hot air
ballooning
Hot air ballooning in Nepal is something that
many travellers have written home about. In the five years since its flight,
the sport has been very popular with tourists, tor it affords the most
spectacular view the Himalayas (from over 6000m up), and the valley is
equally breathtaking.
The huge balloon cones to life in the morning
light, "a sleeping giant decorated with the all – seeing eyes of the
Buddha", as it ripples, stretches, expands and readies itself for its load
of passengers. The departure is gentle and one hardly feels the ascent. The
adventure of engines, nor any airplane wings to obscure the most magnificent
of views. Like the agency puts it, "Even if you do not climb Mt. Everest,
from the perfect safety and comfort of a wicker basket, you will feel that
you have reached the top of the world in effortless security." Cool!
The best months for a hot air balloon flight
are October – November and March, although the season extends from October
to April. The flights take place daily during the season, and are dependent
on the wind for its direction (eastward or westward across the valley). The
landing could be anyplace – mostly in the terraced paddies that stretch our
across the fringes of the valley, usually attracting a large impromptu
gathering of villagers checking to see what has fallen out of the sky!
The Trip
The balloon takes off from
Thimi, near the
historic town of Bhaktapur, one of the three erstwhile principalities of the
Kathmandu valley and in many ways the most medieval. From there, depending
on which way the wind blows, it takes you on a trip that gives you a bird's
eye view of Kathmandu and the valley.
The cost of the hour – is $ 195 per person.
Each trip can carry 12 passengers. The flights are manned by a team of much
decorated balloon pilots.
Reservations for a balloon flight can be
made over the phone or through a travel agent in Kathmandu (or hotel
concierge). They can be purchased by travellers' Cheque, credit card or
cash. Tickets must be purchased a minimum of three days before the flight,
and the company notified about your place of stay. On the day before the
scheduled flight, the company will inform you of the pick-up time.
Nepal
activities index
hot air ballooning
paragliding
mountain flight
