All activities / Paragliding / Pokhara
Paragliding in PokharaNP
Nepal's second city, set on Phewa Lake with direct views of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre. The Sarangkot ridge above town is one of Asia's most active paragliding launches.
Why here
Pokhara sits at 900m in a valley surrounded by 8,000m peaks, with Annapurna and Machhapuchhre the most visible. The thermal conditions from Sarangkot ridge are well-documented, and the view during a flight stops pilots mid-air. The scene here is mature: several internationally certified instructors are based year-round, the lakefront landing zone is straightforward, and beginner, intermediate, and cross-country pilots coexist without the crowds you get in Europe. This is the rare place where the flying is serious and the cost of spending a week is genuinely low.
Best months
The two flying windows are pre-monsoon (February to April) and post-monsoon (October to November). October and November are the clearest months with the sharpest Himalayan views. February and March are warmer but slightly hazier. The monsoon (June to September) makes flying largely impossible. Thermals from Sarangkot develop reliably from 10am in dry season. Wind from the north can come in by early afternoon, ending the day early.
Getting there & around
Fly into Pokhara Regional Airport (PKR) direct from Kathmandu (25 minutes) or take the tourist bus from Kathmandu (6-7 hours, scenic but slow). The Sarangkot launch is 30 minutes from Lakeside by taxi. Most operators offer hotel pickup. No altitude acclimatization is needed at Pokhara's elevation. Independent pilots should contact the Pokhara Paragliding Association on arrival.
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Schools & guides (2)
Blue Sky Paragliding Nepal
SchoolFounded in 2001 by Nepal's first licensed paraglider Narayan Parajulie and Swiss pilot David Arrufat, Blue Sky Paragliding is one of the original and most respected operators at Sarangkot above Pokhara. Offers tandem flights and a full range of pilot training programs certified to international standards. On clear days, three 8,000m peaks including Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri are visible from the flying site.
Sunrise Paragliding
SchoolA family-run paragliding company offering tandem flights from Sarangkot since 1996, one of the original operators at the site and the most experienced in Nepal by flight hours. Runs four to five daily tandem sessions and a full range of courses from beginner to instructor level. The Sarangkot flying site above the Pokhara Valley is considered one of the finest cross-country paragliding grounds in Asia.