With Nepal's snowy Himalayan peaks as a backdrop, the skies above Pokhara turned into a vibrant canvas of color for the country's first hot air balloon festival.
Tourism is a big earner for Nepal, which saw more than a million foreign visitors this year after a post-pandemic rebound, and hotels and airports are investing to cater on passengers.
“We felt we had to bring a balloon festival like this to Nepal,” Sabin Maharjan, the organizer of the event, told AFP.
Hot air balloons from more than 10 countries participated in the festival.
“A trip here can be very exciting because you can see mountains, hills and lakes,” said Maharjan.
“All the travelers tell us they are very happy – a festival like this will boost our tourism.”
– 'Great' –
The balloons created a spectacular display against the spectacular view of the snow-capped Annapurna range.
“It's amazing,” said American balloon pilot Derek Hamcock, 67.
“As soon as you go over the little area here you can see the whole Himalayas. Unbelievable, every time you see them it's unbelievable.”
Balloons shaped like a rat and a frog were among those who took part in the fun, moving slowly with the wind.
“You don't know where you're going,” said Diego Criado del Rey, 29, a balloon pilot from Spain.
“So nature is pretty much yours — not to fight, but to be with. You go where nature tells you.”
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal issued a notice for the skies over Pokhara for nine days to allow balloon flights.
Although more than two centuries have passed since the Montgolfier brothers from France made the first manned flight, balloons can still capture the imagination.
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