Trip highlights
- 1Hot air balloon over 2,000 temples at sunrise
- 2Ananda Temple — the jewel of Bagan
- 3E-bike self-guided temple exploration
- 4Dhammayangyi at golden hour
- 5Irrawaddy River sunset cruise
Daily spend
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Day-by-day plan
Arrive Bagan
Monday, November 15
Est. spend
$65
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrive Nyaung-U Airport
Nyaung-U Airport, Mandalay Region, Myanmar
Bagan has its own airport (NYU, Nyaung-U) with connections from Yangon and Mandalay. Taxis from the airport to Old Bagan or New Bagan: $5–8. Alternatively, overnight bus from Yangon (8 hours, $8–12) arrives at 5am — ideal for catching the sunrise on the plains.
IMPORTANT: Check current Myanmar travel advisories before booking. The political situation has been unstable since 2021. Many visitors go via organised tours from Thailand that minimise direct engagement with the military government.
☀️ Afternoon
Shwezigon Pagoda
Shwezigon Pagoda, Nyaung-U, Bagan
The 11th-century golden pagoda that served as a model for all subsequent Burmese stupas — a solid gilded cylindrical stupa surrounded by smaller temples and the famous 37 Nats (spirit beings incorporated into Buddhist practice). Entry included in the Bagan Archaeological Zone pass ($25).
Buy the $25 Bagan Archaeological Zone permit at the Nyaung-U airport or at the main checkpoint — it covers all temples for 5 days. Keep it on you as guards check at major temples.
🍽️ Meals
Star Beam Restaurant, Nyaung-U
Burmese · $12 · Best Burmese restaurant in Nyaung-U. The mohinga (fish and banana stem noodle soup, Myanmar's national dish) and the tea leaf salad (lahpet thoke) are outstanding.
Hot Air Balloon at Dawn
Tuesday, November 16
Est. spend
$430
per person
🌅 Morning
Balloons Over Bagan — sunrise flight
Balloon launch sites, Bagan
The hot air balloon over Bagan is the most famous dawn aviation experience in Asia — 45 minutes over the 2,000+ temple plain at 200–400m altitude while the sky turns pink and gold. Balloons Over Bagan (the original operator) charges $380 per person. October–April season only.
Book months ahead for November–February peak season — flights sell out completely. The flight includes champagne breakfast at the landing site. Weather cancellations get rescheduled. This is the single most beautiful morning experience in Myanmar.
☀️ Afternoon
Ananda Temple
Ananda Temple, Old Bagan
The finest temple in Bagan — the best-preserved and most architecturally beautiful of all 2,000+ structures. The four standing Buddha images (10m tall) at the cardinal points, the gilded exterior, and the Mon-style spire are extraordinary. Active temple — respectful dress required.
Ananda is an active place of worship — the resident monks, the candles and flowers around the Buddha images, and the sound of prayer make this different from the 'ruin' temples. Go early morning or late afternoon.
🍽️ Meals
Be Kind to Animals The Moon restaurant, Nyaung-U
Burmese vegetarian · $10 · The most famous vegetarian restaurant in Bagan since 1994. The name is genuine — the owner runs an animal rescue charity alongside the restaurant.
E-Bike Temple Exploration
Wednesday, November 17
Est. spend
$65
per person
🌅 Morning
E-bike hire and full day temple circuit
Bagan Archaeological Zone, Mandalay Region
Electric bikes (e-bikes) are the definitive way to explore Bagan — $8/day, silent, and able to reach off-road temples inaccessible by taxi. The unpaved tracks between temples cross open plain with views of the full archaeological zone.
Recommended circuit: Dhammayangyi → Sulamani → Minnanthu village temples → Tayokpyi → Pyathada — all off the main tourist circuit and equally impressive. The smaller village temples have no guides and complete silence.
☀️ Afternoon
Dhammayangyi Temple — the mysteries
Dhammayangyi Temple, Bagan
The largest temple in Bagan (1170 AD) — built by the king who murdered his father and brother, according to legend. The inner passages were bricked up (some say to entomb the workers, others say as a structural decision). The exterior is the most photogenic in Bagan at sunset.
