Paragliding in Pokhara

Weather and Best Season

Weather conditions are a very significant factor in Paragliding in Pokhara, and the good thing is that Pokhara has numerous flyable and clear days throughout the year. The city is approximately 822 meters / 2,697 feet in elevation, and the main take-off point at Sarangkot is approximately 1,600 meters / 5,250 feet, which makes weather conditions perfect for smooth and scenic flights,if planned well.

From September to May in the spring, the weather is mostly clear, and the skies are stable, which is the optimal time to be in Pokhara and partake in Paragliding. It is also popular in the Autumn (September- November) since the air is fresh after the monsoon rains. Sightseeing is good, and the Himalayan mountains are sharp and near and make memorable scenes as one flies. The season is ideal for photography and easy flying.

Another good season to go paragliding is winter (December to February). The days are typically sunny with still winds, although the mornings might be cool. The months of spring (March to May) are accompanied by warm weather, and colourfulscenery, flowers and green hills make the flight experience pleasant and beautiful.

The least appropriate time is the monsoon season (June to August) which is monsoon. Flying is not safe due to heavy rain, clouds and strong winds and most paragliding operations halt in case of prolonged rainy conditions.

Flights are done in the morning or about midday, with the best wind conditions even in good seasons. Mountain weather is prone to change rapidly, and so, the pilots are keen on watching forecasts to avoid accidents. The selection of the appropriate season guarantees the clarity of the views, the absence of any flight difficulties, and the most positive experience of Paragliding in Pokhara.

How Difficult is Paragliding?

The question that many tourists ask is whether paragliding in Pokhara is challenging, particularly when it is the first time that one has been exposed to an adventure sport. The answer is easy: one of the least difficult and most approachable adventure sports in Nepal is paragliding. The reason is that flights are performed in tandem arrangement,you fly along with a professional pilot in control of everything.

No prior experience or special training is required. The pilot provides clear and simple instructions before the flight. What you have to do is run a couple of steps during takeoff and raise your legs during landing. As you rise in the air, you get in a comfortably-harnessed position like sitting in a chair and enjoy the sight. Physically, paragliding in Pokhara is not challenging. When you can walk and make a little run, then you are fit to fly.

The flight is not a sharp drop or extreme ride, but rather smooth and peaceful. Nervous people, quite a number of them, feel relaxed and calm after they are in the air. At Sarangkot, where the altitude is 1,600 meters / 5 250 feet, there are gentle slopes which allow launching to be safe and controlled. The landing space around the Phewa Lake is broad and comfortable.

Age is not a big barrier. Paragliding can be done by teenagers and older adults, with a minimum age of about 10 years. Safety limits of weight exist where the minimum is 35 kg,and the maximum is 100 kg. All the pilots are licensed and adhere to international safety standards. All in all, Paragliding in Pokhara is not so difficult, but it is more enjoyable, and thus it can be recommended to first-time adventure travellers.

Visa and Permits

Visa and permit for Paragliding in Pokhara are easy and hassle free to travelers planning the activity. Visa on arrival is provided by Nepal to the citizens of most countries; therefore, entry into the country is easy. This visa is available at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu or at the formal land border crossings. Tourist visa comes in 15 days, 30 days, and 90 days based on your travel plans.

In order to secure a visa, you require a valid passport with 6 at least 6 months of validity. You fill the form, upload a photo and pay the visa fee. After getting your tourist visa, you are at liberty to go around Nepal, including Pokhara, without any additional paperwork.

In the case of Paragliding in Pokhara, in particular, your side does not need any special permits. Paragliding is a licensed sport in Nepal, and the operation is carried out by licensed firms. Flying as a tandem passenger, the operator covers you with their permissions, safety standards, and insurance. This renders the process very easy for the visitors.

