is not a guide nor does he necessarily speak English. Any guesthouse or travel agency can arrange this trip for you. You may have a better experience by chartering a boat directly, clearly agreeing on the planned stops, and starting very early in the morning before most other tour boats, and also allowing you to arrive at market while it's busy. As of 2015, locals claim that the floating market doesn't exist any more due to too many tourists.

For solo travelers in low season, it might be hard to find others to join. So, walk around the jetty and the bridge. Most boats depart between 08:00-11:00.

Please do not photograph people when they are showering or washing plates.

Common stops and things to do:

• Teak and Cheroot. Nan Pan market contains a teak wood workshop and cheroot-making. See and learn how boats are build, and browse through small teak wood souvenirs. See the local cheroots (cigars) being made, but you want to skip buying it here because you get the same stuff at a sixth of the price in the city (normal cheroots can be bought anywhere; but note that the flavoured ones might not be available in Nyaungshwe, but only in some bigger shops in bigger cities). 
• Weaving. In Paw Khae, learn how thread is made and fabric weaved from lotus root string, apart from cotton and silk. The lotus silk fabrics are unique to Inle lake, and can be quite expensive.
• Shan paper. See how Shan paper is made from wood, into colourful lamps and fans. 
• Workshop of long neck people. A few ladies in their traditional clothing as an 'advertisement'. This can be a disturbing sight for some. 
• Gold and silverware. Most tours will include a forge showing how the silver is poured and moulded into rings, 'Shan style earrings' and other jewellery 
• Floating gardens. See how the locals grow tomatoes and other vegetables on the lake (using aquatic plants for support). 
• Floating village and restaurants. A few restaurants sprinkled along the way. Good options for seafood 
• 20.47450396.8879951 Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. One of the famous principal shrines in Myanmar. Contains 5 small Buddha statues covered with so much gold leaf that they look like golden snowmen. There are pictures on the walls that show their original appearance. There are also colourful depictions on the walls of tales from Buddha's life, and the story of how the Buddha statues were brought here through an adventurous route. An annual 18-day festival is held, usually in October (sometimes in September), during which four of the Buddhas are carried in a colourful royal barge around 14 villages on the lake. The barge is towed by the boats of leg-rowers and hundreds of boats follow the procession. Large crowds from all the villages nearby gather on the lake's shores to pay homage to the Buddhas and celebrate the occasion. The festival is held on a grand scale with great magnificence and pageantry and is the biggest occasion held on Inle Lake. It is really a splendid sight. Among the dance shows and fun-fairs, the most interesting event of the festival, especially for foreigners, is the traditional Shan boat race – due to their unique leg rowing. It is the only place in the world that one can see such marvelous act.  
• 20.44624396.8991122 Inthar Heritage House. Also known as "The Burmese Cat House", run by a foundation. Good lunch, and many Burmese cats. 
• 20.51677596.8955843 Nga Hpe Kyaung (Jumping Cat Monastery). So called because the monks had once trained the cats to jump. But the old monk has died, and so the cats are no longer jumping. However, it is a nice monastery worth the ambience. You can lose yourself merely interpreting the Buddha stories on the walls. 
• Shwe Inn Dein Pagoda. Reachable by boat but you will probably have to pay an extra 5,000 kyat more details in the #See section. 
• Sunset at the lake. When your boatman approaches a fisherman, he will likely do the iconic Inle fisherman pose for you, balancing their net on one leg and leaning over the water. But as you near them, you will find outstretched hands demanding money for the pose. You should to tell your boatman not to wait near the fishermen if you do not wish to pay them. 
• Swimming. The lake temperature is not that cold. The depth is about 2 to 3 metres, ask your boatman to check before if unsure. 

