Popa Mountain Resort, Myanmar. Review [UPDATED FOR 2025]

Mt Popa probably isn’t on your itinerary for Myanmar (Burma) but it should be! Just an hour away from wonderful but busy and hot Bagan is this temperate retreat. Meaning “flower” in Burmese this mountain really lives up to its colourful name. Heading up the winding roads through tiny villages from Bagan the air began to cool and the green surroundings became more lush. From this wooden Popa Mountain Resort retreat you can take in the most stunning views of the beautiful Taung Kalat monastery as the sun sets over the infinity pool!

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Over the course of the last 10+ years of travelling, we’ve used Booking.com to book probably around 90% of our accommodation. These days you can book anything from a luxury resort to budget hotels and even hostels and rentals similar to Airbnb.

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A stunning place to escape the heat of Bagan below 

Up here on the side of Mt Popa the air is much cooler and the stunning vegetation blooms all year round. The setting deep within nature provides the perfect retreat after several days in the dry sun of Bagan. Just within the complex itself there are various places to explore and relax from the stunning swimming pool overlooking the amazing view to the organic gardens and the panoramic look outs.

A serene and relaxing escape from the dry heat of Bagan and the relentless temple hunting down there. Popa Mountain Resort offers quiet and tranquil surroundings in which to switch off, unwind and of course, take in the breathtaking views. From this vantage point you can wake up to an unforgettable view of the monastery sitting on top of a small volcano.

Quite a mesmerising sight. Enjoy a glass of chilled wine and some fine dining across this unforgettable view or take it in from the vantage point of the infinity pool. The choice is yours,  but either way it will blow you away.

Up here there are many rooms available in a tree house style that makes you feel suspended on the side of the mountain right in the heart of nature. Coming up here is a way to escape, relax and unwind for a few days whilst taking in the cooling mountain breeze and being surrounded by the music of nature.

A place to explore the wild nature of Myanmar 

But if laying back by the pool or indulging in a world class meal on your balcony isn’t your thing then Popa Mountain Resort still caters to you. Up here on the side of a mountain the trekking possibilities are endless. You can head down and visit some of the small local villages in this countryside setting, head down and then back up the 777 steps to the monastery or turn your attention to the main peak itself.

We hiked with one of the staff members up to the summit of Mt. Popa, an extinct volcano whose crater can still be seen today in a record breaking 2 hours up and down ( the usual is 4). Up here there are also many horse riding treks available too if you don’t feel quite like walking yourself.

Experience local cooking in the organic garden 

Even if adventures in the wilderness aren’t your thing then up here you can take one of the cooking classes in the organic garden. Picking your own fresh vegetables and fruit you can learn from the highly trained local chefs here.

They will take you through many aspects of Myanmar cooking and dishes, teaching you how to prepare and cook them before letting you loose on the frying pan! The best bit? You get to feast on your delicious creations in this unique and beautiful setting!

Spend an amazing day trip here from Bagan too!

Many people often spend a day trip up here, visiting the wonderful restaurant for their lunch or evening meal whilst taking in the views from the wooden terraces or paying a small fee to relax around the pool for the day.

Organising a day trip up here is a great way to break up the tiring days exploring the temples down in Bagan and provides a more budget friendly way to experience this temperate climate and jaw dropping views for yourself!

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