Flights
Myanmar’s capital, Yangon, still isn’t as seamlessly accessible as many major Southeast Asian cities. Qatar Airlines has flights from New York with a layover in Doha. For West Coast departures, Korean Air and Cathay Pacific offer fairly convenient routes.
Planning
Hot air balloon tours operate between October and March, which is more or less the best time to visit Myanmar. Among high-end Western operators, Butterfield & Robinson[2] has considerable in-country experience to go along with its overall solid reputation. The company currently has five tours scheduled between December 2014 and February 2015, all of which include a tour of Bagan. (The balloon ride is an optional add-on.) B&R also arranges bespoke Myanmar trips for travel anytime.
Hotel
The best luxury options around Bagan are Aureum Palace[3] and the Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort[4]. (Butterfield & Robinson works with both.) If staying at the latter, book a suite with a river view.
All photography by Christopher Michael, courtesy of Butterfield & Robinson.
Tel Aviv’s Breathtaking Bauhaus Architecture[5]
This is Where China Stands Still[6]
Cartagena’s Living History in Boutique Hotels[7]
Source URL: https://dujour.com/life/bagan-myanmar-travel-guide-balloon-rides-jungles-in-paris-video/
Copyright ©2025 DuJour unless otherwise noted.