Treks and hikes in the Golden Triangle in Burma - Myanmar - Discover local ethnic group
Kentung is the best place to discover the various ethnic group of Myanmar Golden triangle. it is real people, real life and nothing to compare with Thailande.
Ethnic groups are in remote village, without real contact with Myanmar people and unfortunately their condition is not very good. Our local guides (who speaks local dialect) will probably let you know if you need to carry some tools or drugs (medecine) they may need in the village.
We remind you that we organise only hikes around Kentung, the usual walking time per day is around 2 hours max, you can not sleep in the village.
There is only one hike with a 5 hours walk, other hikes are very easy.
If you are looking for treks, with night in a private house or a monastery and 2-3 days walk with 5 to 7 hours walk a day, click Here
Some points to take note :
- The only to reach Kentung from inside Myanmar is by plane. There is no possibility to reach Kentung by car, train, bus from Inle Lake or other Myanmar area (it is possible by car from the Thai border with a Thai car).
- Flights to and from Kentung are not daily. Usually, airlines operate to kentung Monday, Wednesday, Saturday. It is very important to organise your visit to Kentung long time in advance if you have a thight schedule and to check with a local travel agent when there is a flight available (everything is changing quickly here...)
- There is not good hotel in Kentung, no 4****, no charming hotels.... choice is very limited.
But it is a great place to go and visit. Do not miss it if you can.
Akkha woman with a
hat made from silver
coin mostly Indian rupie
George V and French francs
When coming at Kentung for the treks and hikes?
The best time is from November to February. Even if nights could be cold, days are warm, very pleasant, the forest and countryside is still very green.
Monsoon - rainy season : June to August - Septembre : It may rain all the day (seldom), but soil is very slippery. We do not recommend this period, but depending of the intensity of the rain, it could be possible in June or September.
Dry Seasons : March - April - May : It is hot (35 C°) but still bearable because of the elevation (at Bagan it could be 42 -44 C). Countryside is dry. Not the best time but still acceptable.
Buddhist New Year : It is every year from 12 to 17 April, during the dry hot season. The festival in Kentung is quite interesting and may be a good idea to come during the "Water festival" (Buddhist New year).
What do you need for the trek and hike?
Light shoes (not stone of the walk way), bottle of water.
In some villages, our local guide will ask you to carry with you some food or snack has there is no restaurant in the village, or the villagers are too poor, so you will have a cold meal (your meal) in the village.
Do not forget a hat + sun block cream (elevation + sun = sun burn).
Kentung - Ethnic group from Golden Triangle :
- All hikes and trek start at Kengung for a day. In the afternoon, you will come back to Kentung for night stop. It is not possible to sleep in the villages for "security reasons".
- At Kentung Market (very interessting place), in the village or the country side, you will see and discover the way of life of many various ethnic group such as the Akkha, Lisu, Loi, Ann, Shan etc.. You will be amazed to discover how these peoples find a way to survive, so far and so closed of the modern world..
Some hikes :
Children from Ann ethnic group
Kentung Area - Golden Triangle
- Hokyin village, Akkha ethnic group : You need to drive 1h and walk 5 hours to visit the Akkha villages of Hokyin area. This is the only hike near Kentung which requires a 5 hours walk (very interesting). Could be difficult, especially in March or April when it is very hot.
- Wand Seng village, Loi ethnic group, on the way to the Chinese border and the famous city of Mong La. It takes around 3 hours drive to reach this very nice and interesting village and a 45 minute walk. The old monastery is superb, with a very beautiful Buddha statues collection. A little far, but really nice.
- Wa ,Palaung , Hoi Pon, Hoi Lon Pang Piak, Hong Ma villages : It takes only 1 hour to reach these villages by car. Between each village, you can use the car and the access for every village is easy (15 to 20 minutes walk)
- Villages of the Ann, Akkha Ethnic group : Nam Lin, Wan Pin, Nam Lin Kon. You need a 2 hours drive to reach these villages and you will have to walk around 2 hours during the whole day to visit the villages. The Ann ethnic group is really underdevelop in this area, and your guide will probably ask you to carry some medecin or local food tools they may need.
Woman from Ann Ethnic group
Kentung - Golden triangle
Woman from Loi ethnic group
during Buddhis New Year
