Alok Prakash 
It’s a fact that whenever it is about planning a vacation we tend to opt for the same old vacation destinations which we have already visited a number of times. From the thrill of skydiving and bungee jumping to the rush of activities like surfing, the new age traveler is always seeking something exciting for a break. So if you are adventure traveler then you need to visit these paragliding places in India.
Paragliding Places in India
Always wanted to know how it feels like to fly like a bird? Love the way the wind just sways by you? Always wanted to go paragliding but couldn’t find the perfect place? Below is detailed information about some good places of paragliding in India, you can go to these places and enjoy paragliding.
1. Satpura, Gujarat
The small town of Satpura in Gujrat is widely renowned among adventure seekers due to its exciting and thrilling eight-day long Paragliding Festival. This promising spots for paragliding in India attracts adventure enthusiasts and travelers from far-flung places. The amazing paragliding experience enhances multiple times when you fly over a terrain which was once believed to be the site of an active volcano.
- How to Reach: The nearest city is Vadodara, and it is well connected with a fully fledged road network to all major cities in India also with an airport and railway station. Vadodara is just an hour from the city.
- Best Time to Visit: The best place to visit Satpura would be between December and January which will be when the twenty-six day of paragliding festival conducted.
2. Bedini Bugyal, Uttarakhand
The gorgeous Bedini Bugyal is a popular destination for paragliding in India and a most favored location for the budding paragliders. Hidden in the midst of serene and lush green valleys of Garhwal, this place offers an exciting paragliding experiences for the adventure seekers.
- How to Reach: Uttarakhand has its only airport located in in the state capital of Dehradun. There are private tour buses and cabs which will drop you down at the location. The Indian rail network well connects Uttarakhand. The nearest stations are Dehradun, Haridwar and Kathgodam
- Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Bedni Bugyal is from September to May, and it is seasonal since snow covers the region and the mountains which pose a threat to paragliders.
3. Pawna, Maharashtra
The beautiful Pawna of Maharashtra has emerged as every adventure seeker’s delight and a best paragliding place to explore the beauty of western India from the skies. This ideal paragliding site showers numerous opportunity to glide over the amazing natural beauty along with the beautiful and eye catching views of the crystal clear waters of the Pawna lake.
- How to Reach: Pawna lake lies in between the Pune – Mumbai express highway. You can come down to this paragliding hotspot by flying down to either Pune or Mumbai and avail the trains to Lonavala railway station and hitch a ride from there to the lake which is a mere twenty kilometres away.
- Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the Pawna lake would be a time which would offer a pleasant climate and a picturesque view of the lake at its best. The optimal time to visit the lake would be from November to December.
4. Ranikhet, Uttarakhand
The spectacular views of the lush green mountains of Ranikhet makes it immensely popular destination for paragliding in India. The gorgeous green valleys and the snow capped mountain peaks makes the places irresistible to come and to a have a wonderful paragliding experience. This beautiful place also offers various courses for the budding paragliders who wish to fly high in the sky.
- How to Reach: The nearest railway station is 101 km away at Kathgodam, and the place is also easily accessible from Delhi
- Best Time to Visit: September to March
5. Panchgani, Maharashtra
The majestic sunsets of Panchgani in Maharshtra allures adventure enthusiasts from all across the globe. This beautiful place is located among the fascinating hills of the Sahyadri Ranges. Over the last few years it has emerged as the paradise for the paragliding passionates. Paragliding in Panchgani gives an exciting experience when one can have a 360-degree views of the place and feels like a free bird in the blue sky.
- How to Reach: Panchgani is well connected by rail, road, and airways. The nearest railway station is at Pune which is about 96km away, after that you can hire a taxi t reach Panchgani. Pune also has an airport.
- Best Time to Visit: November to February because the weather is most pleasant during that time.
6. Nainital, Uttarakhand
The beautiful City Of Lakes, Nainital has emerged as one stop destination to visit for all the adventure lovers in India. It is known to offers the best paragliding activities and other adventurous perks to do for tourists. The stunning Naukuchiatal and Bhimtal are known to offer the best arial views of the landscape while enjoying paragliding in the beautiful scenario.
How to reach: You can go there via bus (Nainital has excellent bus connectivity) or train, the nearest railway station being at a distance of 34 km at Kathgodam, or book a chartered plane to the nearest airport at Pantnagar, situated at a distance of about 65km from Nainital (no commercial flights here).
Best Time to Visit: All seasons except rainy seasons. (i.e. July- August)
7. Manali, Himachal Pradesh
The budding paragliders loves to visit Manali to have the safest and the pleasant paragliding experience. Although the whole city is beautiful, but the most favored places for Paragliding in Manali are Solang Valley, Fatru, Bijli Mahadev, Kangra Valley and Marhi. Paragliding among the snowcapped mountain peaks of Manali is one of the most thrilling activity for the adventure lovers.
How to reach: you can go there by air, the nearest airport being at Bhuntar, a mere 50 km away or you can go there via buses which run periodically; then there is the option of a train. Or if you are a little too adventure minded, you can go on a bike ride.
Best Time to Visit: Between October and May. And as told earlier, paragliding is banned during monsoons.
8. Bir-Billing, Himachal Pradesh
Bir Billing a small agricultural village in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh is popularly renowned as the paragliding capital of India. Hidden under the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, this beautiful place offers an abundance of paragliding options for short, medium and long flying sessions. Due to its stunning panoramic view of the valley below, it is considered as one of best destinations for paragliding in the world.
- How to reach: From Delhi to Bir via buses (Volvo or Tata) or flights to the nearest airport at Dharamshala.
- Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit is between October and mid-June when there is no rains and weather is pleasant.
9. Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
Pithoragarh is emerging as a new paragliding hub for all the adventure seekers. The beautiful hilly region is also a famous destination that draws sports enthusiast & adventure lovers to come and enjoy all kinds of mountain sports. Bedni Bugyal, Kunjapuri, Mukteshwar, Ramgarh, Pithoragarh and New Tehri are some of the best places for paragliding activities in Uttarakhand.
How to reach: By buses or trains, there are also some gas stations in the middle.
Best Time to Visit: March to June and September to mid-October are the best months to visit, due to the clear weather and sunny outdoors.
10. Kamshet, Maharashtra
Kamshet is known to offer the most stunning views from the skies that is the reason it is known as the paraglider’s paradise and one of India’s top destination for paragliding. The beautiful lofty hills of Sahyadri Mountains offers the most exhilarating feeling of gliding high up in the sky. The ample flying and landing sites of Kamshet allures enthusiasts to come and enjoy from all across the globe.
How to Reach: By air, rail or road. Being near to both Pune and Mumbai, there is absolutely no problem at all in terms of connectivity.
Best Time to Visit: From October to June
11. Shillong, Meghalaya
The beautiful city of Shillong offers the best panoramic views while paragliding. It is renowned as one of the best sites to paraglide in India. A major group of adventure enthusiast prefers this beautiful place to witness a real heart-thumping joyride. Paragliding in the amazing blue skies, snow-clad mountains, tall trees, and wide stretches of landscape offers an unforgettable real life experience for the paragliding lovers.
How to Reach: Shillong is well connected by roads; other means of transport are not as reliable.
Best Time to Visit: Summers, when the skies are clear and the winds are just fine.
Also See: Amazing Places in India to Enjoy Kayaking
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