Mount Popa - An extinct volcano


Home to the powerful nat spirits, Mount Popa is an extinct volcano in the sprawling central plain of Myanmar. It takes 2-3 hours to reach its highest peak on foot, although locals ride up with their motorcycles almost all the way to the top. In the first half of the way nothing can be seen as the road is in thick forest, but then there are great views on Taung Kalat, the surrounding area and inside the crater.

The walk starts a little before the Popa Mountain Resort, and there is a stupa right at the beginning of the walk - however, it is not worth the detour as you can't see anything from there, as it is in the woods.







Back on the main path.











The first view - up until this point nothing can be seen, as the path is in thick forest. But from here on, it just gets better and better.


































































Not many foreigners visit Mount Popa, and those who do tend to be rich tourists in groups. One of their favourite places to stay is the expensive Popa Mountain Resort. But it's definitely not the best, at least as far as the views are concerned. You can only see the top of Taung Kalat and nothing else. 





A cheaper accommodation option, although still not really budget, is the Royal Guest House and Restaurant. The single room is MMK 35,000, but the food is very reasonably priced and the view on Mount Popa and Taung Kalat is amazing.





The only budget option at Mount Popa is the Wut Hmon Thit Guest House, with a nice clean single room with en-suite bathroom costing MMK 15,000.





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