How a tandem flight works
You need no experience, training or special fitness. A licensed tandem pilot controls the wing, and you sit in a harness in front of them. The whole outing takes 2–3 hours from pick-up to drop-off, of which 20–30 minutes is in the air. Flights launch from a grassy slope just below the top of Sarangkot, about 1,500 m, and land in fields on the northern shore of Phewa Lake at about 800 m, a short walk or ride from Lakeside hotels.
The take-off is the only part that asks anything of you. When the pilot calls, you walk forward, then run a few steps as the wing fills overhead, and keep running until your feet leave the ground. Do not sit down early. Once airborne you settle back into the harness seat, which feels like a padded armchair.
- Pick-up from your Lakeside hotel or the operator's office, about 40 minutes' drive to the launch
- Weigh-in, waiver and a short briefing on the take-off run
- Wait for a steady breeze up the slope, sometimes 15–45 minutes in busy periods
- 20–30 minutes of flight, circling in thermals over the ridge and gliding out over the lake
- Landing on the lakeshore, then photos and video handed over or sent by link
Where you fly: launch, route and landing
The launch field faces south over the valley, so on most flights you have Phewa Lake and the World Peace Pagoda in front of you at take-off, and the pilot turns north to show you the Annapurna range once you have gained height. In good thermals pilots climb several hundred metres above the ridge, high enough on clear days to see Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South and, far to the west, Dhaulagiri above the nearer hills.
You will often share the air with large birds. Himalayan griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures, black kites and steppe eagles use the same thermals, and pilots follow them to find lift. After 15–20 minutes of circling, the pilot glides out over the lake, loses height in wide turns over the water and lands into the wind on the grass at the north end of Lakeside. Spectators gather there in the late morning, and it is a good place to watch even if you do not fly.
Prices and flight options
Prices include hotel pick-up, transport to the launch, the flight, insurance and taxes. Foreigners are usually quoted in US dollars; Indian and Nepali visitors are often quoted a lower rate in Nepali rupees, so always ask for the SAARC price. Rates rise in October and November and over the New Year week. The figures below are typical 2026 ranges per person; check current status before you travel.
| Flight | Time in the air | Typical price | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard tandem | 20–30 min | ₹6,500–8,500 / US$ 70–90 | First-timers, families with older children |
| Cross-country tandem | 45–60 min | US$ 120–150 | Longer views along the ridge towards the Annapurnas |
| Acro tandem (spirals, wingovers) | 15–20 min | ≈ US$ 100–130 | Those with strong stomachs |
| Photo and video package | Whole flight | ≈ US$ 15–25 extra | Handheld or helmet camera by the pilot |
| Beginner solo course | About a week | Ask for current price | People who want to fly alone |
Weight, age and health rules
Every operator sets its own limits within Nepal's aviation rules, and the pilot has the final word on the day. These are the limits we see most often in Pokhara. Tell the operator your exact weight when you book rather than at the launch, because a heavier passenger needs a larger wing and an experienced pilot.
- Weight: roughly 25–90 kg is standard; some operators fly up to about 100–110 kg with a larger wing, sometimes for a surcharge
- Children: usually from about 6 years with a parent's written consent, provided they meet the minimum weight
- Older travellers: there is no fixed upper age, but you must be able to run a few steps on a slope
- Do not fly if pregnant, with heart conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure, epilepsy, or recent back, neck or knee injuries
- Avoid alcohol the night before, and eat a light breakfast if you are prone to motion sickness
When to fly: season and time of day
Paragliding depends on sun-heated rising air, called thermals, and on clear skies. Launches usually begin around 9:30–10 am, once the slope warms, and continue until about 3–4 pm. Morning slots are smoother and often clearer; midday slots give stronger lift and longer flights; by early afternoon cloud often builds over the foothills in spring.
Weather decides everything. Operators cancel for rain, strong wind or low cloud and refund or rebook. Keep a spare morning in your Pokhara plan, and book the first full day of your stay so that a cancellation can move to the next.
| Period | Conditions | Our view |
|---|---|---|
| October–November | Clear skies, steady thermals, peak demand | Best for mountain views; book ahead |
| December–February | Very clear, cooler, weaker thermals | Good; flights can be shorter |
| March–April | Strong thermals, haze builds after midday | Best for longer flights |
| May | Hot, cloud and storms building | Fly early; more cancellations |
| June–August | Monsoon rain and cloud | Mostly paused; occasional clear days |
| September | Rain easing, flights restarting | Fair late in the month |
Choosing an operator safely
Dozens of companies sell tandem flights from offices along Lakeside, and most share the same launch and landing fields. Tandem flights are flown under rules set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, and serious accidents are rare, but they do happen, so a few minutes of checking is worthwhile. A very cheap street offer is usually cheap for a reason.
