Balloon Safari over Inle and Pindaya

Balloons Over Bagan – Conditions of Flight

This 1 night 2 day Balloon Safari is operated by the “Balloon Over Bagan” carrier. Passengers flying with Balloon Over Bagan flights in Inle and Pindaya are bound by the following Terms and Conditions.

1. “Balloons over Bagan” (the operator of Balloon Over Inle) is owned and operated by Shwe Lay Ta Gun Travels and Tours, a 100% private Myanmar company.
2. It may be required to cancel flights by “Balloons over Bagan” for safety reasons or as a result of unfavourable weather or operational difficulties. The client accepts this as a part of the nature of a ballooning holiday, in which case a refund US$250 per person will be given. For all bookings made through tour agents, passengers must contact the respective agent to organize their refunds.
   Note for passengers booked via Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd:
   Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd will make the above 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.
3. Any known medical condition which may affect your ability to fly or assist the crew must be disclosed to “Balloons over Bagan” at the time of booking. i.e. epilepsy, recent surgery etc. Some conditions may preclude you from eligibility to fly. Pregnant women will not be permitted to fly, and “Balloons over Bagan” will not accept liability for illness or injury due to any undisclosed condition or failure to comply with any reasonable instruction given by the pilot or crew or company representative.
4. No-smoking is permitted during the flight or anywhere in proximity to the balloon.
5. The pilot in command is legally obliged to consider the safety of his passengers at all times and may refuse to carry passengers for whatever reason if it is considered their carriage may endanger the flight, other passengers or themselves. “Balloons over Bagan” reserve the right to refuse the carriage of any passenger.
6. The passenger must carefully listen to the security briefing given by the pilot before the launch of the balloon and indicate in case he / she doesn’t understand the security briefing.
7. The pilot of the day has absolute authority and all passengers and crew must comply with his instructions. The pilot’s decision on all matters is final.
8. “Balloons over Bagan” expects passengers to assist the pilot and crew in any situation that is deemed reasonable, during pre- and post-flight activities.
9. “Balloons over Bagan” reserves the right to cancel or delay flights, change rendezvous and launch sites, at short notice, to achieve a safe and successful flight. “Balloons over Bagan” will not accept liability for any consequential loss or inconvenience.
10. “Balloons over Bagan” carries third party and passenger liability.
11. “Balloons over Bagan” accepts no liability for claims arising as a result of an act or default of any other passenger or bystander.
12. “Balloons over Bagan” accepts no liability for loss or damage to persons or property other than that of which results from negligence on its own part.
13. “Balloons over Bagan” does not accept liability for loss or damage to personal effects.
14. “Balloons over Bagan” reserves the right to alter, revise or review any terms, conditions or rates, at its discretion.

 

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

• NO SMOKING IN AND AROUND THE BALLOON at all times.
• If you are feeling unwell, if you have any medical conditions or you might be pregnant please inform the Pilot before the balloon is inflated.
• During inflation do not walk between the trucks and the balloon. Stay behind the red barrier cord until asked to “Climb Aboard” by the Ground Crew.
• To climb in – use the step-holes in the side of the basket.
• Once you are in the basket do not get out, even after landing – stay in the basket until the Pilot tells you it is safe to get out.
• Do not touch any coloured ropes, the fuel-hoses or any of the burner controls.
• Before take-off your pilot will ask all passengers to practise the landing position as follows;
  • Safely stow all phones, cameras, binoculars etc, do not have anything loose around your neck (if you have long hair-please tie it up or tuck it away).
  • Face backwards to the direction of travel.
  • Hold onto the rope handles woven into the basket side-wall in front of you.
  • Sit down on the seat.
  • LEAN BACK against the basket padding, sit upright and do not lean forward.
  • Place your feet flat on the floor with your toes away from the basket wall.
  • Stay in this position until the Pilot tells you it is safe to move.
  • When the Pilot gives the command “LANDING POSITIONS” please comply IMMEDIATELY – this is very important for the SAFETY of all of the PASSENGERS.
• The landing might be a series of bounces and the basket might lay on it’s side and drag along the ground until it stops. Stay in the LANDING POSITION until the Pilot tells you it is safe to move.
• In the unlikely event of an emergency – please follow the instructions given by the Pilot at all times.
• If you do not understand any part of these instructions, please inform the Pilot before the balloon is inflated.

 

