Hot air ballooning in Nepal is something that many travelers have written home about. In the five years since its inception, the sport has been very popular with tourists for it affords the most spectacular view of the Kathmandu valley and the Himalayan ranges towering in the background. On a clear day it's a superb way to view the Himalayas (from over 6000 m up), and the view of the valley is equally breathtaking.

The huge balloon comes to life in the morning light, a sleeping giant decorated with the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha', as it ripples, stretches, expands and readies itself for its load of passengers. The departure is gentle and one hardly feels the ascent. The advantage of this ancient and romantic form of flight is that there is no whirring or whining of engines, no dusty perspex and no airplane wings to obscure the most magnificent of views. Like the agency puts it. 'even if you do not climb Mt. Everest, from the perfect safety and comfort of a wicker basket ...you will feel that you have reached the top of the world in effortless security'. Cool!

The best time for a hot air balloon flight is during the months of October-November and March, although the season extends from October to April. The flights take place daily during the season, and are dependent on the wind for the direction the flight will take (Eastward or westward across the valley). The landing could be anyplace, mostly in the terraced paddies that stretch out across the fringes of the valley, and usually attracts a large impromptu gathering of villagers checking to see what has fallen out of the sky!

The hot air balloon takes off from Thimi, near the historic town of Bhaktapur, one of the three erstwhile principalities of the Kathmandu valley and in many ways the most medieval. Bhalctapur has a collection of some of the finest Hindu and Buddhist temples, and ancient villages. From there, depending on the wind direction, it takes you on a trip that gives you a bird's eye view of historic Kathmandu and the valley.

The cost of the hour-long flight (hotel transfers and breakfast at a Thamel restaurant included) is $195 per person. Each trip has 12 passengers. The flights are manned by a team, which includes experts and much-decorated balloon pilots.

Reservations for a balloon flight can be made over the phone or through a travel agent in Kathmandu (or hotel concierge). They can be purchased by travelers cheque, credit card or cash. Tickets must be purchased a minimum of three days before the flight and the company notified about your place of stay. On the day before the scheduled flight, the company will inform you of a pick up time at your hotel when you must be ready to depart.

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