Pokhara Paragliding Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

I had done my fair share of scary things, but paragliding in Pokhara — at the time — was on a whole new level.

Standing at the edge of the hill, harnessed and staring down at the valley below, my stomach was doing somersaults, half excitement, half panic. And then… I ran, and suddenly I was flying.

Flying above the lakes, forests, and the snow-capped Annapurna range was surreal. Everything below looked tiny, peaceful, and impossibly beautiful.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to glide through the clouds in Nepal, here’s what you need to know, plus my personal experience.

What is paragliding?

First thing first — let’s understand what it is essentially.

Paragliding is a form of free flight where you’re strapped into a harness beneath a large fabric wing and launch from a hill.

It’s not to be confused with parasailing or skydiving. Although all three involve flying with a parachute-like canopy, parasailing relies on a motorboat to pull you into the air, and skydiving involves jumping out of a plane.

Paragliding, on the other hand, is foot-launched by running down a slope.

For first-timers, flights are usually tandem, meaning you’re attached to a trained pilot who does the flying while you enjoy the view.

Why Pokhara is perfect for paragliding

Pokhara isn’t just another city in Nepal. It’s the adventure capital, and paragliding is one of the top activities here. The main reasons people flock here for paragliding:

• Scenic flights: Take off from Sarangkot and soar over Phewa Lake with the Annapurna mountains in the background.
• Beginner-friendly: Professional instructors make tandem flights safe for first-timers.
• Great weather windows: Clear skies from September–November and February–April offer the best visibility.

This is why paragliding in Pokhara consistently ranks as one of the top adventure experiences in Nepal.

How to get to Pokhara

By plane

Pokhara has a small regional airport with regular flights from Kathmandu and several other cities in Nepal. Several reputable domestic airlines operate this route.

The flight takes approximately 30 minutes and can usually be booked online even at the last minute.

By car

You can book a car with a driver at one of the many travel agencies in the Thamel area of Kathmandu. Prices depend on the season, the type of car, and whether it has air conditioning.

By bus

There are both tourist buses and local buses running between Kathmandu and Pokhara every day. Tourist buses are the more comfortable option and are widely used by travelers.

Staying true to our backpacker status, my travel partner and I decided to take a local bus for the roughly 200-kilometre journey.

Local buses depart from Gongabu Bus Park frequently throughout the day, starting in the morning and continuing into the late afternoon.

With a local bus, you shouldn’t expect luxury. The buses are very basic. There are no reclining seats or air conditioning.

If you’re lucky, there might be a small fan above the window, but most passengers simply slide the window open for ventilation.

Local buses may not be the best option if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or large suitcases. Space inside the bus is limited, and bags are often moved to the roof to make room for more passengers.

The journey typically takes around 6 to 8 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

Along the way, the bus will stop several times for toilet breaks and quick snack purchases.

The roads are bumpy and winding with plenty of switchbacks. Drivers are known for driving fast and rather dangerously, so depending on your anxiety threshold, this can either be a thrilling or a terrifying ride.

On the plus side, the ride offers wonderful views of rolling hills, green rivers, and glimpses of everyday rural life in Nepal.

Best time to go paragliding in Pokhara

Paragliding is a weather-dependent sport. It’s not safe to fly when there are strong winds, lightnings, rain showers, or storms.

The best months to go

You can go paragliding in Pokhara in most seasons except during the monsoon months of July and August.

During this period, rain can make flying impossible on some days, and it’s difficult to predict when those days will be in advance. If paragliding is high on your list, it’s best to avoid these wet months altogether.

The main paragliding season in Nepal runs from September to early June, with November and December often considered the best months. During this time, the weather is more stable, which makes for ideal flying conditions.

The best time of day to fly

In Sarangkot, flights are typically operated three times a day: around 10 a.m., 12 noon, and 2 p.m.

If you prefer a calm and smooth flight, try to book the morning session, before strong thermals develop.

By midday, once the sun has warmed the ground, thermals begin to form. This can make the air more turbulent—though some people find it makes the flight more exciting.

How much does paragliding in Nepal cost?

Paragliding cost may vary according to seasons, but most paragliding companies offer similar prices, with only small differences, if any.

Tandem Paragliding

Tandem flights typically cost around NPR 9,000 (USD 70) for a 30-minute flight, or NPR 12,000 (USD 90) for a one-hour cross-country flight. The price should include transportation to and from your hotel and insurance. Photography and videography services are usually charged separately at about NPR 2,000 (USD 15) or so.

Solo Paragliding

If you’re qualified, you can fly solo, but only after obtaining a clearance from the aviation office of Pokhara. Solo flights should cost around NPR 8,000 (USD 70).

