Private Transfer Mandalay to Inle Lake via Kalaw

One vehicle, two stops, one destination: no shared rides or schedule changes

A private transfer from Mandalay to Inle Lake (NyaungShwe) with a professional driver, stopping in Thazi for refreshment and Kalaw if you want to stay there. Hotel pickup begins at 8am. The full journey takes around seven hours. Air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water are included. The route is yours alone.

The experience

You're picked up at your Mandalay hotel at 8am and travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver. The first leg to Thazi takes two and a half hours. You'll stop at a restaurant there to grab a cold drink or lunch before continuing. From Thazi to Kalaw is another two hours, and if staying overnight in Kalaw is part of your plan, the transfer ends there. If you're heading straight through to Inle Lake, the driver continues from Kalaw for the final stretch, arriving at NyaungShwe after roughly seven hours total from Mandalay.

Because this is a private transfer, the route and pace work around your group alone: no waiting for other passengers, no fixed itinerary beyond the stops you choose. Bottled water travels with you, and the air-conditioned cabin matters on a journey this long. The driver handles the route. You decide whether to break in Kalaw or push through to the lake.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup at 8am.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the entire transfer.
• bottled water.
• fuel surcharge.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 10:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Royal Gold Myanmar

Is this one for you?Choose this if you're flying into Mandalay and want a private vehicle to Inle Lake or Kalaw. You set the pace and can stop overnight in Kalaw or drive straight through.

Top questions

How long does it take to get from Mandalay to Inle Lake on this transfer?

The full journey from Mandalay to Inle Lake (NyaungShwe) takes around seven hours, including a stop in Thazi for refreshment and the option to pause in Kalaw if you choose to stay there overnight.

What happens during the stop in Thazi?

Thazi is a rest point roughly two and a half hours into the drive from Mandalay. You'll stop at a restaurant where you can order a cold drink or have lunch before the driver continues toward Kalaw.

Can I stay in Kalaw instead of going all the way to Inle Lake?

Yes. If Kalaw is your final destination, the transfer ends there after the two-hour drive from Thazi. If you're continuing to Inle Lake, the driver proceeds from Kalaw for the remaining distance.

Is the vehicle air-conditioned for the whole journey?

Yes, the vehicle is air-conditioned throughout the transfer, and bottled water is provided for the trip.

What time does the driver pick me up?

Hotel pickup is at 8am from your accommodation in Mandalay, so arrange to be ready and have your bags packed by then.