At 11 miles long, Inle Lake is the second largest lake in Myanmar, and a sight unlike anything else the country has to offer; here, chaotic city streets and ancient plains are traded in for a serene expanse of floating gardens, wooden boats and stilted homes stretching out as far as the eye can see. Look closer and you’ll find that the cultural treasures contained within are just as noteworthy as the lake they sit on: with everything from floating meditation halls and ornate Buddhist temples to handicraft villages and so much more, Inle Lake offers a chance to view a more authentic side of Myanmar than the traditional tourist hotspots.
And as you sail from sight to sight, you’ll discover what is perhaps the lake’s most famous attraction – the Intha Leg Rowers. To best catch the fish in the lake, the fishermen here have trained themselves to row with only one leg, allowing them to use both of their hands to operate their conical fishing devices.
Whether you set out at dawn to sail through the crisp, morning air, or leave the boat behind to explore the crumbling ruins and endless rice fields of a nearby village, the memories made here are sure to last a lifetime.
To view a sample journey that includes Inle Lake & the other highlights of Myanmar, click here.