A fairly new sport in the country, paragliding has now developed into a thriving adventure sport in India. With lofty cliffs and mountains studding the country all over its length, there is a great variety of fantastic paragliding sites all over India. The Himalayas in the North is said to be the ‘seat of Paragliding in India’, with an assortment of world-renowned sites such as Bir Billing, Rishikesh and Solang Valley being some of the major destinations in the Northern mountains. Paragliding in India is a completely guided sport, and can be attempted by absolute beginners as well.
1.Bir Billing: Bir Billing sits at the very top of one’s list of places to enjoy paragliding in India. In fact, the popularity of the sport here has earned this little village the title of the Paragliding Capital of India. Taking off from amidst the Dhauladhar ranges, paragliding in Bir Billing offers unprecedented and unparalleled views of the peaks that surround it. The tandem paragliding flights here last about 20 minutes. The sport itself is entirely guided, and can be tried by absolute beginners as well.
- Solang Valley: One of the top adventure sport destinations in Himachal Pradesh, Solang Valley has a lot to offer, with paragliding being one of its most exciting adventures. There are two jump stations in Solang Valley- a lower tier for the new and less experienced paragliders, and a higher level for those seasoned in the sport. Tandem paragliding lessons are also offered to beginners during the winter and summer months. Paragliding in Solang Valley generally remains closed during monsoon, and can only be tried between October to May. You can check out the Thrillophilia reviews section to learn more about the Solang Valley paragliding packages.
- Jodhpur: For a change in scenery, head over to Jodhpur in Rajasthan and try your hand in the paragliding adventures offered here. In Jodhpur, the sport is offered as an entirely guided activity, with a senior pilot ready to guide one through it. Harnessed to a paraglider wing, one soars above the ground at a height of over 800 meters, privy to exclusive bird’s eye views of the regal city that sprawls below. In Jodhpur, one can enjoy paragliding throughout the year, with several time slots offered each day.
- Kamshet: Blessed with lofty hills, paragliding in Kamshet can be quite the visual treat. Here, one can choose between a variety of paragliding adventures, such as tandem paragliding and Acro paragliding. While the former is best suited to beginners and new paragliders, seasoned adventurers can opt for the latter experience as well. The paragliding flights last between 8 to twenty minutes, with the duration depending on the kind of experience opted for. One can also choose to have their experience recorded on video to take home as a memento. When booking your kamshet tour, do make sure to check out the Thrillophilia reviews and learn more about the packages offered.
- Panchgani: Nestled by the Tibetan plateau, paragliding in Panchgani comes with its own share of stunning views. This guided adventure is offered in three forms: Tandem Paragliding, Instructional Paragliding, and Acro Paragliding. Tandem paragliding involves being steered by a pilot through basic flying tricks, and is the best choice for beginners. For instructional paragliding, fliers will get to steer and control their own flight, while Acro paragliding is a pilot-steered adventure involving more advanced tricks. There are several paragliding sites located across Panchgani, with Bhilar, Tapola and Khingar being some of them.
- Rishikesh: Being the adventure capital of India, Rishikesh falls among the top paragliding destinations in the country. Paragliding in this hill station comes with the added benefit of gorgeous Himalayan views. Soaring at a height of over 1500 feet above the ground, one catches a panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks that rise around them. Paragliding here comes in three forms: Kitty Hawk, Explorer and Valley Expedition, each with its own set of thrills. One can also choose to get their experience captured on record at an additional cost.
- Nainital: The city of lakes, Paragliding in Nainital offers unprecedented aerial views to the charming beauty of Nainital. Taking off from the Emerald Trail, the flight soars across Bhimtal Valley, with meadows and lakes passing by below. Zooming across the sky at a height of over 3000feet, one is met with panoramic views of the mountains around them. The flight is overseen by an expert pilot cum guide, who instructs the paraglider on the necessary dos and don’ts. Paragliding in Nainital is heavily reliant on the weather conditions, and may be subject to cancellation in unfavorable weather.
