Blissful Sale and the Magic of Mount Popa
Blissful Sale and the
Magic of Mount Popa
From the waters of the Ayeyarwaddy to the peak of extinct volcanoes, Greater Bagan entwines
an authentic way of living with a religious landmark of great heights. Blazing new paths
in travel, we present charming Sale and the sagas surrounding Mount Popa.
WHY THIS TOUR?
Two religious destinations combined in one full day tour. Located along the Ayeyarwaddy River, the town of Sale is one of the religious centres with various monasteries, dedicated for meditation. Many buildings in the birthplace of the ‘Shakespeare of Myanmar’ – Sale U Ponnya – are carved out of teak wood.
The name Mount Popa is synonymous with Buddhism and worshipping the ‘nats’. The spiritual headquarters of the pre-Buddhist spirits known as ’the 37 nats’ are an important place of worship with 777 steps leading to the top of this extinct volcano, named Popa Taung Kalat. As you can image, the views from here are simply breathtaking so why not head out with us and be awestruck?
TRAIL ITINERARY
08:00 - 18:00
We will pick you up from your hotel in Bagan by your guide and driver and transfer to the boat jetty for a 2 to 3-hour boat ride downriver over the Ayeyarwaddy.
We will arrive in Sale, a town that developed during the late Bagan era. We start our tour around Sale with a visit to the Yoke Sone Monastery, built in 1882 by King Thipaw, the last king of Myanmar to witness its exceptional woodcarvings on the outside of the building. Proceed to nearly 150 years old teak monastery, called Sarsana Yaungchi which was even built earlier by his father King Mindon. Here, you can admire the ancient Buddha images, antique large cabinets decorated with a variety of floral motif, and Myanmar paintings, done in gold and silver colours on silk fabric. Annexe to the monastery, there is a monastic school for village children and the teachers where you may be able to witness how they study.
After lunch, we head out to Mount Popa (1.5-hour drive). Mount Popa is dedicated to animist spirits known as ‘nats’ and climbing the 777 steps to the shrine at the top of the peak is worth the sweat stains. At the foot of the mountain, you could observe Nat Shrine contains a display of mannequin-like figures representing the 37 Nat 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 view back across the Myingyan Plain. The significance of Mount Popa is of that great importance that one will cherish for its 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. This break will give you the chance to observe local working life with palm trees. We will return to your hotel in Bagan at around 6 pm.
