Nepal is an adventure lover’s paradise: with high-altitude mountain trails, world-class river rapids, and pulse-pounding bungee jumps, there’s no better place on earth to indulge your inner adrenaline junkie. But have you ever considered taking to the skies in Nepal to soar amidst the tallest and most beautiful Himalayan mountains in the country? When you embark upon an ultralight mountain tour in Nepal, you’ll climb aboard a two-seater aircraft and take to the skies over the city of Pokhara, earning aerial views of Pokhara’s forested hillsides, the sparkling waters of Phewa Lake, the striking hilltop monuments of the World Peace Stupa and Pumdikot Shiva statute, and—of course—the snow-draped peaks of the Annapurna Himal and Machapuchare. It would be almost impossible to visit Nepal without encountering scenes of stunning natural beauty, but an ultralight flight in Nepal offers an unforgettable perspective that’s tough to beat.
Ultralight aircraft come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but each example of their kind reflects the pioneering spirit of aviation enthusiasts, and they allow newcomers and experts alike to enjoy gentle flights in some of the world’s most spectacular environments. Ultralight aviation in Nepal usually involves two-seater motorized craft, which are also sometimes called microlights and may have either closed or open cockpits with a glider mounted overhead. Under the expert care of an experienced pilot, you’ll enjoy the remarkable privilege of exploring the Himalayan mountains from the very sky, capturing unique photographs of the Pokhara Valley, and seeing the landscapes of Nepal from an entirely new perspective. Because most microlight flights in Nepal last no longer than an hour, no serious time commitment is necessary to enjoy this exciting adventure sport.
In fact, many of our clients at Iconic Himalaya Adventure combine their ultralight flights in Nepal with a trek to Annapurna Base Camp or Mardi Himal Base Camp. Pokhara is also widely known as Nepal’s adventure capital, and if you’re looking for additional thrills, an ultralight flight in Nepal can also be paired with a paragliding adventure or whitewater rafting expedition. No matter what you’re seeking in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal, we would love to help you craft the itinerary of your dreams—and we’re sure that taking to the skies will exceed even your wildest expectations. Read on to discover more about what you can expect during an ultralight flight in Nepal.
Highlights
- Board a small two-seater aircraft and fly to higher than 4,000 meters in altitude.
- Discover a unique aerial perspective of Nepal’s scenic hills, mountains, and lakes.
- Soar high over Pokhara’s famous landmarks: the World Peace Stupa and Pumdikot Shiva statue.
- Enjoy high-resolution GoPro footage of your own unforgettable flight in the Himalayas.
Where can you enjoy an Ultralight Flight in Nepal?
The best site for microlighting in Nepal can be found at the lakeside city of Pokhara. Your driver from Iconic Himalaya Adventure will meet you at your hotel in the city and transport you to Pokhara’s airport. From here, you’ll pass through airport security and meet your pilot. You’ll receive a comprehensive safety briefing that will teach you everything you need to know about safely enjoying this high-flying adventure, and you’ll learn about how different air currents and weather conditions will dictate your route in the skies.
After gearing up and boarding your ultralight aircraft, you’ll take off down the runway and lift into the air, soaring over the urban sprawl of Pokhara to feast your eyes on some of its most iconic landmarks from an exciting new vantage point. Depending upon the length of your flight, you’ll also be able to approach the Himalayas themselves, flying within the long shadow of sky-high mountains like Machapuchare. When your flight is nearing its end, your pilot will steer your ultralight craft back to Pokhara’s airport, where you’ll enjoy a thrilling descent back to the tarmac of the runway.
How Much Time Do You Need for Ultralighting in Nepal?
