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About
Ballooning in Nepal
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
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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 boookings of 10 pax.
- One
person free for every 15+ paying passengers.
- Only
One flight daily.
FAQs
PASSENGER
INFORMATION:
- AGE:
There is no age barrier to enjoying our flights. However, a detree
of fitness is required as we may have to walk through paddocks after
landing. There are no seats in the basket - therefore, standing for
the duration of the flight ( about on hour) is unavoidable.
We
do not recommend bringing very small children. The reason are twofold-the
first being the comfort and enjoyment oof the other passengers. The
baskets are quite small and young children often get restless when
in confined areas. The second reason is more practical. The walls
of the baskets are four feet high, small children would have difficulty
in seeing over, unless carried by an adult ( an arduous task for a
one hour fight). We do stipulate that children under 12 years must
be accompanied by an adult.
- WHEN:
We take off soon after sunrise. Winds are usually at their calmest
then. Winter months provide the most reliable conditions. We fly in
the summer, but very early in the morning.
- DURATION:
Normally we fly for about an hour, but this is at the pilot's discretion,
taking into account the winds, temperature and weight carried on the
day.
- WHAT
TO WEAR:
Dress as for hiking, including sturdy shoes or boots plus sun glasses,
gloves and a cap. It does not get any colder in the balloon than on
the ground.
- PHOTOGRAPHY:
Our advice is to bring more film than you think you'll need. There
is so much to see, from an entirely new perspective - you'll want
to record it all to relive later.
- PAYMENTS/REFUNDS:
Payments must be made at least 3 days prior to flight. As ballooning
is dependant on favourable weather conditions and safety is our first
consideration and we will not fly it conditions are unsuitable. If
you are "weathered out" you may rebook for this season or the next,
or receive a refund.
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.
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.
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About
Ballooning in Nepal