Nepal Welcomes International Hot Air Balloon Festival

Vibrant Canvas of Colours: Nepal’s First Hot-Air Balloon Festival

Nepal’s snowy Himalayan peaks provided a breathtaking backdrop for the country’s first hot-air balloon festival, transforming the sky above Pokhara into a kaleidoscope of colours.

Boosting Tourism in Nepal

Tourism is a significant contributor to Nepal’s economy, with over a million foreign visitors this year following a post-pandemic recovery. To cater to these travellers, investments are being made in hotels and airports. The hot-air balloon festival was seen as an opportunity to further boost tourism in the country.

“We felt that we must bring a balloon festival like this to Nepal,” said Sabin Maharjan, one of the event’s organisers. Hot-air balloons from more than 10 countries participated in the festival, offering passengers a unique perspective on the region’s stunning landscapes.

A Spectacular Display

The balloons created a mesmerising display against the majestic sight of the snow-capped Annapurna range. American balloon pilot Derek Hamcock described the experience as “spectacular.” As he soared above the hills and lakes, he exclaimed, “It is spectacular. As soon as you go above the small range here you see all the Himalayas. Unbelievable, every time you see them it is unbelievable.”

The Joy of Ballooning

Balloons shaped like a rat and a frog were among those taking part in the festival, gently drifting with the breeze. “You never know where you are going,” said Diego Criado del Rey, a balloon pilot from Spain. “So it is pretty much you and the nature — not fighting, but being together. You go where the nature tells you.”

The Nepal Civil Aviation Authority issued a notice for the skies over Pokhara to allow balloon flights for nine days. The event was a testament to the enduring appeal of hot-air ballooning, which has captivated people’s imagination for centuries since the Montgolfier brothers made the first manned flight in France over two hundred years ago.