There is no government trekking pass or local permit required since paragliding does not involve any conservation or national park permits, unlike trekking activity. All you do is reserve the flight withHimalayan Adventure Treks & Tours and present yourself on the day of the flight. The location of the take-off at Sarangkot (1,600 meters / 5,250 feet) and the landing point are in the vicinity of the Phewa Lake.

In case you wish to carry out professional filming with drones, you might need to take permission separately, but in the case of the paragliding activity, you do not need anything more than a tourist visa. Paragliding in Pokhara is both convenient and easy for international tourists.

Transportation

Pokhara is some 200km west of Kathmandu and can be approached in a number of ways. A domestic flight is selected by many travellers,which takes approximately 25-30 minutes, and allows seeing some beautiful aerial views of hills and rivers. Some people like a tourist bus or a personal car that takes approximately 6-7 hours to reach the scenic Prithvi Highway.

Upon arriving at Pokhara, it is not difficult to access the paragliding location. The Paragliding in Pokhara is a package by Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours, which covers local transport associated with the sport. You are picked up on the day of your flight directly from your hotel, often in the Lakeside area. Then you are taken to Sarangkot by a shared van or a private vehicle.

The road to Sarangkot is approximately 30 minutes and rises gradually to the height of 1,600 meters / 5,250 feet. Even though the road is steep at some point, it is secure and has breathtaking scenery of Pokhara Valley, forests, and other mountains in the distance.

Upon landing after your flight, you are at a lower altitude of approximately 822 meters / 2,697 feet, which is near the Phewa Lake.

Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tourswill have our employees at the landing point to transport you back to your hotel. You need not worry about any transportation in the course of the paragliding since all the transportation is taken care of, and you can concentrate on the fun of enjoying your Paragliding in Pokhara adventure.

Don’ts on This Trip

Although Paragliding in Pokhara is safe and fun, several major don’ts are good to observe to ensure that the experience remains smooth for all those involved. The first thing is not to disregard the safety briefing. Your pilot gives you significant flight instructions, particularly when landing and taking off. You need to listen attentively and take instructions.

Do not carry unsecured or loose objects. The phone, cameras, sunglasses or wallets can fall easily during the flight. In case you carry a device, ensure that it is well fixed using a strap that is accepted by your pilot. When people drop things, it may be hazardous to what is underneath.

Don’t wear the wrong clothing. Do not wear flip-flops, slippers or loose shoes. Wear tight, fast-fitting shoes and loose clothes. Another thing that should be avoided is scarves, long jewellery or very loose dresses as they can get hooked on the equipment during Paragliding in Pokhara, particularly at the Sarangkot launching point, which is 1,600 meters / 5,250 feet.

You should never fly under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You have to be alert and physically prepared to do what is required. And, neither panic nor sudden moves in the air. When you feel nervous, you need to relax and talk to your pilot rather than reach out to the equipment and attempt to manoeuvre the glider.

Do not conceal health status and provide wrong weight information. Age and weight have safety limits, and serious medical conditions should be agreed upon in advance. Lastly, don’t litter. Maintain Sarangkot and the landing area at the Phewa Lake with the beauty of nature at Pokhara. These don’ts would allow the safety of Paragliding in Pokhara to be responsible and enjoyable for everyone.

Trip Extension

Having experiencedparagliding in Pokhara, most of the travellers will be motivated to visit more of Nepal. Pokhara is the capital of adventure in the country, and it has lots of exciting activities other than paragliding. When you feel like being more adrenaline-filled, you can do zip-lining, bungee jumping, or have an ultralight flight above the Pokhara Valley, where it is approximately 822 meters / 2,697 feet.

Pokhara is also the primary entry point to the Annapurna region. You will be able to continue this trip with day trips, such as the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek, which gives you a view of the sunrise over the Himalayas or those that last longer, such as the Annapurna base camp trek and get a closer glimpse of the mountain. These trails will take you further into the scenery in Nepal, following the paragliding in Pokhara.

