Page 244 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

242 INLE LAKE AND THE EAST KALAW AND AROUND
and then a second pick-up (1hr; K3000) onto Pindaya, one-way or return) or Nyaungshwe, or at least K50,000 to
although if you’re trying to do this as a day-trip from Kalaw visit the cave at Pindaya and then continue on to
note that transport back to Aungban from Pindaya tends to Nyaungshwe.
dry up in the afternoon, in which case your only way out
will be by taxi. BY TRAIN
Destinations Bagan (2 daily; 6–7hr); Loikaw (1 daily; 7hr); Kalaw’s station, just over 1km south of the centre, sits on an
Mandalay (6 daily; 6hr); Naypyitaw (2–3 daily; 7hr); extremely slow train line running from Thazi on the main
6 Taungoo (3–4 daily; 9hr); Thazi (6 daily; 4hr); Yangon Yangon–Mandalay line to Shwenyaung (a 30min ride by
pick-up or taxi from Nyaungshwe). The views on this route
(8 daily; 10hr).
are quite superb – some of the best in the land, indeed –
BY TAXI though the wooden seating and bumpy journey (how can
The frustrating public transport connections to Inle and train lines have potholes?) will leave you with buns of steel.
Pindaya tempt some to bite the bullet and splash out on a Destinations Shwenyaung (1 daily; 3hr 30min); Thazi
cab: count on K35,000 to either Pindaya (same fare (1 daily; 7hr 15min).
GETTING AROUND
Bicycle rental Naing Naing (see below) has an excellent (K3000/day), basic mountain bikes (K5000/day) and
selection of bikes, including gearless runarounds “deluxe” bikes ($12/day).
TREKKING AND TOUR AGENCIES
For more details about the trek to Inle Lake (see box opposite); when booking a trek, always check exactly what is
and isn’t included (boat and taxi fares, luggage transfer and so on). Day-treks and bike rides normally go for around
$20 per person per day, while for overnight tours you’ll have to add in the price of meals and accommodation (around
another $10 per person).

A1 Trekking Khone Thae St T09 4958 5199, WA1 including the usual Inle treks plus three-day hikes to
trekking.blogspot.com. Friendly, clued-up operator Pindaya. They also run one-day bike rides on quality
running two- and three-day Inle treks, as well as one- to mountain bikes to Inle and/or Pindaya, as well as various
three-day hikes around Kalaw, with a maximum of six trekking-plus-cycling combinations.
people per group. Naing Naing Min St T09 428 312 267, Enaing
Eagle Trekking Aung Chan Tha St T09 428 312 678, .cc@gmail.com. Kalaw’s leading specialist biking operator,
Eeagletrekking@gmail.com. Wide range of treks running one- and two-day tours to Inle (plus a cycling-
(maximum six people per group) including two- to five- plus-hiking two-day itinerary), as well as three-day rides
day Inle itineraries, half- and full-day walks around Kalaw from Kalaw or Inle to Mandalay or Bagan. They also arrange
and two- and three-day treks to Pindaya. Also organizes standard two- and three-day treks to the lake.
birdwatching day-trips, one-day bike rides to Inle and Sam’s Family Aung Chan Tha St T081 50377,
combination bike-plus-hike tours. Esamtrekking@gmail.com. Operated from the dining
Green Discovery Khone Thae St T09 428 318 216, tables of a small restaurant, this reliable and long-running
Wgreendiscoverymyanmar.com. Well set-up tour family business offers standard Inle treks, often at cheaper
operator offering a mix of trekking and cycling tours, prices than the competition.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in Kalaw caters to a relatively well-heeled crowd and there’s a chronic lack of real budget options,
although plenty of mid-range places. Given the often chilly climate, a/c isn’t really necessary, although it comes as
standard in most places, while the heaters provided in some more upmarket establishments are a definite bonus on
cold nights.
Dream Villa Zatila St T081 50144, Edreamvilla Eastern Paradise Thiri Mangalar St T081 50315,
hotel@gmail.com. One of the nicer places in the town Eeasternmotel@gmail.com. Dated but acceptable
centre, in a big fancy white building on a quiet backstreet. option, although the decor might remind you of childhood
Inside it feels a bit like a Burmese Swiss chalet, with cosy visits to an elderly relative and the rooms are a bit gloomy
wood-panelled rooms, which come with fridge, kettle and – $5 extra gets you one of the brighter ones upstairs. $25
flatscreen TV (but no heater). Nice enough, but pricey for Golden Kalaw Inn Natsin Rd T081 50311, Egolden
kalawinn@gmail.com. Reliable if uninspiring option with
what you get. $50