2 days / 1 night
5 Days Before
Day 1 – Sunrise Balloon Flight over Inle Lake – Intha Traditional Cooking Class or Boat trip to Indein village – Pindaya mini trekking / bicycle tour
Early pick-up from your staying hotel and transfer to balloon launch site by car or boat to enjoy a morning sunrise balloon flight over the amazing Inle Lake and floating gardens. Immediately after take off you will be amazed by the view as we float over the incredible floating gardens that provide the whole of Myanmar with fresh produce including very tasty tomatoes and vegetables. As we climb, possibly to over 5,000 feet above the lake you will see extended amazing views of the stunning Shan Mountains. After landing our crew and pilot will serve you with sparkling wine and private breakfast on the lake or in village side location depending on the landing.
Option 1) in the late morning, visit to an Inle Heritage and experience Intha Traditional Cooking Class. Learn to source food on the lake and cook authentic traditional Inthar cuisine with our expert chef. Classes last for 2 hours depending on the guest. Lunch at Inle Heritage.
Option 2) in the late morning, we will organize a half day boat trip for sightseeing to Indein village (village is well known for its local market and two groups of ancient pagodas). Picnic lunch en route to Indein.
In the late afternoon, drive to Pindaya to do mini excursions around Tamae village such as mini trekking or bicycle tour until the evening bonfire dinner under the Banyan Trees. Accommodation will be arranged with Inle Inn Pindaya or Conqueror Resort but hotel can be confirmed at the time of reservation subject to room availability.
Early pick-up from your hotel in Pindaya and transfer to balloon launch site to enjoy a morning sunrise balloon flight over Pindaya and its surrounding area. Pindaya is set against some of the highest Shan Mountains and is a delight to see from the air. We will fly along the mountain valley, passing tiny Shan hamlets and hill top pagodas occasionally swooping down to the delight of villagers who have never seen a hot air balloon before. We fly at a time when the fields are awash with colour, with swathes of green and yellow against brilliant blue skies. Post flight cooked private breakfast in the fields surrounding Pindaya.
In the late morning, you will discover Pindaya Cave, home to more than 8000 Buddha images. Picnic lunch en route to Heho including house drinks, coffee and tea. Adventure ends with onwards flight to next destination or drop off your arranged hotel at Nyaung Shwe area.
INLE & PINDAYA
An incredible 2-day adventure through Southern Shan State seen from a hot air balloon Shan state is one of Myanmar’s most beautiful and culturally diverse areas. Our exclusive balloon safari takes you to the most stunning sites of Inle Lake and Pindaya in a style and manner reminiscent of the great days of luxury travel. Site seeing by balloon is a truly remarkable experience, allowing you to venture off the beaten path and gain a unique perspective of the country and its people.
Shan State’s famed Inle Lake is home to the Intha people, who live on and around the lake. To fly over the lake in a balloon, has to be one of the most beautiful ways to see this wonder. Our skilled pilots carefully use their knowledge of the winds to steer the balloon over the floating villages and water gardens. You will see the morning fishermen looking for the first catch of the day, and boats laden full of produce on their way to the market by the immense labyrinth of canals. At higher altitude you will be amazed to see thousands of village houses seemingly floating on the lake.
Reminiscent of the rolling hills of Tuscany, Pindaya is set against some of the highest Shan Mountains and is a delight to see from the air. We will fly along the mountain valley, passing tiny Shan hamlets and hill top pagodas occasionally swooping down to the delight of villagers who have never seen a hot air balloon before. We fly at a time when the fields are awash with colour, with swathes of green and yellow against brilliant blue skies.
Early pick-up from your staying hotel and transfer to balloon launch site by car or boat to enjoy a morning sunrise balloon flight over the amazing Inle Lake and floating gardens. Immediately after take off you will be amazed by the view as we float over the incredible floating gardens that provide the whole of Myanmar with fresh produce including very tasty tomatoes and vegetables. As we climb, possibly to over 5,000 feet above the lake you will see extended amazing views of the stunning Shan Mountains. After landing our crew and pilot will serve you with sparkling wine and private breakfast on the lake or in village side location depending on the landing.
Option 1) in the late morning, visit to an Inle Heritage and experience Intha Traditional Cooking Class. Learn to source food on the lake and cook authentic traditional Inthar cuisine with our expert chef. Classes last for 2 hours depending on the guest. Lunch at Inle Heritage.
