Tandem paragliding in Pokhara, and what to know before you step off
Thirty minutes over Phewa Lake with the Annapurnas on the horizon, from the one place in the world where you can fly alongside a trained bird of prey.
By the Lakeshore team · 6 min read · Updated 27 October 2026
Pilots rate Pokhara highly for good reasons. There's a south-facing ridge 800 m above a lake, thermals that work almost every day of the dry season, and a huge, safe landing area at the bottom. Pilots move here from Europe for the winter season.
For a visitor, that means a tandem flight here is smoother and longer than almost anywhere you could do one at home, with the Annapurnas in front of you, and usually for less money. This guide covers what happens on the day, and the questions people ask us at the office the day before.
What the flight is like
You drive up to the launch field at Sarangkot, get clipped into a harness in front of your pilot, and walk a few steps down a grassy slope until the wing lifts and the ground is no longer under your feet. You walk, you don't jump. There's no drop and no lurch in the stomach, which surprises people who expected something like a bungee.
Then you spend twenty to thirty minutes spiralling up in thermals over the ridge, with Phewa Lake below you and, on a clear day, Dhaulagiri through Annapurna to Manaslu along the northern horizon. You often share a thermal with eagles and vultures circling at the same height a few metres away. Landing is on a flat field by the lake, usually a gentle run-out or a sit-down. From hotel pickup to being back in Lakeside takes about three hours, and the pickup and drop-off come with the flight when you book through us.
Parahawking, if you want the strange one
Parahawking was born in Pokhara. You fly tandem while trained birds of prey, usually Egyptian vultures or kites, come to your glove in mid-air for food and lead you toward thermals.
It started as a conservation project tied to the catastrophic collapse of South Asian vulture populations, caused by the veterinary drug diclofenac, and it funds and publicises that work.
It costs a good deal more than a standard tandem, and both the season and the slots are limited. If you have any interest in birds, this is the one to spend the extra on, and we'd book it well ahead.
Timing, weather and who can fly
The flying window is roughly 10 am to 1 pm, while the thermals are working. Earlier flights are smoother and shorter, and late morning gives the most lift and the longest time in the air. Cross-country flights for experienced passengers go further and last longer.
October to April is the reliable season. Monsoon flying is limited and cancellations are common, so if flying is the reason you came, don't leave it to your last morning. Weight limits are typically around 100 kg, with a lower limit for small children, and both vary by operator and conditions. Declare pregnancy, recent surgery and any back or neck injury. A decent operator will ask.
Choosing an operator
Check that the pilot holds a current licence and the company carries valid insurance. Both are normal here, and a good operator answers each in a sentence.
Be wary of the cheapest price on the street. What separates a well-run operator from a bargain one is maintenance, pilot hours and the age of the equipment, and you can't inspect any of that from the ground.
Agree the photo and video price before you launch, not after you land. GoPro footage on a pole is standard, and the pricing should be too.
Walk it with us
Private departures on your dates, guided by the people who wrote this page.
Questions we get asked
Is it safe?
Tandem paragliding with a licensed pilot in good conditions is a mature, well-regulated activity here, and Pokhara's site is unusually forgiving. Like all flying, it carries some risk. Go with a properly licensed operator and don't choose one on price alone. The flights we book come with a certified pilot and insurance for the activity.
I'm scared of heights. Can I still do it?
Very likely, yes. There's no edge to step off and no feeling of falling. You run a few paces and you're flying. People who can't look over a balcony do this and love it. Motion sickness causes far more trouble than height does.
How long am I in the air?
Twenty to thirty minutes on a standard tandem, and longer on a cross-country flight. Air time depends on the day's thermals as much as on what you paid.
Can children fly?
Usually from around five years old with a parent's consent, depending on weight and conditions. Tell us their ages when you book and we'll check with the operator instead of guessing.
What should I wear?
Closed shoes with grip, because you run a few steps at take-off and on landing. Long sleeves, since it's colder up there than on the ground. Sunglasses that won't blow off, and nothing loose in your pockets.
Still deciding?
Tell us your dates, and we'll tell you whether Sarangkot Tandem Paragliding is right for you. If it isn't, we'll say so.
Nothing to pay online. We confirm your dates first.
Or call the office +977 61-457830