WT046 - JUNGLE TREKKING

We went to Hsipaw with the idea of doing a 3-day trekking tour. It is also possible to do it in Kalaw but we preferred this location. Some companies, like Mr. Bike (well-known among tourists), sell the tours really expensive for 80.000 or 90.000 MMK (50-55 EUR) depending on the number of participants. Due to the bad weather conditions, almost raining every day, we only booked the 2-day tour with overnight via our hostel - Mr. Charles Hotel. Our local guide led the way from the hostel to the next Shan village, the Pankam Village, by foot and that took us on the first day 6 hours. The plan was in fact to eat at this village and then move to another, where we would spend the night. This would take 1,5 hours more but as soon as we arrived in Pankam, we were so tired that we decided to take a nap instead and simply stay there. We paid for the complete tour 35.000 MMK (22 EUR), 5000 MMK (3 EUR) of which we got back because of our change of route.

After 2 hours walking, we had the first of our two stops in a local place to buy water and eat some tasty mango and homemade banana chips.

The arrival at the Pankam Village was like a blessing for us tired souls. More or less 6 hours of walk together with constant rain took us to the extreme. We were soaking wet and after eating lunch at the homestay, we went directly to sleep in our comfy floor mattresses. The local food was so great and I'll miss the tea leaf salad.

Leaving the village on the second day with once again rain as our companion, lots of it, in direction of the Nam Hu Nwe Waterfall. Because it rained the whole night, the floor was even muddier than before. Unfortunately for us, the trail this day was mostly going down. Our guide found/made us sticks to help balance ourselves in the slippery terrain.

The mud in our shoes made them so heavy that we had walk slowly and every time possible between the grass.

The jungle trekking tour finally ended at the Nam Hu Nwe Waterfall. After the difficult trail in the mud and rain and before taking a tuk tuk back to town, a well deserved hot meal was awaiting us.