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With its picturesque Sahyadri hill ranges and lush green landscape, Pune offers all the reasons to enjoy the ultimate thrill of paragliding. Paragliding in Pune is considered one of the great ways to treat the thrill-seeking mind with sublime views of valleys, lakes, and the Western Ghats. Whether you are an amateur or experienced in the sport, Pune has several sites for enjoying the ultimate thrill of being high in the air. The sites also offer lessons and certificate courses for paragliding.
Factors That Affect Paragliding
Photo: JaStra / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Your paragliding in Pune depends on a lot of key elements. Knowing what these are will improve your selection of the place and time for the adventure.
Weather: The most crucial factor in paragliding is the weather. Wind speed, direction, and cloud all play an important role, which helps in determining the quality of your flight. The best weather in which one can go paragliding would be clear skies with moderate and stable winds. In Pune, the best time for paragliding is between October and May, and these are the peak months for this sport.
Wind Speed: For flying smoothly and safely, paragliders require winds within the bracket of 8 to 20 km/h. A steady wind gives good lift, thus enabling the paragliders to fly for a long period, whereas gusty or turbulent air might make flight difficult or even hazardous. Always check everything before flying.
Altitude: The height you take off from plays a direct role in determining how long you’ll stay up in the air. Higher launch points mean increased airtime. And, therefore, a lot longer periods in the celestial view.
Instructor And Equipment: The success of your paragliding adventure rests in the hands of your instructor’s expertise and equipment quality. Always go for certified paragliding schools or instructors who hold the most stringent safety standards. Ensure that the equipment is well maintained and updated to current standards.
Levels Of Paragliding
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It is an adventure sport that caters to the skill level of beginners through advanced flyers. Whether you’re looking for your leisurely, tandem ride or a solo experience that tests your skills, here are the different levels of paragliding:
Tandem Paragliding: First Level Tandem paragliding is great for beginners, people who want to experience flying without any technical training or knowledge. The pilot controls everything from takeoff to landing, while you can simply enjoy the great views and pure enjoyment of flying.
Duration: 10 – 15 minutes
Novice Solo Paragliding: Once you have completed basic training in launching, steering, and landing safely, the beginner paragliders can fly independently at sites selected for novices that have minimal turbulence and predictable wind. Most training programs teach the most important elements of ground handling, wind patterns, and how to comfortably do take-offs and landings in about 2 to 3 days.
Duration: 10 – 20 minutes
Intermediate And Advanced Paragliding: Intermediate and advanced paragliding flying are for those who have undergone extensive training courses and then garnered sufficient experience through solo flights. These pilots are good at acro paragliding, and cross-country flying, trying to cover long distances by using thermals and advanced navigation.
Duration: 30 – 60 minutes
Popular Paragliding Locations In And Near Pune
1. Kamshet
Photo: Rahul Rajbhar / Wikimedia Commons
Kamshet is considered to be one of the most famous sites for paragliding in Pune, which is located around 45 kilometres away from Pune. The Sahyadri ranges form a beautiful backdrop, and together with the serene Pawna Lake, paragliding here becomes unforgettable. What makes Kamshet special is its consistency in weather, remaining favourable for flying all over the year. Shinde Wadi Hills in Kamshet is considered one of the favourites because the winds there are stable, and the views of the valleys down below are brilliant. While beginners can take part in tandem flights, experienced gliders can fly solo.
Duration: 10 – 15 minutes
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Price: ₹2,500 – ₹4,000
2. Lonavala
Photo: Sharmagourav27 / Wikimedia Commons
Paragliding is one of the most enjoyable activities in Lonavala, which is about 65 km away from Pune. Its rugged terrain, along with high takeoff points presents a thrilling experience of paragliding in Pune. Flying over the most stunning scenery, which not only takes in lush green valleys or deep gorges but also well-known landmarks like Rajmachi Fort and Tiger’s Leap. Flying over vast tracts of lush greenery, especially during the post-monsoon season, the whole experience of paragliding here becomes super-rewarding. Whether solo or in tandem flying, Lonavala promises one of the best paragliding experiences.
Duration: 10 – 20 minutes
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Price: ₹3,500 – ₹6,000
3. Bhandardara
Photo: yogesh kurhe / Wikimedia Commons
Though Bhandardara is around 170 km away from Pune, it is worth a visit for experienced paragliders. Nature has gifted Bhandardara with the most appropriate surroundings for paragliding: vast, sprawling lakes and majestic mountains. Flying above Arthur Lake and the surrounding forests is a thing that one can hardly forget. Bhandardara also offers the added attraction of flying over the highest peak in Maharashtra, Mt. Kalsubai. This is an appropriate site for those who are looking for easier and less crowded paragliding conditions.
Duration: 15 – 25 minutes
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Price: ₹4,000 – ₹6,500
4. Pawna Lake
Photo: Bodkedd / Wikimedia Commons
For those who want more options for paragliding in and around Pune, Pawna Lake serves as a great alternative. It is close to Lonavala, and the aerial view of the lake within the green Sahyadri hills is overwhelming. This place is calm and quiet and suits beginners because the breezes here are steady and good enough for flying. When there is tranquil water below, the boost becomes stronger; hence, Pawna Lake is one of the hot destinations for tandem paragliding. The place is also famous for camping, trekking, and boating.
Duration: 10 – 20 minutes
Level: Beginner to advanced
Price: ₹3,000 – ₹5,500
5. Induri
Photo: Omkar Ram Mane / Wikimedia Commons
Located about 40 km from Pune, Induri is one of the lesser-known but growing paragliding destinations. The quiet, rural surroundings are ideal to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Paragliding here offers the privilege of vast, open landscapes dotted with small hills, farmland, and the occasional streams. The weather in this place is usually pretty calm, hence making it quite ideal for beginners. Induri is more peaceful and not crowded, offering paragliding experiences with certified instructors present.
Duration: 10 – 15 minutes
Level: Beginner
Price: ₹2,000 – ₹3,500
Best Time For Paragliding In Pune
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The best time to go paragliding in Pune is during the cooler months, from October to May. This period is most ideal because of the climatic conditions; the skies are clear, the wind is stable, and the temperature is moderate, making it ideal for flying. During the post-monsoon season, the greenery all around is more vibrant due to the rainfall, which makes your flight even more beautiful. This is the peak season for paragliding, from December to February.
Price Of Paragliding In Pune
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Paragliding in Pune ranges from ₹2,500 to ₹6,500, depending on factors like the location, duration of flying, and choosing between a tandem or solo flight. Tandem flights, where you fly together with a professional pilot, are always marginally dearer and cost between ₹3,000 and ₹6,000. This is because tandem flights include the expertise of an instructor, and he ensures both safety and enjoyment during the flight. Solo flights, which are generally available to more seasoned paragliders who have finished a training course, are bound to be cheaper, starting from ₹2,500.
Paragliding in Pune offers an excellent opportunity for an ultimate adventure and experience for thrill-seekers and nature lovers. With a variety of locations starting from the serene hills of Kamshet to the majestic heights of Panchgani and Bhandardara, Pune offers the apt background for an exciting flight over some of the most beautiful scenery of Maharashtra. The beauty of the Western Ghats makes paragliding around Pune a long-cherished experience. So plan your visit with TripXL today.
Cover Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
