Climb to the top of Mount Popa, near Bagan

Close to Bagan in central Myanmar, Mount Popa is well known as a pilgrimage site, with numerous Nat (spirits) temples and relic sites atop it. The mountain itself is an extinct volcano rising over 1,500 meters above sea level, 60km (about 30 mins’ car ride) away from Bagan. To reach the mountaintop, you need to climb barefoot up 770 steps and often find monkeys en route. But it is well worth the effort to see the temples at the top and the stunning views of the surrounding area.

Mount Popa is usually visited on a day trip from Bagan, as a great way to take a break from the endless temples.