Bagan’s Mount Popa and its Deities

Bagan’s Mount Popa
and its Deities

Where nature meets animistic beliefs with a fair dose of adventurous climbing: the award
of reaching the peak of former volcano Mount Popa is breathtaking so say the least.
En route, the spiritual guardians will assure you a safe passage up and down.

WHY THIS TOUR?

A heightened experience of a slightly different kind stands out of the crowd when descending at Bagan. Loaded with strong beliefs, Mount Popa marks yet another reason by Bagan is diverse and offers more than its vast plains with hundreds of temples, pagodas, and stupas. Atop this extinct volcano lies a locally worshipped temple complex where views of impeccable beauty over the landscape await.

Time to put on your hiking shoes, open your mind to the power of the local deities calling this natural elevation in the Mandalay province their home before making your way back down the hundreds of steps with new experiences under your belt.

Myanmar

Bagan

1 Day

Essential Trails

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TRAIL ITINERARY

Bagan’s Mount Popa and its Deities

08:00 - 12:00

In the morning, pick up from your hotel in Bagan by your guide and driver and head out in direction of Mount Popa (approximately 50 kilometres outside of Bagan which will take approximately 1.5 hours by vehicle). The extinct volcano can already be seen from a distance with its pagodas and stupas towering majestically on top within Popa Mountain Park. The origins of extinct volcano date back to 442 BC, when a great earthquake roared through central Myanmar – and from out of the barren Myingyan plains ‘grew’ Mount Popa

Mount Popa is dedicated to animist spirits known as ‘nats’ and you will have time to climb the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the peak. At the foot of the mountain, you could observe Nat Shrine contains a display of mannequin-like figures representing the 37 nats and is a major pilgrimage destination. There will be the opportunity to explore the fascinating monasteries, stupas and shrine that abound plus, of course, enjoy the dramatic and mammoth-size view back across the Myingyan Plain.  For those that do not want to make the climb to the top, there is the option to visit the nearby sandalwood forest and medical herb garden with plenty of flora and fauna available to admire. The significance of Mount Popa is of that great importance that one will cherish the life stories and explanation of this holy place by our guide for many years to come.

On the way back to Bagan, a stop will be made at a local palm tree plantation. The main source of income for villagers comes from keeping toddy palm plantations. Around Bagan, several of these plantations dot the semi-arid landscape and an educational stop offers a chance to see the labour-intensive climbing work that goes into this livelihood. This relaxing break will give you the chance to observe local working life with palm trees.

We will return to your hotel in Bagan just before lunchtime.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

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INCLUSIONS

  • A half day tour with a professional English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request and may be subject to supplementary charges
  • Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver.
  • All applicable taxes and service charges

EXCLUSIONS

  • Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours, unless otherwise stated
  • Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement.
  • Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
  • Single supplement charges for single travelers, where applicable
  • Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
  • Supplements for transfers for customers arriving or departing from any airport or resorts located outside the general pick-up and drop-off locations
  • Hotel expenses of a personal nature, should an overnight be included: this includes mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the program
  • Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)

GOOD TO KNOW

  • This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking guide. Other languages are on request / subject to availability and supplementary charges may apply
  • Return transfers for this excursion apply only / are inclusive for customers staying in and inside Old and New Bagan. Transfers outside these areas, including any accommodation outside this area such as Mount Popa, river cruise ports and Bagan’s Airport are excluded. Supplements apply for customers who want to join this excursion outside one of these regions.
  • We regret to inform you that this excursion is not suitable for wheelchair users. Large part of this excursion includes walking up stairs. This may not suit guests with walking issues.
  • Bear in mind that such paths may turn slippery / muddy after a rain shower. We suggest wearing good walking shoes, preferred closed shoes, when booking this tour.
  • Natural elements of any kind have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It is the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this.
  • Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power.
  • We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the excursion in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests.
  • It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package. Any changes in accommodation outside 24 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 24 hours may be on request.
  • In the event of no-show or change of accommodation without prior consent and confirmation from us within 24 hours may result in the applicable cancellation charges as outlined in the terms and conditions.

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