The half day tour of Inle Lake Insight is an ideal choice for those who want to capture some picture perfect shots of the striking monuments and fishermen on a long wooden boat as well as discover the stilted villages among the waterways and meet friendly locals on a leisurely boat ride.
This morning, you will be picked up by your guide at your hotel this morning to embark on your Inle Lake day trip. You will board your private motorboat (there are lifejackets, cushioned wooden chairs, blankets in the winter months and umbrellas for sun and wind protection on board).
You will start your trip with an interesting visit to the morning market, which rotates locations on a 5 day basis. (Note that on full moon or dark moon days, there are no markets). This daily market attracts a large number of people from all over the lake's shores who gather together to sell their wares and buy goods if you are lucky you can have a chance to meet Pa Oh, Inthar and Shan people in their traditional outfits. While wandering amid the stalls, you will be told about the local produce and goods for sale.
After that, you will continue across the lake, go through peaceful villages with unique stilted houses and lovely floating gardens built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles. You can also get an amazing opportunity to watch the leg rowing fishermen who steer their boats with stunning balance.
Next, you will make your way to PhaungDawOo Pagoda, which is the lake's main sanctuary, containing of 5 sacred Buddha images and housing various royal barges used during the annual festival of the pagoda.
Finally, you will go back to your hotel in NyaungShwe or on Inle Lake.