Pokhara has been a paragliding destination since the 1990s and it is the single most-recommended thing here for good reason: you launch from a green hillside, you sit in a chair in the sky, and the Himalaya is in front of you for the entire flight. Here is how it works.
At a glance
- Season
- Late Sep – May
- Best air
- Oct–Nov
- Flight slots
- Morning & midday
- Age / weight
- Operator rules TODO
- Book via
- Registered operators
What a tandem flight is like
Gliders laid out on the grass launch slope with pilots waiting for wind
You're picked up from Lakeside and driven up to the launch site on the slope below Sarangkot. The pilot straps you into a harness in front of him, lays out the wing, waits for the right gust, and asks you to take a few running steps — then you're airborne. The glider climbs on thermals over the ridge, circles with the kites and eagles that ride the same air, and drifts out over the lake to land on the flat ground at Pame on the north shore.
A standard flight is 20–30 minutes; longer "cross-country" flights of an hour or so are offered when conditions allow. Most operators offer photos and video from a wing-mounted camera as an add-on. You don't need any experience or fitness beyond being able to jog a few steps.
When to fly
The flying season runs roughly from late September through to May. October and November have the crispest air and clearest mountains; December to February is cold in the morning but fine; March and April bring stronger thermals and more haze. Monsoon (June to mid-September) flights are limited or cancelled by cloud and rain.
Morning slots (around 9–11) have the calmest air and best views; midday slots have stronger thermals and longer flights. If you are nervous, take the morning.
Choosing an operator
There are dozens of companies. Choose one that is registered with the Nepal Air Sports Association (NASA) and uses licensed tandem pilots; ask about the pilot's experience and the age of the equipment. Booking a day or two ahead in season is wise; same-day is often possible outside it.
I have deliberately not listed prices — they change by season and the operators compete closely. TODO: add an indicative range in NPR/USD after checking with two or three operators, and add vetted operators to the booking slot below.
Book a tandem flight
Vetted operators will be linked here.
TODO: add booking links (operator / Booking.com / GetYourGuide) in the data fileZipline
Pokhara's zipline launches from near the top of Sarangkot and drops steeply towards the valley floor at Hemja — it's marketed as one of the longest and steepest in the world, with a big vertical drop over roughly 1.8 km of cable. It's over in about two minutes and it is genuinely fast. TODO: confirm operator name, current length/drop figures and price.
Ultralight flights
Two-seat ultralight aircraft fly from Pokhara's airport up along the Annapurnas and over the lake, in slots of 15 to 90 minutes. Because you fly higher and further than a paraglider, this is the option for getting close to the peaks themselves — the longer flights approach the Annapurna Sanctuary. Mornings only, and weather-dependent. TODO: confirm operator and current slot lengths/prices.
Bungee
A tower bungee near Hemja, north of the city, with a jump of around 70 m that finishes over a pond — a "water touch" is offered. TODO: confirm height, operator, minimum age and price.
Questions I get asked
Is paragliding in Pokhara safe?
It has a good safety record with registered operators and licensed pilots. As with anything airborne, weather is the main risk, and good operators will cancel rather than fly marginal conditions. Choose on reputation, not price.
Will I feel sick?
Some people do, especially in midday thermals when the pilot spirals. Tell the pilot you’d prefer a gentle flight and take the morning slot.
Can children fly tandem?
Operators set their own minimum ages and weight limits; check when booking. TODO: confirm typical minimums.