Full-Day Excursion In The Fascinating Inle Lake

Your tour will start at 08:00 with pick up at your hotel in Nyaung Shwe or on Inle Lake and begin this Inle Lake full day tour by boarding a private longtail boat. The private wooden motorboat has everything you need for an enjoyable journey- cushioned wooden chairs, life jackets, umbrellas- for sun and wind protection- and blankets in the winter months.

Start with a visit to the morning market, which rotates locations on a 5-day basis. (Note: there are no markets on full moon or dark moon days) This daily market attracts people from all over the lake’s shores to buy and sell their wares; it’s a great chance to meet with the locals.

Continue across the lake, passing through villages with stilted houses. Cruise by floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud, anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. Be on the lookout for fishermen who use a unique leg-rowing technique to propel their boats while casting their nets.

Next visit to Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda, the lake’s main sanctuary. Climb the stairs to the top where 5 sacred Buddha images are displayed on a platform. Learn about the history of these gold-covered statues and find out why they are so revered. Take a short walk to a nearby boat house to see the royal barges used during the pagoda’s annual festival.

Continue with a short ride onwards to Inpawkhone, a village known for its weaving. Stop in one weaving workshop to see this traditional craft up-close. See silk being spun and placed in intricate patterns on the loom. Witness the time-consuming process of making threads from the fibrous stems of the lotus flowers, a craft that is unique to this village. Then continue to a cheroot factory, where Myanmar cigars are rolled by hand.

After a lunch at local restaurant (Own account) typical Inthar dishes, continue across the lake and down a narrow canal to the village of Indein. (Due to low water levels, Indein is often inaccessible by boat in April and May. The area can still be reached by road) Explore the area on foot, strolling around the village and wandering through the beautiful Alaung Sithu area. Walk up the hill to see its picturesque stupas and enjoy magnificent views of the lake.

If time allows, a stop can be made at Inthar Heritage House to learn more about the history and culture of the lake’s indigenous people. Conclude the Inle Lake full day tour with a return to the Nyaung Shwe, filled with unforgettable lakeside memories.