Paragliding Course

If you’re interested in becoming a pilot, there are paragliding schools available in Pokhara. Courses typically consist of 3 parts: beginner, progression, and thermaling, each one taking about 5 days. It’s possible to take them separately if you’re short of time. The total 15-day course will set you back around NPR 230,000 (USD 2,000) and grant you an international licence upon completion.

How to Book a Paragliding Flight in Nepal

Booking can be done through your hotel reception/concierge. Or you could walk around in Pokhara town to find the best company that suits your needs.

Some companies have Nepalese pilots while others have foreign ones, if this matters to you. Other things to ask are what the price includes and whether they have company insurance.

However, it’s impossible to know which company is reputable based only on their brochures. I recommend doing some research online before you go. Here are five of the top-rated paragliding companies in Pokhara according to Google:

• Open Sky Paragliding
• Team 5 Nepal Paragliding
• Sunrise Paragliding
• Flying Buddha Paragliding
• Hanuman Paragliding

Alternatively, you could also make your booking online through travel apps like Klook that allows you to read previous customers’ reviews of the particular company.

What to Expect When Paragliding in Pokhara, Nepal

The take-off point is in a place called Sarangkot, which stands at an altitude of 1,592 metres (5,223 feet) and the landing is by the Phewa Lake. Depending on which company you book with, you will either have to wait for the pickup at your hotel or meet at the booking office.

You will then take a 20-minute ride in a jeep from Pokhara to Sarangkot take-off point. From there, if the weather is clear, you should be able to see three of the highest mountains in the world: Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna — all measuring over 8,000 metres in height.

Feel free to enjoy the view while the crew sets up the equipment.

About 15 minutes before the flight, your pilot will strap you into the harness and explains the entire process.

Basically there’s not much that you need to know apart from what to do with your legs during takeoff and landing. Your pilot will take care of everything else.

The purpose of the briefing is primarily so that you know what to expect and not panic unnecessarily.

In order to launch, the wind condition needs to be just right, so you will probably need to wait a minute or so — much like a surfer waiting to catch a wave.

Once the wind is right, your pilot will tell you to start running down the slope. Note that you might have to repeat this process if the wind is not in your favor.

When the wind catches, you will be off the ground in no time, joining the many other paragliders in the sky. It might surprise you how unscary the takeoff feels despite how it looks.

A tandem flight typically lasts about 30 minutes, during which you can see panoramic views of the Phewa Lake, the Pokhara valley, and surrounding villages. See if you can spot the snow-capped mountains. If you’re lucky you might also see eagles soaring in the air next to you.

We went in March and the sky was unfortunately too hazy for us to see the mountains. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable flight. It’s amazing how quiet and calming it can be up there.

Based on your comfort level, the pilot might offer to do an acrobatic stunt (turning the parachute sideways so that you’re flying horizontally, or making a few somersaults in the sky). This is entirely optional and you can ask your pilot not to do it if you feel uncomfortable.

Is it possible to take photos during the flight?

Most companies offer photography / videography services at an additional fee of around NPR 2,000. They also allow you to bring your camera during the flight, but it will be at your own risk.

If you’re planning to bring your own device, please make sure that it can be securely strapped to your body. If you drop your camera, not only will you lose the device and all the pictures in it, but even a small object can be deadly if it falls from a great height onto someone on the ground.

Is It Safe to Paraglide in Nepal?

Safety must be your biggest concern when it comes to extreme sports, and it should be.

So, is paragliding in Nepal completely safe?

Nope. No extreme sport is 100% free from accidents. There have been a few accidents in Pokhara as well. However, if it’s any consolation, almost all of those accidents involved solo pilots. Solo pilots are trainees who are collecting flight hours before they are allowed to carry passengers.

Tandem pilots, on the other hand, have to undergo rigorous training to get their licence. This includes flying solo for more than a thousand hours over a period of 18 months, going through health check-ups, first-aid training, and flight incident simulators.

The Nepal Airsports Association has implemented a few new rules to make paragliding safer:

• Separating the solo pilots from the tandem flyers. While previously they would all fly from Sarangkot, now solo pilots fly from another take-off point, thus making Sarangkot less crowded and reducing the risk of accidents.
• Allowing pilots to only fly one shift per day.
• Allotting a certain time for each company to avoid overcrowding.

There have reportedly been no accident since the implementations of these rules. Still, there are always risks involved. Make sure you have personal travel insurance to cover medical expenses as well as repatriation.

World Nomads has had a reputation for providing affordable travel insurance that cover a wide range of adventure activities including paragliding.

How Scary is Paragliding?

For someone with a fear of heights, I was actually not as scared as I should be.  Everything had been briefed to me, including the safety measures and what to do during takeoff and landing, so I knew what to expect.