• Birdwatching. Another worthwhile experience that most tourists miss is to see some of the thousands of waterbirds that use Inle Lake either as a breeding site or on migration. Some are rare species difficult to see anywhere else. December and January are the best times, although some birds, like the spectacular pheasant-tailed Jacana, are best seen in their breeding plumage during the rainy season. The lake is a wildlife sanctuary and the local warden can arrange a knowledgeable guide who knows the English names and can show you where the birds are for a reasonable fee. The fee goes to support the staff of the cash-strapped sanctuary. Bring your own binoculars and get out early when the birds are most active. Ask at your hotel to make arrangements. guide 12,000 kyat, not including boat and boatman. 
• Bicycle rental. Take a day to ride through surrounding villages. Check your rental bike carefully before leaving. $3 to $15 a day. (updated Mar 2023)

• Winery visit. You can reach the Red Mountain Estate (see also #Drink) easily from Nyaungshwe. The bicycle ride to the nearby winery gives a nice view of the sleepy village life, and takes you through some scenic locations. The pamphlets say that the hilly regions near Mandalay and Shan state have been producing robust good quality wine, competing with some of the best from Europe in international wine competitions. At Red mountain estate, you can eat at a restaurant, do a self-tour of the wine press and buy some wine. The ride would be about 40 minutes from NyaungShwe. (updated Oct 2017)
• Short tour (20 km). The most common route: leave Nyaungshwe and head west towards the mountains. Once you reach the T intersection, head south and you'll find the Hot Springs (see below). There's also a small monastery in the mountain opposite. Continue a couple of minutes and you will reach Khaung Daing village. You can cross the lake from there by hiring a boat, the price should not be more than 8,000 kyat for the entire boat. You will be dropped at Maing Thauk village. There's a market a bit south of the village, and a monastery in the mountain to the East. Head back North to Nyaungshwe, you can stop at the winery on your way. The whole loop takes approximately 3 to 4 hours (up to a day if you go slowly, stop for lunch and explore around). (updated Oct 2017)
• Full day tour to Inn Dein (40 km). Start early in Nyaung Shwe and go counterclockwise in direction to the hot springs (sign posts). There is a nice viewpoint just 200 m before the Hot springs (where road bends 90°, look for stairs and climb them). Go south and follow the main road. When you feel like it, branch off and have a look around in the villages. After some time (3-4h, 30 km in total) you will reach a bridge that crosses a canal branching in two (it's the only bridge on the way). Right after the bridge they will ask for a high entrance fee and/or a camera fee of 500 kyat, but Indein is free and the fee might only apply for the tourist shop. Just follow the main asphalt street after the bridge and turn right 50 m after the bridge, cycle up the hill where you can see broken stupas to your right. And straight ahead are the tops of the Indein stupas sticking out between the trees. So continue for about 2 min. When you see the stupas to your right look for a spot where you can pass between the bush. Explore. To go back to Nyaung Shwe go to the bridge again and ask for the jetty. Find a boat to Maing Thauk or Nyaung Shwe (1 or 1.5 h). But beware that prices rise the closer it gets to sunset. People know that you can't make it back cycling and that you depend on the boat service. Prices are around 15,000-18,000 kyat per boat. From Maing Thauk go north (ask for Nyaung Shwe). Nyaung Shwe - Hot Springs: 10 km, Hot Springs - Indein: 20 km, Maing Thauk - Nyaung Shwe: 11 km. Mountain bike not necessary. Sun screen and head cover recommended. (updated Sep 2015)

• Hiking. Day hikes in the surrounding hills, or 3 day hikes to Kalaw are available, and are highly recommended. A typical day hike usually costs about 10,000 kyat per person and starts at 08:00 and ends at 16:00-18:00. The hikes can be very exhausting as they involve a lot of walking (typically 20 km, but you can ask the guide to shorten the trip if you are tired), walking up steep paths and the heat (especially in April) can make it quite tiring too. Bring plenty of water, 2-3 litres per person, as it can be difficult to buy clean water since you won't pass any shops, and good hiking shoes or boots. On a typical trip one will walk through mountains, forests and many villages inhabited by hill tribes, but don't expect to see them dressed in fancy hill tribe outfits as this is real life and for tourists. Even if a hike is tiring, it gives the opportunity to get a glimpse of real life around Inle Lake and see some nice scenery too. It's usually not a tourist trap like the boat trip on the lake often is. 
• Hot Springs. Rent a bike for the day (around US$2) and cycle the bumpy road towards the mountains (West of Nyaungshwe) for 45 minutes to visit the hot springs for a relaxing afternoon. The hot springs are actually 3 swimming pools in a big concrete spa centre, so you do not go there for the natural surroundings. The bike ride to the spa however is very scenic and worthwhile. The private pools have a full bar. US$8 per person for the private pools including a towel. 
• Roller Skate (Yone Gyi Street (main road)). 09:00 - 21:00. Roller skating rink where the youth performs stunning tricks while Western Pop music is playing. Plastic bags for your feet are free. 1,000 kyat per hour, includes rental. (updated Sep 2015)
• 20.66131496.934861 Aung Puppet Show (Near Nandawunn Hotel), ☏ +95 936201984. 19:00 & 20:30, for half an hour. Myanmar traditional dancing by puppets. Aung the pupper master is the 4th generation, and the 5th is coming as he's assisted by his young son. Possible to some of the puppets. 5,000 kyat. (updated May 2018)

