Home to the highest mountains on the planet, the Himalayan country of Nepal has earned its reputation as a world-class trekking destination. But did you know that there are also plenty of first-rate opportunities to discover thrilling adventure sports here in Nepal? On a paragliding adventure in Nepal, you’ll ride gentle thermal currents over green fields of rice and millet, following the wind to soar above the hills within clear sight of the mighty Himalayan mountains. Leaving the noise and hubbub of the city behind, you’ll fly high into the skies to discover a world of serene nature. This is one of the best adventure sports in Nepal. Still, you’ll quickly find that it also brings a certain sense of weightlessness and freedom, and this is what many travelers find most irresistible about paragliding in Nepal.
This exciting adventure sport is also remarkably suited to travelers of all skill levels. Newcomers to paragliding will be paired with the experienced guides at Iconic Himalaya Adventure, embarking upon a tandem flight into the clear blue skies of the Himalayas on an unforgettable adventure. If you’re already an experienced paraglider, we can also arrange longer flights where you’ll seize control of your own destiny, navigating the Himalayan winds as you soar above some of the most scenic landscapes in the world. And because most paragliding adventures in Nepal don’t take more than a day to enjoy, you can easily pair this adventure sport with a traditional trek in the Himalayas. This is particularly suitable if you’re trekking in the Annapurnas, as some of Nepal’s best paragliding opportunities can be found right on the outskirts of Pokhara.
Highlights
- Earn a bird’s-eye view of rolling hills and stunning Himalayan mountains
- Take to the skies from the convenient headquarters of Kathmandu or Pokhara
- Learn how to fly your glider from the experts at Iconic Himalaya Adventure
- Safely explore the skies during a tandem flight with our experienced paragliding guides
Where Can You Go Paragliding in Nepal?
Most of our paragliding adventures take off from the hills surrounding the lakeside town of Pokhara, just a few hours from Kathmandu. This is the second-largest city in Nepal, and it’s known locally as a hub for adventure tourism. Trekkers bound for the Annapurna mountains start their hikes from Pokhara, and the city has also developed a reputation for arts and culture. But nothing quite measures up to seeing Pokhara and its surrounding hills and mountains from the air: you’ll be treated to astounding views of forested hills, snow-capped mountains, and the sparkling waters of Phewa Lake. Most of our Pokhara-based paragliding adventures start from take-off spots along the road to Sarangkot.
Depending upon your travel arrangements, there are also a number of other sites where you can enjoy a paragliding adventure in Nepal. Chapakharka in the Lalitpur District near Kathmandu has long represented something of a hidden gem for local trekkers, but it’s also a great spot for paragliding in Nepal. A morning flight from this scenic hill will reward fliers with sprawling views of green forests stretching into the urban centers of Lalitpur and Kathmandu, with the beautiful peaks of the Himalayas visible on a clear day. Other excellent options include Kot Danda and Godavari, where the adventure sport of paragliding was first introduced to Nepal. If you don’t yet know where your travels in Nepal will take you, don’t hesitate to reach out to Iconic Himalaya Adventure—we’ll help you to plan the paragliding adventure of a lifetime.
How Much Time Do You Need for Paragliding in Nepal?
Most paragliding adventures in Nepal are actually rather brief, which allows them to be built into nearly any trekking itinerary. You can spend as little as 20 minutes in the air, or you can enjoy an extended paragliding adventure for up to an hour. You’ll also want to consider the best time of day for paragliding in Nepal. Most of our flights take off in the late morning, after 9:30 AM. This is the best time of day to launch your flight if you’re looking for ideal wind conditions and clear mountain views. However, it’s also possible to take off in the early afternoon, where you can escape the heat of the day by soaring high into the air over the hills and fields of the Himalayan foothills.
If you’re interested in further developing your paragliding skills, we can also arrange for a multi-day program where you’ll have the chance to earn your own paragliding certification. Under the expert instruction of licensed teachers, you’ll spend up to five days in the hills of Nepal learning the fundamentals of paraglider flight. You’ll discover the best techniques for launching and landing your glider, and you’ll acquire important knowledge during tandem flights as you glide amongst the mountains of the Himalayas. For serious adventurers, honing your skills in the skies ranks among the most thrilling and rewarding experiences in the entirety of Nepal.
Who Can Go Paragliding in Nepal?
While paragliding in Nepal under the instruction of a qualified guide is a safe experience, this adventure sport is generally not recommended for children under five years of age. Paragliding is also best suited for travelers weighing between 20 and 100 kilograms, although we may be able to consider certain environmental and equipment-related factors in order to accommodate fliers outside of this weight range. Importantly, no prior paragliding experience is necessary to enjoy this unforgettable adventure across the Himalayan skies of Nepal. The instructors and pilots at Iconic Himalaya Adventure will teach you everything you need to enjoy your first flight.
How Safe is Paragliding in Nepal?
When you paraglide in Nepal, you’ll be joined by professional guides with years of experience in this exciting adventure sport. The best way to explore the skies of the Himalayas is by taking a tandem flight with the crew at Iconic Himalaya Adventure. Our guides will provide you with a comprehensive safety demonstration, and you’ll be securely harnessed to your guide before you take to the air. During your flight, your pilot will take care of navigating your glider, leaving you free to enjoy the jaw-dropping scenery of Nepal’s Himalayan mountains. If you’re looking for a more participatory experience, your pilot may even allow you to steer the glider under their close instruction. This is a great way to learn more about the sport and will help you to earn skills that you can carry forward into your own future paragliding adventures.
When Can You Go Paragliding in Nepal?
Just like trekking, paragliding in Nepal must be planned around our country’s seasonal monsoon rainfall. The monsoon typically occurs during the summer months from June to August, when heavy rains, slippery conditions, and poor visibility render the season unfavorable for paragliding. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a thrilling glide at any other time of year:
Spring: With clear views and comfortable temperatures, springtime in Nepal is perfect for taking to the skies. As your glider rises on warm thermal currents, you’ll enjoy marvelous views of rolling hillsides blanketed with vivid rhododendron flowers. Springtime weather here in Nepal typically starts in February or March and lasts until the onset of the rains at the end of May.
Autumn: For our money, there’s no better time than autumn for paragliding in Nepal. When the summer rains of the monsoon are done and over, the Himalayan air is left clear as glass—and the mountains positively sparkle in the sunshine. If you’re paragliding in Pokhara, you’re sure to earn great views of Machapuchare and the Annapurna Himal—and a clear day on the hills surrounding Kathmandu can even reward paragliders with a glimpse of mountains like Dorje Lhakpa. Autumn weather in Nepal starts in September and continues through November each year.
Winter: There’s no denying that wintertime temperatures in Nepal can be downright cold, but that also means that fewer travelers show up to crowd the best paragliding sites near Kathmandu and Pokhara. Weather conditions during winter are especially ideal each morning, and you can expect fine mountain views as you soar over the hills of Nepal in the company of your paragliding pilot from Iconic Himalaya Adventure. Wintertime weather in Nepal generally falls from December to February each year.