COMMUNITY VISIT
IN SHAN STATE

Samkar Lake CBT offers several packages according to the time spent and preferences, with unique experiences:

– Cultural heritage walking tours in the villages of Samkar and Tha Yar Khone, where a local conduction would lead the guests discovering the ancient history and traditions of their village as the Thar Kaung Pagoda or the 28 stupas site. During the tour there is also the chance to visit local traditional workshops of blacksmith, bamboo weaving, the traditional rice alcohol and rice crackers producers;

– Traditional lunch at a local family available in Samkar and Tha Yar Khone village, where our trained cooks would prepare and offer a traditional lunch; food may vary and it reflects cooks ethnic group traditions;

– A Multi-Ethnic Food Experience, a buffet style lunch in Samkar village, with three different menus, Shan, Pa-O and Intha, prepared locally and handmade by our cooks to make the guests taste genuine an traditional flavors (most suitable for groups);

– A relaxing tour on the bamboo raft, departing from Khone Tar village up to the ancient aqueduct in the lake; during the trip a local conductor would explain the legends of the area and our pilot would drive you and the calm waters using the leg-rowing technique, while the guests would be offered traditional delicacies;

– An interesting canoe tour, departing from Tha Yar Khone village, would lead tourists discover the floating pagodas in the lake, not far from the village. The community guide would share the story of the dam construction and area flooding which results in a unique and charming scenery.

Samkar Kham Community Lodge and Restaurant offer a charming and relaxing atmosphere in the center of Samkar village for overnight stays.

It can accommodate up to 12 guests in three rooms with separate toilet and shower facilities. It also offer

free bikes to the guests to explore the surroundings.

The lodge is made in bamboo, designed to reflect traditional houses shapes and it is equipped with solar panels and high efficiency appliances to respect the environment. Guests are also encouraged to bring their own water bottle. Indeed, in the lodge, as well as in other points located in the three villages, there are water refill stations available for guests.

CBT cooks welcome the guests in the restaurant with a refreshing meal after the long day spent on the lake and delicious breakfasts.

On request, there are also evening activities for lodge guests as soap making workshop, held by the CBT handicraft group, or martial art workshop, leaded by village senior experts.

Destinations around Sakar CBT village

Numerous scenic trails and traditional villages surround Samkar Lake CBT area.

Samkar Kham community lodge offers free bikes for its guests to explore the surroundings.

All the cultural and natural heritage, living traditions and religious sites have been mapped and are included in the “Interpretation Plan” book, available in hard copy or soft copy at CBT.

Starting from this context mapping, an application for mobile has been developed, called “Explore Samkar – Inle”.

The application, available for Android and iOS, allows to obtain information on several sites and villages through a list subdivided in the following sections:

• Villages
• Historic Site
• Living heritage
• Natural Heritage
• Religion

All the sites have been geo-localized and they are accessible from a map with augmented reality as well.

Photos and additional contents complete the contents offered.

The application is now in English and soon would be available in Myanmar language as well.

An example of sites to visit is Naung Bo village with its pottery tradition, or Loi Laung pagoda, an ancient white Pagoda built by King Alaung Sithu, situated on top of Loi Laung mountain the site and it offers a breathtaking viewpoint over the lake. There are a lot of natural beauties as well as the water springs which are located in proximity to the village of Nam Huu. There are three pools in the compound. The water is very clear. In the lower pool everyone can swim, both men and women. In the upper pool, just the monks can swim, there is a water ordination hall.

Routes that visitors can go to CBT sites

Samkar Lake CBT can be reached by road or by boat. It is located on the shores of Samkar lake, south of Inle lake and connected through a channel which is navigable during high season.

It is located about 38 miles south of Nyaung Shwe. Samkar village, main hub of the CBT, is connected to Nyaung Shwe by the road on east side of Inle lake with a car trip of approximately one and a half hour. The village of Khone Tar is on the same shore just a few miles south. Tha Yar Khone village is located on the opposite side of the lake and it is better connected by boat from Samkar (around 15 minutes trip). All the villages are also accessible by boat with a 3 hours trip from Nyaung Shwe through the beautiful Inle lake.

Samkar Lake CBT half way between Nyaung Shwe, main access gate for the famous Inle lake, and Loikow, capital of Kayah State, near the Moebye dam in Pekon.

Samkar Lake CBT is happy to welcome its guests all throughout the year.

During the high season the weather is sunny and dry, with warm days and cool nights.

During the high season the area can be reached by boat from Nyaung Shwe, while in the other season the channel may be too dry so it is necessary to take a 1 and half hour trip by car from Nyaung Shwe.

Shan State is also famous for its nice weather and climate therefore, also during raining season, it gifts suitable weather for outdoor activities with magnificent light effects.