Remember to bargain, Inle Lake is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Myanmar. Prices will routinely be double what locals would pay. Products that appear old are fake (such as opium weight sets) and many goods being offered by shops are cheap products made for the tourist trade.

• Massage @ Phyu Phyu's Bamboo Hut, Yone Gyi Rd (near bridge). Visit Phyu Phyu's Bamboo Hut for traditional Burmese massage by one of Phyu Phyu's family members. This wonderful young woman (with the nicest family) can also book boat trips (and guide you), canoes or trekking. 
• Mr A Tun (Mu Kyi), Nyaungshwe (on the big road if you come from the market/jetty area, just half a block past the pizzeria (Golden Kite) on the left side). Great little tour company, run only by Mu Kyi, that tries to differentiate himself from the many other tour companies in Nyaungshwe. He speaks fluent English and doesn't rip off tourists like some of the dodgier places. The bus ticket to Yangon is also 1,000 kyat cheaper than elsewhere (14,000 kyat). 
• Sunny Day Tour Services, West of market, Nyang Shwe Township (follow the road down from the bridge; you will be able to see this on your left on one of the crossing streets), [email protected]. You can hire a hiking guide for a very reasonable price. The guide Ko Thwe speaks excellent English and is able to organise hikes, and is flexible depending on where you want to go. He can also guide you to Kalaw. Approximately 10,000 kyat. 
• T.K (Bus Ticket Centre) (T.K (Bus Ticket Centre)), Win Quarter (Paung Daw Pyan Street near the Bright Hotel) (Near the Main jetty), ☏ +95 9428358770, +95 9428358770, [email protected]. Bus Ticket,Air Ticket,Boat Trips,House Hiding,Trekking Tour,Bike Rent, (updated Jul 2017)

• Several restaurants in the floating village. There are several options for restaurants in the floating village. These are fairly clean and give a good view of the restaurant, with fairly cheap delicious food. Don't miss the Inle style spicy fish curry. One option is Shwe Kyat Pyint restaurant. 4,000 kyat. 
• 20.6611396.934261 Aurora Restaurant, 1 Yonegyi Rd, Nandawunn Quarter, Nyaung Shwe. Burmese-run restaurant with traditional Burmese, Chinese, and pasta dishes. The portions are large. The handmade noodles and the fried fish are worth a try. 2,000 kyat. 
• 20.661196.93392 Golden Kite, Yone Gyi Street and Myawaddy Rd, ☏ +95 81 29327. The owner Mio makes the pasta and wood-oven pizza. Complete your meal with a sweet dessert—banana pancakes drizzled with Belgium chocolate. 
• Unique Superb Food, 3 Myawady Rd, Nyaung Shwe Township (Near Remember Guesthouse and Buddha Museum). The name is rather cheesy and the restaurant is small and doesn't look very promising. They are slow at cooking, however they make superb food. It is fairly cheap at around 3,000 kyat for a main dish. 
• Try the freshly made Shan tofu salads at the Market. You will see women preparing these meals to go (or to eat from tiny plastic stools) in the market area. Other local spots are located across from the market where you can get good Shan noodle soups, tea leaf salads, etc., for around US$1.25.
• 20.660596.93143 Night Market. Look for the sign that says “Night Market” along the main road and walk into a little alley with several food stalls. (updated Mar 2015)
• 20.65741296.928174 Diamond Restaurant. Authentic, delicious Indian food. Good choice for vegetarians, and the paneer is made in-house, with plenty of options for meat-eaters. Also some tasty dessert options. The owner, Mr MD is very friendly, speaks excellent English, and offers an insight into the daily life of the local people. About 2,000-4,000 kyat for a main dish. (updated Mar 2015)
• Red Star Restaurant, 4, Phaungdampyan Road, Nandawunn Quarter, Nyaung Shwe (next to Aquarius Inn, opposite Little Inn), ☏ +95 081 209753. Little family run restaurant, quiet atmosphere, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have different types of lassi, and are all good (1,000 kyat) and big mojitos (1,000 kyat). mains 1,500 kyat. (updated Sep 2015)
• 20.66103296.9310465 Thu Kha Cafe (at the corner, opposite the main market). Local place, open early from the morning. Milk tea (300 kyat), youtiao, samosa (100 kyat), fresh fruit juices. (updated Aug 2017)

