Pokhara to host International hot air balloon festival

Pokhara is gearing up to host an international hot-air balloon festival, organized by Balloon Nepal Pvt. Ltd, around the scenic Phewa Lake. The event aims to further elevate Pokhara’s status on the global tourism map. Scheduled from December 29 to January 2, the festival will celebrate the New Year 2025, according to Bikram Bade, Chairperson of Balloon Pvt. Ltd.

The festival will feature approximately 20 to 25 hot air balloons from various countries, with an estimated budget of Rs 6.5 million. The event is being held 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 the significance of the festival, calling it a historic event for Pokhara, the tourism capital of Nepal, and the entire Gandaki province.

Sabin Maharjan, proprietor of Balloon Nepal, highlighted the unique experience of hot air ballooning in Pokhara, offering views of iconic landmarks such as Machhapuchhre and Annapurna mountains, a panoramic view of Phewa Lake, Pumdikot Mahadev, paragliders from Sarangkot, and the breathtaking scenery of Pokhara Valley.