Popa Mountain Resort
A Serene and Relaxing Escape with Breathtaking Views
When it comes to vistas that tug at your heartstrings, Myanmar doesn’t fail to surprise. Mount Popa is one such stunningly beautiful postcard sight where your soul transcends into a world of ethereal charm.
With Bagan ticked off our list, we had packed our bags and were ready for a new adventure in Myanmar. Mount Popa was one of those places that had been talked about endearingly by many visitors, so Vikram and I decided to experience it first-hand. We stayed at the Eco Popa Mountain Resort for three nights and decided to visit the monastery during our stay. Needless to say, the eco-resort was a refreshing stay, and Taung Kalat Monastery one of the most amazing places to visit!
Journeying From Bagan to Mount Popa ~ A Treat for the Senses
Bagan had been a bag of delightful surprises. Charismatic sunrise and sunset views had made us fall in love with the place. There were still so many pagodas to explore and so many sunrises that I wanted to witness from the temple tops, but with heavy hearts, we knew that our journey had to go on, and so we started early from Bagan to reach Mount Popa before the sun reached its highest point in the sky. To maximise our time, we took a car that would bring us straight to the resort.
As Bagan gently faded away in the horizon, I realised that the arid lands started getting greener. Nature was more benevolent to this part of Myanmar. The roads were laced with wildflowers of different colours, cheerful springs gurgled happily on their course, and quintessential villages peeped now and then from the woody landscape. *Often called Myanmar’s Mt. Olympus, the forested landmark rises about 4500 ft. above sea level.
Fun fact: Mount Popa gets its name from the Burmese word ‘Puppa’ which means flower. Gazing at the vibrant views of the mountain, I realised why its people would want to call it a flower. There was hardly another name that could fit so well.
The Resort ~ Beauty Personified
Eco-lodges are a brilliant alternative to hotels. They are high on sustainability and encourage responsible tourism in many ways. Promoting biodiversity and fostering a love for nature, the thought of an eco-lodge made me look forward to our stay at Myanmar’s Popa Mountain Resort.
There are 55 chalets around the facility which are designed to seamlessly blend into the natural surroundings. Thoughtfully designed to include private outdoor spaces boasting stunning views of nature, the chalets are furnished with local teak decor, and fabrics and linens used display ethnic inspiration. The majority of the rooms have beautiful garden views with an additional 8 deluxe rooms facing the Taung Kalat Monastery. Our hearts were, of course, set on the mesmerising panoramas of the mountain and monastery, and so we settled on the Deluxe Mountain View Room.
Ever wondered what it is like to be surrounded by amazingly beautiful views every time you looked out of the window or had your meal or walked out the door? This is exactly what we enjoyed during the time we spent at the Eco Popa Mountain Resort. Additionally, the resort is the only place that offers uninhibited views of the sacred monastery. Just a walk around the place exploring the organic gardens and the panoramic lookouts took our breath away. And, a long soak in the infinity pool with its splendid view of the monastery tempted us to linger a little longer.
Activities at the resort include trekking, bird watching, and horseback riding. You can also enjoy a relaxing spa therapy or simply while away your time in the garden and listen to the soothing traditional music that plays in the central pavilion.
Perched majestically upon a volcanic plug, the awe-inspiring Popa Taung Kalat Monastery is a vision of beauty. Its golden stupas rise magnificently, glistening brilliantly in the golden Myanmar sun, leaving no doubt of its grandiosity.
The resort has a strategically set terrace restaurant named Sagawa {meaning welcome} which treats you to resplendent views of the monastery in the distance and delicious food, including a choice of Burmese and European cuisine. Yes, the vistas were not the only reason we loved the resort. We had our breakfast and dinner at the open terrace of the restaurant where we appreciated the cool mountain breeze of the higher elevation.
Our Villa ~ A Luxurious Stay Combined With Impressive Views
There is something very calming about the resort that automatically lets worries melt away into thin air. We felt relaxed and so much at peace at the resort that we simply didn’t want to leave at all. Every morning we would wake up to a tranquil and spectacular view of the Taung Kalat Monastery and the surrounding greenery, and in the evening we were greeted with sunsets being as poignant as those that we had witnessed in Bagan.
Our spacious Chalet was built with teak wood and was furnished with a comfortable four-poster bed which added warmth. Stone furnishings were also commonplace in the rooms here. Nestled amidst organic gardens, it had a romantic aura making it the perfect place to spend some quality time with your loved one.
