Balloon Festival: A sky full of colors (Photo Feature)

In a dazzling display of colors and culture, Pokhara has come alive with the first-ever International Balloon Festival, organized by Nepal Balloon Pvt Ltd. The festival, held across a 3-kilometer stretch from Lauruk to Chankhapur in Pame, marks a significant milestone in Nepal’s adventure tourism sector. With participation from 30 commercial balloon companies across the globe, the event coincides with Christmas and New Year, offering locals and visitors an unforgettable experience of soaring over the picturesque Pokhara valley.

President of Nepal Balloon, Bikram Bade, shared that the festival aims to position Nepal as a global adventure tourism destination while revitalizing the tourism industry post-covid. Mayor Dhanraj Acharya expressed similar enthusiasm, emphasizing the importance of such events in enriching Pokhara’s tourism calendar.

Visitors can witness stunning morning, afternoon, and evening flights led by professional pilots, including renowned Dutch pilot Pieter Kooistra, who is making his Nepal debut. Each flight offers breathtaking views of the Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Dhaulagiri ranges, with balloon rides lasting approximately 40 minutes.

Kooistra has completed 3,000 hot air balloon flights. Describing his experience on his first flight in Nepal, he expressed his happiness to be in Pokhara, as he told ApEx. He also mentioned that if the weather is perfect, flying around Pokhara would be a lovely experience, with the stunning mountain ranges.

The festival isn’t just about flights. Night balloon glows, 20-minute daily fireworks displays, balloon races, and cultural performances enrich the experience. Attendees can enjoy food stalls, live music, DJ sets, and even night camps.