On top of that, my pilot’s relaxed and easy-going nature also helped put me at ease. Just looking at him made me want to break into the Bob Marley song: Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

Most passengers are nervous about the take-off because you’ll practically be running off a cliff. However, you’ll be surprised to find that it’s actually not scary at all.

Once your feet leave the ground, the parachute immediately supports your weight. So, you’ll have none of that free-fall sensation that makes your heart drop to your stomach.

It was nothing like that time when I jumped solo out of a moving airplane or that terrifying dive I made from a 60-foot-high bridge.

The flight is so smooth and relaxing that you can easily converse with the pilot during the flight. He will be checking on you and keeping you informed all the way, which usually helps to calm nervous passengers.

If you’re feeling up for it, you can let your pilot do some acrobatic stunts in the air (this is included on all flights, but let the pilot know if you’re not comfortable with it).

I was fine throughout the flight. My friend, however, felt a little nauseous, so she skipped the acrobatic part and asked to land early.

Is Paragliding Suitable for Everyone?

Paragliding is not a physically demanding activity — at least not for the passenger. So, don’t worry if you’re not very athletic. As long as you’re in reasonably good health, you’re fit to fly.

However, paragliding is not suitable for pregnant women or those with asthma, epilepsy, osteoporosis, or heart disease. If you suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes, it is best to get your doctor’s advice before taking part in this sport.

Additionally, if you have extreme fear of heights or a tendency to behave erratically when scared, perhaps paragliding is not for you, as it can put both you and your pilot in a dangerous situation.

The maximum weight limit is 100 kilograms. This may vary slightly depending on the company, so do check beforehand.

There’s usually no age limit for paragliding — even children as young as 4 years old are welcome to join — but again, please check with the company you’re booking with.

What to Wear for Paragliding in Nepal

As paragliding is not a strenuous activity for the passenger, there’s no strict guideline on what to wear or not to wear.

Ideally, you should put on something comfortable that does not restrict movement. Avoid wearing anything flowy or with hooks that may catch the glider lines. Shoes must be closed and secure. No flip flops or anything that might slip off your feet.

It can be pretty chilly up there especially in the colder months. I’d recommend wearing long pants, a long-sleeved top, and a windbreaker. Since it was not so cold when I went, I was fine with a tank top and jeans.

High up in the air, you will be more exposed to the damaging sun rays. Don’t forget to put on sunscreen before you fly.

There are usually lockers where you can leave your personal belongings at, but it’s best not to bring any valuables at all.

Where to Stay in Pokhara, Nepal

Pokhara is one of the most popular destinations in Nepal, and as such, it is well set-up for tourists. There is a large range of accommodation options — from cheap dormitory beds to five-star resorts.

Many of the hotels are clustered near Phewa Lake, the main tourist area of Pokhara. This is a good place to stay if you like to be at the center of all the action and close to shops, restaurants, and tour companies.

Here are your options:

Budget

Gaurishankar Backpackers Hostel – Only 500 metres from Phewa Lake, this hostel provides guests with a restaurant, bar, shared lounge, terrace, and garden. Guests have a choice of dormitory rooms or private rooms with en suite bathrooms.

Hotel Forest Lake Backpackers Hostel – A very clean and modern hostel with a terrace or balcony in some rooms. Every room is equipped with a private bathroom with hot shower. Free WiFi and luggage storage space is available on site. According to Booking.com, this property has more repeat guests than most.

Mid-range

Hotel Middle Path & Spa – Offering clean, air-conditioned rooms with views of the mountains, this hotel has more than 1,200 positive reviews on Booking.com — more than any other property in the area. The in-house restaurant serves Nepali, Indian, and Chinese cuisines.

Luxury

Temple Tree Resort & Spa – Featuring traditional Western Himalayan architecture, the rooms are housed in double-story cottages with wooden pillars and hand-cut stone walls with private balconies and garden views. Facilities include an infinity pool, business center, tour desk, restaurant, cafe, bar, free parking, and a spa offering body massages and flower baths.

Final thoughts

Paragliding is definitely one of the must-do activities in Pokhara, Nepal. Of course there are many other places in the world where you can try this sport, but it would be hard to find one that offers views as spectacular as the Himalayan peaks.

If you’re a first-timer, tandem paragliding is a great choice for you. The best thing about it is you don’t have to worry about anything except sitting back and enjoying the views.

If you’re an intrepid adrenaline junkie, you probably wouldn’t be getting the same high from tandem paragliding as you would from other extreme sports like bungee jumping, but there are other options for you to try, such as solo paragliding, acro-paragliding, flying cross-country, or getting your own international licence.

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