Ko Kyaw Kalaw Trekking - Seiktathukha St

" Eyes is open that we will never forget" We did a lot of research on the various (16 apparently!) Kalaw-based companies that organise treks to Inle Lake. We’d shortlisted three of them to visit and chat to when we arrived in Kalaw, but after stepping into Ko Kyaw Kalaw Trekking office and speaking with him for a while, we knew that we’d found the company we wanted to trek with. We have three young sons aged 3, 7 and 10, and Ko Kyaw suggested that we travel as a private group, which is what we were hoping for, as we were concerned that travelling with child-free children, we’d be disrupting other travellers or holding people up. The two main points that convinced us that Ko Kyaw was the right company to trek with, however, were firstly that, while charging a bit more than the other trekking companies in Kalaw, a much larger portion goes to the guides, cooks, homestay families and other locals in the communities we’d be visiting. The second selling point is that Ko Kyaw take a different and far quieter route to any of the other trekking companies. In the three days we were trekking, we saw only two other foreigners – an American couple who were also trekking with Ko Kyaw. The route we took with our guide, Ko htun, was incredible – it took us through such diverse landscapes – ginger and chilli farms, rice fields, through lush green hills and past quiet lakes.Ko Htun was an incredible guide, who taught us so much about the places we were visiting and the local culture in each place. He was also extremely warm and kind towards our kids, one of whom fell ill on the second day of our trek. Our cook, Soe moe, was also a lovely guy who cooked us exceptionally good meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We ate like kings and experienced extremely warm hospitality in the two village homestays we slept at. We even attended a wedding in the second village! Our trek with Ko Kyaw Kalaw Trekking from Kalaw to Inle Lake was one of the absolute highlights of our three weeks in this wonderful country.

We did a 2-day trekking tour around Pindaya, starting in Kalaw, organized by Ko Kyaw and with Kyaw Min as the trekking guide, which was probably the highlight of our entire trip in Myanmar. Since we were arriving in Kalaw by bus at 4am and didn't have any booked accommodation, Ko Kyaw kindly offered himself to pick us up and let us stay at his home, where we slept for a couple of hours and were presented with a wonderful breakfast in the morning. Ko Kyaw and his family were so nice, generous and welcoming that only for the opportunity of getting to know them, we were already so pleased! Then we met Kyaw Min, the most intelligent, kind, knowledgeable and sweet guide ever (and also an amazing cook! Incredible avocado and tomato salad!), who took us around Pindaya for 2 days, showing us beautiful landscapes, teaching us everything about the crops, Myanmar history, Buddhism and basically everything we wanted to know about (we ask a lot of questions!). We passed by several PaO and Danu tribes and learned a lot of their culture. During those 2 days we haven’t seen a single tourist. We had the pleasure of sleeping in Kyaw Min family’s home and meeting his family (parents, brother, sister, brothers-in-law and nephews). Having dinner with them and spending the evening asking each other’s questions, with Kyaw Min as interpreter, was one of the most incredible experiences of our lifes. We also woke up and watched a stunning sunrise in a monastery at the top of the village, after which we met the local monk who kindly invited us to come back whenever we wanted to. We really recommend doing this trip with Ko Kyaw/Kyaw Min, highlighting that we felt around Pindaya the beautiful landscapes, villages, people and the whole experience were much more authentic and less touristic than the Kalaw-Inle route we did a few days later with another company. However, if you prefer the Kalaw-Inle tour, please arrange it with Ko Kyaw and Kyaw Min, you will have an unique and unforgettable experience. Thank you Ko Kyaw and Kyaw Min!

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! We are 2 backpackers from France & the Netherlands and we went on a 2 days trekking with Ko Kyaw Kalaw. The trip was one of the best memories that we have of Myanmar. Koko (our guide) has so much knowledge and positive energy, we had many good conversations about different topics in life while we were walking trough incredible nature! Koka was extremly helpfull and friendly, he even borrowed me his shoes because mine seemed way to small, woops :| We had a lot of fun together, saw beautiful mountains, rice fields, flowers and local people on our way. We hardly saw other tourist, which made the trip even more exclusive. The night we stayed at a lovely homestay in the middle of the jungle. Koka carried fish, vegetables & fruit in his backpack (the whole hike) which we used for lunch at a peaceful spot with an amazing view. In the evening we cooked the fish at the homestay and the mom of the family prepared the most delicious meal ever wauw all so fresh and tasty! The family was super welcoming and happy to host us. Their house is lovely, surrounded by huge bamboo trees, kids and chickens :) playing in the fields. After the hike we had beers together to close down the adventure. Many thanks again for this unforgettable memory! We highly recommend everyone to go on a trip with Ko Kyaw Kalaw trekking. All the best, love from Alice & Lotte.

Ko Kyaw provided us a specially designed tour just perfect for our whole family! We spent 2 days trekking through Pa-o and Danu villages around Kalaw and enjoyed such beautiful scenery; hiking both ridge lines and through agricultural fields. Our guide CoCo had lots of information about the local agricultural and Flora and fauna and made it really interesting for the kids. He was able to create a trip where young and old alike found much to enjoy. Lunch's were also delicious and prepared in local houses. The best part was that we were able to go well of the heated path and into villages that often didn't see tourists! Thanks to Ko Kyaw and CoCo for a great time.

We did the two day trek from Kalaw to the Inle lake. Its was just amazing. The trek was extremely well organised, really personalized. They bring you to different path than the other trekking group goes. We when through Myanmar countryside and its breathtaking. Amazing landscapes, amazing people. We definitely recommand a trek like this to discover what Myanmar is all about. A big thank you to Ko Kyaw Kalaw Trekking and to our guide.

Highly Recommended My wife and I did the 3d2n trek from Kalaw to Inle on Dec2019. It’s awesome trip. The landscape was superb view and local people was very nice. Every meal delicious and more more.. than you can eat! My guide, Ko Saw knows this place very well and knows a lot about plants and Myanmar culture. He’s very nice guy, help us everything. The stunning scenery made this trek great experience we'll never forget!

We had a 2 days trek with Ko Kyaw Kalaw Trekking around Kalaw last week, and our experience was fantastic!! Definitely one of the highlights of our stay in Myanmar. We spent a lot of time searching for a guide / agency that would bring us off the beaten track (since Kalaw area is busy with trekking), and we found it with Ko Kyaw => we met him the day before our trek start: he was very reactive by email, and he came to our hotel to meet us and explain our trek options. Ko Kyaw was very attentive to our wishes (we wanted to add some villages to the plan and he adapted the trek and made it longer). The food along the trek was really good (thanks to the chef). And we spent the night in a Da Nu tribe village, with the house owner and his family. Our guide Koko was great (nice, friendly, with lots of explanations about Myanmar culture and Kalaw area). Highly recommended!!

" Unforgettable trekking trip of a lifetime " It was Kalaw's first time trekking with Ko Kyaw. He is knowledgeable, personable, providing information not only about our planned trek but also in general about the Shan state and the ethnic groups around this region. He took us on a different route to enjoy a different view and passed through beautiful mountains, a plantation of villagers. Delicious organic lunch prepared by the local chef who was waiting for us in the village, all the food and fruit there so fresh, healthy and so sweet, I also won't forget the taste of watermelon and avocado salad . Thank you so much Ko Kyaw for giving us such good service more than we expected. Unforgettable trip of a lifetime and we will never forget this incredible experience. Highly recommended. I will come back and meet you again!