THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 307

BALLOONING IN BAGAN
There's perhaps no better way to see the temples of Bagan than from the air by balloon
- although trips don't come cheap. Two operators run trips, though trips get booked up
quickly, and in high season particularly it's a good idea to reserve as far in advance as pos-
sible. Flights cost from $320 per person and last around 45 minutes to an hour.
Balloons over Bagan Next to the Nanda Restaurant, Wet Kyi Inn 061 60347, east-
ernsafaris.com/balloonsoverbagan_home.html or facebook.com/balloonsoverbagan .
Oriental Ballooning Amata Boutique House, New Bagan 061 65099, orientalbal-
looning.com .
INFORMATION AND TOURS
Tourist offices There are tourist offices in both Nyaung U, on Anawrahta Rd, and New
Bagan on Bagan-Chauk Rd (daily 9.30am-4pm in theory if not always practice; 061
65040 for both offices). There's not much actual information available, although staff can ar-
range taxis to tour Bagan and to the airport (K5000/6000/7000 from Nyaung U/Old Bagan/
New Bagan respectively). They can also provide guides.
Guides Guides can be hired through Bagan's two tourist offices or through most tour oper-
ators around town. Professional licensed guides cost $35/day. Local guides can be hired for
$20/day, although their services are likely to be considerably more hit and miss.
TOUR OPERATORS AND TRAVEL AGENTS
In addition to the operators listed below, major international outfits Exotissimo and
Grasshopper Adventures have offices in New Bagan, though neither local branch is particu-
larly efficient.
EverSky Thiripyitsaya 4St,NyaungU 06160895, [e-mail] . Helpful
and reliable general tour operator.
Tourist Information & Travelling Services (T&T) Thiripyitsaya 4 St, Nyaung U 09
4037 19542, [e-mail] . Good general travel agent and a good place to ar-
range car hire, bus tickets and local tours.
ACCOMMODATION
Bagan is no bargain, thanks to the number of visitors and relative shortage of places to stay
(particular in lower price brackets). Budget accommodation is clustered in Nyaung U , al-
though there's a paucity of really inexpensive accommodation - most rooms under $20/night
are little better than basic cubicles with shared bathroom and decrepit decor. Many Nyaung
U guesthouses have now constructed newer and much more attractive buildings behind their
original buildings, offering far superior lodgings for around $30/night - well worth the extra
cash. Similar places stretch down the main road into the village of Wet Kyi Inn , about 1km