Experience Paragliding in Dharamshala

Paragliding in Dharamshala

Paragliding in Dharamshala

Nestled in the mountainous region of India, Dharamshala is one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The place quickly rose to fame when the Dalai Lama moved here in the year 1959. After that, it became a hotspot for devotees, and monasteries were established that now draw hordes of globetrotters. Among various adventurous activities hosted in the area, paragliding in Dharamshala has become a hot favourite among tourists.

Dharamshala paragliding excursions usually take place in Bir, a small town surrounded by vast mountains on all sides. Due to its rugged topography, this site makes for an ideal location for launching and landing gliders. This has made it one of the hubs for the sport in the country. This town will also host the 2015 Paragliding World Cup in October, taking its fame to another level. Some Paragliding adventures in Dharamshala are notable as they combine trekking with the thrilling sport. For instance, with the McLeod Ganj weekend jaunt, you trek to an altitude of almost 9000 feet at the top of Triund Hill. 

About Paragliding

Paragliding is an extreme sport that has gained a lot of attention from adventure lovers in the recent past. Its origin is credited to French parachutists Jean-Claude Betemps, Andre Bohn and Gerard Bosson. These men in 1978 modified traditional parachutes and used them to glide down from the high mountains near Mieussy town. The sport is often confused with parasailing and parachuting, but the equipment used for the activity is a wing, rather than a parachute.

Launching the participants requires a short run and taking off from gentle slopes. The wings used for the activity are aerodynamically designed to provide complete control to the pilot who sits in the harness. Another aspect that makes it more popular than other similar sports is that the paraglider can even maintain altitude or climb higher in the air. This results in a flight, which can be enjoyed for hours, or even across hundreds of kilometres. 

Best Locations for Paragliding in Dharmashala

The hilly part of Himachal Pradesh is well known for its enchanting beauty and the array of adventure sports organised here. Though the region is full of high mountains, offering numerous great locations for the activity, Bir draws most of the attention. The town has become somewhat synonymous with paragliding adventures in Dharamshala. This area also houses several Buddhist monasteries and an enormous stupa, allowing visitors to learn about the glorious Tibetan culture.

Tandem Paragliding at Bir Billing with Stay, and McLeod Ganj Weekend Getaway-Trekking and Paragliding are two of the most sought-after excursions in the area. While the former Dharamshala paragliding trip is a two-day jaunt, the latter happens over a period of over four days and incorporates trekking, hiking and tandem paragliding. This tour also takes you to many prominent sites in McLeod Ganj for a sightseeing venture. On the second day of this trip, you travel to the top of Triund Hill to capture some amazing sights of the Dhauladhar Range. The following morning, you move to Bir to enjoy the air-bound sport.

Like any other extreme activity, paragliding also includes some risks, and few safety precautions have to be taken by the participants. For this reason, on all of these tours you fly in tandem with an experienced pilot, who steers the wing. So, if you live on a tight schedule and can only take a few hours for this activity, then this excursion is just the thing for you. This small two-hour outing takes you to Bir, where you enjoy an almost 30-minute flight over the mountains of the Dhauladhar Range. If you pick the Tandem Paragliding at Bir Billing with Stay tour, then you also get an overnight accommodation with meals.

Paragliding Adventures in Dharmashala

Best Time to Go for Paragliding in Dharmashala

Though the area experiences pleasant weather conditions throughout the year, monsoon may cause restrictions on various outdoor activities. Therefore, other than the months of July and August, any time is ideal for paragliding in Dharamshala.

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