Trekking in the Shan Mountains Tour #MYA305
MYA305 - TREKKING IN THE SHAN MOUNTAINS - 6 DAYS/5 NIGHTS
The main focus of this active tour package is trekking in the Shan mountains combined with visits to ethnic minorities and later at the picturesque Inle Lake. Starting point is Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand and the heart of the Golden Triangle. You will cross the border to Myanmar at Mae Sai-Tachilek and travel overland to Kyain Tong, capital of the Eastern Shan State. From here you will do day treks in to the hills and visit ethnic minorities. Later a short flight will take you to Heho, from where you will enjoy more walks and sightseeing around the Inle Lake. Then finally on the last day you will be driven to the airport of Heho, from where you can continue your journey in Myanmar. Daily departure from Chiang Rai, minimum 2 persons, private tour
DAY 1 CHIANG RAI - KYAING TONG
After breakfast you will heading in northern direction and drive for approx. one hour to the border crossing Mae Sai-Tachilek. After the border formalities are done, cross in to Myanmar and visit first Tachilek's main pagoda. Afterwards you will drive through the mountain wilderness, passing villages of ethnic minorities and take brief stops at some of them. About 4 hours later reach Kyaing Tong, which is located in the middle of a very scenic valley of eastern Shan State, surrounded by more than 2,000 m high mountains. The town is inhabited by tribal people surrounded by beautiful green mountains in a valley of rice fields. A brief tour in town will be done to show you the major sights. Stay overnight in Kyaing Tong.
DAY 2 KYAING TONG B
Today first visit the Kyaing Tong?s local market. This daily market is visited by villagers from the areas nearby, they come to sell their products and barter for goods. Visiting the market, you will also see minority hill tribes in their traditional dresses. Then leave the town for a hiking tour into Wan Nyat and Wan Sheng, two and a half hour drive up hill on the way to China border with beautiful landscape and surroundings. Upon arrival for trekking starting point, we are going to trek about one hour up to the hill to reach the first village Wan Nyet. From here continue the trekking to Wan Sheng village. It is located over 1500 meters above sea level and the walk takes around three hours. Here visit the over six hundred years old wooden monastery and Loi-Wa tribe living in typical long houses. Late afternoon return back to Kyaing Tong for overnight.
DAY 3 KYAING TONG B
In the morning drive to the trekking point of Ho Kyin Mountain. You will visit villages up to 1300 meters above sea level. Here walk through the green tea plantations in the mountains via steep and narrow roads in a lush green valley. There are four villages of Akha hill tribes, they believe in different religions (Buddhist, Animist and also Christian) and you can see them in traditional costumes. The Akha are hospitable and enjoy welcoming you to their house for a chat. The round trek up and down takes six hours (can be modified). At the end of the trek visit a black smith Lahu village. Drive back to Kyaing Tong and spend here another night!
DAY 4 KYAING TONG - HEHO (INLE LAKE) B
Time at leisure until transfer to the airport. Take a short flight to Heho. Our local tour guide will welcome you. Drive directly to Nyaung Shwe, gateway to Inle Lake. The lake is 22 km long, about 11 km wide and lies 875 m above sea level. It is very shallow, only two to three meters deep. The lake is surrounded by high plateaus and overlooked by the misty Shan mountains. It is also the home of the Intha people, who have adapted to their environment by building entire villages rising on stilts from the shallow waters. Lake dwellers grow an array of flowers and also vegetables in picturesque floating gardens and fields, tended by workers in canoes. They have become famous for their unique one-leg rowing technique. Transfer to the hotel and overnight.
DAY 5 INLE LAKE B
Enjoy your day trek along the Inle Lake to explore the natural surroundings, stunning landscapes and remote hill tribes, which will offer you an unique experience of culture and nature. Start walking at the town of Nyaung Shwe for approx. 30 minutes to Htet Aain. A 15 minute walk up to the hill from here you will head to Lwe Kin Village. On route take a break in a local house and have a chat about their daily life and unique culture. Continue to Khone Sone Village (approx. 2 hours) with a scenic beauty of cheroot leaf-, tea leaf plantation and seasonal farm work. Lunch break at a local house. Take another 30 minutes walk to Lwe Khowt Village and a 15 minute walk to Inn Thar Village passing through remote villages, a monastery, schools and bamboo forests. Continue down to Dala Pin Village (1 hour) with great views of the lake. Then walk down to King Tal Village and further to Maing Thauk (approx. 1 hour). Go to the boat landing and return to the hotel on the lake. Overnight.
DAY 6 HEHO (INLE LAKE) B
Time at leisure until your transfer to the airport in Heho, from where you can continue your journey. to Mandalay, Bagan, Yangon or Thandwe.
REMARKS/FLEXIBILITY:
You should get your visa for Myanmar in advance! Please contact your nearest Myanmar Embassy or Consulate for it. For a while already there is also an e-visa service available and you can check here: https://myanmarvisa.com
Accommodation ahead of the tour package in Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai can be booked with us.
Instead of Chiang Rai it is possible to start with this tour package also in Chiang Mai.
It is possible to do this tour v. v. with start in Heho (Inle Lake) and end in Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai (Thailand).
Additional nights at Kyaing Tong and/or Inle Lake can be booked as well.
Also a modified itinerary with trekking only in the Kyaing Tong area only is available.
Connecting flights out of Heho (Inle Lake) can be booked with us.
PRICE INCLUDES:
Air-conditioned transportation during the tour, English speaking tour guides at each destination, all transfers and excursions as mentioned in the above itinerary, accommodation at middle class hotels and resorts incl. daily breakfast, domestic flight Kyaing Tong - Heho (Inle Lake)
NOT INCLUDED:
Visa for Myanmar, drinks, tips and personal expenses
HOW TO GET TO CHIANG RAI:
Domestic flights from Bangkok (Thailand) to Chiang Rai by Thai Airways, Thai Smile, Bangkok Airways, Thai Air Asia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air and Thai Viet Jet Air. From/to Phuket (Thailand) by Thai Air Asia and Thai Viet Jet Air.