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Nepal hosts first International Balloon Festival in Pokhara

Participants from 30 countries have gathered for the BYD International Balloon Festival.

Nepal balloon festivalThe festival offers daily hot air balloon flights with breathtaking views of the Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. (Photo: @sthemanta/ X)

Nepal’s tourism capital, Pokhara, has taken adventure tourism to new heights with its inaugural International Balloon Festival. The nine-day event, running from December 24, 2024, to January 2, 2025, is being held in the Pame region, known for its scenic beauty and adventure opportunities.

Participants from 30 countries have gathered for the BYD International Balloon Festival, featuring over 20 international pilots and more than two dozen balloon companies.

The festival offers daily hot air balloon flights with breathtaking views of the Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges.

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Nepal balloon festival The festival spans three kilometers, from Lauruk to Chankhapur. (Photo: @sthemanta via Kantipur)

Sahil Shrestha, CEO of Cimex Inc. Pvt. Ltd., the event’s title sponsor, said, “This festival is exciting for locals and visitors alike. Pilots sharing their experiences internationally will help promote Nepal’s tourism globally.”

The festival spans three kilometers, from Lauruk to Chankhapur, and includes approximately 500 commercial flights expected to host 3,000 passengers, alongside 300 non-commercial flights. Each flight lasts about 40 minutes, providing panoramic views of the Pokhara Valley and the Himalayan peaks.

Derek Hamcock, a pilot from the US, described the experience: “Flying above the foothills with the mountains in view is a spectacular sight every time.”

Organizers estimate the event will cost Rs 68.3 million and significantly boost Pokhara’s tourism recovery post-pandemic.

(With inputs from ANI)

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