Balloon Festival Adds Excitement To Pokhara’s Tourism The country’s first international balloon festival, which began in the tourist capital Pokhara, has brought more excitement to Pokhara’s tourism. This festival, which began on the banks of Fewa Lake targeting the English New Year 2025 and Christmas, has added excitement to Pokhara.
The festival, organized by Balloon Nepal Pvt. Ltd., will run for nine days from December 21 at Fewa Field on the banks of Fewa Lake. Balloon Nepal President Bikram Bade said that the festival was organized to promote tourism in Pokhara through adventure sports.
According to him, the special attractions of the festival include sunrise and sunset balloon flights, beautiful views of Pokhara’s Fewa Lake, the Annapurna Mountains and surrounding villages, Night Balloon Glow, balloons twinkling at night, fire shows, Christmas Eve, Kathmandu’s Kumari dance and Bajrayogini.
Pokhara Tourism Council Chairman Taranath Pahari believes that the balloon festival will help boost tourism, which has been slowing down due to various reasons. “Tourism activities should continue to make the tourist city more ‘vibrant’. Recently, festivals like the hot air balloon have further internationalized the city’s identity.”
The festival, which is being organized locally by the Fewa Club, is being sponsored by ‘BYD’. Pokhara Metropolitan City, Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Province, Ministry of Industry and Tourism, and Gandaki Province Government have supported the festival as promoters to make it a success. Pokhara Tourism Council has collaborated in the festival.
The festival’s brand ambassadors Rajesh Hamal and Priyanka Karki are also participating. A free shuttle bus has been arranged from Lakeside Dihikopatan to reach the festival venue.
The festival is being held in a three-kilometre area from Lauruk to Changkhapur in the Pame area. It is said that commercial flights will be available from 6 am to 9 am, while various programs will be held in the evening.
Balloon pilots representing different countries will fly hot air balloons from 4 pm to 6 pm. The organizers have stated that there will be a balloon night glow and musical program from 7 pm to 8 pm. Balloon Nepal, established in 2015, has been operating commercial balloon flights in Pokhara since 2017.
