Floating Above Time: Hot Air Balloon Ride in Myanmar

Before you go: Since the 2021 military coup, parts of Myanmar have seen armed conflict, and the March 2025 earthquake centred near Mandalay and Sagaing damaged many historic sites. Conditions change quickly, so check your government’s latest travel advisory and confirm with a local guide that the places you plan to visit are open and safe to reach before you go.

One of the most iconic photos of Myanmar is the image of dozens of hot air balloons drifting across the plains of Bagan with a layer of fog shrouding hundreds of ancient temples. This is a 'must do' on many travelers list and for good reason — getting a bird's eye view of thousands of historic monuments is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Ever thought about floating above an exotic destination in a hot air balloon? You should. No matter how many adventures you embark upon you’ll never forget a ride in a hot-air balloon. There’s no feeling of speed or ascension. It’s as if your basket is resting on an invisible people mover gliding over the countryside below. Ballooning is a silent affair, there’s no deafening engine to drown out the serenity of your journey. And the view is 360 degrees of spectacular.

Hot air ballooning started in Myanmar in 1998, when an international group of balloonists first flew over Bagan. They fell in love with the country and kept coming back, eventually establishing a tourism company. Bagan is the classic place to fly, and for years two licensed companies have operated balloon flights there. Operations have been disrupted at times since 2020, so check with the operators that flights are running before you plan your trip.

Myanmar is worthy of a spot on your bucket list of a hot air balloon ride.  If you love the majesty and grandeur of old temples, you’ll find them in Old Bagan. You’ll see over 3000 ancient shrines sprinkled across the countryside on this stunning ride. The ruins vary in age and some are better preserved than others, yet all are magnificent. Sunrise is particularly beautiful because the temples seem as if they’re glowing. Although balloons are relatively high up, the sunrise combined with the endless views of temples, grasslands, and other hot air balloons littering the sky is one of the most incredible sights. The roughly one hour flight will be enjoyed by those who are looking to see a bigger picture of the vastness of the plains of Bagan.

What to expect？

Waking up very early in the morning
The weather is usually milder in the early morning making it safer to balloon.  You’ll have to get up when it’s still dark. And though you’ll be groggy, when you see the sunrise from your perch in the sky you’ll be really glad you dragged yourself out of bed.

Your Pilot will go through instructions

You’ll be assigned to a balloon with a pilot who will go over all the safety rules and what you can expect during the flight which will last about an hour. Baskets range in size to hold 12-16 people depending on the number of reservations they’ve booked, and unless you’re part of a large group you’ll probably ride with other travelers.

Watch the balloons slowly inflate will give you extra early morning calmness

When you get to your departure point, you’ll find a lot of activity as workers prepare the balloons for inflation. Once the pilots engage the burners to heat the air it takes about 30 minutes for the balloons to fill and rise above the baskets. Surprisingly, the process is thrilling to watch.

Soak in the 360 degrees of amazement around you

Imagine if you were standing on the top of a huge mountain with a 360-degree view. The world spread out beneath you in every direction. That’s the closest you’ll get to what it’s like in a hot air balloon. During the course of the flight, the pilot will change elevation to catch the winds. The balloons cannot be steered in the way a car can, so the pilot must search for favorable winds to direct the balloon in the desired direction. When dipping low, up-close views of villages and sites appear it is not unusual for locals to come out to wave to the balloon passengers. And when rising high, the bird’s-eye views get even more expansive. The pilot will also provide commentary about the scenes below, acting as a bit of a guide. They have extensive knowledge of the terrain, the culture, and Myanmar’s history. The pilot will also explain how he or she is able to navigate the balloon.

A casual floating-in-the-air breakfast with champagne

A glass of bubbly after a flight is a worldwide ballooning tradition, but the size and bounty of the spread vary, from muffins and pastries to a full sit-down breakfast.

How much will it cost？

Balloon flights are a splurge: expect to pay several hundred US dollars per person. Prices depend on the operator, the season and the basket size, so check the current fares directly with the operators, Balloons Over Bagan and Oriental Ballooning. Smaller baskets cost more, but with fewer people you have more room to move around and enjoy the views.

Oriental Ballooning

Oriental Ballooning has focused on smaller, more exclusive baskets shared with only a few other people.

During their bespoke flights, your professional and knowledgeable pilot will open up a new horizon of tales and discoveries before you. Drifting on the gentle breeze, fly low over villages to hear local people greeting you with waving hands and a friendly ‘Mingalabar’. Climbing high, you can take in the 360 degree panoramic view of the entire region. Enjoy a viewpoint that no other form of transport can offer.

As you eventually drift back to earth, the ground crew greets you with a glass of sparkling wine, in true ballooning tradition.

Balloons Over Bagan

With Balloons Over Bagan, the adventure has traditionally started with a ride in a converted vintage bus to the launch site. The growing light reveals their teams busy at work preparing your balloon against a backdrop of ancient temples shrouded in mist. There is time for tea, coffee and refreshments before the all important safety briefing. With the balloons now standing upright, it is time to climb on board and the helpful crew are on hand to assist you into the basket. The balloon is guided by gentle winds not exceeding 15 mph, allowing passengers a serene and peaceful bird's-eye view of ancient temples drifting by. Using his skill and years of flight experience in Bagan the pilot is able to guide the balloon to a gentle landing where the crew will be waiting for you with fruits, fresh pastries and a glass or two of sparkling wine to complete the post flight celebration.

Balloon Season

Due to weather conditions, flights in Bagan operate only in the dry season, roughly from October to March or April. Flights can be canceled at the last minute because of bad weather; check the operator’s refund and rebooking policy when you book. Flights typically operate at sunrise. 

The balloons come in various sizes, typically carrying from about 8 up to 16 passengers. However, the layout of the balloon ensures that the experience is the same regardless of the size. Each basket is divided into smaller compartments holding just four people. These compartments are placed around a central area where the pilot stands and controls the burners. 

The baskets are constructed of wicker and wood, resulting in a very sturdy, stiff structure. The sides of the basket are just over one meter in height. Although there are no seats, the baskets do have handles that are useful for keeping your balance on landing.

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