Myanmar has its essential attractions—Bagan, Inle Lake, Mandalay; the greatest hits, if you will. But there are deeper cuts too.
Destinations that deviate so far from the beaten track that the track altogether disappears and travel by water or air is the only way of reaching them. Nant Mon Gyi is one of those places.
Unsurprisingly then, Nant Mon Gyi (Nammongyi on Google Maps) is not the easiest place to reach. Most visitors will take a three-hour car ride from the capital Naypyidaw although the waterfall itself is actually set eastwards in Pinlaung township, the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone of southern Shan state.
From the drop-off point of Paung Long restaurant, you can arrange to take a boat upriver to the cascade.
After a 10-minute walk to the water, an invigorating hour-long voyage winds through twisted limbs of brittle crumbling trees jutting from the river, hemmed in on both sides by undulating forests.
But, of course, the waterfall is the headline act, and it does not disappoint. Simply labelling Nant Mon Gyi a waterfall doesn’t do it justice—that plain description falls so far short of capturing the scale, the beauty, the sheer magnificence of the place that it’s practically a misnomer.
Sapphire-blue falls feed an endless series of glistening pools and butterflies-in-your-stomach inducing jumps hidden amid broad expanses of jungle oasis reverberating with the rush of water, the drone of crickets, chirping birds and the occasional distant blast of musket fire as local hunters track wild boar in the jungle.
To scale and descend Nant Mon Gyi is a blast of pure uninhibited joy: a deep and profound lungful of freedom.
A rare setting that strengthens the bond between you and Earth, the place is so beautiful that it seizes you, transforming your state of consciousness if you allow it.
To put it in lay-terms: Nant Mon Gyi is fun. Really fun.
Considering the lengthy journey and the beauty, you’ll definitely want to linger. At the base of the falls are about 15-20 wooden huts (no mod-cons) and a restaurant. I thoroughly recommend you stay because trying to cram the falls into a single day is a losing strategy.
As of this moment, Nant Mon Gyi is one of Myanmar’s best-kept secrets, but it’s only a matter of time before its profile rises to the level of its (sky-high) appeal and some of its bracing into-the-wild charm is diluted. My advice? Start planning to go. Right now.
Nearest city: Naypyidaw.
How to get there: From Naypyidaw it’s a three-hour drive to the drop off point and then another hour on the boat to the falls. At this stage it’s more of a word-of-mouth/Facebook phenomenon but there is one agency in Yangon that can help you arrange your trip: Khwar Nyo Travel & Tour. Call them on 09454513898.
Where to stay: A hut at the foot of the falls costs 20,000 kyats per night.
When to visit: Nant Mon Gyi opens in October and closes late May. During monsoon, it’s a no-go.
