The shallow waters of Inle Lake stretch for over 15 miles, ringed by small fishing villages and majestic hazy hills. Explore by private longtail boat and discover a water world dotted with stilted houses, floating gardens, family cottage industries, markets and ancient pagodas & temples. A great two centre with Kalaw Hill Station.
Travel By Private Longtail Boat
You know you’re going somewhere special when your hotel transfer is by private longtail boat. Follow a relatively narrow channel and the lake starts to spread out in front of you. As you enter keep your eye out for the iconic one-legged rowing style used by local fisherman and the many small floating gardens filled with vegetables and plants. The lake is also home to many species of bird that use the area as a breeding ground or a stop on their migration routes.
The hotels are spaced out along the shore, either hidden in lagoons or built on stilts, a possible homage to Waterworld. As such the hotels are largely beautiful bases from which to explore the lake by boat and all our holidays include a guide and private longtail boat.
Explore The Water World
Start your first morning with a visit to the local market. It’s held daily but the location of the event rotates through five different sites around the lake area, thus each of them host a roaming market every fifth day. This is a great way of getting to understand tribal life and your guide will talk you through the wares on offer. The rest of the morning is usually spent exploring local cottage industries that dot the area, including craftsman at work building wooden boats, workers hand rolling Burmese cigars and silk and lotus weaving on traditional looms. The latter, once spun, produces a delicate material of superb quality that’s usually combined with silk for ceremonial dress as the lotus is a divine symbol of their Buddhist faith.
In the afternoon we’d recommend that you head to the far side of the lake into Inn Thein Creek, a long narrow foliage-cloaked canal that winds its way on an atmospheric ride to Indein. Indein is famous for the thousands of stupas that cover the hillside above the town. The origins of the site are believed to date back to the 3rd Century BC, when the Indian emperor sent monks to spread Buddhism. It wasn't until the 17th and 18th century that the majority of the pagodas were commissioned during the reign of King Narapatisithu. Like others found across the region, the stupas feature fantastical creatures like chinthe - mythic lion-like beings that protect sacred spaces. These were sites for contemplation and meditation and many contain relics inside their bases. Approached by a long covered walkway some have been restored, but most are in various stages of decay or being taking over by vegetation to create at atmospheric weather beaten maze almost akin to an ancient exaggerated cemetery. Great for photographers. 
If you’d like to stretch further take a 3 hour boat trip to Sagar Village. This full day boat trip is an unforgettable journey and a photographers dream, taking you to an area that sees less tourism. The boat trip passes through spectacular mountain scenery and villages dotted along the river banks. The highlight is the 108 stupas that date back to the 16th century and at certain times of the year are underwater. Visit the monastery and a local tribal village known for its rice wine, where you can watch the distillation process and if you dare, sample the brew. Witness the amazing sight of more than 200 stupas at Tar Kuang with a quick photo stop before heading back to your hotel in time for sunset.
Whatever you decide to do take a couple of days to explore the lake. Travelling by boat you soon get into the rhythm of life and the ability to combine the natural world with easy access to Burmese culture and history makes this a special place.