Posted 03 January 2023 in Travel Wanderlust

5 Beautiful places to go paragliding across India

Paragliding is an adventure sport that is quite popular among adventure enthusiasts. If you want to fly like a bird, try parasailing. Paragliding is for brave hearts. It basically involves standing on a high-altitude place and then suddenly jumping from there with a parachute. In a nutshell, paragliding involves a pilot sitting in a harness and then suspended. The pilot is supposed to then run off a hill or a cliff and then you are good to fly like a bird. The sport lets you fly in the vicinity of nature and the mountain ranges. You are close to nature while flying during paragliding. It will be an unforgettable experience.

There are some of the best places to enjoy paragliding in India. Some of them are Bir Billing and Manali in Himachal Pradesh. The state of Himachal Pradesh is known as the paragliding capital of the country.

1. Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh

Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh is renowned for being the ‘Paragliding Capital of India’. It is known to be one of the perfect and best locations for paragliding. Located in the vicinity of Kangra Valley, there are several operators in Bir Billing that offer short, medium, and long flying sessions.

Bir Billing is Asia’s highest paragliding point. While tourists know Bir Billing as a place, Bir is the point where you land and Billing is the take-off point. Bir Billing offers a spectacular view of the Dhauladhar mountain range in the Himalayas. Fly like a bird in the lap of nature at Bir Billing.

The first-ever Paragliding World Cup in India was hosted at Bir in 2015. The cost of paragliding at Bir Billing starts at INR 2500.

Best time to do paragliding in Bir Billing: From October to June

How to reach?

By air: There is no airport in Bir. The nearest airport to Bir is Kangra Airport located in Dharamshala. The airport is situated at a distance of 67.5 km from Bir. The Kangra Airport connects Bir to major cities of the country.
By train: Ahju Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Bir Billing. The junction is connected to key destinations of the country via regular trains. The distance between Ahju Railway Station and Bir Billing is around 4 km.
By road: Taking a government or private bus to Bir is the best way to reach the city. An overnight bus from Delhi is available if you are coming from the capital of India.

2. Kamshet, Maharashtra

Kamshet is one of the best places for paragliding in India. This splendid retreat is nestled about 45 km from Pune in Maharashtra. The place will remind you of the glorious past of the country.

Kamshet is a favourite paragliding destination in Maharashtra because of its pleasant and favourable weather and wind conditions. The place offers a spectacular view of the lush greenery surrounding the area. Beginners can come to Kamshet for paragliding. The approximate cost of paragliding here is INR 2500.

Other than being an ideal paragliding spot in India, Kamshet is also popular as a weekend destination because of its locale and greenery.

Best time to visit Kamshet for paragliding: From October to June

How to reach?

By air: There is no direct airport in Kamshet. The nearest airport to Kamshet is Pune International Airport. The airport is located at a distance of 49 km from Kamshet. The Pune Airport is well-connected to all the major cities of the country. IndiGo operates over 150 direct flights to Pune to many major locations in the country weekly.
By train: Regular peripheral train services operate between Pune and Kamshet. Lonavala Railway Station is the nearest railway station if you are coming from outside of Maharashtra. One can take a taxi or a cab from the railway station to reach Kamshet.
By road: Kamshet is easily accessible by road as it is located at a distance of 48 km from Pune, 100 km from Mumbai and only 18 km from Lonavala. There is a continuous bus service that connects Kamshet to major Maharashtrian cities.

3. Solang Valley, Manali

Manali is every mountain lover's paradise with hilly slopes, charismatic views, beautiful cottages, hypnotic waterfalls, and spell-binding ambience. Nestled in the lap of nature on the banks of the Beas River, Manali is a hill station in Himachal Pradesh with a view of the Himalayas. The freshness of its pines and the enduring fragrance of the place will make it hard for you to end your vacation.

Solang valley, in Manali, is where all the tourists head to for all the snow and adventure activities like paragliding, skiing, gondola rides, etc. Tucked away between Solang village and Beas Kund, Solang Valley is situated 13 km from Manali. It is popular for its breath-taking glimpses of the snow-capped mountains, glaciers and paragliding. The approximate cost of paragliding in Manali is INR 1800.

Best time to go paragliding in Manali: From October to May. Paragliding is banned and not advisable during monsoon season.

How to reach?

