The festival is traditionally held to pay homage to the Sulamani Pagoda in Taunggyi every year before the full moon of Tazaungmon. The tradition of the Hot Air Balloon Festival has now evolved into a competition to get the most beautiful, elaborate and spectacular balloon airborne. On the occasion, Burmese people enjoy fun and merriment by holding firework launching competitions. The firework is in the form of rockets. Hot balloons competitions are on the day and night occasions. Usually, day balloons are in the form of pagodas and animals like elephant, dragon or duck, while night balloons are in the shape of rugby ball, huge elongated paper balls with small lighted multicolored paper lanterns hung around their sides and balloons will sting along fireworks and fire sticks which are set off mid- air fireworks.
Day 1: Yangon
After arriving Yangon Airport, you will be welcomed by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy a full day private tour to explore the colonial heritage of one of Southeast Asia’s most impressive capitals, basking in its unique spiritual atmosphere. We will drive through the city and stop at China town and India quarter to take a stroll to get a sense of the city - not just its wide boulevards and British colonial architecture - but the small alleys and byways lined with shops and stalls. Stop to greet the vendors and let them introduce you to their wares - some familiar, some exotic. The tour continues to Chauk Htat Kyi, a huge reclining Buddha image, followed by a photo stop at the Karaweik Hall royal floating barge. Nothing will prepare you for Shwedagon Pagoda, with its glittering gold stupa that Rudyard Kipling called "a golden mystery...a beautiful twinkling wonder." At the pagoda we observe local pilgrims and monks offering their devotions and enjoy the amazing sunset view at Shwedagon pagoda.
Day 2: Bagan
After breakfast, fly to Bagan considered one of the greatest sights of Asia! Located on the lush delta plain, Bagan was once a great royal city with over 13,000 temples. Although the majority of the temples have been destroyed, ancient temples still dot the landscape as far as the eye can see. Hundreds of temples and pagodas, from simple to magnificent, spread over 40 square kilometers. Begin our exploration of Bagan by visiting a busy local market to see the vast variety of fresh fruit and vegetables for sale and gain an insight into the bustling market atmosphere in Bagan and continuing with visits to a diverse selection of the most important pagodas and temples such as Ananda Temple, one of the largest, best preserved, and most revered temples in Bagan. Also visit a local lacquerware workshop, where we watch men and women ply their craft using traditional methods. Mid-afternoon enjoy lunch by the pool before venturing out again for our afternoon walk. We end our walk by climbing to the top of the Temple for sunset views. Sit back relax and be amazed by the beauty of Bagan as you watch the sun slowly set behind the ancient Pagodas.
Day 3: Bagan - Heho - Inle Lake
After breakfast, fly to Heho, our gateway to Inle Lake. Known as the most beautiful lake in Myanmar, Inle Lake's calm waters are surrounded by high hills and dotted with floating gardens and stilted villages. Upon arrival proceed to by road to Pindaya and visit Pinday Caves, a unique site housing thousand of Buddha images places there by pilgrims and devotes over the centuries. Then drive to NyaungShwe and transfer to your hotel for check in.
Day 4: Inle Lake – Indein
After breakfast, we head to the morning market on the lake. Rotating around villages on and near the lake in a 5 day rhythm, a colorful market visited by lake inhabitants and surrounding hill tribes is held daily (except on new and full moon days). From the middle of the lake, continue down a small canal leading to the Paoh village of In Dein.
After a walk around the village, passing a local school, take the covered stairway to the beautiful Alaung Sitthou area where ancient stupas are partly covered by vegetation. From here there is a magnificent view over the lake. Return to the lake. Stop for tea in a local villager’s house. See how boats are built In the afternoon we explore the villages on the lake and have some free time to discover on your own. Overnight in Nyaung Shwe
Day 5: Inle Lake – Taunggyi
After breakfast, short 1hr drive to Taunggyi to join in the Hot Air Balloon Festival.
The festival is traditionally held to pay homage to the Sulamani Pagoda in Taunggyi every year before the full moon of Tazaungmon. The tradition has now evolved into a competition to get the most beautiful, elaborate and spectacular balloon airborne.
Start your immersion into this unique event by strolling through town and observing the preparations for the evening. Everybody congregates at the Shan Fire Balloons festival ground and some stages are set up for visitors. During the day balloons with animal shapes are flown, at night come the fire balloons with their fireworks. Overnight in or near Taunggyi.
Day 6: Ngapali Beach
Hot Air Balloon Festival – Taunggyi
Spend the 2nd day at the festival. Overnight in or near Taunggyi.
Day 7: Taunggyi - Kakku - Heho – Yangon
After an early breakfast excursion to Kakku, a 1-hr drive from Taunggyi. The Pa Oh people will lead a colourful procession through Kakku, a special site to the east of Inle Lake. We return to Taungyyi and transfer to Heho airport for the flight back to Yangon. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Yangon.
* The itinerary above is designed to give you a flavor of what is possible and can be tailor-made to suit your preferences. This is simply a suggested itinerary, and can easily be customized to suit your schedule, budget, and interests.
