Hot air ballooning is one of the most exhilarating ways to discover the panoramic beauty of a country. In the way on panoramas, surely Nepal has the best to offer. What could be more of a photographers dream than drifting silently over lush jungles, crystal clear rivers, vibrant green rice fields, ancient villages, all crowned by the magnificent Himalayan peaks, glistening as the sun rises over their snowy caps.
Hot air ballooning gives you the chance to float along at the whim of the wind, it’s truly a breathtaking experience, as you never know when you are going to land.
Balloons are about 50 feet in height and hold about 260 000 cubic feet of hot air. It is made form rip stop nylon, just like a parachute or spinnaker on a sailing boat. The material is treated to help it coupe with the hot air. The basket is a traditional wicker basket whose design has not changed in many years. A balloon has the capacity to stay in the air for up to four hours and travel at and altitude of 1000ft at a speed of fifteen knots per hour. Your flight will be much slower as you gently take in the sights at an altitude of around 4000-6000ft. your flight will last for an hour or so depending on where the wind takes you. Ballooning is one of the safest forms of aviation as your balloon acts as a parachute should anything go wrong with the burners.
Flights take of daily during the winter months, just before sunrise to allow you the best views. You should bring along some warm clothes for the journey. The balloon holds up to twelve people comfortably. On the day of your flight you will be taken to the launch site and watch as the team unload and assemble the balloon, you may be asked to give a hand when it comes to inflating the balloon. Then its all into the basket for your launch and flight. A ground crew will track your progress and follow you along the way. On landing you may have to trek a short distance to the nearest road where you will be collected. Breakfast is included in the trip to give you time to sit back and share with your fellow passengers your amazing experience.
What a memorable way to conclude or begin any trip into to Nepal. |
