On Balloon Sunrise Nepal's one hour hot air balloon flight, this spectacular view become unforgettable. Rise gently over the red-tile roofed houses, temples and stupas and drift weightlessly over green terraced fields in the crip morning air. Within minutes of the ascent, the majestic Himalayan panorama will greet you, from the rugged Langtang Himal all the way to Mt. Everest.

Let moments freeze as you beyond the pristine valley and drift along on board the world's oldest but safest method of air travel. One hour on the balloon will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

Flying 3000 m. above the Kathmandu valley safely perched on a wicker basket, opens up vast of enchanting sights accessible only to the initiated. Breathe easily in the fresh, crisp air of the quintessential Kathmandu dawn as you absorb the 360 view of awe-inspiring landscape - lush green hills, terraced fields enriched by nature's colours, terra-cotta structures huddled together like watchful sentinels, a gilded temple spire, lonely stupa. Each one bathed by the first golden rays of the rising sun.

Look right on and there before you rises in majestic splendor the fabled. Himalayan peaks. Illumined by stray strands of sunlight the snow capped Gosainthan, Phurbi-Gyanchu, Guari-Shanker, Chhoba-Bhamare, Melungste, Cho-Oyu, Chomolungma and Gyanchungkang all stand to greet you and lull you in to a dreamlike state, that will live on as memories forever.

Where but in this Himalayan kingdom of Nepal will you experience such breathtaking sights at minimal costs and maximum safety. Ride the winds with Balloon Sunrise Nepal and experience the most mesmerizing sky ride over Kathmandu-the moment that makes dreams a reality

Schedules

Sunrise Nepal (P) Ltd. announces its daily flight, weather permitting, from the first week of October through to the end of April.

Rates

US$ 195.00 per person (inclusive of Hotel Transfers and Souvenir pack, Flight Certificate)
Discount apply for group bookings of 10 pax.
One person free for every 15+ paying passengers.
Only One flight daily.

FAQs

PASSENGER INFORMATION:

WHAT TO EXPECT ON A PASSENGER FLIGHT?

Everyone meets at a predetermined spot, usually half an hour before daybreak. After a cup of tea and a short flight briefing the adventure begins. At this time the wind direction is determined and a launch site is chosen. Launch sites are dotted around the valley, so that no matter where the winds is coming from, the passengers are guaranteed a lovely flight. The actual launch of the hot air balloon usually takes place no more than half an hour after arrival at the launch site. The balloon and the basket are carried in a truck. The basket is laid on its side and the gaily colored fabric is pulled out of its bag. Flying wires from the "Envelope" are attached, and the whole system is given a "walk around" inspection by pilot and Passengers may assist with the inflation, or stand back and take photographs, whichever they desire to do.

Initially, a large fan is used to direct cold air into the envelope - later the burner is fired, thus heating the air already in the balloon. As the warm air expands, the envelope rises into position above the basket, ready for flight..............a sleeping beauty brought to life. As the balloon can only move in the same direction as the wind is blowing and cannot return to the launch site, it is necessary for the ground crew to follow in a retrieve vehicle. Communication beween the pilot and ground is maintained via two - way radio. Flights are usually 45 minutes to 1 hour in duration. At the final landing point, the retrieve erew assist in packing up the envelope and basket. A flight certificate and souvenir pack are distributed to all passengers, rounding off a fabulous adventure. From the start ti finish the ballon adventure takes about 5 hours, yet the experience will leave you with warm memories which will last a lifetime.

HOT - AIR BALLOONING IN KATHMANDU- THE FACTS

HISTORY OF BALLOONING

"Procure me some taffeta and rope and I will astonish the world". This statement was reportedly made by Joseph Montogolfier, a French papermaker, (and his brother Etienne), moore than 200 years ago. It was not as pompous as it might seem. Watching smooke rise up the chimmney, Joseph deduced that a paper bag filled with hot air would rise hevenwards, too. The brothers knew nothing of the relationship between pressure density, temperature and the buoyancy of gases and it was ten years before their experiments convinced them to attempt a public demonstration.

On June 5, 1783, they did indeed astonish the world with a linen balloon some 11 meters in diameter, infalted over a fire of damp straw, old shoes and brandy-soaked rags. The Paris Royal Academy of Science was impressed and on September 19 that year, the Montgolfiers inflated a balloon at Versailles before King Louise XVI and Maries Antoinette. The passengers were a sheep, a rooster and a duck and the flight lasted eight minutes. Indecorously, the sheep trampled the duck on landing, but the queen was so moved she installed the world's first surviving aerial passengers in her private zoo.

The historic first manned free flight followed on November 21 when Jean Francois Pitatre De Rozier and a nobleman, the Marquis D'Arlands, flew for 25 minutes at an average height of 300 ft. Their balloon was not the simple functional design preferred today. It was elaborately decorated with sighs of zodiac worked in gold bearing an embellished monogram of the King of France. The lower part was garnished with masks, garlands and spread-eagles and the circular basket festooned with draperies and other ornaments. No wonder Marie Antoinett dubbed ballooning the "Sport of the Gods", thoughskeptics dismissed the bizarre activity as a useless eccentricity of the aristocratic classes. Others, however, saw great potential. The American Benjamin Franklin was present at the first launch and, when asked what useful purpose the balloon might serve, replied: "Of what use is a newborn baby?". Fortunately, many shared his view.

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PILOT

Nigel Pogmore has for many years had an interest in Travel of more adventurous nature. In 1974 Nigel set off on a motor cycle trip, from his home town of York, England to Asia,. On his return to Yorkshire he found settling down to the normal everyday life, impractical, numerous jaunt proceeded. In 1978 Nigel had the good fortune to be selected as expedition driver for Encounter Overland, a UK company that is renowned for its expedition to Kathmandu. It was during his time with Encounter, that Nigel became addicted to Nepal. Whilst working for Encounter Overland, he was sent to support other members of staff man a nine persons yatch that did ten day charter trips between Pennang and Phuket. Later on Nigel arrived in Australia, and based himself in Sydney for the next ten years.

It was in Australia, that Nigels interest in Balloons started. Perhaps it was fate that he was to meet up with Christ Dewhirst. Chris a well credited balloon pilot, agreed to train Nigel up to the Australian standard. Nigel went on to run Balloon Sunrise NSW. Along with many interesting times with Balloon Sunrise Nepal he was asked to be a part of the Australian Bicentennial Balloon race team, a race from Perth to Sydney. Nigel went on to start up Balloon Sunrise in England, and has two operations, one in Yorkshire and the other in the Scottish border. Along with the above he has flown balloons in UAE, also in Egypt in the valley of the Kings and the Queens. Nigel's commitments to excellence and safety, his energetic approach to life, and passion of ballooning plus a love of telling a tale quickly puts his passengers at ease, all combines to make, Balloon Sunrise Nepal a special companu to fly with.