Paragliding in Pune, India

Perched high on the Deccan plateau, the sprawling city of Pune gives way on its edges to the rippling mountain topography of central India. Paraglider pilots and students alike flock to this area during its long, relatively consistent flying season, for its wide, grassy launch areas and immense, flat landing zones as well as the region's accessible soaring.

  1. Paragliding Sites Around Pune

    • Shelar, situated about 40 miles north of Pune, offers pilots excellent conditions for both ridge soaring and gaining lift in thermals. The bowl-shaped ridgeline stretches about a mile. Once a pilot is soaring in good conditions, the heat rising from the ground makes it possible for a glider to hang in the air for hours over a classically Indian landscape of village-dotted fields and lakes.

      The picturesque views from Pavana Lake include not only the massive panel of water but also several shipwrecks, three ancient forts, several villages and the jagged mountains that surround the lake basin. The deep, gentle slope at takeoff invites experienced pilots to dance along the ridge with their gliders. It also easily accommodates top landings. Afternoon thermals reliably boost pilots at Pavana Lake to several hundred feet, making for excellent cross-country flights when the conditions are right. The large, flat lakeshore landing area also provides lots of room for pilots to "kite" their gliders on the ground in the lake's refreshingly cool breeze.

      The Tower Hill site, about an hour north of Pune on the road to Pavana, features a large takeoff area perched 700 feet above ground level. Experienced cross-country pilots launch from Tower Hill to fly long distances, enjoying views from the air that include the Indrayani River and the town of Kamshet.

    When to Go

    • Pune's paragliding flying season runs from November until June. In June, monsoon season begins. Monsoon winds, with their accompanying heavy rains, make paragliding impossible for several months.

    Learn to Paraglide in Pune

    • If you don't yet have your paragliding license, you can work toward earning your certification in Pune. At least two operators teach paragliding at Pune's local sites: Indus Paragliding (indusparagliding.in) and Temple Pilots (paraglidingindia.in). Both operate paragliding courses and workshops for beginners through advanced pilots. Both also take tandem passengers for flights and operate paragliding tours of the area. Indus also maintains an inexpensive guesthouse for students of their courses and for visiting pilots.

    Considerations

    • For traveling solo pilots, transport to and from Pune's various launch sites can be expensive and time-consuming. This is especially true if the group sharing the cost is small, or if flying conditions are inconsistent and no flying takes place after the journey has already been made. Planning a trip with the aid of local pilots often helps, but Pune requires its share of cheerful flexibility.