For the nation’s inaugural hot-air balloon festival, the sky above Pokhara was turned into a brilliant canvas of colors, with the snow-capped Himalayan peaks serving as the backdrop.
With over a million international visitors this year following a post-pandemic recovery, tourism is a significant source of income for Nepal, and investments are being made in hotels and airports to accommodate tourists.
“We felt that we must bring a balloon festival like this to Nepal,” said Sabin Maharjan, one of the event’s organizers.
The event featured hot air balloons from over ten different countries.
“A ride here can be very exciting as you can see mountains, hills, and lakes,” Maharjan said. “All passengers tell us that they are very happy—such a festival will boost our tourism.”
