Major city · Myanmar
Mount Popa
Do a half‑day day trip from Bagan to Popa Taung Kalat shrine; add a night if you want a relaxed stay at a local resort.
Mount Popa is a pilgrimage site with a cliff‑top shrine and a modest mountain hike. It lies about 50 km southeast of Bagan, reachable in 90 min by road. Most visitors spend a few hours at the shrine and return to Bagan the same day; a night at a nearby hotel lets you catch sunrise over the plains.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MMK
- Best months
- Oct–Feb (dry, cooler)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy, steps slippery)
- Airports
- Nyaung U (NYU) · Mandalay (MDL)
- Nights
- 0.5–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…Check your own government travel advice for Myanmar befor…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Myanmar ↗Check your own government travel advice for Myanmar before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Myanmar ↗The Myanmar e-visa site is the official application route, but approval does not remove the risks in your government's advice.
- Myanmar ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Myanmar before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Mount Popa199 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mount Popa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkPayment and banking conditions are not assessed here; check with your bank and your government advice.Myanmar-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for day visitors; watch slippery steps in rain and keep valuables away from monkeys.
- Emergency numbers199 police · 199 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNYU Nyaung U Airport (Bagan) (Nearest airport, about 50 km (31 mi) from Mount Popa; onward by road, at least 90 min.NYU Nyaung U Airport (Bagan) (Nearest airport, about 31 mi (50 km) from Mount Popa; onward by road, at least 90 min.
- Getting aroundMost visitors are dropped at the base village (≈3.4 km (2.1 mi) from shrine).Most visitors are dropped at the base village (≈2.1 mi (3.4 km) from shrine).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealLocal food stall plate2,000–4,000 kyat
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Motorbike taxi (base village)300–500 kyat
- Budget bedDormitory bed, a night, per personMMK 15,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MMK 15,000 · Mid MMK 25,000 · High MMK 40,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NYU Nyaung U Airport (Bagan) (Nearest airport, about 50 km (31 mi) from Mount Popa; onward by road, at least 90 min. Check schedules and seats.) · MDL Mandalay International Airport (Bus or car via Meiktila and Kyauk Padaung, 4–6 h. Check departures.)NYU Nyaung U Airport (Bagan) (Nearest airport, about 31 mi (50 km) from Mount Popa; onward by road, at least 90 min. Check schedules and seats.) · MDL Mandalay International Airport (Bus or car via Meiktila and Kyauk Padaung, 4–6 h. Check departures.)
Map of Mount Popa
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Mount Popa
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Thazi · 84 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Care
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Mixed: Oct. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jun (15 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mount Popa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Most visitors are dropped at the base village (≈3.4 km from shrine). Walk the 777 steps (≈1 h) or take a motorbike taxi (≈300–500 kyat). Shared rides from Kyauk Padaung cost 300–500 kyat; taxis 30,000 kyat for a private hire.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bagan
goDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Local pickup along the main road by the Nyaung U Highway Bus Terminal, about 90 min; hotel or Nyaung U market tour 4,000–6,000 kyat return per person; taxi about 30,000 kyat with village stops
The standard half-day trip: shrine first thing, back in Bagan by afternoon.
Kyauk Padaung
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Pickup or van from the base village junction, 300–500 kyat; the Bagan overnight train from Yangon also stops here
Transport hub for the mountain; most onward buses and pickups start here.
Door to door: 4–6 h
Bus via Meiktila and Kyauk Padaung, 5,000–6,000 kyat
Too long for a return day; sleep in Mandalay and continue north.
Door to door: 6–8 h
Bus or pickup to Mandalay, then shared taxi up the hill road
A cool-climate stop best done as its own night, not from Popa.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Linn & Restaurant Popa
28 rooms, AC, breakfast, mountain views; 2 PM check‑in.
Popa Mountain Resort
Bungalows with restaurant; higher‑end pricing.
Popa Garden Resort
7‑acre garden, remote; car needed.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- MMK 15,000–25,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- MMK 25,000–40,000 excl. bed
- High
- MMK 40,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dormitory bed2 × 1 night × MMK 25,000 | MMK 50,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MMK 25,000 | MMK 50,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MMK 10,000 |
| Trip total≈ MMK 55,000 per person per day, bed included | MMK 110,000 |
check
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Motorbike taxi (base village) | 300–500 kyat |
| Local food stall plate | 2,000–4,000 kyat |
| Bottled flower offering | 500–1,000 kyat |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Steps can be very slippery in the rainy season; wear sturdy shoes.
- Monkeys may snatch glasses or food; keep belongings secure.
- Local pickup services may vary; confirm price (1,000–1,500 kyat one‑way) before boarding.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 199
- Fire and ambulance
- 199
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Mount PopaMount Popa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ဒီလိပ်စာကို ဦးတည်ပါ။To this address, please
Emergency
- Police199
- Fire/ambulance199
Embassy
Check the nearest US consulate in Yangon; other nations use the embassy in Yangon.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kyauk Padaung → shrine motorbike taxi: ≈300–500 kyat, 5 min walk to base village (check)
- Bagan → Kyauk Padaung bus: 1,000–1,500 kyat, ~90 min
Say or show
- ဘယ်လောက်လဲ။ — How much? (be loat le)
- ကျေးဇူးတင်ပါတယ်။ — Thank you (kyei zu tin ba de)
- ဘုရားကျောင်းဘယ်မှာလဲ။ — Where is the shrine? (bhu ya kyoun be hma le)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mount Popa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Feb (dry, cooler) · avoid May–Oct (rainy, steps slippery)
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Mount Popa
Loading…
Was this useful?