Early Morning:
05:15: Pickup from your hotel by air-conditioned private taxi and guide for sunrise balloon viewing. Guide and driver will be waiting for you from 05:00. They will have a sign with our company name and logo clearly displayed.
Sunrise balloon viewing at less-crowded or secluded location within the monument zone. Due to changing regulations and to avoid crowds, specific site will be chosen shortly before tour.
After sunrise, continue to our “home pagoda” by horsecart.
Al fresco light breakfast with local pastries, fruit, and fresh coffee/tea at our “home” pagoda situated within harvest area of local community. Meal is vegetarian. Quiet temple with secluded gardens maintained by local villagers supported by our enterprise. Orientation to Bagan, its historical significance, topography, agriculture.
After breakfast, guided tour of significant and lesser-known sites within the monument zone by aircon vehicle with guide.
Lunch break at local restaurant of your choice or your hotel. If you provide the name of the restaurant you would prefer, we can arrange reservation to ensure aircon seating (if available).
Continue tour of significant and lesser-known sites within the monument zone by aircon vehicle with guide for approx. 1-2 hours.
Mid-Afternoon:
Journey by taxi to remote village location on the Irrawaddy. A spectacular cluster of pagodas situated on an isolated cliff-top. Visit remote sites and areas on foot, including many not listed on any map or guidebook. Amazing murals and panoramic views, visit to magical meditation caves and cliff monasteries. Fantastic late-period temples with murals and stone carvings, expansive views, and small monastic community.
The upper temple is locked with chain and key. Your guide or a senior monk will unlock the temple for your access and re-lock again to ensure privacy while you are there. From the upper temple where you have proposed, you descend and we exit the monastery by foot and walk to the river where your boat is waiting in a lovely spot with no other tourist boats. You enjoy private sunset cruise on the water with the sun setting across the water to your right and the riverside temples of Bagan on your left. We will most likely encounter no other tourists on the water, as we stay out longer than the other boats and take a different route.
We will arrange flowers, refreshments and wine on the boat as per your selection. Please let us know if you have a beverage preference and we will provide this throughout the day, if available (soft drinks, soda water, spring water, juices, etc).
Post-Sunset:
Travel from boat jetty by foot to private temple that has been prepared in advance for you. Flowers and candlelight setting will be arranged at the temple and complete privacy (almost) guaranteed. Photography by candlelight in the temple; service includes 20 edited photos.
Return to your hotel or selected restaurant by aircon vehicle.
