Up and down on the hills of Shan State
“Hands down, the best thing I did in Myanmar was a trek!” was what I kept reading on some travel blogs while doing research for my trip to Myanmar. So it was settled – making on foot the 50 km way between Inle Lake and Kalaw town in a two-day trek through Myanmar’s hill country – the most inspired decision.
This is the Shan Plateau, a quilt of golden and green crops backed by forested hillsides renowned for their villages of the hill tribes – a never ending series of ups and downs – with none particularly steep. These are the lands of the Pa’O, Danu, Palaung and Taung Yo people – ethnic groups who still practice a way of life that has been passed down for centuries. Each village has anywhere from 50-100 families living inside, and they each speak their own unique dialect. There are no roads and no electricity in their villages, just tracks used by walkers, cyclists and grumpy water buffaloes. Everything is made by hand from natural resources like bamboo and wood. All foods are locally grown in the gardens and fields. Women wear layered black tunics and fearsomely colored turbans. Their men wear “longyi” sarongs. The scenery, ranging from forested ridges to tea plantations and lush farmland was just beautiful, and Sithu (our guide) taught us about local customs and translate so that you can interact with the people meet.
Making the way between Kalaw and Inle Lake on foot is one of the most rewardable experiences ever. The two and a half days I spent trekking was the highlight of my trip in Myanmar. To truly experience the life of villagers was to get a true sense of Myanmar. They were so kind, helpful and happy. Fresh air, blue sky, patchwork fields, rolling hills, food grown in the field, a roof over head, clean water, no technology and a real community spirit. Loved it.
Up and down on the hills of Shan State
“Hands down, the best thing I did in Myanmar was a trek!” was what I kept reading on some travel blogs while doing research for my trip to Myanmar. So it was settled – making on foot the 50 km way between Inle Lake and Kalaw town in a two-day trek through Myanmar’s hill country – the most inspired decision.
This is the Shan Plateau, a quilt of golden and green crops backed by forested hillsides renowned for their villages of the hill tribes – a never ending series of ups and downs – with none particularly steep. These are the lands of the Pa’O, Danu, Palaung and Taung Yo people – ethnic groups who still practice a way of life that has been passed down for centuries. Each village has anywhere from 50-100 families living inside, and they each speak their own unique dialect. There are no roads and no electricity in their villages, just tracks used by walkers, cyclists and grumpy water buffaloes. Everything is made by hand from natural resources like bamboo and wood. All foods are locally grown in the gardens and fields. Women wear layered black tunics and fearsomely colored turbans. Their men wear “longyi” sarongs. The scenery, ranging from forested ridges to tea plantations and lush farmland was just beautiful, and Sithu (our guide) taught us about local customs and translate so that you can interact with the people meet.
Making the way between Kalaw and Inle Lake on foot is one of the most rewardable experiences ever. The two and a half days I spent trekking was the highlight of my trip in Myanmar. To truly experience the life of villagers was to get a true sense of Myanmar. They were so kind, helpful and happy. Fresh air, blue sky, patchwork fields, rolling hills, food grown in the field, a roof over head, clean water, no technology and a real community spirit. Loved it.