Option 2) in the late morning, we will organize a half day boat trip for sightseeing to Indein village (village is well known for its local market and two groups of ancient pagodas). Picnic lunch en route to Indein.
In the late afternoon, drive to Pindaya to do mini excursions around Tamae village such as mini trekking or bicycle tour until the evening bonfire dinner under the Banyan Trees. Accommodation will be arranged with Inle Inn Pindaya or Conqueror Resort but hotel can be confirmed at the time of reservation subject to room availability.
Early pick-up from your hotel in Pindaya and transfer to balloon launch site to enjoy a morning sunrise balloon flight over Pindaya and its surrounding area. Pindaya is set against some of the highest Shan Mountains and is a delight to see from the air. We will fly along the mountain valley, passing tiny Shan hamlets and hill top pagodas occasionally swooping down to the delight of villagers who have never seen a hot air balloon before. We fly at a time when the fields are awash with colour, with swathes of green and yellow against brilliant blue skies. Post flight cooked private breakfast in the fields surrounding Pindaya.
In the late morning, you will discover Pindaya Cave, home to more than 8000 Buddha images. Picnic lunch en route to Heho including house drinks, coffee and tea. Adventure ends with onwards flight to next destination or drop off your arranged hotel at Nyaung Shwe area.
Please email us for your inquiry and further information.
LOIKAW
Loikaw is a remote and sleepy capital of Kayah – Myanmar’s beautiful but one of most untouched states. It is over half a day’s travel by bus from Yangon and Mandalay and one hour flight from Yangon and also possible to travel overland from one of the famous Inle Lake. You will discover beautiful Kayah hill scenery and a large number of distinctive tribal cultures, the most internationally famous of which are the Kayan, whose ‘long-necked’ womenfolk have a tradition of sporting coils around their necks. We offer daily early morning flights over the beautiful city of Loikaw. Our season starts from 5th of January onwards and our boutique balloons carry 6 up to 8 passengers.
The Experience
Your whole experience will include a full morning of excitement. If you are staying in the wonderful town of Loikaw, you will be picked up by car at around 0530 or 0600 am (approx) where you will be taken to our launch site. At the launch site, we will provide you with tea or coffee and some lovely locally made cookies before all important safety briefing from the pilot, after which it is time to climb on board. The balloon is guided by gentle winds not exceeding 15 mph, allowing passengers a serene and peaceful bird’s eye view over the beautiful city Loikaw, its surrounding countryside, villages and pagodas and extended amazing views of Kayah hills. Using his skill and years of local knowledge your pilot will guide the balloon at heights of upto 5000′ feet above the Loikaw to a gentle landing, where our friendly and experienced crew will be on hand with fruits, fresh pastries and a glass of sparkling wine.
Safety & Insurance
Balloon Safaris Loikaw is a commercial balloon operation of the highest international standard. All our pilots and technicians are U.K trained, qualified and licensed and our balloons are manufactured in the UK and shipped to us here in Myanmar. We place the highest possible emphasis on our safety and maintenance. Under the strict rules imposed by the Myanmar Air Authorities the DCA, we have a team of UK trained public transportation inspectors who are responsible for carrying out all repairs and maintenance works of our aircraft. This is backed up with our comprehensive insurance policy placed directly through Lloyds of London. Our cover of USD 10 millions per balloon for passenger and third party liability comes WITHOUT any limitations.
Thank you for reading these instructions and I hope you enjoy your flight with us.
Payment and confirmation: A 20% deposit will be required to secure the booking. Final payment will be due one month before departure.
Cancellation policy: 100% cancellation fees will be applied upon payment if the reservation is cancelled less than one month before the travel date.
TRIP PRICE INCLUDES
Trip is all inclusive from your early morning hotel pick up at Inle Lake until departure the following afternoon from Heho Airport or your alternative onward destination.
Accommodation including all tax and service charges, and baggage handling. All meals consisting of 2 x breakfast, 2 x lunch, and 1 x dinner. House wines, spirits juices and soft drinks as provided by “Balloons over Bagan” are included with all lunches and dinners. Balloon adventures and site seeing by the appropriate Foreign Language speaking guide, entrance fees to all places visited. Transfers and transportation if indicated.