Balloons Over Bagan

Update and news for 2006 - 2007 season

Now visitors to Myanmar can view what Marco Polo described as 'one of the finest sights in the world' - from the unique and enchanting platform of a hot air balloon basket.

The magic of Bagan has inspired visitors for many centuries. One of the most remarkable sights in Asia, ancient temples dot the landscape as far as the eye can see. Now 'Balloons over Bagan' affords visitors a unique opportunity to see this ancient kingdom as it has never been seen before.

Our champagne flights take place early in the morning, at sunrise or an hour or so before sunset. Light winds and stable weather conditions are needed, the speed of the balloon and the length of the flight are governed by the strength and velocity of the wind.

Ordinarily an average of 45 mins of flight duration is expected. However, the entire experience will last about 2 1/2 hours. On landing, our fully trained Myanmar ground crew will pack the balloon whilst passengers enjoy a glass or two of celebratory champagne.
Balloons over Bagan is a private Myanmar company that is committed to the preservation of Bagan and its environment. A contribution from each flight will be donated to community programmes that directly benefit the local population.

The balloon has room for 8 passengers in four separate compartments plus a pilot. Our largest balloon can accommodate 12 passengers also in four compartments.
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 after you come to our sales desk at the Bagan hotel to re-confirm your flight. In the morning flight, passengers are usually back at their hotels by 8.30 am.

1. Capacity

Our capacity will remain unchanged from last season. We will continue to operate a maximum of three balloons at any one time. Total capacity will therefore remain at 28 passengers per flight from the 20th October to 31st March, and will be 20 passengers per flight during the first half of October.

2. Season

Next season will run from October 1st 2006 to March 31st 2007.

3. New website

We will be introducing a new and updated website from the 1st July 2006. The new website will also reflect the new products that we are in the process of launching in Myanmar, and the products that are in the planning stages outside of Myanmar.

All products, including Balloons over Bagan, Malikha Lodge and Ayeyarwaddy Expeditions will come under the new brand name of “Eastern Safaris” for marketing purposes. Please visit our new site www.easternsafaris.com after 15th July 2006.
Our www.balloonsoverbagan.com website and contact details will remain as normal.

Eastern Safaris Pte. Ltd. is a private Singapore registered tour company, which plans to establish itself as a niche operator of intimate luxury adventure products in some of the more remote and exotic Asian markets over the next few years.

4. Pricing

As promised last year all agent rates will remain unchanged for the 2006 – 2007 season.

a) Published price	USD 275 per person
b) The Standby price in Bagan	USD 250 per person.

This price includes transfers from your hotel, balloon flight and a light champagne breakfast.
Please note that “stand-by tickets” (which are unsold tickets for the following morning's flight) are only available 24 hours before flight, at our sales desk in Bagan.

5. Confirmation and Payment

1. All pre bookings must be made through the Yangon office.
2. Pre-bookings can only be made up to 72 hours in advance.
3. Payment and confirmation: Balloons over Bagan must receive payment from the tour operator in order to issue the tickets and confirm the flight. If they are unable to pay to confirm at this stage, the reservation will not be considered as confirmed, and may be cancelled and given to other clients who are able to make immediate payment.
4. Cancellation fees will only apply upon payment and issue of tickets. Cancellation fees Have now been amended as follows:
• Cancellation 48 hours before the flight – no refund
• Cancellation between 72 hours and 48 hours before the flight – 50% refund
• Cancellation between 72 hours and 7 days before the flight – 75% refund
5. Standby tickets at the standby rate can only be purchased 24 hours or one full day in advance at our Sales desk in Bagan.
6. Our general policy will be to accept morning flights only as a pre booking. However, evening flights will be considered with a minimum of 6 persons, and then at the discretion of the Yangon office. Bookings for FRC and resident Myanmar citizens will not be eligible for commission.
7. FRC holders and Myanmar citizens should be advised to contact our office directly.