KATHMANDU, May 22 – Paragliding in Pokhara, once a signature attraction drawing thousands of tourists each year, is showing signs of recovery after a new landing location was approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).
The development follows years of appeals by paragliding operators, who had called for a return to the sport’s original take-off and landing zones. While the take-off point was relocated from Mandredhunga to Toripani last year, the landing site had remained at Pame—until now.
About two and a half years ago, the popular launch site at Sarangkot and the landing area at Khapaudi were shifted due to the inauguration of the Pokhara Regional International Airport. The move aimed to reduce airspace conflicts, as flights from Sarangkot posed safety concerns. The changes, however, had a significant impact on paragliding operations.
The relocation to Mandredhunga and the far bank of the Pame River created logistical challenges and diminished the sport’s appeal. The skies over Sarangkot, once vibrant with dozens of colorful paragliders, became noticeably empty. Tourists who once marveled at paragliders during boat rides on Phewa Lake found the skies quiet and uneventful.
With fewer tourists willing to fly from the new location, paragliding businesses suffered steep declines. Several companies were forced to shut down, pilots were left unemployed, and solo flights came to a complete halt. In an effort to attract customers, operators slashed their rates, but the discounted prices could not compensate for the rising costs of transport to and from the remote take-off and landing sites.
The paragliding industry, already weakened by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, found itself struggling to survive.
Now, with CAAN’s decision to allow a new landing location, operators are cautiously optimistic. They believe the move could bring back much-needed interest and restore Pokhara’s reputation as one of the world’s premier paragliding destinations.
“We hope this will mark a turning point for the industry,” said one local operator. “If we can make the experience more accessible and visually engaging for tourists again, we might see paragliding thrive like it once did.”
The tourism community in Pokhara is hopeful that this change signals the beginning of a broader recovery—one that brings both tourists and livelihoods back to the skies.