India’s Top 10 Paragliding Destinations

Who doesn’t want to fly in the sky like a bird? While it is true that we don’t have wings, that doesn’t mean that we can’t fly. Experience the thrill of flying with paragliding.

Paragliding has suddenly become a popular adventure sport in India. That is not surprising, though. The country has lots of destinations perfect for paragliding. There are also several associations and clubs for people interested in paragliding. Here are the top 10 paragliding destinations in India.

1. Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is famous for its scenic beauty and lovely climate. The unique terrain of the state makes it an ideal destination for enjoying different types of adventure sports. Bir Billing, for instance, is a great place to enjoy paragliding. Visit it between March and June. Billing lies at an altitude of 8000 feet above the sea level and Bir is at an altitude of 4500 feet. When you do paragliding in Bir Billing, you will take off from Billing and land at Bir. Each ride takes about 30 minutes and offers a thrilling paragliding experience.

Manali is another great paragliding destination in Himachal. Nestled amidst snowcapped mountains, Manali is a real treat for the eye. You can also enjoy hand gliding and sky diving from here. Gliding through the Solang Valley is an experience that cannot be expressed in mere words.

2. Sikkim

Gangtok in Sikkim is fast becoming a popular paragliding destination in north-east India. Gangtok is at an altitude of 7000 feet above sea level. When you take off from one of its cliffs, you also get an opportunity to enjoy the surreal beauty of Mt. Kanchenjunga. The scenery here is simply breathtaking.

3. Uttarakhand

Every year, Kunjapuri in Uttarakhand becomes the haven of paragliders between September and May. Paragliding in Kunjapuri also gives you an opportunity to enjoy the ethereal beauty of several Himalayan peaks including the Gangotri glacier. Bedni Bugyal in Kumaon is another place perfect for paragliding. It lies at an altitude of 3,354 m and provides a brilliant view of the Himalayan Mountains. Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Nainital and Pithoragarh are also suitable for paragliding.

4. Meghalaya

Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, has captured the attention of paragliders in the country and abroad. Shillong offers the best infrastructure for paragliders. The Meghalaya Paragliding Association is an active community of paragliding enthusiasts who strive hard to improve the paragliding opportunities in the state.

5. Maharashtra

Maharashtra has its fair share of paragliding destinations too. Pavana is the most famous among them. When you paraglide from here you also get to enjoy the beauty of the Pavana Lake and various forts in the surroundings. Panchgani and Kamshet are other popular paragliding destinations in Maharashtra.

6. Karnataka

Nandi Hills in Bangalore is the most famous paragliding destination in Karnataka. It lies at an altitude of 1,478 meters above sea level. When you paraglide from here, you get amazing views of Hebbal Lake. The valleys and the hills are also famous for other adventure sports.

7. Tamil Nadu

The lovely hill station Yelagiri is the best paragliding destination in Tamil Nadu. It lies at an altitude of 2000 m. At Yelagiri, they also have a club that offers various facilities for paragliders. In September, the hill station hosts a paragliding festival.

8. Goa

Arambol Beach is the best place for paragliding in Goa. Goa is a popular destination for travelers looking to enjoy professional paragliding. If you are a novice, Goa is the best place for you because here you can get professional paragliding support. Lots of people enjoy paragliding in Goa. In fact, paragliders flying up in the sky are a common sight here.

9. Rajasthan

Aravalli Hills in Rajasthan offers a truly mesmerizing paragliding experience. Jaipur, Bikaner and Kota are also famous for paragliding opportunities.

10. Gujarat

The Pavagadh Hill in Gujarat is one of the lesser known paragliding destinations in India. It lies at an altitude of 800 m and provides brilliant views of the city of Champaner.