🍽️ Meals
Sunset from Pyathada or Shwesandaw temple
Burmese · $8 · Climb an accessible temple (Pyathada is now the main sunset viewpoint after Shwesandaw restricted climbing) for the sunset over the temple plain. Then dinner in Nyaung-U market.
Lacquerware & Irrawaddy
Thursday, November 18
Est. spend
$90
per person
🌅 Morning
Lacquerware workshop visit
Lacquerware workshops, New Bagan
Bagan is the lacquerware capital of Myanmar — workshops produce intricate lacquerware boxes, bowls, and trays using a 7-step process that takes 3–6 months per piece. The Bagan Lacquerware School runs free workshop tours. Buy directly from the artisans.
The quality difference between tourist stalls and genuine lacquerware workshops is immediately visible. Genuine pieces have consistent lines, no bubbling, and a satisfying weight. Prices from $15–200 depending on size and detail.
☀️ Afternoon
Irrawaddy River sunset cruise
Nyaung-U River Jetty, Bagan
A private boat on the Irrawaddy River (Ayeyarwady) at sunset — the river that has been Myanmar's main transport artery for 3,000 years. The view from the river of Bagan's temple plain against the sky is the best possible closing image of the visit.
Private boat hire from the Nyaung-U jetty: $20–30 for 2 hours. Negotiate directly at the river. Bring drinks from the market — no vendors on the boats.
🍽️ Meals
Restaurant at Bagan King Hotel
Burmese/International · $15 · The most reliably good international food in Bagan. The Burmese curry set (5 curries with rice, pickles, and soup) is excellent value.
Dawn Temple & Departure
Friday, November 19
Est. spend
$50
per person
🌅 Morning
Pre-dawn cycle to a private temple
Bagan Archaeological Zone
The final Bagan dawn — cycle out at 4:45am to a smaller temple away from the tourist circuits and watch the sun rise over the plain. The Tayokpyi Temple (East Bagan area) or the remote Sulamani have balconies accessible in the early morning.
The last Bagan dawn is quieter than earlier in the trip once you know the landscape. Choose a temple you've visited and understood — the second experience is deeper than the first.
☀️ Afternoon
Nyaung-U Airport departure
Nyaung-U Airport, Bagan
Flights from NYU to Yangon (50 minutes) or Mandalay (20 minutes). Allow 2.5 hours before departure.
🍽️ Meals
Nyaung-U market breakfast
Burmese · $4 · The market opens at 5am — mohinga fish noodles, shan noodles, and the excellent Chinese-Burmese tea house breakfast. The best and cheapest meal of the trip.
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
November–February is the dry season (24–30°C), perfect for ballooning and temple exploration. October and March are shoulder months. April–September is very hot (35–42°C) and the balloon season doesn't operate.
🛂 Visas
IMPORTANT: Myanmar's political situation has been difficult since the February 2021 military coup. Many governments advise against non-essential travel. If visiting, an e-visa is available at evisa.moip.gov.mm ($50). The visa situation may change — check your government's travel advisory immediately before booking.
💱 Currency
Myanmar Kyat (MMK) and USD. The official exchange rate and unofficial rate differ significantly — bring USD in small denomination bills. Most tourist businesses accept USD directly. ATMs are available in Nyaung-U but may have reliability issues.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 199
ambulance: 192
tourist police: +95 1 379 228
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Remove shoes and socks at ALL temple entrances — this is mandatory and enforced. Many temples are partly active Buddhist sites. Respectful behaviour is expected.
- Bagan is in an earthquake zone — the 2016 earthquake damaged or collapsed around 400 temples. The remaining 2,000+ are being restored (sometimes controversially) by the UNESCO and the Myanmar government.
One thing worth not skipping
A 5-day trip to Bagan, Myanmar without insurance is a gamble. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage — cover yourself before you leave.
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