• Smiling Moon Restaurant, Yone Gyi Rd. Great price for milkshakes and lassi. The food is another story, so eating somewhere else is advisable. Owner also changes money. 
• 20.639196.95491 Red Mountain Estate (4km south-east of Nyaung Shwe). 09:00-18:00. Rent a bicycle and make your way up a small hill to this winery (20 min). Sip locally made wine as you admire the setting sun. Likely to be packed with tourists. Wine tasting of 4 different wines for 5,000 kyat (October 2017) (updated Sep 2015)

• 20.65745696.9284171 Aquarius Inn, ☏ +95 81209352, +95 81209615, [email protected]. Near the lake, very friendly family-owned inn with a fantastic breakfast. US$5-20.  
• 20.65821596.9226992 Gypsy Inn, No. 82, Kann Nar Rd, Win Quarter, NyaungShwe (On the canal, to the west of town), ☏ +95 08129084. Check-out: 12:00. A growing guesthouse, with a new building (with more expensive rooms, featuring TV & fridge) and an older building (with some rooms without bathroom, shared shower block outside). Includes breakfast. Friendly staff. Dorm US$8. US$8-20.  
• 20.66160696.9269873 Joy Hotel, Jetty Rd (On the canal). Friendly staff, clean, with nice view of busy canal each morning. Less touristy area, but still pleasant and close to cheap local restaurants. US$15-20.  
• 20.65777696.9280844 Little Inn, Phaung Daw Pyan Road (south eastern corner of sport field, opposite Aquarius Inn), ☏ +95 081 209195. Clean rooms, private bathrooms, hot water, nice garden, pancake or omelette for breakfast, wifi, helpful staff, provides map, 5 min walk from the Jetty. double US$18. (updated Sep 2015)
• 20.65990696.9343395 May Guesthouse, 85, Myawaddy Rd, NyaungShwe, ☏ +95 08129417, [email protected]. Very friendly, clean and comfortable family-run hotel. Small garden with tables, calm but many mosquitoes (October 2017). No double beds but large single beds. Amidst many monasteries. single US$15, twin/double US$25, three bed US$35.  
• 20.65987496.9357896 Zawgi Inn, 122 Nan-da-wun St, Nan-da-wun ward, Nyaung Shwe, Myanmar, ☏ +95 81 209 929, [email protected]. Bungalow style accommodation in a side yard, surrounded with flowers. Three rooms in one bungalow (toilet, shower, sleeping room) plus veranda with chairs and a table. Breakfast (included in the price) includes eggs (fried/scrambled/omelette), pancake (plain/banana), toasts, butter, jam, some fruit and tea or coffee. 10 minutes walk from the market. Free, stable and (relatively for Myanmar) fast WiFi. US$20/double (possible to bargain). (updated May 2017)
• 20.66245696.9348237 Remember Inn (In the north of town), ☏ +95 81 209257, +95 9 521 4070, +95 9 42803170816, +95 9961819362. Fairly clean but old rooms and a lovely rooftop relaxation area. Nice breakfast and they are happy to help with organising flights, boats and hikes. The owner is very nice and helpful. US$15-50.  

