Paragliding in Pokhara is thirty minutes of Himalayan views, calm air, and the kind of rush that stays with you. Here is how to book safely and what to expect on the day.
You are standing on a grassy slope at Sarangkot, strapped to a harness, looking straight down at Phewa Lake and the whole Pokhara valley. The Annapurna range fills the sky in front of you. Your pilot says run. You take three steps downhill, and your feet leave the ground.
That is how Pokhara paragliding starts for almost everyone. And most people will tell you it is the best thirty minutes of their entire Nepal trip.
This guide gives you everything you need before you book, including honest prices, how to pick a safe operator, what the flight actually feels like, and the one thing most guides forget to mention.
Here is what this guide covers:
How much paragliding in Pokhara costs in 2026
How to book safely and what to check before you pay
What to expect from takeoff to landing
The best time to fly and what to wear
Quick Facts: Pokhara Paragliding at a Glance
Why Pokhara Is One of the Best Places in the World to Paraglide
Pokhara sits at the perfect meeting point of geography and weather for paragliding. The valley floor is at just 827 meters, while the Annapurna peaks behind it reach above 8,000 meters. That steep rise creates the kind of air currents that pilots love, producing steady thermal columns that lift the glider naturally and keep flights stable.
Here is what makes Pokhara stand out from other paragliding destinations:
The flight combines two things you rarely get together: a real rush at takeoff and a calm, peaceful glide once you are in the air.
You fly with Annapurna South, Fishtail Mountain, and Dhaulagiri in front of you the whole time, at a height that most people only reach on a week-long trek.
The landing zone near Phewa Lake is flat, open, and easy, which means smooth landings even for first-time passengers.
Pokhara was recognized as one of the top five commercial paragliding destinations in the world by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the international body that oversees air sports globally.
One important thing to know before you book: since the new Pokhara International Airport opened in 2023, flights no longer pass directly over Phewa Lake due to airport airspace rules. You will still see the lake clearly from above, but the route now arcs to the side of the restricted zone rather than over the water.
How Much Does Paragliding in Pokhara Cost?
Pricing for Pokhara paragliding has a wide range right now, and knowing why helps you avoid paying too much or too little. The table below shows what to expect in 2026.
Most standard packages include hotel pickup and drop-off, safety equipment, your pilot, and basic insurance. Photos and video are almost always charged separately at around NPR 2,000 to 3,000 extra.
The long route option in the table above is still a tandem flight with your pilot in full control. It simply covers more ground over the valley and surrounding hills before landing, rather than circling back in the same area. Think of it as more time in the air, not a different kind of flying.
If a price looks unusually low, that is a signal worth paying attention to. Operators who cut prices sharply are often cutting corners on equipment or pilot experience. The accidents that have happened in Pokhara's paragliding history were consistently linked to unlicensed operators, not to legitimate companies with certified pilots.
How to Book Paragliding in Pokhara Safely
Booking paragliding in Pokhara is easy to do right and easy to get wrong. Most problems come from booking through sellers on the street or agents who skip checking the operator's credentials. Here is how to do it properly.
Legitimate paragliding companies have physical offices on or near Lakeside Road. Walk in, ask to see their Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) license, and check that it is current. Reputable companies display it without hesitation. Do not book from anyone who approaches you on the street near the lake. Street sellers often connect travelers with unlicensed operators, and the lower price usually means lower safety standards.
Before handing over any money, check these four things quickly:
Ask to see the CAAN operator license and confirm it has not expired.
Ask how many flight hours the pilot assigned to you has logged. A good pilot in Pokhara will have 2,000 to 5,000 hours.
Check Google reviews and ask other travelers at your guesthouse which company they used.
Confirm exactly what is included in the price so there are no surprise charges at checkout.
Book 1 to 2 days in advance during October and November. Slots fill fast in peak season and booking ahead gives you a confirmed morning time rather than waiting at the launch site hoping for a space.
What to Expect on the Day
Your driver picks you up from your hotel around 8:30 to 9 am. The drive to Sarangkot takes about 30 to 45 minutes. At the top, your pilot gives you a short briefing covering the harness, what you do at takeoff, and how landing works. Pay attention here because takeoff is the only moment that needs anything from you.
When the wing goes up, your pilot will tell you to run. Three to five steps downhill and your feet leave the ground. The whole thing takes under ten seconds. Once airborne, there is nothing to do but look. The Annapurna range fills the view ahead, Pokhara Valley spreads below, and Fishtail Mountain sits to the right. Your pilot will ask if you want a calm scenic flight or something with more movement. Either way, you land near the lake on flat grass in a smooth touchdown your pilot handles completely.
Best Time for Paragliding in Pokhara
The flying season in Pokhara is much longer than most people expect. Picking the right time makes a real difference to what you see.
What to Wear and Bring
You do not need any special gear. The company provides all flying equipment. A few clothing choices make a real difference in comfort on the day.
Wear closed shoes with laces because you run a few steps at takeoff and the ground is uneven.
Bring a light windproof jacket because Sarangkot is noticeably cooler than Lakeside and altitude makes it colder still.
Wear sunglasses since the light at altitude is much brighter than at ground level.
Leave bags at your hotel or in the vehicle as you carry nothing during the flight.
For a full breakdown of what to pack across your whole Pokhara trip, the Nepal homestay packing list covers every season and activity in detail.
Final Thoughts
Pokhara paragliding is the kind of experience most people spend weeks thinking about afterward. The mountain views, the moment of lift, and the quiet once you are in the air combine in a way that is hard to describe before you have done it.
Book with a licensed operator on Lakeside Road, go in the morning for the clearest air, and bring a warm layer. Everything else takes care of itself. If you want to explore more of what Pokhara has to offer around your flight, the top places to visit in Pokhara is a good next read.
Staying in a homestay near Pokhara means your host family will likely know the best operators and can point you in the right direction before you leave the house. Browse homestays near Pokhara on Nepal Homestays and find a verified family stay close to everything the city has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paragliding in Pokhara
How much does paragliding cost in Pokhara in 2026?
A standard tandem flight costs between NPR 6,500 and 9,500, which is roughly USD 48 to 71. The price usually includes hotel pickup, equipment, and basic insurance. Photos and video are charged separately at around NPR 2,000 to 3,000 extra.
Is paragliding safe in Pokhara?
Yes, when you book with a licensed operator. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal regulates all commercial paragliding companies and pilots must hold valid certifications. Always ask to see the CAAN license before paying. Every serious accident in Pokhara's history has been linked to unlicensed operators, not certified companies.
Do I need experience to go paragliding in Pokhara?
No experience is needed at all. Tandem paragliding means you fly with a certified pilot who controls the glider completely. You only take a few running steps at takeoff. Everything else is handled for you.
Where does paragliding launch from in Pokhara?
Almost all flights launch from Sarangkot Hill, which sits at 1,592 meters above sea level on the northwest edge of the Pokhara Valley. The drive from Lakeside takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Some operators also use Mandre Danda as an alternative launch site.
What is the best time of day to go paragliding in Pokhara?
Morning flights between 9 and 11 am are the best for a calm, smooth flight with clear mountain views. The air is more stable before the valley heats up through the day. Afternoon flights have stronger air movement, which makes the experience livelier but bumpier.
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