With a small number of travellers, fabulous sceneries and more than a couple of stunning destinations to see, Sagar brings tourists a taste of the real Inle Lake.
This full day tour of Authentic Inle Lake takes you to the rarely visited Sagar with authentic craft villages as well as beautiful ancient stupas.
First, you will set off this morning for your lakeside hotel for Sagar, the far southern region of Inle Lake. Although being one of the most beautiful places in the Shan State with the mountains forming a backdrop for the small villages and fishermen on the water, this region, which was only recently opened to tourists in 2003, witnesses only a small number of tourists.
Although taking you about 2.5-3 hours, the boat journey is full of gorgeous views and home to many unique species of birds, both migratory and indigenous. You can definitely sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!
Upon arrival in Sagar area, you can make several stops (the order will depend on the time, other tourist boats and activity in the villages). The 'sunken' stupas of Sagar- 108 stupas from the 16-17th centuries that are partially underwater for a few months a year together with a local monastery and village that can be visited are the main highlight for many travellers.
Afterwards, you will keep on moving to the village of Thaya Gone, which is home to Inthar, Pa-Oh and Shan people and famous for its production of local rice wine. Here, you can see the process of distillation and then taste some of the local brew if you wish. In Thaya Gone, you can also have an interesting chance to climb to the top of a small hill where you can admire some spectacular views of the lake as well as the surrounding villages.
SaeKhaung Pottery Village, where you can see the crafting of oil and water pots as well as the natural, underground kilns used by the villagers is your next stop. Tar Kaung, which is situated on the western shores of the Sagar area, a series of more than 200 stupas is also a fabulous photo stop.
Along the way, you will have time for lunch (either picnic lunch or local lunch at a small restaurant).
Around 2.30.p.m. the boat will start to go back to the main sect