Balloon Over Bagan

As Marco polo described "one of the finest sights in the world" now visitors to Myanmar can view the unique and enchanting view of the 11th century ruin as it has never been seen before. Imagine floating over thousands year old pagodas and the mighty Ayeyarwaddy River, as the sun sinks slowly behind distant mountains. Balloons over Bagan provide visitors a unique opportunity to see this ancient kingdom, as it never has been before. The sunrise and sunset champagne flights last just under one hour and take off daily from October through to the end of March.

The balloon is guided by gentle winds not exceeding 15 mph, allowing passengers a serene and bird's-eye view of ancient temples drifting by using his skill the pilot is able to guide the balloon to a gentle landing on the banks of Ayeyarwaddy River, or in an open field, where the crew and the celebratory glass of champagne will be on hand.

              

The Balloon over Bagan service operates twice daily early in the morning just before sunset and late in the evening just before sunset between late October and April.

From the 24th December through until the 4th January we will introduce a USD 20 per person surcharge during the peak Christmas and New Year Period to reflect the very heavy demand at this time.

                

Balloons over Bagan – Frequently asked questions

1. How long it the flight?
Our flights normally last 45 minutes to one longer depending on the wind. The whole experience including hotel pick ups and light champagne breakfast lasts between 2 ½ to 3 hours. Ballooning is also about watching the set up of the balloon, and being rescued at the end too, not just the flight itself. Not knowing where you are going to land is always exciting and part of the adventure!

2. What do we see?
The exciting thing about ballooning is that you just don’t know. You will see Bagan waking up in the morning. You will see many temples in the distance and get a spectacular aerial view of Bagan. Sometimes you may fly over villages and see people on their early morning rounds, feeding their animals, or going to market. It is an amazing and interactive experience.

3. Can we go to ….by balloon?
The balloon can only to where the wind takes it. So you can not pre-plan where it will land.

4. Is its safe?
- Commercial passenger ballooning is the safes form of all air transport.
- In Bagan we are always very careful. We only fly when there are light surface winds less than 8 knots.
- Our pilots and technicians are European Nationals qualified and registered in the UK.
- Our balloons are built to the highest standards of the British aerospace industry by Cameron Balloons Ltd, the world’s largest manufacturer of hot air balloons.
- All our crew are trained to the highest international standards and have all been trained in first aid by UK Public Transport Inspectors

5. I’m scared of heights.
Ballooning does not usually affect those people who are scared of heights. Because the balloon travels with the wind, the basket is very stable and does not sway or rock during flight. There is no sense of vertigo or motion.

6. Do we see this pagoda?
You will see lots of pagodas! Exactly which pagoda you will see depends on the wind direction.

7. How many people can fit one balloons?
We currently have four balloons in service. Two balloons have room for 8 passengers in four separate compartments plus a pilot. Our largest two balloons can accommodate 12 passengers also in four compartments.

8. What do we get for the price?
A memory that we hope will last forever, transport to and from your hotel to launch and landing site, flight, ‘rescue’, celebratory glass of champagne and light breakfast.

9. Where do we take off?
The take off site changes with the wind and is decided by the pilot in command on the day of the flight.

10. Where do we land?
Wherever the wind takes you! This could be next to a Pagoda, a field by a village, on a sandbank, or even across the river, which we involve a rescue by boat.

11. What time will we be picked up?
For the morning flight, passengers are usually picked up at their hotels by our Balloons over Bagan bus between 05h30 and 06h00 in the morning depending on the location of your hotel and the hotels of other passengers. The exact time will be given to you the evening before when you come to our sales desk at the Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Hotel to re-confirm your flight.

12. What time do we get back to the hotel?
In the morning flight, passengers are usually back at their hotels by 8.30 am.

13. Can we fly at sunset?
We can sometimes put on evening flights on a standby basis only. Unfortunately because of the tropical location in Bagan, evening weather conditions tend to be less favorable and less reliable than in our scheduled morning flights. We believe therefore that a morning flight affords a more enjoyable and superior experience. Bagan is normally at its most beautiful early in the morning, and temperature are pleasant and cool.

14. Can our children fly?
For safety reasons there are age and height restrictions. We set a minimum age of 8 years old, but as a general rule, all passengers must be able to see over the basket.

15. How can we pay for a pre-booking?
For pre-booking, full payment must be made in Yangon, before your departure to Bagan. Please inform us where you are staying in Yangon and what day and what time we can visit you to deliver your flight tickets and to collect cash payment.

16. Why do I have to give my weight?
It is important that we receive the weight of each passenger as soon as possible. The chief pilot needs this figure to calculate the total ballast of the basket, so that he can determine the total amount of lift available on that day.