Myanmar: Hiking and Biking Inle Lake

Arrive into Yangon International Airport (RGN) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Catch another quick flight north to Heho (HEH), the gateway to the beautiful Shan state. Join your Program Leaders for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture. Have dinner with the group and settle in for the night.

Spend the next two days trekking through the stunning mountains, stopping in villages, and learning about life in one of the premier hiking destinations in Southeast Asia. One of these villages will be your host for the night before continuing our trek in the morning!

Switch from trekking to biking as you make the final push to beautiful Inle Lake, one of the most-visited natural attractions in Myanmar. Spend five to six hours cruising along dusty roads and visit villages for snacks and lunch along the way. Shower, relax, and reflect on the journey you just completed from Kalaw to Inle Lake. Join your group for a mid-trip discussion where you’ll begin to reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned so far.

Hit the waters of Inle Lake early on your way to a bustling morning market and the vibrant villages on the shores of the lake. Hunt in teams to find various local handicrafts and learn about the journey many products have made from rural villages to reach this market. Visit the homes of some of our staff, learning to cook a few Myanmar and Shan classic dishes before a game of soccer to end your day.

Make the short drive to Heho Airport and fly to Yangon. Explore Myanmar’s majestic and glistening Shwedagon Pagoda. Navigate the bustling stalls of Bogyoke Market as you bargain for souvenirs and gifts for your family.

At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

Grab your last local snacks before your flight home. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.