Pokhara, renowned as Nepal’s tourism capital, is elevating adventure tourism with its first-ever International Balloon Festival. This nine-day event is set to take place from December 24, 2024, to January 2, 2025, in the picturesque Pame region, celebrated for its natural beauty and adventure offerings.
Participants from 30 nations are converging for the BYD International Balloon Festival, which showcases more than 20 international pilots and over two dozen balloon companies. Attendees can expect daily hot air balloon flights that offer stunning views of the Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges.
Sahil Shrestha, CEO of Cimex Inc. Pvt. Ltd., the event’s title sponsor, stated, “This festival is exciting for locals and visitors alike. Pilots sharing their experiences internationally will help promote Nepal’s tourism globally.”
The festival route stretches three kilometers, from Lauruk to Chankhapur, and is anticipated to feature around 500 commercial flights catering to 3,000 passengers, along with 300 non-commercial flights. Each flight lasts approximately 40 minutes, providing sweeping vistas of the Pokhara Valley and the majestic Himalayan peaks.
Derek Hamcock, a pilot from the US, shared his thoughts on the experience: “Flying above the foothills with the mountains in view is a spectacular sight every time.”
Organizers believe the event will incur costs of Rs 68.3 million and play a crucial role in revitalizing Pokhara’s tourism sector following the pandemic.
