Kalaw – Myanmar Altitude Station

This small high-altitude village was for a long time appreciated as a holiday destination for English civil servants in Burma.

That explains why you’ll spot a few cottage style houses on the heights of the city.

You will reach Kalaw easily by train or bus. The railway station is only a few minutes walk from the city centre

What to do in Kalaw

The city is a trekking hotspot. Meaning by this, it is the starting point for treks to Inle Lake.

These treks are possible in two to three days, according to your wishes, and cross the surrounding hills to the mouths of the lake

On the program, passing through ethnic villages and nights with locals.

Hiking is also possible on a single day and gives you the opportunity to cross villages and admire the views of the surrounding hills.

Kalaw is one of the few places in Burma where you can go hiking unaccompanied. Warning: this may change, always check before you leave.

The paths are not clearly marked, so make sure you have a detailed map, and never leave without rain gear, water and sunscreen.

Apart from being a “meeting point for hikers”, the city of Kalaw offers little points of interest.

The town is small, so a half-day visit to the city centre is sufficient to see the most of it.

A few pagodas are worth a visit.

The market, like many in Myanmar, offers a good overview of local products. It takes place every day from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm.