Another worthwhile experience that most tourists miss is to see some of the thousands of waterbirds that use Inle Lake either as a breeding site or on migration. Some are rare species difficult to see anywhere else. December and January are the best times, although some birds, like the spectacular Pheasant-tailed Jacana, are best seen in their breeding plumage during the rainy season. The Lake is a wildlife sanctuary and the local warden can arrange a knowledgeable guide who knows the English names and can show you where the birds are for a reasonable fee about 12000kyat at this writing, not including boat and boatman. This fee goes to support the staff of the cash-strapped sanctuary. Bring your own binoculars and get out early when the birds are most active. Ask at your lodging to make arrangements.
There is a $5 entry fee per person to the lake, charged by the government.
Bike Ride - take a day to ride through surrounding villages. Just check your rental bike carefully before leaving.
Hike - day hikes in the surrounding hills, or 3 day hikes to Kalaw are available, and are highly recommended. Seek out Than The, a local guide who knows the area very well and comes highly recommended. Ask for him at Win's Massage business. Another excellent guide is Dante, which you can hire from the Agency called Thu-Thu, on the main street near the market. He and Mr. Cook will provide you the best information on the area and the best food you'll eat in Myanmar. A typical day hike usually costs about 10,000 Kyats per person and starts at 8 AM and ends at 4-6 PM. Be warned that the hikes can be very exhausting because it involves a lot of walking typically 20 km, but you can ask the guide to shorten the trip if you are tired, walking up steep paths and the heat especially in April can make it quite tiring too. Bring plenty of water 2-3 litres per person as it can be difficult to buy clean water since you won't pass any shops, and of course good hiking shoes or boots. On a typical trip one will walk through mountains, forests and many villages inhabited by hill tribes but don't expect to see them dressed in fancy hill tribe costumes. This is real life and not set up for the tourists. Even if a hike is tiring, it gives the opportunity to get a glimpse of real life around Inle Lake and see some nice scenery too. It's usually not a tourist trap like the boat trip on the lake often is.
Massage @ Phyu Phyu's Bamboo Hut
Visit Phyu Phyu's Bamboo Hut for traditional burmese massage by one of Phyu Phyu's family members. This wonderful young woman with the nicest family can also book boat trips and guide you, canoes or trekking.