Tandem paragliding from Sarangkot
Pokhara's valley creates reliable thermals from late morning, and the Sarangkot launch faces south over Phewa Lake, which is why paragliding has become one of the town's main activities. We book with licensed operators who use certified equipment and experienced tandem pilots, and reserve a late-morning slot, usually between 10 am and noon, when the air is smooth but the peaks may still be visible. A driver takes you to the launch, about 30 minutes from Lakeside, where the pilot gives a short briefing.
Take-off is a few running steps down a grassy slope while the pilot handles the canopy. Within a minute you are several hundred metres above the valley, sitting in a padded harness in front of the pilot. Standard flights last 20 to 30 minutes; longer flights of up to an hour are possible on good days. Pilots can carry a camera on an extending pole and send you the video afterwards. Those who feel queasy should say so early, and the pilot will skip the spirals.
Landing is on a field at the edge of the lake, where our car waits. Operators set weight limits, roughly 20 kg minimum and 100 to 110 kg maximum, and do not fly in rain, strong wind or poor visibility, so we keep a back-up day in the plan. Flying is generally possible from October to May; in monsoon many flights are cancelled. Licensing and safety rules are set by the civil aviation authority and do change, so check current status before you travel.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Is paragliding in Pokhara safe?
Tandem paragliding with a licensed operator, certified equipment and an experienced pilot carries a low but real risk, as with any air sport. We use only registered companies, check that pilots hold current tandem licences, and cancel when wind or cloud is wrong. Travel insurance that covers paragliding is essential, and many standard policies exclude it unless you add it.
Is there an age or weight limit for paragliding in Pokhara?
Most operators fly children from about 8 to 10 years old with a parent's consent and set a weight range of roughly 20 kg to 100 or 110 kg. Guests with heart conditions, recent surgery or pregnancy should not fly. Limits vary by operator and conditions, so we confirm them when booking and check current status before you travel.
What is the best season for paragliding in Pokhara?
October to May, with November to February often giving the clearest mountain views and March to May the strongest thermals for longer flights. Flights usually run from late morning to mid-afternoon. In monsoon, from June to September, most days are too wet or cloudy, and many operators reduce their schedules or stop flying altogether.
Also in Pokhara
More hours to plan around
