If you’re an adventure enthusiast seeking an adrenaline rush, paragliding in Sarangkot should be at the top of your bucket list when you visit Nepal. I first tried paragliding in Bogor City in 2014. I was nervous at first, but it turned out to be fun, exciting, and addictive. I also tried this adrenaline-fueled sport that requires courage while mountain climbing in the Himalayas. Paragliding offers adventure tourism and an unforgettable experience for me.
SARANGKOT HILL, PARAGLIDING CENTER IN POKHARA TOWN, NEPAL
Indonesia, called Paralayang, also known as paragliding, is one of the favourite adventure activities in Pokhara, Nepal. This tourist attraction, included in the special interest tourism category, began to develop in the world in the 1950s and was first included in the 1989 world championship in Kossen, Austria.
This sport is also growing rapidly in Sarangkot Hill, Pokhara, Nepal and has become one of the favourite tourist destinations. Sarangkot is renowned for being one of the best paragliding destinations in the world, and for a good reason. The favourable weather conditions, with clear skies and gentle winds, create the perfect environment for a safe and exhilarating paragliding experience.
Sarangkot Hill, located in Pokhara City, Nepal, is many tourists' most popular paragliding destination. Situated at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level (meters above sea level), this place is the take-off point when paragliding. The edge of Phewa Lake is the landing point, not far from the take-off point. This landing place is a large field with lovely green grass.
Apart from being a stopover before climbing several snow mountains in Nepal, this paragliding destination also offers many tourist destinations. It can be reached by road about 8-10 hours from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. It can also be reached by plane from Kathmandu airport in about 30 minutes.
Sarangkot Hill can only do paragliding activities with a tandem pilot. However, my tandem pilot said that if friends already have a parachute sports certificate and want to try paragliding solo, they can try it at Mandre Danda.
WHAT YOU CAN ENJOY WHILE PARAGLIDING
Sarangkot Hill in Pokhara, Nepal, is one of the best paragliding spots in the world. When paragliding, paragliders will be treated to views of the mountains, lakes, and Pokhara.
1. Seeing the Himalayan snow mountains
When enjoying this parachute sport, we will see the Himalayan mountains of Annapurna, Everest, and several other mountain groups, such as Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, and Manaslu. All of them are covered with snow. You can't imagine how beautiful it is. Anyway, the Himalayan snow mountains spoil our eyes while flying.
In addition, the beautiful Fishtail Peak also greeted me. Fishtail is one of the highest and most beautiful peaks in the Himalayas. Its pointed shape is even more attractive when covered in snow. Additionally, the panoramic views of the Himalayas, including the majestic peaks of Annapurna, Machapuchare, and Dhaulagiri, provide an awe-inspiring backdrop that is unmatched anywhere else in the world. How's a beautiful view.
2. Enjoying Pokhara Valley
In addition to the mountains, we can also enjoy the beauty of Pokhara, the largest city in Nepal, from the air. The town consists of colourful hotel buildings, places of worship, and pagodas.
3. Enjoy Phewa Lake
In addition to the stunning Pokhara Valley, from above, we can also enjoy Phewa Lake, which is a fresh lake in the centre of Pokhara city. The lake, known as Baidam Tal, is the source of life for residents around the town of Pokhara, and this lake is the centre of tourism in this city. Paragliding will be more exciting.
4. Enjoy the sensation of cold air from a height
In addition to the beautiful scenery, we can feel the cold air sensation because of the snow. How does it feel to fly at an altitude of almost 2000-3000 meters above sea level if the air is good? Moreover, the view is a cluster of snow mountains that do not exist in our country. Something really for us, tropical country colours.
5. Selfie above the altitude
For those who love selfies, we can take selfies with the back view of the highest mountain in the world, Everest. You can also take videos, but remember to be careful if your camera or cellphone falls.
6. Tell a story about Nepal
Telling stories above altitude is also an exciting experience. I've never talked above the altitude using only a parachute. It has its sensation and may be more exciting than enjoying dinner at a height like in some countries.
7. Sleep
The silliness that I do is sleep while flying. I also spent quite a long time, 30 minutes above the altitude, with air that reached 1 degree. Just like the first time paragliding in Bogor hehehe. It was so cold, and the air above it was cool, making me want to sleep.
But this is an experience; you have never slept at a height, especially under our feet, a beautiful stretch of iceberg and the world's roof. If you can paraglide on an iceberg, try sleeping for a moment and feel the sensation.
