When Is the Best Time
If you are not visiting during low season (June-September): Get up very early and start exploring at 6 AM or even earlier. Then you’ll have about 2-3 hours to explore the temples without crowds. Easiest way to get around: Rent an e-bike. Rest during midday and get back around 4 PM to experience the gorgeous sunset. Plan 2-3 days in total.
November – February: The best weather with sunshine, not too hot and dry. Also the most popular months, with highest rates. December and January are the absolute peak tourist months.
March – May: Still popular but already considered shoulder season. Very hot (40°C). Rain can already occur in May.
June – September: Rainy season. Lowest prices, less tourists. Rain in Bagan is not as bad as in coastal regions. Travel experts say, September is not a bad month to explore the temples, while experiencing a great lush scenery.
Sweet Spot Month
One of the best months for the Bagan Temples and other activities is beginning to mid-October. You can usually already fly with the balloons. The scenery is lush and green. Less tourists than in peak season. A little rain is still possible but not really bad.
‘The sea of Temples’. Bagan was established in the 9th century and is one of the greatest archeological sites in Southeast Asia. More than ten thousand pagoda, monasteries, and temples were built, of which 2,200 monuments still survive today.
Hot Air Balloons
They are NOT flying vom 1st of April to 1st of October. If you are going in Dec/Jan book a long time ahead or you won’t get seat. You will also spend your time in the balloon with many others (up to 10 persons in large balloons) and might not get a good seat. Some say the balloon ride is too expensive and overrated, others love it. Here is an interesting different take on it: http://thehungrypartier.com/balloons-bagan-honest-review/
Bagan is one my favorite heritage, renting a electronic bike and losing myself in the temples excursions, looking at the local painting and handicrafts, talking to locals, having an ice-cream with a local kid, seeing their lifestyle, and indulge myself with a hot air balloon ride. The breeze gently whirl through my face.. It isn’t a dream, it is just Bagan.