KATHMANDU, Oct 4: The hot air balloon flight service in Pokhara that was suspended due to the rainy season, has resumed operation from Friday.

The operation of this adventure sport, run by Balloon Nepal in Pokhara, will be carried out by foreign captains. It has been announced that the flights will be conducted by Cleto from Spain and Harvey Alexander from the UK.

With two balloons currently in operation, the company has been conducting flights at an altitude of around 9,000 feet. According to chairperson of Balloon Nepal, Bikram Bade, tourists can enjoy views of the Machhapuchhre, Annapurna, and other mountains, as well as Phewa Lake, the Pumdikot Mahadev statue, paragliding flights from Mandredhunga in Sarangkot, and the beautiful scenery around the Pokhara Valley.

“Lately, this sport has become a favorite among adventure tourism enthusiasts,” Bade said, “We are now operating hot air balloon flights from Pame in Pokhara in two shifts, one in the morning and the other in the evening.” According to him, the service operates from 5 am to 9 am in the morning and from 3 pm to 6 pm in the evening.

He mentioned that the company has been flying eight passengers, excluding the pilot, in the balloon with call sign 9N-AMW per flight, and 12 passengers, excluding the pilot, in the balloon with callsign 9 NV.

The company is also organizing an international balloon festival in Pokhara from December 24 to January 1, targeting Christmas and the English New Year 2025.

Nepali tourists will be charged a fee of Rs 11,000 to fly in the hot air balloon. Similarly, the fee for tourists from SAARC countries has been set at $120 and $150 for tourists from other countries.

 
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