Golden Eagle Ballooning – Bagan

Golden Eagle Ballooning – Conditions of flight

Passengers flying with GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING are bound by the following Terms and Conditions.

1. Passengers or their accompanying guide must register at our sales desk upon arrival in Bagan at Bagan Umbra Hotel, Wet-Kyi-Inn (Ph: 09-25208 4232, 09-25208 4242) between 8:00AM to 8:00PM.
2. Passengers are recommended to wear long sleeves shirts, long trousers and covered shoes.
3. Passengers who have any known medical condition such as epilepsy, recent surgery or other condition which can affect your ability to fly or assist the crew must be disclosed at the time of booking, and to the pilot on the day of your flight.
4. Pregnant women are not allowed to fly.
5. GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING will not be liable for illness or injury due to any undisclosed condition or failure to comply with any reasonable instruction given by the pilot, crew or company representatives.
6. Children under the age of 8 years will not be allowed to fly with GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING and children aged between 8 and 16 years needs to be accompanied by a responsible adult and the children have to be over 137cm tall (4 feet 6 inches).
7. The pilot in command is legally responsible for the safety of all passengers at all times connected with the flight, he or she has the absolute right to refuse passengers for any reason if it is considered their carriage may endanger the flight or other passengers.
8. Passengers must pay full attention to the safety briefing given by the pilot in command before the launch of the balloon, and questions should be put to pilot if the briefing is not understood or unclear.
9. Pilot’s decision is final on all matters, and he or she has full authority over passengers and crew who are to fully comply with his or her instructions or orders.
10. GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING reserves the right to cancel or delay flights, and change rendezvous and launch sites at short notice, to achieve safe and successful flights. The company is not liable for any ensuing loss or inconvenience.
11. GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING has complete international insurance cover for all passengers and third party liabilities.
12. GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING will not accept liability for loss or damage to personal effects taken on flights.
13. Flights cancelled by GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING for safety reasons, unfavorable weather conditions, or operational difficulties will be refunded in full.
    (a) All direct payments to GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING will be refunded in cash.
    (b) All payments made by credit card, only net amount will be refunded in cash. Booking service charges will not be refunded.
    (c) For all bookings made through tour agents, passengers must contact the respective agent to expedite their refunds.
    Note for passengers booked via Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd:
    Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd will make a full refund (except for private charter balloon) in net amount via paypal or bank transfer to all passengers booked through us, this exclude the 2% online payment fees or the bank charges when you made the payment.
14. Golden Eagle Ballooning reserves the right to revise or modify any terms & conditions or rates in the event of an upsurge in the market, with a minimum one month notice. However, for confirmed reservation and bookings, they will be kept at the current rates and terms.
15. Under no circumstances will GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING be liable for direct, indirect, consequential or incidental damages, including but not limited to lost or damaged property, lost profits or savings or damages or disappointment.
16. GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING may arrange for your flight to be carried out by another balloon company. In such instances, GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING accepts no liability in connection with such services or for any loss, injury, or damages to in respect to person or property.

 

Important Security Briefing (as given by the pilot before take-off)

• SMOKING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AT ALL TIME NEAR THE BALLOONS.
• Do not touch any robes, hoses, gas tanks or instruments of the pilot.
• During the inflation of the balloons, passengers are to stay behind the red line and remain in the passenger reception area until called to your balloon by your pilot.
• Before landing, stow all cameras, videos, binoculars etc. DO NOT HANG ANYTHING AROUND YOUR NECK.
• During the flight, do not throw anything out of basket.

 

On The Command Landing Positions

• Face backwards to the direction of travel, and hold tightly on to the rope handles inside the basket.
• Bend your knees and lean back against the basket padding.
• Stay in this position until invited to stand upright again.
• After landing, stay in the basket and do not get out until the pilot tells you to do so.

 

Thank you for reading these instructions and I hope you enjoy your flight with us.

