Nepal
Paragliding in Pokhara, Nepal
Best months
- October
- November
- December
- January
- February
Pokhara, on Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range in front of it, is one of the most famous places to fly in the world. Since the new Pokhara international airport opened in 2023, the flying area and opening hours have changed, so check the current rules before you plan a trip.
Live conditions at the main takeoff · Sarangkot
Conditions right now
Live — the same sources the OutDare app uses
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The last 12 months
| Month | November 2025★ Best months | December 2025★ Best months | January 2026★ Best months | February 2026★ Best months | March 2026 | April 2026 | May 2026 | June 2026 | July 2026 | August 2026 | September 2026 | October 2026★ Best months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain-free middays | 96.7% | 100% | 96.8% | 89.3% | 67.7% | 73.3% | 61.3% | 60% | 32.3% | 41.9% | 46.7% | 74.2% |
| Clear middays | 93.3% | 90.3% | 83.9% | 75% | 22.6% | 50% | 48.4% | 70% | 12.9% | 3.2% | 33.3% | 71% |
| Mean 10 m wind (km/h) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Days | 30 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 31 |
Rain-free: less than 1 mm of precipitation from 10:00 to 16:00 local time. Clear: mean cloud cover below 50% over the same hours. Wind: mean 10 m wind from 11:00 to 14:00. Hourly endpoints included. Complete days only. Archived forecasts describe model weather, not flying suitability.
Takeoffs
Sarangkot
Altitude: 1,438 m
Launch wind directions: E · SE · S
Several takeoffs along the road up from Pokhara; follow the paragliders.
View coordinates on Google Maps
Landing: Khapaudi (Phewa Lake) · 799 m · View coordinates on Google Maps
Season
The monsoon runs roughly from May to October. In our data for the last 12 months, 97% to 100% of middays from November to January were dry, and more than 80% of middays in those months had mostly clear skies. In July and August only 32% to 42% of middays were dry.
Flying
Flights used to start from Sarangkot and land by Phewa Lake. When the new airport opened in January 2023, flying moved away from Sarangkot. News reports from May 2025 describe flights running again from the Sarangkot ridge area, including Toripani, with landing at Khapaudi, between about 11:00 and 16:30. Reports about solo (non-tandem) pilots conflict, so ask a local school what is allowed before you bring your own wing.
Practical facts
- Current rules
- Takeoffs, landings and hours have changed since 2023. Check with a licensed local school or the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal before you go.[4]
- Landing
- May 2025 reports name Khapaudi, near Phewa Lake, as the landing.[3]
- Busy sky
- Dozens of tandem companies fly here in season.[1]
Hazards
- Airspace near the new airport: stay strictly inside the permitted flying area.[5]
- Busy air with many tandems: keep a good lookout and follow local circuits.[1]
- Monsoon rain from roughly May to October.[2]
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to paraglide in Pokhara?
From October to February, after the monsoon. In our data, 97% to 100% of middays from November to January were dry.
Can you still fly from Sarangkot?
Flying moved away from Sarangkot in 2023 when the new airport opened. May 2025 reports describe flights from the Sarangkot ridge area again, with landing at Khapaudi. Check the current rules with a local school.
Can I see the wind in Pokhara right now?
Yes, this page shows live wind on the ridge, and the free OutDare app can alert you when it looks flyable.
Sources
- Paragliding Earth: pilot-contributed site guide (in the OutDare spot database)
- Open-Meteo historical forecasts, analysed by OutDare (Nov 2025 to Oct 2026)
- Nepali Times: Pokhara paragliding (2025)
- The Rising Nepal: Paragliding in Pokhara gets a new lease of life (2025)
- The Himalayan Times: Pokhara flying limited after the new airport (Jan 2023)