Chitwan National Park is a good place to visit if you enjoy wildlife and nature. Jungle safari gives an opportunity to view rhinos, elephants, and other animals. Cultural tourists in Kathmandu Valley provide opportunities to visit temples, heritage places, and local culture.

Trip extensions will be enhanced according to your interests and time. Nepal has unlimited choices, whether you are looking to have more adventure, trekking, wildlife or culture. Once you have paraglided in Pokhara, continue your trip, and you will see the country from a lot of different perspectives, and it will be even more enriching and memorable.Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours will customise all kinds of treks or trips according to your budget, fitness and availability.

Photography & Drone Rules

Photography is a significant element of Paragliding in Pokhara, and it is not hard or dangerous to take a snapshot of your flight. The majority of paragliding packages include photos and videos taken by your pilot on a GoPro. This will enable you to have fun flying without the concern of dealing with a camera on your way down 1,600 meters/ 5,250 feet to Phewa Lake at 822 meters/ 2,697 feet.

In case you prefer carrying your own phone or small camera, it should also be strapped using a powerful strap. It is always good to notify your pilot in advance about the devices to ensure that they can determine whether it is safe to use them. It is hazardous to drop objects in the air, and therefore, the first thing that comes first is security.

The use of drones in Pokhara is highly controlled. The flying drones that have not received approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal are not legal. Populated areas, lakes, airports and paragliding areas do not allow drones. Using a drone in Nepal without authorisation can lead to one being detained at customs.

Drones also have a high potential of posing serious safety threats to paragliders and other aircraft. This is why they do not allow drones in paragliding in Pokhara. Rather, use the provided GoPro footage that will give you great aerial shots without violating any of the rules. You can take pictures of the landing, the scenery on the ground, and the scenery on the ground, without disrespecting the local guidelines.

Major Attractions

The marvellous view in Paragliding within a short stretch of time is one of the greatest attractions in Pokhara. Phewa Lake appears to be a blue mirror that has green mountains surrounding it. The Barahi Temple and colourful boats floating below can be spotted on its small island.

When you are driving down Sarangkot at 1,600 meters / 5,250 feet, the horizon is filled with the mountain range of Annapurna. You can see Annapurna I at 8,091 meters / 26,545 feet, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) is at 6,993 meters / 22,943 feet and on clear days, Dhaulagiri is at 8,167 meters / 26,795 feet. These giant mountains are not something that one forgets when flying.

Sarangkot itself is a big tourist destination, which is known for seeing the sunrise. The best place to begin your adventure with paragliding is this iconic place, and gradually descend to Pokhara Valley at 822 meters / 2,697 feet. You can also see the World Peace Pagoda and the meandering Seti River on your way.

Paragliding in Pokhara gives a full air tour of lakes, mountains, and valleys as well as cultural sites. Within a single flight, one gets to see most of the sights that make Pokhara one of the most beautiful places in Nepal.

Tips for First-Time Travelers

When paragliding in Pokhara, you can feel confident and ready with some simple guidelines in case you are making your first attempt. Wear simple and comfortable clothes according to the weather. At 822 meters / 2,697 feet, it might be hot in Pokhara city, but at Sarangkot, which is 1,600 meters / 5,250 feet, it is cooler. A jacket and tight shoes are advisable.

Have a light snack before paragliding. It is not advisable to fly with a full or empty stomach. Be ready for the pick up in time, flights are time sensitive with regard to weather conditions, particularly in the morning.

During the process of takeoff, pay attention to the forward running. Do not jump or sit down early. As soon as you are in the air, you can relax and have the experience of flying calmly. You should trust your pilot, who does everything.

Don’t stress about photos. Photos and videos are normally taken by your pilot. Always be flexible with time because the weather will change.

Once you have landed, take the time to relax and enjoy the moment. Numerous tourists feast with a meal by the lakeside or a cup of coffee. These tips will make your Paragliding in Pokhara experience safe, smooth and unforgettable.