1. All reservations via Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd. must be made online or via email to [email protected] and can only be made up to 72 hours or 3 days in advance. We recommend you book as early as you can.
2. Exclusive & special offers from Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd. apply to pre booking made at least 45 days or more in advanced.
3. Payment and confirmation: We must receive 100% full payment from clients at least 30 days before the flight date in order to confirm the pre-booked flight. If the booking is made within 30 days before the flight date, a full payment must be made.
4. Bookings will not be secured until the payment is made in full. We accept major debit and credit card via secure paypal payments, there is a 2% charge for this. Bank transfers are accepted only for the advanced booking made 45 days in advance, customers need to pay for all applicable bank charges applied by their bank and ours.
5. Passengers must to provide following information at least two weeks before the flight dates: full names, passport numbers (as stated in the client’s passport), the body weight of each passenger, nationalities and the name of the hotel/ cruise in Bagan for the pick-up & the contact details.
6. Standby tickets can be purchased within 48 hours at Golden Eagle Ballooning sales office in Bagan at Bagan Umbra Hotel, Wet-Kyi-Inn (Ph: 09-25208 4232, 09-25208 4242) between 8:00AM to 8:00PM.
7. Cancellation Policy:
   20% cancellation charge will be applied for cancellations within 7-30 days of the flight date.
   100% cancellation charge will be applied for cancellations less than 7 days before the flight date.
8. No refunds will be given for failure to arrive for a pre-arranged flight.
9. Flights cancelled by GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING for safety reasons, unfavourable weather conditions, or operational difficulties will be refunded, less any transaction & service charges payable to third parties for online bookings. All direct payments to GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING or via our website will be refunded in cash. For all other bookings made through tour agents, passengers must contact the respective agent to expedite their refunds.
   Note for passengers booked via Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd:
   Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd will make a full refund in net amount via paypal or bank transfer to all passengers booked through us, this exclude the 2% online payment fees or the bank charges when you made the payment.
10. Passengers or their accompanying guide must register at our sales desk upon arrival in Bagan at Bagan Umbra Hotel, Wet-Kyi-Inn (Ph: 09-25208 4232, 09-25208 4242) between 8:00AM to 8:00PM.
11. Children under the age of 8 years will not be allowed to fly with GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING and children aged between 8 and 16 years needs to be accompanied by a responsible adult and the children have to be over 137cm tall (4 feet 6 inches).
12. Golden Eagle Ballooning reserves the right to revise or modify any terms & conditions or rates in the event of an upsurge in the market, with a minimum one month notice. This will not affect the confirmed reservation and bookings.
13. Under no circumstances will GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING or its agents including Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours be liable for direct, indirect, consequential or incidental damages, including but not limited to lost or damaged property, lost profits or savings or damages or disappointment.
14. GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING may arrange for your flight to be carried out by another balloon company. In such instances, GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING and Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd accept no liability in connection with such services or for any loss, injury, or damages to in respect to person or property.
15. Any Passenger who weighs above 125kg/280 pounds or any passenger who needs the space for 2 persons, will be requested to pay 100% surcharge of the ticket price. Failure to provide accurate information in advance may lead to the refusal of flight at the launch site, whereby no refund will be offered.

 

How long is the flight?

Golden Eagle ballooning flights lasts about 35 minutes to one hour depending on the wind. The whole experience including hotel pick-ups and light champagne breakfast lasts between 2 ½ to 3 hours. Ballooning is also about watching the setup of the balloon, and being “rescued” at the end too, not just the flight itself. Not knowing where you are going to land is always exciting and part of the adventure!

 

What do we see?

The exciting thing about ballooning is that you just don’t know. You will see Bagan waking up in the morning. You will see many temples in the distance and get a spectacular aerial view of Bagan. Sometimes you may fly over villages and see people on their early morning rounds, feeding their animals; or going to market. It is an amazing and interactive experience.

 

Can we go to …… by balloon?

The balloon can only go where the wind takes it. So we unfortunately cannot pre-plan where it will land.

 

I’m scared of heights.

Ballooning does not usually affect those people who are scared of heights. Because the balloon travels with the wind, the basket is very stable and does not sway or rock during flight. There is no sense of vertigo or motion.

 

Do we see this pagoda?

You will see lots of pagodas! Exactly which pagoda you will see depends on the wind direction.

 

How many people can fit in one balloon?

Golden Eagle Ballooning has balloon flights that can hold up for 12 passengers in four separate compartments, offering a range of flexibility across our entire fleet for small or larger groups. Golden Eagle Ballooning operates three balloons with a total capacity of 24 passengers with one Sunrise flight every morning of 35 minutes to one hour duration, depending on the wind speed and weather condition on that day.

 

What is the is the difference between standard and premium service?

Below is the summary of the difference between standard and premium service.

Flight inclusions	Classic flights	Premium flights
Number of passengers in a basket	12	4 to 8
Pick up and drop off service in private vehicle	Yes	Yes
Light breakfast before take off	Yes	Yes
Champagne celebration after landing	Yes	Yes
Flight Certificate	Yes	Yes

 

What do we get for the price?