- Ask whether the pilot holds a current tandem licence and how many seasons they have flown in Pokhara
- Confirm that passenger accident insurance is included and in writing
- Look at the equipment: the wing, harness and reserve parachute should be clean and in good repair
- Book through your hotel, a known office or your tour operator rather than a street tout
- Be clear about price, flight length, video and pick-up before paying
- If the pilot decides conditions are unsafe, accept the cancellation and rebook
What to wear and bring
It is cooler in the air than on the ground, by roughly 5–8 °C at launch height, and the wind adds to the chill. Wear closed shoes with grip for the take-off run, long trousers and a light jacket, even on a warm day. Sunglasses help with glare over the lake. Leave large bags at the office; you can take a phone in a zipped pocket, but most pilots prefer that you do not film yourself, as they record the flight on their camera.
- Trainers or walking shoes, not sandals or flip-flops
- Windproof jacket, plus gloves from December to February
- Sunglasses with a strap, sunscreen and a cap that fits under the helmet
- Small cash for tips and water at the landing site
Paragliding, ZipFlyer or ultralight
Pokhara has three ways to get into the air, and they suit different people. Paragliding is the quiet, floating option; the ZipFlyer is a short, fast drop on a cable; an ultralight is a powered flight that climbs higher and goes closer to the mountains. Many couples and groups combine paragliding with the zipline on consecutive mornings.
| Paragliding | ZipFlyer | Ultralight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time in the air | 20–30 min | About 2 min | 15–90 min |
| Feeling | Slow, silent glide | Fast drop, up to 140 km/h | Steady powered flight |
| Height above Pokhara | Up to about 1,000 m | About 600 m drop | Up to 3,000–4,000 m on long flights |
| Typical price | ₹6,500–8,500 | ≈ ₹6,000 | US$ 180–220 for 30 min |
| Season | Sep–May | Most of the year | Oct–May |
Places in this guide
Questions travellers ask
How much does paragliding in Pokhara cost?
A standard 20–30 minute tandem flight costs about US$ 70–90 for foreigners and around ₹6,500–8,500, or NPR 10,000–13,000, for Indian and Nepali visitors. The price includes pick-up, transport to Sarangkot and insurance. A 45–60 minute cross-country flight costs US$ 120–150, and photos and video add US$ 15–25. Check current rates before you travel.
What is the weight limit for paragliding in Pokhara?
Most operators fly passengers between about 25 and 90 kg. Some can take up to roughly 100–110 kg using a larger tandem wing and an experienced pilot, often with a surcharge. Light children may need calmer air. Give your exact weight when you book, because the pilot chooses the wing size in advance.
Can children do paragliding in Pokhara?
Yes, usually from about 6 years old, with a parent's written consent and above the operator's minimum weight, often around 25 kg. Children fly in a fitted harness with an experienced tandem pilot. Ask for a morning slot, when the air is smoother, and tell the pilot to keep the flight gentle with no spirals.
Is paragliding in Pokhara safe?
Tandem paragliding in Pokhara has a good record, with many thousands of flights each season flown by licensed pilots under Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal rules. Accidents are rare but have occurred. Choose an established operator, confirm insurance is included, check the equipment and accept weather cancellations. Do not fly with heart conditions, recent injuries or during pregnancy.
What is the best time of day for paragliding in Pokhara?
Late morning, roughly 10 am to noon, is the best balance: thermals are established, the air is still fairly smooth and cloud has not yet built over the hills. Earlier flights are calmer but shorter; early afternoon flights get stronger lift but more haze, especially in spring. In October and November, morning slots fill first.
Can I paraglide in Pokhara during the monsoon?
Rarely. From about mid-June to August most operators stop flying or fly only on occasional clear spells, because rain, low cloud and gusty wind make conditions unsafe. Regular flights restart in September as the monsoon eases. If you visit in the monsoon, keep your plans flexible and treat paragliding as a bonus rather than a certainty.
Do I need any experience to paraglide in Pokhara?
No. On a tandem flight the pilot does all the flying. You only need to listen to a two-minute briefing, walk and then run a few steps at take-off, and sit back once airborne. On landing, lift your legs or run as the pilot tells you. People with no sporting background fly every day.
Will I feel sick while paragliding?
Most passengers feel fine on a standard flight. Motion sickness usually comes from tight spirals and acrobatic turns, so tell the pilot if you are prone to it and ask for a smooth flight. Eat a light breakfast, avoid alcohol the night before and look at the horizon rather than down. Pilots carry sick bags.
Should I book paragliding in advance?
In October, November and the Christmas–New Year week, book a day or two ahead, because good morning slots sell out. At other times you can book the evening before through your hotel or a Lakeside office. Choose your first full day in Pokhara, so that a weather cancellation can move to the following morning.
