If you are thinking of paragliding, Pokhara is one of the best places to do it. This city, also called “the gateway to the Annapurnas” (a popular route through the Himalayas), is located on the shores of Lake Phewa in central Nepal, where the proximity of Sarangkot and the height in relation to the lake make it an ideal area for paragliding.
This has become one of the most classic activities in the region. Many tourists visit it every year for this purpose, looking for an extreme and fun experience, even if they are not dedicated to any particular extreme sport.
WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE OF PARAGLIDING IN POKHARA?
The experience is more than incredible, one of those you will never forget for the rest of your life. It is certainly a sensation very similar to flying, because it will not be at all like a “free fall” that you feel in other adventure sports, such as bungee jumping or skydiving, for example.
Practicing paragliding in Pokhara you will feel in contact with nature, with the fresh air, and you will see how the birds fly by your side very close to you, as if you were one of them; that feeling of freedom is incomparable.
You will notice how the guide who accompanies you performs conditioning maneuvers and even some pirouettes, from the moment you take off and then also when you land, which may catch you off guard. But once they stabilize during the journey, which varies between 30 and 60 minutes, you reach a total calm in which you only dedicate yourself to floating, and enjoying the ride and the panorama of this great location. It is not for nothing that it is one of the top 10 places to paraglide in the world!
The particularities of each journey will depend mainly on the agency you travel with, as there are many options and therefore prices also vary. The good thing is that tourism has ensured that safety is optimized for all options, as well as the quality of service. The locals live off this and put a lot of love and dedication into it. Normally they will take you up to the take-off point unless you want to get there on your own.
Many of the guides even make recordings for you to take home and others tell you a little about the views during the trip. The truth is that the experience is amazing, it goes without saying that it will be incredible, especially if you are an adventurer who loves heights.
One thing that will not change, even on cloudy days, is the breathtaking views that will take your breath away. And no wonder, they are the Himalayas! Imagine having the impressive mountains and Phewa Lake at your feet. This is something that only the experience of paragliding will offer you.
HIRE PARAGLIDING IN POKHARA
As we have mentioned before, it is part of the tourist activities offered in the region so it will not be difficult to hire a paragliding agency. And although the prices vary depending on each one (the difference between them is not much), it will be much less expensive than doing it in Spain. In low season it can cost the equivalent of €50-60 and in high season about €80-90.
You can ask the accommodation you are staying at if it includes an adventure agency that can offer you this experience instead of looking for an external one.
Normally, agencies will give you a time and place to pick you up at a point in the city, to take you up to the top of Sarangkot, where the take-off runway is located. The trips are made three times a day, in the middle of the morning, around 10:00, at noon at noon and at 14:00.The earlier takeoffs tend to be less busy because as the sun rises and the weather warms up the wind gusts are greater and therefore provide more excitement for the more adventurous.
It is important to bear in mind that flying in these conditions is a risky sport, and although agencies are increasingly preparing to offer the best conditions and pilots are very experienced, it is important to bear in mind the importance of travel insurance that includes this type of activity in its policies. If it does not, which is not always the case, take into account the company you hire and its clauses and conditions, as well as looking for agencies with the best reputation and track record. Your safety comes first!
The peak seasons for paragliding in Pokhara are between the months of March and May (spring) and between the months of September and November (autumn), which are the times when you will surely find more people and fewer offers. This does not mean that the experience will be any less satisfactory. In fact, during these seasons is when we find better weather and conditions for paragliding, avoiding rain and cold, but the truth is that there is no day of the year better than another, it will only be enough that the weather conditions are appropriate for doing so. It is even possible that a trip is delayed or lasts a little less due to these circumstances that sometimes get a little out of hand.
OTHER ACTIVITIES AND PLACES TO VISIT IN POKHARA
Pokhara as a city will not disappoint you at all once you have completed paragliding. So now you can enjoy other cool activities that will also be very worthwhile.
- POKHARA HISTORIC CENTER
We recommend not staying only in the vicinity of the lake, as tourists usually do. Our recommendation is that you also go to the old town. You can do it in many ways, but doing it by bike will help you better discover the authentic Pokhara. Here you no longer see the lights of the Lakeside… the real protagonists are the temples that are more than 200 years old and the impeccable Newar architecture.
- TAL BARAHI TEMPLE
Dedicated to Vishnu in his incarnation as a boar, Tal Barahi is a temple located on a small island in the lake, considered the most important place of worship in the entire city. You can visit it at reasonable prices from a boat that takes you there, and be impressed by its original structure and cultural value. The most impressive thing to see is the celebration of the rituals: The Tal Barahi Aarati ritual is the one that pays homage to the temple and is celebrated every evening in front of the temple.
- WORLD PEACE PAGODA
It is a large white pagoda built by Japanese monks with the aim of promoting peace, built after the explosion of the bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In fact, there are 80 peace pagodas worldwide and we find two of them in Nepal. The World Peace Pagoda in Pokhara is located majestically on one of the hills that emerge from the lake, from which you can see incredible views of the peaks of the Himalayas.
- MOUNTAIN MUSEUM
Mountain lovers cannot miss this must-see stop. Founded in 2005, the International Mountain Museum is practically an ode to this type of land relief, exploring its majesty and taking it to another level.There you will be able to learn more about the highest peaks in the world with a special focus on the Himalayas, where they explore their history, flora and fauna, culture, people and the mountaineers who have reached their summit.
- PHEWA LAKE
Enjoy walks along the shores of the immense Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in Nepal. It will be a cultural experience that will immerse you in the true hustle and bustle of the city, with the arrival of fishermen, children playing, exotic animals, groups of tourists and couples enjoying the sunset.
By renting rowing boats you can enjoy the lake from the lake itself. You will be fascinated by the whole experience, as well as the mountain peaks that surround it, especially the Annapurnas and also the Machapuchare, which due to its sacred status is not allowed to be climbed.
- ADVENTURE SPORTS
Nepal screams out a story of adventure, and Pokhara is no exception. It is a popular tourist destination also for adventure sports enthusiasts who find challenges there, in addition to paragliding, such as bungee jumping, ultralight flying and trekking.
- YOGA
Of course, this location has become an ideal destination for meditation for many travelers, who find in this culture a source of peace. For them, there are excellent options for yoga, breathing and meditation classes. A truly unparalleled, purifying experience.
STAYING IN POKHARA
Where to stay in Pokhara will depend a lot on your personality. You can choose hotels or hostels, even lodges, on the main streets with more life, but also more bustling, or choose a location north of the lake or on streets parallel to Lakeside that will be quieter.
You can find excellent service, care and quality at reasonable prices. In most of them you will find Wi-Fi and hot water, balconies and private bathrooms. As in all tourist sites, you will find luxurious options or more amenities such as swimming pools, spas, bars, private parking and more, but everything will depend on your budget and the reasons for your trip.
We do recommend choosing accommodation with a view of the lake, which is especially nice at any time of the year.
Additionally, opting for an Airbnb can also be a great way to stay if you are considering it as an option.
For decades, paragliding in Pokhara has been one of the most iconic and traditional activities of all. The city, like Nepal itself, is very rich in culture, and it is certainly a location that can boast of being one of the best in offering this experience to tourists who visit it. In fact, it is a meeting place for professionals for competitions and more.
As we have mentioned before, the ideal conditions for this practice align and combine in the take-off area of the Sarangkot hill, leaving thousands of brave people impressed with the experience of taking their feet off the ground and rising into the adventure among its stable thermal currents and the indescribable views of the Himalayas.
So don't hesitate any longer and let yourself be carried away by the air of freedom that paragliding in Pokhara, Nepal, offers!
