PARAGLIDING IN NEPAL POKHARA
If you are looking for top bucket list experience, Pokhara is a place where you will find best paragliding in Nepal.
One of the top 5 commercial tandem paragliding locations in the world, Pokhara has the the right ingredients to make the dough. First good access to take-off and landing zones, stable thermals most of the year, the safety of a large lake and incredible, breathtaking mountain views of the Himalayas. So if you think of paragliding in Nepal – POKHARA is the right spot.
Who to fly with?
There are many companies in Pokhara licenced for commercial tandem flights: main are Avia Club Nepal, Team 5 Nepal, Sunrise or Frontiers Paragliding and many more. Before choosing best option for you don’t just look at lowest price, check also length of flight and company rankings, or talk other adventurers. We chose Frontiers, but it’s up to you which one is your best choise. Check TripAdvisor or Google for latest rankings.
I was traveling with my friends and all 4 of us decided to try paragliding in Nepal. Mike, Caro and I went for tandem flight, and Joe who had his paragliding licence flew by himself. We were just having a really good time in Pokhara, with Nature, the Lake, chillout vibe in old Hippie-Mekka and extreme adventure thrill was a must for us. A day before ANNAPURNA SANCTUARY TREK we decided to fly above Phewa Lake.
You start from Pokhara office, and drive about 25-30minutes to Sarangkot. Here try to stop your legs shaking and just let go to fly…
The flight lasts about 30-45minutes but it feels like a moment. Adrenaline is very strong ( especially when you are scared of heights…like me).
Where to book?
In Pokhara town or Lakeside there are offices you can book, best one day in advance. Phone or email reservation are also possible.
When to fly?
Most companies fly 3 times a day 10:30 AM, 12 AM and 2 PM.
For best conditions you need thermals necessary to lift, so the sun needs to be out long enough to heat the earth. 10.30 AM flights tends to be a bit less than 30 minutes as the thermals haven’t developed yet. If you’re looking for a less turbulent flight, this is the best time.
Around moon the thermals have become active and that’s the best conditions for paragliding. Usually this is the best time to fly.
Best Season
Paragliding in Nepal and Pokhara is possible year-round as long as it’s not raining and the thermals are active.
The peak season is September to November and February to March. The fall months are the clearest (we had some clouds though – it was late monsoon year, so we had lot of moisture in mid September, also on the ABC TREK).
You may also be lucky and catch a window of clear skies during the monsoon season in July and August when the vegetation is lush and everything is so GREEN…
Cost
It depands of company an duration of the flight, but around $80-100 is the budget you have to prepare for. We all were backpacking and traveling on a low budget, but this, paragliging in Nepal with Himlayas and Phewa Lake under your feet, was one in a lifetime experience. Adrenaline was very high, the views were magnificent, it was one Benjamin bill best spent.
IS IT SAFE?
I was scarred like hell shaking and thinking maybe these clouds in the morning will cancel our flight today…and yes paragliding companies can say it’s safer to go paragliding in Pokhara than it is to cross a busy intersection in Lakeside. It is an extreme sport and risks are involved, so take that in consideration, but there are more than 200 flights a day during high-season. You are covered with reserve chute and a large lake for safety. The biggest risk is during take-off and landing if there is a sudden change in wind. Make sure the company you choose has insurance coverage. All licenced companies know what they are doing and would not take risks to pry their reputation.
My French pillot knew I was scarred like shit, but while we were descending just said : HOLD ON! and did these acrobatic stuff with the paraglide!!! When we landed I had week knees, for real. Generally it’s safe… and worth the adrenaline… If I had a chance to do in again? SURE!
