International Hot Air Balloon Festival to be Held in Pokhara

Balloon Nepal Pvt. Ltd is set to host an international hot air balloon festival in Pokhara, aiming to further promote the city on an international level. The festival will take place in and around the source of Phewa Lake from December 29 to January 2, marking New Year 2025, as announced by Bikram Bade, Chairperson of Balloon Pvt. Ltd.

The festival will feature 20 to 25 balloons from various countries worldwide, with an estimated cost of Rs 6.5 million. This event is being organized with the support and collaboration of the Nepal Tourism Board, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Gandaki Province Government, Pokhara Metropolitan City, Nepal Civil Aviation Authority, and Pokhara Tourism Council, among others.

Pomnarayan Shrestha, Chair of the Pokhara Tourism Council, emphasized that the festival will be a historic event for Pokhara, the tourism capital of the country, and for the entire Gandaki Province.

Sabin Maharjan, the proprietor of Balloon Nepal, highlighted the breathtaking views from the hot air balloons. “When you fly in a hot air balloon, you can see mountains like Machhapuchhre and Annapurna, the full-sized Phewa Lake, Pumdikot Mahadev, paragliders from Sarangkot, and the stunning scenery around the Pokhara Valley,” he said.

The festival is expected to draw significant attention, showcasing the natural beauty and cultural richness of Pokhara to the world.