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

1. All pre bookings via Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co Ltd must be made online or via email and can only be made up to 72 hours or 3 days in advance.
2. Exclusive and special offers by 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. At that time, we will require clients’ full names, passport numbers (as stated in the client’s passport), the bodyweight of each passenger, nationalities and the name of the hotel/ cruise in Bagan for the pick-up. If the booking is made within 30 days before the flight date, a full payment must be made and all of the required information must be provided to us at the time of booking. If the client is unable to provide the necessary information and payment at this stage, the reserved booking will not be considered as confirmed, and will be automatically cancelled.
4. Cancellation fees for all pre bookings are as follows: We reserves the right to charge a 20% cancellation fee if the cancellation is made between 30 days and 7 days before the flight, and a 100% cancellation fee if the cancellation is made less than 7 days before the flight.
   • Cancellation less than 7 days before the flight date – no refund
   • Cancellation between 30 days and 7 days before the flight date – 80% refund
5. Balloon flight cancellations refer to and include variations, amendments and additions to the following: This applies 30 days before the flight.
   • Flight Dates
   • Total Number of Passengers
   • Name changes only can be made up to 7 days before the flight date without penalty.
6. Upon booking via Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd, we will provide our booking terms and conditions, conditions of Balloon Over Bagan’s flights and FAQs to the lead passenger along with the invoice, the lead passenger then must ensure all clients on her/ his booking have been provided with this information. By making payment for the flight, all clients on the booking are deemed to have read and agreed the booking terms and conditions and FAQs.
7. Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd only accepts secure online payment for booking made less than 45days before the flight or bank transfers for bookings made 45 days or more before the flight. We accept all major debit and credit cards via paypal, paypal payments and bank transfers. Card payments and paypal transfer incur a charge of 2%. In case of payments by bank transfers, clients need to ensure that the net amount is transferred and all transfer charges their bank may apply are debited from their account.
8. Passengers or their accompanying guide must register over the phone at Balloon Over Bagan’s Yangon office on (+95) 01 248 907, 01 371 280 upon arrival in Inle.
9. No refunds will be given for failure to arrive for a pre-arranged flight.
10. Balloons over Bagan reserves the right to cancel or delay flights, change rendezvous and launch sites, at short notice, to achieve a safe and successful flight. Balloons over Bagan will not accept liability for any consequential loss or inconvenience.
11. Flights cancelled by Balloons over Bagan for safety reasons or as a result of unfavourable weather or operational difficulties will be refunded in full the method you make payment (i.e. online payment via paypal or bank transfer). Any direct online guests who have made the payment by credit card to Balloons over Bagan must take their refunds in cash at our Sales office in Bagan before they leave the country. For all bookings made through tour agents, passengers must contact the respective agent to organize 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.
12. Any Passenger in excess of 125 kg / 280 pounds, or any passenger who requires the space in the basket for 2 passengers, will be required to book the additional extra space at the time of booking and pay a 100% surcharge of the ticket price. Failure to provide accurate information in advance could lead to the refusal of flight at the launch site, whereby no refund will be offered.
13. Balloons over Bagan carries third party and passenger liability for each balloon of USD 10 millions.
14. Balloons over Bagan reserve the right to alter, revise or review any terms, conditions or rates, at its discretion.

 

Balloons Over Bagan Flights – frequently asked questions

 

How long is the flight?

Our balloon safari flights are a true adventure and can last from 30 minutes up to two hours. The whole experience including hotel pick ups and light champagne breakfast lasts between 3 to 4 hours. Ballooning in these remote areas is also about watching the set up 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 some of Myanmar’s most remote and unspoilt areas in the early morning light. You will see forgotten and tucked away hill top pagodas, mountain villages and incredible vistas over Beautiful Inle Lake. On our Safaris the balloon is still a strange and mysterious sight, and as we come into land we are often mobbed by children and local villagers in an amazing interactive experience.

 

Is it safe?

• Commercial passenger ballooning is the safest form of all air transport.
• We only fly when there are light surface winds less than 8 knots.
• Our pilots and technicians are European Nationals qualified and registered in the UK.
• Our balloons are built to the highest standards of the British aerospace industry by Cameron Balloons
  ltd and Lindstrand Balloons Ltd the world’s largest manufacturers of hot air balloons.
• All our crew are trained to the highest international standards and have all been trained in first aid by UK Public Transport Inspectors.

 

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.

 

How many people can fit in one balloon?

We currently use our very smallest balloon for this unique and exclusive service. The balloon has room for 4 passengers in two separate compartments plus a pilot.

 

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 the lake, a field by a village or even into the next valley, which will involve a lengthier rescue.

 

What time will we be picked up?

Passengers are usually picked up from their hotels by our private vehicle or boats between 05h30 and 06h00 in the morning. The exact time will be given to you the evening before by your pilot and host.

 

What time do we get back to the hotel?

In the morning flight, passengers are usually back at their hotels before 9.30 am!

 

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 pre-bookings, full payment must be made through our company bank account one month in advance of your scheduled departure date, or through your tour operator.
For a pre-booking via Myanmar City Star Travel & Tours Co. Ltd, full payment must be made preferably by bank transfer at least 30 days in advance of 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?

Balloon Safari holidays are an all exclusive package, including all accommodation, meals and transport in addition to your balloon flight. We guarantee a refund of USD 250 per person per flight in the event that we are unable to safely conduct one of these flights in each location. Our flights only operate when the chief pilot decides that the weather is suitable and it is safe to fly.

Therefore it might be possible that we have to cancel the balloon flight at the launch site for safety reasons. Our flights normally take place during the months of November, December, January, February until mid March which are normally the most reliable and clear months for flying in Myanmar.

 

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 Balloons over Bagan?

Balloons over Bagan is a 100% private Myanmar company, which was set up and is run by husband and wife team Brett Melzer and Khin Omar Win.