While you may find yourself developing a taste for adventure and returning to the skies again in the near future, most of our guests are happy to start with a single ultralight flight over Pokhara. While you can enjoy an ultralight flight in either the morning or afternoon, a single flight typically lasts no longer than an hour, and they can even be as short as 15 minutes. This makes an ultralight flight in Pokhara easy to recommend for anyone visiting the city, even before embarking on a trek into the Himalayan mountains—or after your trek is over. Here’s what you can expect to see when you soar over the lakes, hills, and villages of the Pokhara Valley on an unforgettable ultralight flight:
- A short ultralight flight in Pokhara lasts only about 15 minutes, but this is a great way to whet your appetite for adventure. After taking to the air, you’ll fly out and over Pokhara to earn a bird’s-eye view of the far-reaching waters of Phewa Lake and the iconic World Peace stupa that watches over the city.
- If you’d like to see even more of Pokhara and its surrounding landmarks from the air, consider a 30-minute ultralight flight in Nepal. This longer adventure will bring you as far as the hilltop viewpoint of Sarangkot, where many travelers hike to glimpse fantastic panoramas of the Himalayan mountains.
- Of course, it’s also possible to enjoy an even longer flight that cuts deeper into the Himalayan mountains surrounding Nepal’s adventure capital, soaring over the foothill communities of Chhomrong and Dhampus and drawing closer to skyscraping mountains like Machapuchare. This 60-minute flight is perfect to travelers who want to see it all.
Who Can Go Ultralighting in Nepal?
Embarking on an ultralight flight in the skies over Pokhara is the opportunity of a lifetime, and we’re happy to report that almost anyone in good health can enjoy this exciting adventure sport. Most ultralight operators welcome children on flights in Pokhara, as long as they’re at least 10 years old. Of course, parental consent will be necessary for anyone under the age of 18. Weight restrictions may also apply for safety reasons, and flight operators typically place a limit of about 90 or 100 kilograms on participants. If you have any questions about the operators we partner with or their specific participation guidelines, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Iconic Himalaya Adventure. We’re committed to ensuring that each of our guests enjoys an unforgettable time in the Himalayas of Nepal, and we’ll work hard to make alternative arrangements for anyone in your group who is not eligible for an ultralight flight.
While an ultralight flight in Nepal is a great opportunity for almost anyone, most ultralight aircraft in Nepal come equipped with only two seats—and that includes the pilot. This does mean that each member of your group will need to reserve a separate flight. However, each aircraft will use a wing-mounted GoPro camera to capture the experience, and you’ll be able to share these videos with your whole group. These videos also make the perfect souvenirs of your unforgettable microlight flight in Pokhara.
How Safe is Microlighting in Nepal?
When you’re about to embark on an ultralight flight in Nepal, safety is our foremost priority. Each of our flights begins with a comprehensive pre-flight equipment check. Your flight will be led by a licensed pilot, who will explain everything you need to know to safely enjoy your flight. You’ll learn nonverbal hand signals to communicate with each other in the air, and you’ll learn how each aircraft’s gliding mechanism and parachutes function in the unlikely event of an emergency.
While these safety precautions are necessary and important, it’s also good to remember that you’re in safe hands. Microlight aircraft in Nepal fly at about 50-80 kilometers per hour—this is probably slower than your daily commute to work. Additionally, each ultralight is capable of carrying a total weight of up to 600 kilograms. These are sturdy, well-maintained machines—and we’re confident that you’ll have the adventure of a lifetime when you take flight here in Nepal.
When Can You Enjoy an Ultralight Flight in Nepal?
Trekking in Nepal is all about the summer monsoon, when seasonal rains can transform hard-packed trails into slippery, muddy paths. For this reason, trekking in Nepal is better enjoyed during the spring, autumn, or winter. But because ultralight flights in Nepal take off directly from a well-maintained runway in Pokhara, this adventure sport is less affected by seasonal changes. The most popular season for ultralight flights in Nepal runs from September to June, before the onset of heavy rains makes for unfavorable conditions.
While flights are regularly scheduled both in the morning and in the afternoon, many of our guests choose a morning flight to enjoy the magical light and clear weather at this time of day. Of course, if weather conditions like rain or fog prevent your scheduled microlight flight from taking off, we’ll be able to work out rescheduled arrangements to ensure that you don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.