A Place to Explore the Wild Nature of Myanmar
While the resort gently nudged me to throw back my hair and relax in the serenity of its atmosphere, the sleepy villages around the property beckoned me to experience their quietude and take a closer look at the cultures of Myanmar. Then there was the most obvious magnetic pull towards the monastery that we had come here for in the first place.
Among all the spectacular sights we enjoyed in Myanmar, Taung Kalat Monastery deservingly made it to the top of the list. Clad in white and gold, the monastery had an air of enigma around it, emerging tall and strong from between the lush green lands of the mountain. We decided to visit the sacred monastery bright and early on our third day at the resort. We had to brace ourselves for walking 777 steps up the mountain and brave the monkey population which cheekily adorn the passageways!
777 Steps to Heaven
Rising 1518 metres {4981 feet} above sea level, Mount Popa in the Pegu Hills watches over the Myingyan plains of central Burma. Considered one of Asia’s most popular archaeological destinations, it offers its visitors the most magical sights of the Taung Kalat Monastery with its numerous glistening gold Nat {Burmese spirits} temples and relic sites.
Glistening glamorously from afar, yet exceedingly tranquil on the inside, the monastery rewards the courageous spirits who climb up the 777 steps to reach it, with inner peacefulness and serene views of the surrounding countryside.
The way to Mount Popa had a plethora of shopping stalls to buy pretty trinkets at. These stalls followed us all the way to the point where we began our climb. We had visited many religious monuments in Myanmar to understand that we were required to wear respectable clothing. Wearing shorts or vests is not allowed and neither are shoes. Keeping the resident monkey population in mind, visitors are also required to climb the steps without hats or bags.
Although tin roofs have been added to protect visitors from the scorching sun, and while 777 steps didn’t sound like too much, we realised that with the blistering Myanmar heat draining away our energy, the steps began to seem like a lot.
The monkeys were not a problem because we were careful not to carry any food or drink with us. But they lined the stairwell as we ascended watching eagerly for something that they could lay their hands on!
Tip 1: Despite all the cleanliness that the locals try to maintain, the way to the top has copious amounts of monkey poop! Since you will be climbing barefoot, cleansing wipes will come in handy for cleaning your feet {locals wash the stairs to maintain cleanliness and may ask you for a donation as your gesture of kindness for their hard work.}
Tip 2: To avoid unwanted attention from the monkeys avoid carrying food and drink completely or be discreet.
Mount Popa Taungkalat Monastery: Of Golden Stupas and Charismatic Views
Perched prettily on top of the extinct volcano {Mount Popa} the sacred monastery crowns the mountain in white and gold. At the top, the golden stupas dazzle and the magnetism of the place makes you delay your return with many visitors staying late to watch the sunset embrace them in its mesmerism.
The panoramic view of the area surrounding the mountain is a spectacular sight, and we could see for miles ~ the small settlements on the plains, the forests, the fields, and the untouched beauty of Myanmar. All in all, I’m glad we were able to experience visiting one of the world’s man-made architectural wonders.
*If your schedule allows you time from Bagan, then head over to Mount Popa to cherish the peaceful beauty of the monastery and the views it offers.
When to go: Mount Popa is busiest with pilgrims during festivals on the full moon in May/June {Nadon}, the full moon in November/December {Nadaw}, and during Thingyan ~ Burmese New Year {April}. Visits are possible year-round, but the weather is best from October/November until March/April.
To conclude: Certain experiences can hardly be wrapped in the armature of words in a way that does them justice. My experience at Popa Mountain Resort falls in this category of experiences. Whether it was enjoying a meal with the majestic monastery in full view or lounging on our balcony watching the sun spread the last of its fading embers in the sky ~ Popa Mountain Resort is a hidden gem that will be cherished in our memories forever!
With Mount Popa ticked off our list, the next morning after breakfast we packed our bags once again to head to Inle Lake where a new set of experiences awaited us.
My trip to Myanmar has been split into several posts; you may access them here: Myanmar Travel Guide / Myanmar Packing Guide / Bagan Travel Guide / Aureum Palace Hotel / Inle Lake Travel Guide / Yangon Travel Guide / Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel. The rest have been linked in the post above.
If you’ve been to Mount Popa or are planning to visit soon, shoot me a message, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Disclaimer: This review was done on an invitation from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, Myanmar. Due judgment and care have been applied by the author to remain objective and unbiased in the review.