8. Landing Point
Well, the landing point is on the shores of Lake Phewa. This large field that has thick grass can also be enjoyed when landing. Especially for friends who panic, look at the view of the grass, whose colour is always brownish, so the panic disappears. We can also see many buffalo animals eating. It is located right on the edge of the lake.
For me, this is a tourist attraction in itself. After descending, you can take a selfie on the edge of Lake Phewa, with a background of brown grass and some Yak animals, typical of Nepal. It's almost similar to Bromo's savanna in Indonesia.
PARAGLIDING TICKET
When I went there at the end of 2016, I asked several tour agents around the hotel where I stayed and Lake Phewa. The prices ranged from 1 million to 1.3 million rupiah, and each tour agent's price varied.
Then I casually asked the hotel owner, and it Turns out they have a discounted price package for all guests staying at their hotel. How lucky I am. At that time, I got a price of 800 thousand rupiah, still much cheaper than the price offered by the tour agent. My tandem pilot said that friends who already have a parachute sports certificate and want to do paragliding solo can try it at Mandre Danda.
Then, I casually asked the hotel owner if they had a discounted package for all guests staying at their hotel. How lucky I am. At that time, I got a price of 800 thousand rupiah, which was still much cheaper than the price offered by the tour agent. It is still worth it with the experience that will be obtained.
If you are visiting Nepal and intend to do this parachute sport, you can ask the hotel owner in advance where we will stay. Usually, they have special prices for guests who stay at their hotels because they work with several tour agents, and this is safer for us. 2020 The price is still the same, on average, at 1.2 million rupiahs.
LENGTH OF TIME PARAGLIDING
We will enjoy the view of the Himalayan snow mountains for approximately 30 minutes. At that time, my tandem pilot offered me additional time. But I turned it down because my feet were already cold. There were more than enough guys for me.
I was almost freezing at the top. It was also offered because it happened to be quiet because of the snow season; my tandem pilot said that usually, during the snow season, tourists who do this paragliding sport are slightly reduced but still crowded.
OPERATING HOURS
Sarangkot Hill, Pokhara, is an open area, so we can come at any time. However, paragliding activities will be carried out according to weather and wind conditions and the readiness of the tour agent. Even though it is noon, they will not do paragliding activities if the weather is not good. This is done for safety reasons.
So, the guide said there are no definite operating hours when it opens and closes except for the tour agent office that accompanied us later. Based on existing regulations, the tandem pilot I told you about only allows a maximum of 2x bringing guests daily.
FACILITIES OBTAINED
If I'm spending money on an activity, I'll usually check what facilities we'll get. This included paying some money for paragliding. At that time, I paid a total of 800 thousand, and I got several facilities from the hotel tour agent.
1. Life insurance
Now this is really important, friends. Before we make payments for the packages we take, make sure we get safety insurance. Because this sport has a high risk of safety, the fatalities can be death and disability. Naudzubillah, I'm not expecting, but prevention is better for me. This is also a form of self-care for ourselves. Before leaving for the paragliding location at Sarangkot Hill, we will be asked for personal data for our safety.
2. Documentation (Photo and Video)
While we are paragliding, the tour agent will take photos and videos of us. After descending, they will copy all the videos and pictures to a CD, which will be out when rs. You can also bring your camera or cellphone to take photos and videos, but be careful; the risk of falling is high.
3. Shuttle from hotel - location - hotel
Now, after paying 800 thousand earlier, I have also received shuttle facilities from the hotel. From the hotel where I stayed, around Lake Phewa in the centre of Pokhara City, it took about 30 minutes to reach this place. During the trip to Sarangkot Hill, we can also enjoy beautiful views of the Himalayan mountain range.
4. Professional guide
There is no doubt about the quality of the tandem pilots. All pilots who accompany tourists already hold an international license or certificate. Based on information from my tour agent and tandem pilot, all pilots in Pokhara are trained directly by the world paragliding certification body to fly in any country if they have passed. So, there is no need to worry about safety. Technically and skillfully, they have international classes.
Here is my experience paragliding in Sarangkot Hill, Pokhara, Nepal. It was an amazing experience. Have you tried this adventure? You have to try, even once in a lifetime, it will make you happy. Or have you tried sports tourism? If yes, share your experience and comment below.
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