A memory that we hope will last forever; transport to and from your hotel to launch and landing site, flight, ‘rescue’, celebratory glass of champagne and light breakfast.

 

Where do we take off?

The take-off site changes with the wind and is decided by the pilot in command on the day of the flight.

 

Where do we land?

Wherever the wind takes you! This could be next to a Pagoda, a field by a village, on a sandbank, or even across the river, which will involve a rescue by boat.

 

What time will we be picked up?

For the morning flight, passengers are usually picked up at their hotels by our Balloons over Bagan bus between 05h00 and 05h30 in the morning depending on the location of your hotel and the hotels of other passengers. The exact time will be given to you the evening before when you or your guide come to our sales office in Bagan to reconfirm your flight.

 

What time do we get back to the hotel?

In the morning flight, passengers are usually back at their hotels by 8.00 – 8.30 am. Some passengers like to stay longer after landing to drink an extra glass of champagne or chat with villagers who come to witness the landing. The post flight celebrations are an important part of ballooning in this special area and not to be rushed!

 

Can our children fly?

For safety reasons there are age and height restrictions. We set a minimum age of 8 years old, but as a general rule, all passengers must be able to see over the basket.

 

How can we pay for a pre-booking?

For a pre-booking, full payment must be made via paypal for bookings less than 45 days before the flight or via bank transfer for bookings made 45 days or more before the flight date. All payment must be paid in US dollar via paypal or via bank transfer, please see details here.

 

Can I get my money back if the balloon flight is cancelled?

Flights cancelled by GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING for safety reasons, unfavourable weather conditions, or operational difficulties will be refunded, less any transaction & service charges payable to third parties for online bookings. All direct payments to GOLDEN EAGLE BALLOONING or via our website will be refunded in cash. For all other bookings made through tour agents, passengers must contact the respective agent to expedite their refunds.
Note for passengers booked via Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd:
Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd will make a full refund in net amount via paypal or bank transfer to all passengers booked through us, this exclude the 2% online payment fees or the bank charges when you made the payment.

 

Can I decide later in Bagan whether I want to fly or not?

It is possible to buy a last minute stand by ticket at Golden Eagle Ballooning sales office in Bagan at Bagan Umbra Hotel, Wetkyi Inn (Ph: 09-25208 4232, 09-25208 4242) between 8am to 12 pm and 4pm to 8pm. However, this is only possible if there are spaces left for the next day. In recent years at certain times during the season we unfortunately have had to turn people away who wanted to book at short notice, but couldn’t because the day they were in Bagan the balloons were already fully booked by package tours. Therefore, to avoid disappointment, we strongly suggest you make your booking in advance. However if you are planning to stay in Bagan for 3-4 days there is a much better chance to book a standby space on one of the flights. If you are in any doubt, please feel free to contact us directly by phone or email, and we can give you an indication of our current booking status. Please note that this is an indication only, and may not remain accurate for very long.

 

Why do I have to give my weight?

It is important that we receive the correct weight of each passenger as soon as possible. The chief pilot needs this figure to calculate the total ballast of the basket, so that he can determine the total amount of lift available on that day.

 

Who owns Golden Eagle Ballooning?

Golden Eagle Ballooning, a 100% private Myanmar company and a subsidiary of Golden Express Tours (www.goldenexpresstours.com), which is the first balloon tour operator in Myanmar since 1999. Golden Express Tours has organised numerous international balloon meetings in Myanmar flying over Bagan, Mandalay, Inle, Yangon and other major cities like Myitkyina, Loikaw, Monywa and Magway.

Golden Eagle Ballooning intends to fill the needs of demand for hot air balloon operation in Bagan with highest safety standards and services. GEB’s balloons are manufactured by Ultramagic from Spain – one of the best and well-known balloon manufacturers in the world and approved by European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The insurance is comprehensively covered by Lloyd from United Kingdom for both third parties and the passengers.

The company has three Swiss pilots and one Chief pilot from Barcelona, one Spanish examiner and inspector, one Swiss maintenance manager, two local operation managers, and 35 local ground crews for the operations.

 

What is the price?

Standard Service Flight USD 320 per person
Premium Service Flight USD 380 per person

Prices include transfers from your hotel, balloon flight and a light champagne breakfast. These prices are valid from 08th October 2015 until 31st March 2016.
Standby tickets can only be purchased 48 hours or two full days in advance at Golden Eagle Ballooning Sales office in Bagan at Bagan Umbra Hotel, Wetkyi Inn (Ph: 09-25208 4232, 09-25208 4242) between 8am to 12 pm and 4pm to 8pm.