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Paragliding is a relatively new adventure sport
in Nepal, and little information is available in
tourist guidebooks. Paragliding in this
Himalayan country can be a truly wonderful and
fulfilling experience for the adventure-seekers.
You can experience unparalleled scenic grandeur
as you share airspace with Himalayan griffin
vultures, eagles, kites, while floating over
villages, monasteries, temples, lakes and
jungles, with a fantastic view of the majestic
Himalayas.
The last three years have seen the activity
flourish in Pokhara, and it now is an
internationally recognized destination for
free-flight enthusiasts.
BEST TIME TO FLY
Gliding is a weather dependent sport and the
flying season in Nepal commences from November
through February, the best months being November
and December. By virtue of its latitude and
monsoonal climate, the tree line in Nepal is at
an incredible 3,900 m above sea level. With
conditions milder than summer alpine, these are
excellent and constant atmospherics.
The topography and climate of Nepal also make it
an ideal destination for all levels of pilots-
subtropical conditions provide plenty of
thermals and combined with the long valleys
common in Nepal, they produce perfect 'cloud
streets' ideal for paragliders, inviting them to
fly along this "sky highway". The local
microclimate, controlled by the numerous lakes
in the valley, is unique, which makes it even
better for the glider.
The 98/99 season saw 88 out of 90 days flyable,
while the 99/00 season went one better, when we
were in the air 89 days out of 90. It would be
hard to find anywhere else with such friendly
and constant conditions.
The best months for flying are November,
December and January. Cloud base varies between
2000m and 2700m. Come February the extremely
short and hardly noticeable winter is over and
the ground is very dry, the air hazy. Gone are
the mild conditions of the previous 3 months. By
March and April there is a mountain wind, coming
off the big peaks and some days causes strong
valley winds. Indeed you can windsurf in April
on Phewa Tal, the biggest lake in the Pokhara
valley. The heavy air is just waiting for the
monsoon and the intermittent storms in April and
May are only a forerunner for the spectacular
break in the weather come early June.
WHERE DO WE FLY
The main area for flying in Nepal is the
Annapurna region, more specifically the Pokhara
valley. This lakeside town is Nepal's second
"city", nestled at the foot of the Annapurna
Himal, the views commanded from here, of 3 of
the worlds 8000m peaks, are unsurpassed. At an
altitude of 800m ASL the subtropical climate
means that, year round, it is short and T-shirt
weather. The micro-climate of the valley makes
it an ideal area for flying, with far more
constant conditions than the Kathmandu valley
150 km east.
There are several sites around Phew Tal (the
lake) but the most accessible is Sarangkot
(1500m ASL). A view point 700m above Pokhara, it
is unique in that it has a road running to the
top. A short walk brings you to the only purpose
built take off in the country. Cut out of the
slope is a 45m by 45m clearing. With regular
cycles providing easy reverse launches, you
could not ask for a more picturesque site. With
the lake 2000 ft below, the mountains behind,
and the unlimited potential for XC and out and
returns, this has quickly become the main site
for the area, and many pilots have based
themselves in Pokhara for the season, flying
from this mountain alone.
There are an abundance of other sites around the
valley but all need to be walked up. With names
such as Dikie Danda, Devi Falls, Poomdi and
Matepani, all can be connected by air from
Sarangkot.
Different types of flying deals-There are
various deals for the paragliding enthusiast as
well as those checking this sport out for the
first time. There is a three-day introductory
course for beginners, as well as tandem flights
(where you fly with an instructor) for the
inexperienced or less brave. At 6000 ft, you sit
back in your seat as your qualified pilot takes
you on an unforgettable journey. The take-off
point for these flights is Sarankot (1592 m),
which offers prime views of Phewa Tal and the
mountains at sunrise and sunset (provided the
skies are clear); the landing is by the lake. |
