Paragliding in Nepal

Paragliding in Nepal is the dream of every adventure seeker. A relatively new adventure sport in Nepal, it is highly liked among the lovers of adventure. Soaring high in the air above the snow-carpeted mountains is an exhilarating experience. You view some of the best scenes on the earth, from the sky. You share space with the creatures of the air, soaking in the wonderful view of the marvelous Himalayan ranges. We are sure, the feeling you would experience, would be incomparable. The main area for flying in Nepal is the Annapurna region, more specifically the Pokhara valley. This lakeside town is Nepal's second "city", nestled at the foot of the Annapurna Himal, the views commanded from here, of 3 of the worlds 8000m peaks, are unsurpassed. At an altitude of 800m ASL the subtropical climate means that, year round, it is shorts and T-shirt weather. The micro-climate of the valley makes it an ideal area for flying, with far more constant conditions than the Kathmandu valley 150 km east.

There are several sites around Phewa Tal (the lake) but the most accessible is Sarangkot (1500m ASL). A view point 700m above Pokhara, it is unique in that it has a road running to the top. A short walk brings you to the only purposely built take off point in the country. Cut out of the slope is a 45m by 45m clearing. With regular cycles providing easy reverse launches, you could not ask for a more picturesque site. With the lake 2000ft below, the mountains behind, and the unlimited potential for XC and out and returns, this has quickly become the main site for the area, and many pilots have based themselves in Pokhara for the season, flying from this mountain alone.

There are an abundance of other sites around the valley but all need to be walked up. With names such as Dikie Danda, Devi Falls, Poomdi and Matepani, all can be connected by air from Sarangkot.
This is a spectacular site, with everything that makes flying in Nepal so awesome. A sheer jungle covered mountain over 2700m, which is home to an abundance of wildlife and waterfalls. You can cruise along, scaring troops of monkeys screaming at you from their tree only inches from your wing tip, or ride the face and fly through the spray of a 300ft waterfall. It is also the start for the best XC flights in the area.