• 20.6577596.9306158 Min Ga Lar Inn, Phuang Daw Pyan Rd, Mingalar Quarter, Nyaungshwe (Next to the main pagoda in town), ☏ +95 81 209198, +95 21 6278 (Mobile), [email protected]. Super friendly staff, excellent English and very helpful if you need information or to arrange excursions. Rooms are large and clean with hot water showers. Staff can organise boat trips for 17,000 kyat and travel arrangements. A recommendation is a canoe trip around the local villages and attractions on the lake and canals. It's a different experience to the motorboat tour of Inle Lake tour that the guesthouse can also arrange. US$30-45.  

• 20.65691896.9236729 Spring Lodge Inle, 76/78 Nan Thae Road, Nampan Qtr., Nyaung Shwe, ☏ +95-9-44546-0125, [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. 3-star hotel that opened in 2017. Quiet area just out of downtown and right behind Nyaung Shwe jetty from where boats to Inle Lake leave. Spacious rooms, all on ground floor, feature comfy bed, mosquito net, AC, TV, desk, real bath + shower cabin, terrace. Outdoor swimming pool. Free WiFi accessible from the rooms, pool & restaurant. Substantial continental breakfast included, 06:30-09:30. Restaurant has a wide offer with an excellent value for money. Free bicycles and even mountain bikes available. Friendly staff that speaks good English and can help find a boatman, and can organize pickup & drop-off from Heho airport for instance. May-Sept US$70 for double room, US$90 for triple. Oct-April US$100 for double, US$135 for triple. (updated May 2018)
• 20.44626896.90184610 Inle Heritage Stilt Houses, Inle Heritage, Innpawkhon Village, Inle Lake (South side of the lake, by Nampan village & by Innpawkhon "the weaving village"), ☏ +95 9778212003, [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. “Rooms” are actually individual houses, on stilts like the rest of the property; there are just 10 of them, which helps getting a very personalized experience. “Rooms” are beautiful and super functional, featuring AC + fan, a bed so large that one could sleep across the width, a mosquito net, sockets everywhere, binoculars to spot birds, a private terrace, an individual solar water heater... Swimming pool. On site restaurant “Grandma's Inthar Cooking”. Free/substantial/healthy breakfast (06:00-09:00) Free wifi (that reaches the restaurant, the rooms, the pool). Free guided tour of the property which includes a Burmese cats village, an aquarium, a vocational school, a cooking school, GAP vegetable gardens, a gift shop featuring original local crafts. Room made twice a day. Staff members are very smiling and speak excellent English. This social business is part of Inle Heritage not-for-profit organization (their vocational training center accepts around 40 students a year... for free, even providing them with full board accommodation!). US$150 for low season, US$230 for high season. (updated May 2018)
• 20.47893496.89600211 Shwe Inn Tha Floating Resort, Thar Lay Village (On the lake itself, quite close to the floating gardens), ☏ +95 95 192952 , +95 94 9351315. 

• Internet @ iNet, Ahletaung Kyaung Rd (first right past Smiling Moon restaurant). Cheapest Internet in town (400 kyat per hr) but still fast. Don't pay the rude people at Comet for than double the price. 
• Internet @ Pancake Kingdom (follow the signs from the bridge at the canal). Inexpensive Internet (and good food). 300 kyat per hr for Wi-Fi and 500 kyat per hr for computers. 

• Heho - the nearest airport
• Kalaw - take a memorable (and slow) train ride from Shwenyaung station (#131 or #143). The train leaves at 08:00 and takes approximately 4 hr. Great scenery and rural life. (1,200 kyat Upper Class) or go by bus. Better to take motor bike to Shwenyaung (20 mins for 2,500 kyats) and there just wait on main road for some minibus direct to Kalaw, 2,400 kyat (Apr 2019)
• Meiktila - attractive lakeside town
• Thazi - take a memorable slow train journey from nearby Shwenyaung station on your way back to Mandalay.
• Bagan - home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world, many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries.(times/prices below as of May 2017)
  • 09:30 minivan (11,000 kyat)
  • 19:30 express bus (ordinary class), arrival 04:30 (11,000 kyat)
  • 20:30 VIP bus, arrival 05:30 (17,000 kyat)