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In a dazzling display of colors and culture, Pokhara has come alive with the first-ever International Balloon Festival, organized by Nepal Balloon Pvt Ltd. The festival, held across a 3-kilometer stretch from Lauruk to Chankhapur in Pame, marks a significant milestone in Nepal’s adventure tourism sector. With participation from 30 commercial balloon companies across the globe, the event coincides with Christmas and New Year, offering locals and visitors an unforgettable experience of soaring over the picturesque Pokhara valley.

President of Nepal Balloon, Bikram Bade, shared that the festival aims to position Nepal as a global adventure tourism destination while revitalizing the tourism industry post-covid. Mayor Dhanraj Acharya expressed similar enthusiasm, emphasizing the importance of such events in enriching Pokhara’s tourism calendar.

Visitors can witness stunning morning, afternoon, and evening flights led by professional pilots, including renowned Dutch pilot Pieter Kooistra, who is making his Nepal debut. Each flight offers breathtaking views of the Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and Dhaulagiri ranges, with balloon rides lasting approximately 40 minutes.

Kooistra has completed 3,000 hot air balloon flights. Describing his experience on his first flight in Nepal, he expressed his happiness to be in Pokhara, as he told ApEx. He also mentioned that if the weather is perfect, flying around Pokhara would be a lovely experience, with the stunning mountain ranges.

The festival isn’t just about flights. Night balloon glows, 20-minute daily fireworks displays, balloon races, and cultural performances enrich the experience. Attendees can enjoy food stalls, live music, DJ sets, and even night camps.

In this photo feature, I have included diverse images showcasing the beauty of Bhaktapur’s lifestyle, traditions, heritage, and culture. These photos were also a part of an exhibition organized by ImagePasal in collaboration with the Bhaktapur Tourism Development Committee.

This marks my third-ever exhibition and my second in Bhaktapur. I had my first solo photo exhibition during high school at the Khwopa College Fete in 2013. Returning after a decade to showcase my photography makes me very happy, especially sharing the space with talented photographers— Amit Machamasi, Rojan Shrestha, Chandra Chakradhar, and Nandu Shrestha.

Bhaktapur continues to feel authentic on so many levels. Women dressed in traditional Hakupatasi and men in Daura Suruwal are sights unique to Bhaktapur, rarely seen elsewhere in the Kathmandu Valley. The heritage here is another standout—houses and their façades are carefully preserved and even reconstructed to maintain the old-times charm.

What’s even more remarkable is how traditions and culture thrive here. From elderly men to young children, everyone participates in festivals and rituals with great enthusiasm and excitement. These elements embody why Bhaktapur retains its spirit so naturally—a quality that should ideally be mirrored in all historic cities across the valley. Patan, for instance, still holds pockets of this kind of authenticity, making it remarkable.

A winding, snake-like road flanked by picturesque hills on one side and the flowing Sunkoshi and Roshi rivers on the other—this is the BP Highway. Yet, its charm has been overshadowed by its current unbearable condition.

Traveling on the BP Highway has become a nerve-wracking experience. The hour-long traffic jams and relentless dust often make me want to abandon the journey halfway. Even after reaching my destination, the memory of the harrowing trip leaves me feeling feverish.

The severe floods of the Roshi River from Sept 26-28 wreaked havoc on the highway, washing away and damaging significant portions. Reports indicate that 12 kilometers of the road were destroyed, resulting in a loss of Rs 7bn. The destruction has made travel between Kathmandu and Bardibas exceedingly difficult.

Floods and landslides have claimed large sections of the highway, leaving some areas washed away by the Roshi River and others buried under debris. The dust clouds that now envelop the road add another layer of misery. Travelers are left uncertain, fearing landslides that could crush vehicles or slippery conditions that could send them plunging into the river below.

Drivers start their vehicles with prayers, while passengers brace themselves for the perilous journey ahead. Traveling on this highway feels like navigating an ambush, with every twist and turn posing a new danger.

These conditions have turned the once-iconic BP Highway into a treacherous and exhausting route, leaving travelers with tales of suffering and anxiety at every turn.

Our journey began from Bhaktapur, three friends on bikes, bound for the serene heights of Sailung in Dolakha district, perched at an altitude of 3,146 meters. The destination—about six hours from Kathmandu—has gained popularity as a favored trekking spot for domestic travelers, promising spectacular views and a refreshing break from city life.

We set out on the route from Dhulikhel, weaving through Zero Kilo, Dolalghat, Khadichaur, Mude, and finally Kalapani, from where Sailung is a mere 1.5-hour hike. ‘Sailung’ translates to ‘100 hills’ in the local language, aptly named for the rolling hills that stretch as far as the eye can see. These small hills are Sailung’s unique charm, although our main aim was to glimpse the eastern Himalayan range. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t favor us, and the mountains remained hidden behind a thick layer of clouds.

Most of the route was smooth for riding, but the last 10 kilometers to Kalapani were rough off-road terrain, adding a hint of adventure to the journey. We stayed overnight in Kalapani, where basic accommodations offer a cozy rest for hikers aiming to linger longer.

On our way back, we spent another night by the Bhotekoshi River at Sukute, unwinding on its beach and soaking in the river’s calm flow. For variety, we chose a different route home—returning from Zero Kilo to Kuntabesi, then on to Nagarkot, and finally back to Bhaktapur.

The ride, the laughter, and the moments on the hills made it a memorable escape from the routine—one that blended adventure, friendship, and the timeless beauty of Nepal’s landscapes.