Top 5 Trekking routes in Burma

Burma is a majestic nation and an ideal destination for trekkers. You can have an easy trek on the countryside and discover the ethnic diversity or opt for challenging trek along the mountain peaks. All in all, Burma is a land full of possibilities.

Here, we are going to present the top 5 best trekking routes in Burma. One cannot simply decide the best one from these five as each of the routes offer a completely different experience, hence the below mentioned treks are listed by level of difficulty.

Trekking routes in Burma – Between Kalaw and Inle Lake

This is one of the most popular trekking routes in Burma among tourists, often favored by most of the people coming to the country. There is a reason being such a favored trekking route due to the immense amount of beauty it offers to the visitors on the journey. The trek between Kalaw and Inle Lake is mostly downhill, hence it gets very easy and one cannot ignore the scenery along the way.

You are bound to meet a lot of tourists on the trekking route, however, it is also possible to enjoy the trekking journey on a lonely road with less crowd. If you happen to go through our agency, we will pick out the best route for an immersive experience.

Level: Easy as the route is mostly descending.

Number of days:  Around 2 to 4 days.

Trek to Pindaya

The distance between Kalaw and Pindaya is around 1hr 30mins drive. The landscapes between the locations are fairly similar and beautiful but gets better with the distance. The landscapes at Pindaya are hilly and quite secluded from the tourist attraction, hence, only a handful of hikers can be seen in the city as opposed to Kalaw.

The route to Pindaya can be accomplished in 3 days, where the first day is a bit difficult due to the vertical drop of 500m. Along the way, you can enjoy the scenery, tea slopes and play nice games. It may get lonely but that is the beauty of this whole journey as you can completely enjoy every single step taken on the road.

Level: Normally Easy, but expect some ascents along the path.

Number of Days:  1 to 3 days.

Trek in Hsipaw

Hsipaw is quite popular among the travelers because it offers trekking experience at reasonable rates. While, the place itself is secluded from the tourist centers, just like Pindaya, there are often chances of friendly encounters on the journey.  It is not one of our favorable treks as the route is quite uncertain, hence we prefer over similar landscapes like Kalaw and Pindaya, which offers almost similar experience.

There are no doubts that Hsipaw is a unique experience having adventurous trekking routes, but it takes lots of transporting to reach the city, hence we advise to pre-plan the trip to Burma for about 3 weeks minimum if selecting Hsipaw trekking route.

Level: Easy but often hilly, hence not recommended for easy walkers.

Number of Days: 2 to 4 days of trekking.

Trek Mount Victoria in Chin

Trekking to Mount Victoria in Chin state is a majestic experience of its own kind and is considered one of the amazing trekking routes in Burma. The complete journey is done over the several day along the Burmese borders. The route is not difficult, but it is advised to have an early trekking experience in order to accomplish the distance more comfortably.

The landscapes along the path are neither too unique nor like Kalaw, but you will have the chance to meet at the intersection of Mindat and Kanpetlet. The route is followed through the center of the Chin State, hence one of the most secluded tourist routes. While on the journey, expect to meet the Burmese locals and even embrace the company of the famous Burmese woman, whose faces are tattooed like a spider web.

Level: Normal with regular climbs and challenging paths.

Number of days: 3 to 4 days

Trek in the mountains of Putao

When it comes to Putao, it can be considered as the ultimate trekking routes in Burma. There is no other better place to trek than this one. This route is mainly for the adventurers, who wish to do something extraordinary and experience the real trekking. The entire trek can be easy or hard, between the villages of Lisu minorities or one can opt to climb the highest mountains in Southeast Asia.

If you do not wish to enroll in the high mountains trekking program, we offer a much more versatile ‘Putao- forgotten peoples of Himalayan Burmese’ program, which is a lifelong trekking experience with the extensive amount of stays. Make your choice and experience the beauty of Burma by enjoying every moment of it.

Be advised, though, that trekking in Putao requires a fairly high budget, and the flights are equally expensive as well. You will require permit and holders pass to make the journey of Putao.

Level: From Easy to Hard, depending on the trekking route chosen

Number of days: 2 to 10 days

Night: Accommodation included in our program ‘Trek in the Burmese Himalayas: Climb Mount Phongun Razi’.

How about Housing and Accommodation?

Normally, the accommodation is offered with 2 options, either a home stay or in the monastery. Hence, below are the differences among the type of accommodation.

• Sleeping in**Guest houses

The guest houses are offered as an accommodation during the trekking journey, which is only possible as a part of the trekking program. Sleeping is normally accommodated in the main room of the house. You are being provided with a mattress and the blankets, offering the great comfort in cold nights.

For bathing, there will be a bucket full of water at the back of the house and the locals will also help you to offer hot water, which can feel great as temperature tends to drop after the sunset.

• Sleeping in monastery

The accommodation in the monastery is pretty much the same, but a bit different in comparison to the guest houses. Firstly, the monastery is very broad and you will be offered either the center of the hall or the small room. The mattress and the blankets will be accommodated for the night sleep, but you will not be provided the hot water for bathing purpose, hence will have to take a bath in cold water ( just like the monks do).

It’s also an interesting experience but very noisy! Indeed, the monastery lives at its own pace, monks can make noise at night or connect their radio at 4 am. It is an experience of its own!

So want to trek in Burma?

Any questions about treks or trekking routes in Burma? Feel free to leave a comment below or contact me on the website of Shanti Travel – Burma.