1
We stayed for three days, and I felt it was sufficient. The town is nice enough to walk around, but it's quite small, so that needn't take more than a day. Visiting the hilltribes can be made into as many days as you want it to be. We just went for one day and visited loads of villages. Trekking here is no longer possible (wait.... that was a year ago, so maybe now it is?). Anyhow, when we were there, you could not stay in villages overnight b/c of government restrictions, so visiting hilltribes could only be done as day trips.2
We have been twice to Kengtung and have gone on 4 one-day treks each time we were there. As previously said, overnights in the hilltribe villages are not allowed by the government. Unfortunately, this makes trekking expensive as you need to take a taxi each day you trek to bring you to your beginning point outside of Kengtung and to bring you back. I highly recommend the treks to see hilltribe peoples and very few tourists. The scenery is spectacular and the people are extremely kind. PM me for more info on our trekking guide, if you are interested.3
Bernardo - a week is too long. 3 or 4 days is fine. Kyaingtong is a lot of fun, and the scenery is spectacular. Just make sure you stay at the Princess, and be SURE that you book well in advance if you are planning to visit before the end of March. The other place is NOT privately owned.4
3-4 days should suffice. It's a pretty quiet and relaxing town where renting a bike to do some exploring of the town itself comes in handy. As per cabs9855
I am wondering, is it possible to fly to Kengtung from Mandalay, spend 3-4 days there, then head to the Thai border at Tachilek and exit the country from there? Will I need to prove this upon entrance to Myanmar or will I be able to arrange my flight when I arrive in Mandalay? Does anyone know if transport from Kengtung to the border is regular and how much it costs? Thanks very very much - I'm headed to Yangon in a few days and can't wait!6
Less than a year ago it was no problem flying either from Mandalay or Heho/Inle Lake to/from Kyaingtong or Tachileik but as of last fall, it SEEMS that exiting via Tachileik into northern Thailand can be done BUT with the added cost of a permit if memory serves from some previous postings, running close to U$30 that wan't required previously. Some of the previousl reports indicated that the permit was gotten from travel agencies in Yangon but I don't know if Mandalay or Inle Lake travel agencies can secure the same permits or whether it's possilbe from other agencies in Burma.7
we liked kentoung very much. if you do not want to go walking, you can also visit hilltribes on the back of a motor cycle.Posted By: VenessaP -- 28-Jan-2010 15:01
Posted By: VenessaP -- 09-Dec-2009 17:01
We're talking pell-mell cities, jungle-twined temples and beaches that just clamour for a hammock. Yep, we're talking South-East Asia. Can't you just hear the tuk-tuk horns? more »
South East Asia on a Shoestring
The original and the best, Lonely Planet's 'yellow bible' is your ticket to endless adventure in Southeast Asia. Want nonstop parties in 24-hour cities? ... buy it »
Booking hotels is simple with Lonely Planet. See our reviewed and recommended hotels and book online.
Tweak your wanderlust
With you all the way
Tweets, feeds and more
Go behind the scenes
Travel inspiration to your door