Hot air balloon tours have become increasingly popular in Myanmar, especially in Bagan. Even, the first images on google about Bagan tour are also colorful hot air balloons hovering over the Bagan sky. And it is hard to imagine a Bagan without hot air balloons beautifully clouding the blue sky horizon. Because of that, hot air balloon now is considered a unique symbol for this land. Here, we would like to introduce some useful advice to completely experience an unforgettable spectacular view of Myanmar from a hot air balloon.
The best time to have a hot air balloon adventure.
If you only experience the land, you can hardly admire the panoramic view of Bagan or Myanmar with the ancient temple extremely impressive. However, at the height of the hot air balloon, you can admire the beautiful nature of Bagan with its ancient temples and Irrawaddy majestically running along the river.
Of course, you need to analyze carefully travel time if you want to discover Myanmar and experience the tour with a hot air balloon. Because the ballooning season in Bagan runs from the beginning of October to the middle of April. In addition, balloon tours are usually held early in the morning. Because weather plays a very important role in moving in the sky. The cooler morning temperatures allow the hot air balloons to float closer to the ancient temples for a more detailed view.
Also, as Myanmar is in a tropical climate, the hotter season is more prolonged and draconic than other regions. Starting in early April, the weather in Myanmar is getting hotter and hotter. The temperature at the end of the dry afternoon is about 37 degrees and the weather in Bagan is in semi-arid climate even hotter. At noon or afternoon, the hot air balloon can be broken by the hot sun and the damage can occur. While safety is a top priority for both visitors and suppliers.
The famous hot air balloon companies in Myanmar.
In Bagan, there are three balloon supply units: Bagan – Golden Eagle, Balloons Over Bagan and Oriental Ballooning. Most of them offer ballooning tours which begin before dawn and lasts about 3.5 hours, of which 45-60 minutes are in the balloon. You can be served soft meals or end the journey with cakes and champagne as a congratulation flight feast. The cost for such a flight usually ranges from $ 290 to $ 320. However, the tourist season in Myanmar also coincides with the hot air balloons season so you should book ahead for a better price and more active.
To be honest, traveling on hot air balloon is an adventure sport. However, if you are patient enough as well as passionate to explore, you will definitely have a great experience in Myanmar. For a flight on a hot air balloon, you should be assured of the quality of British standards of this vehicle, and the pilot is always available to assist you in safeguarding your journey.
If a fly through Bagan with a hot air balloon does not suit your budget during this time, or if you are not an adventurer and you seem to be afraid of heights, you still have the opportunity to contemplate spectacular scenery of colorful balloons when they drifted in the sky in picturesque sunsets.
In addition, there are also other balloon companies in Bagan which can fly through some of the most popular tourist destinations in Myanmar. You should thoroughly understand the price and services if you want to have a perfect hot air balloon journey.
Hot air balloon festival
If you are planning to go to Myanmar later this year, especially in November, let’s prepare today! In November, there is an extremely famous festival in Myanmar. This is one of the most favorite hot air balloon festivals of the world, attracting the most international visitors to Myanmar: Tazaungdaing Festival.
Being the largest hot air balloon festival in Myanmar, Tazaungdaing Festival is held annually in Taunggyi City, the capital of Shan State. It is also home to the famous Lake Inle and Taunggyi city is located only 30 km north of Inle Lake. The balloon festival is held on the Tazaungmon full moon, which is also a Myanmar holiday and is known as the Tazaungdaing Festival of Lights.
At this occasion, local people create unique paper artwork and prizes are given to the most beautiful hot air balloons. At night, the sky was full of balloons made in shape of ducks, dragons, pigs, and elephants. Unlike modern balloons made of nylon or artificial fabrics, balloons for the Taunggyi festival are made from traditional Shan paper. This paper thin and smooth as the fabric is handmade with mulberry bark.
The most impressive thing at Taunggyi festival of ballooning is the moment of hot air balloon floating in Myanmar sky. Balloons of great size, carefully prepared, often carry a lot of candles on the middle and below, along with fireworks attached. When all colorful balloons fly on the sky, the lights from each of them is shimmered like twinkle stars. Moreover, one of the most attractive activities with international visitors is the performance of fireworks from each balloon. Hot air balloons fly higher and higher and fireworks are fired, all creating an unforgettable spectacle in the hearts of every visitors.
During the festival, restaurants, and kiosks in Taunggyi often serve traditional Shan dishes such as pork chops or traditional noodle. Coming to Inle Lake, you can enjoy traditional Intha vegetarian dishes at Inthar Heritage House.
Beyond the festival experience, you can shop for Intha, Pa-O and Shan handmade textile in both Taunggyi and Inle Lake regions. Besides, there are also many interesting souvenirs such as the famous cloth bags, towels, and longyi -traditional dress in Myanmar could be sold in this area during the festival. Join the Tazaungdaing Festival of Lights, do not forget to purchase some lovely souvenir items for you and your loved ones!
Some special notes:
As mentioned, flying with a hot air balloon on Bagan sky can be an adventure sport. Therefore, you need to be prepared and pay attention to the following things:
– Visitors should wear long-sleeved shirts and trouser from 100% natural fibers.
– Children under the age of eight will not be allowed to register a hot air balloon journey. With a child under the age of sixteen, it will only be allow flying if accompanied by a responsible adult.
– You need to provide accurate information about your weight for the pilot. Failure to provide accurate information in advance may result in refusal of the flight at departure, so no refund will be given.
And when everything is ready, your job is just to step on the balloon and enjoy the panorama of Bagan Myanmar. The magnificent scenery of Bagan with thousands of ancient temples interspersed with golden temples, pristine natural beauty in the dawn will certainly be the image you can not forget. Wish you a great trip!
