Trekking Kalaw to Inle lake Myanmar

I took the bus from Bagan to Kalaw with one main goal. Do the three day trekking from Kalaw to Inle lake. The trekking will go over the mountains and you will walk 62 km in total with the highest point on 1700 meter. You can also do the two day trekking. On the first day you’ll start at the same point the three day trekking starts the second day.

Trekking from Kalaw to Inle lake

The lonely planet offers different places where you can do the trekking from Kalaw to Inle lake. Sams family trekking is the most populair one. I did this trekking with four French people. It was hot on our trekking and sometimes a hard walk but the views were nice the landscapes different every time. Waving to happy smiling kids, pictures with local people, we made fun the whole way. The cook, I need to mention this guy. He made fantastic meals during the trekking!

Prices trekking from Kalaw to Inle lake

When you have a bigger group the price is getting down. We had a group of 5 and paid $40 for the 3 day trekking. See the prices of the trekking from Kalaw to Inle lake below. (march 2015) Breakfast Lunch and diner are included. Water, drinks and snacks are not included.

Video of the trekking Kalaw to Inle lake.

Day one trekking Kalaw to Inle lake

On the first day we had to be at 8.00 am at Sams family we gave our bags tags so Sams family can bring them to the right hotel in Inle Lake on the third day. At 8.30 we started to walk. The first day you will walk 6.5 hours and walk 22km. After 3.5 hours we had lunch at an beautiful viewpoint. The lunch was great, different food like fruit, avocado salad and indian food. After lunch we walked further, had a tea stop at the train station the and finished the trekking day the homestay. A simple house with “shower” and “toilet”. In the village was a little shop where we bought some nuts and beers for the afternoon. Our cook did a great job again and made a awesome meal.

Day two trekking Kalaw to Inle lake

On day two we woke up at 6.30 had breakfast and started walking at 7.30. The first hour of the second day was uphill but with a gift at the end. An nice view on 1700mtr over the valley. The rest of the day was up and down but not that hard as the first hour. On the way the guide explained some things about the culture, nature and Myanmar. We tasted some orange raspberries and the guide took us to her house to meet her mom, brother and nephew. (We were lucky, this not happen every trekking) With the last our in front of us we took a “shower” in the river and walked to the second homestay. The cook was waiting on us again with another stunning meal! Even french fries included. He made me smile after a hard day walking.

Day three trekking Kalaw to Inle lake

The last day we get up at 6.30 again. And when you think the cook can’t surprise, he did! Pancakes for breakfast! The third day of trekking is not the longest day (4 hours) but after two long days walking it is not a easy walk in the park. Some downhill walking with technical parts because of some stones. But when you reach the place to lunch you only have to walk 20 minutes to the “harbor” where you can get the boat to Inle Lake. We had some rain but who gives a $%^&* when you walked an awesome three day trip in 35 degrees celcius!

Inle lake tourist fee

On day three you will pass a checkpoint where you have to buy a tourist fee ticket for the Inle lake area. This ticket costs $10 or 11.000 MMY and expires in 7 days so you can use it the rest of the week when you stay at Inle lake as well.

What to bring on the trekking Kalaw to Inle lake

• Small backpack
• Shoes or sandals
• 1 liter of water (you can buy on the way)
• Suncream
• Poncho
• Comfortable clothes
• Toiletpaper
• Towel
• Toothbrush
• One long sleeve (morning can be cold)
• $10 or 11.000 MMY for the Inle lake tourist fee (day three)
• Some money for water, drinks and snacks.

Don’t bring to much stuff everybody will sweat 😉

Trekking tip

My tip when you are trekking from Kalaw to Inle lake. Drink enough water it can be hot. Better pee often than can’t walk out of the middle of nowhere.

Sams Family trekking Kalaw

The bus from Bagan to Kalaw arrives around 14.30 with new people. You can sign in at Sams Family trekking for the three day trekking or the two day trekking. At 17.00 you can go back to check how many people are in your group or switch groups to make the bigger so price cheaper. (max 7 persons in a group)

Photo of Sams Family trekking shop / restaurant