Our guide and private car will welcome you at the Heho Airport upon arrival.

From the airport you will be transferred to Kalaw, a former British hill station (approximately 50 km). The scenic drive takes you into the heart of the Shan State, passing pine forests, rolling hills and small towns along the way.

Kalaw is a charming little town with a mix of local and colonial-style houses. The slightly higher elevation means that the air temperature is usually much cooler than much of the country. After checking in to your hotel you may wish to enjoy a stroll around town or simply relax at your hotel.  

Dinner this evening is at your leisure.

Overnight in Kalaw

Heho Airport to Kalaw (31 km): 1 hr

This morning transfer from Kalaw to the Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp in Magwe village (drive takes around 45 minutes).

Upon arrival, a specialist guide from the camp will greet you and transfer you to the main camp base. Enjoy a welcome drink while receiving a briefing on the day’s activities, the background of the camp and the history of elephants in Myanmar.

Then embark on a short walk to the river, passing through a reforestation project set up by the camp and villagers. The elephants will likely be enjoying a refreshing swim in the stream and you can join the mahouts to bath these gentle animals.

Return to the main camp for lunch. There is time in the afternoon to explore more on foot with the local trekking guide or interact with the elephants. In the late afternoon say goodbye to the elephants and mahouts and transfer back to Kalaw.

Overnight in Kalaw

Note: Due to weather and the nature of elephants, this program may need to be altered from the original proposal. Longer treks (from one hour to five hours) are also available.

Kalaw to Green Hill Valley Elephant Camp (30 km): 45 min

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your Kalaw hotel before departing for Pindaya. There is a interesting market every 5 days in Kalaw and, should it be market day, we recommend to stop and explore before departure.

En route to Pindaya, stop in the junction town of Aung Ban where you will visit the ‘wholesale’ market. Here, you will find piles and piles of regional produce such as ginger, onions, chilies, potatoes, cabbage and other seasonal vegetables.

Then turn off the main road and head north toward Pindaya. This is a very scenic road and there will be stops made to take photos of the landscapes if you wish. Depending on arrival time in Pindaya, go for lunch at a local restaurant or to your hotel for check in (early check in subject to room availability)

This afternoon visit the town’s famous Pindaya Caves. Nestled on a hillside, the cave consists of many chambers filled with hundreds of Buddha statues.

On the return to the hotel, stop to visit a local workshop making umbrellas and paper from local materials.

Overnight in Pindaya

Kalaw to Pindaya (51 km): 2 hr

Today starts with a visit to the Pindaya market, a typical rural market selling an array of food and dry goods.

Then take a short drive east of Pindaya where we will continue on foot to a small village. In the village you will get to observe the daily activities of the people. If it is dry season you may see the drying of cheroot leaves or weaving of cotton. In the rainy season, you may see activities such as the weaving of wood or bamboo mats and making of brooms. This quaint village is filled with friendly locals and some curious kids who will welcome you to their town.

Next, continue to either the village head man’s house or a scenic field for a fun, interactive cooking demonstration. Learn about the local ingredients used in some of the regional cuisine (Danu, Shan and Pa-Oh) and the techniques used to cook the tasty dishes of the Shan State. You may also have a chance to visit a small plantation where some herbs or other ingredients are being grown.

After cooking sit down to enjoy a delicious lunch of your freshly prepared dishes.

This afternoon, take the scenic drive to Inle Lake. Check into your hotel and have he remaining day at leisure.

Overnight in Pindaya

After breakfast, head  to Nyaung Shwe, the gateway town for Inle Lake. Many tourists only pass through Nyaung Shwe which is a shame as it is a fabulous little town with a great atmosphere and many activities going on.

Start with a visit to the Nyaung Shwe morning market where locals gather every morning to buy and sell fresh produce from the lake and its surroundings.

Continue by local trishaw down to the bustling canal which is a hive of activity in the morning as boats from the lake come in to unload tomatoes and other vegetables for distribution around the country. Watch as baskets laden with produce are transferred from boats to trucks and bikes.

Hop back on the trishaw and wind through quiet streets. Make a stop at the ‘tomato house’, a warehouse-like structure where tomatoes are sorted and priced for sale. Then continue past some of the many monasteries and nunneries in the town, stopping for photos as you go.

Around 10.00 it is time to start the trek into the hills. There is an option for either a 2.5 or 4-5 hour trek (not including lunch break). There are gently rolling hills but the terrain is not steep and the paths are clear. Along the way, pass through many local villages of the Pa-Oh people, a great opportunity to learn about their culture and also see their traditional farming techniques. Depending on the time of year, corn, pumpkin, sugar cane, chilies, soya beans and cauliflower may be growing. Stop to enjoy lunch in a local house (own account) before returning on foot to Nyaung Shwe.

Overnight in Nyaung Shwe

Pindaya to Nyaung Shwe (91 km): 2.5 hr

After breakfast, visit the lake’s morning market. The market rotates its location around the lake’s villages in a 5 day rhythm and is visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes who come to sell and trade their wares. (Note: market is daily except on dark moon and full moon days).

Then, continue to the western banks of the lake and travel down a small canal to Indein. Indein is a Pa-Oh village which is known for its stupa-covered hill at Alaung Sitthou. Spend time exploring Indein on foot, strolling around the village and making your way to the top of Alaung Sitthou where you can wander amid the weather-beaten stupas and enjoy magnificent views of the lake below.

After enjoying your visit to In Dein, return to your boat. Prepare your lunch with a local family! This cooking course is a fun and interesting way to learn about the traditional flavors and preparation techniques of Burmese Cuisine.  Join a local Inthar family in their kitchen to cook local dishes then sit on the floor at a round table and dine in the local way.

Explore the local crafts of Inle Lake with a stop at the weaving village of Inpawkhone and a cheroot factory, where the typical Burmese cigars are made by hand. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Overnight in Nyaung Shwe

This morning is at your leisure until transferring to the Heho Airport for your departure flight.

Heho Airport to Nyaung Shwe (28 km): 45 mins

Nyaung Shwe Jetty to Hotel on Inle Lake (10 – 20 km): 30 – 60 mins