By air: Bhuntar Airport, also known as the Kullu Manali Airport, is the nearest to Manali. The airport is conveniently connected to all major airports of the country through Delhi. There are regular flights from and to New Delhi. The distance between Bhuntar Airport and Manali is 52 km. Tourists can take a private cab or bus from the airport to Manali.
By rail: The nearest railway station to Manali is Joginder Nagar Railway Station. It is located at a distance of 144 km from Manali. Reach Joginder Nagar Railway Station and then take a bus or a cab to Manali.
By road: There are several Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation buses that run to and from Manali, connecting it to nearby cities. Buses are the most convenient and easiest modes of transportation. Many private and luxury buses run daily from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Shimla to Manali.

4. Ranikhet, Uttarakhand

Ranikhet is a hill station in the Almora district of Uttarakhand. The literal meaning of Ranikhet is Queen’s Land. According to the legends, Queen Padmini, who was the wife of Katyuri ruler King Sudhardev, chose this land for her residence. Thus, the name was given to the place. However, there is no palace in Ranikhet.

A charming hill station nestled in the lap of nature with stunning views of the Himalayas, Ranikhet is a major tourist attraction in the state. Nature lovers from all over the country visit this beautiful hill station, famous for its natural beauty and apple orchards.

Maintained by the Indian Army, Ranikhet is located at an altitude of 6,132 ft above sea level. At such an altitude, the place is apt for paragliding. The paragliding campsite is situated 12 km from Ranikhet main city. This paragliding camp is known as Daan Kurhi.

Other than the natural beauty, Ranikhet is famous for being home to the famous Jhula Devi temple. The temple, dedicated to Hindu goddess Durga, is sacred to the locals.

Best time to visit: From September to March

How to reach?

By air: Ranikhet does not have an airport. Pantnagar Airport in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand is the nearest domestic airport to Ranikhet. It is located 109 km from the hill station and is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from the airport. Tourists can get taxis and cabs from the airport to Ranikhet. Pantnagar airport is connected to several major cities of the country via regular flights from and to Pantnagar. IndiGo offers several direct and connecting flights between major cities of the country every day.
By rail: Kathgodam railway station is the nearest railway station to Ranikhet. The railway station is around 75 km from the hill station. Taxis, cabs, and tempo travellers are available at the railway station to different locations of the state. Ramnagar railway station is another railway station to Ranikhet. However, it is far from Kathgodam and is located at a distance of 97 km from Ranikhet.
By road: Ranikhet has well-integrated motorable roads connecting it to major cities of the state. With regular Uttarakhand roadways buses and KMOU buses, Ranikhet is connected to the national capital and other neighbouring states. Buses are available regularly at short intervals from New Delhi to Ranikhet. It is one of the cheapest modes of transportation.

5. Yelagiri, Tamil Nadu

Yelagiri is one of the most beautiful destinations for a vacation in South India. It is a hill station located in the district of Tirupattur in Tamil Nadu. At a distance of 225 km from Chennai, Yelagiri is also considered an ideal weekend destination.

Not just for nature lovers, but the hill station is popular for being a favourite to adventure enthusiasts as well. Yelagiri is an apt place for paragliding. The hill station of Yelagiri also houses a paragliding club that will help you with paragliding equipment. The altitude of the hill station is around 2,000 m.

The astonishing hills of Yelagiri and the striking views of the forests will make this an unforgettable experience for you.

Best time to visit Yelagiri for paragliding: From September to February

How to reach?

By air: The closest airport to Yelagiri is Kempegowda International Airport located in Bangalore. The airport is situated at a distance of 190 km from Yelagiri. Bangalore Airport is connected with all the major destinations of the country.
By train: Located at a distance of 19 km, Jolarpettai Railway Station is the closest railway junction to Yelagiri. One can take a cab or a taxi from the railway station to reach Yelagiri.
By road: Yelagiri is also connected to the major cities via regular government and private buses. The nearest bus stations are situated in Tirupattur and Jolarpettai.

Travel tips

Never wear slippers or sandals while paragliding to avoid leg injury.
If you are not feeling well mid-air, do not panic.
Most of the paragliding spots are on hilly areas, so wear proper woollen clothes as open-flying in looseclothes might make you ill.
Check weather and wind conditions before going for paragliding.
Make sure you have all the required gears before embarking on this adventure journey.

Conclusion

Paragliding is becoming one of the most sought-after adventure sports in India. Who wouldn’t want to fly like a bird in the free and clear sky while enjoying the mountain ranges, greenery and serene surroundings? There are several other paragliding spots in India, however, these are major ones. Plan a tour to these hill stations for an amazing and unforgettable paragliding experience.