pokhara flying sites

The main area for flying in Nepal is the Annapurna region, more specifically the Pokhara valley. This lakeside town is Nepal's second city, nestled at the foot of the Annapurna Himal, the views commanded from here of 3 of the worlds 8000m peaks, are unsurpassed. At an altitude of 800m ASL the sub-tropical climate means that, year round, it is short and T-shirt weather. The micro-climate of the valley makes it an ideal area for flying, with far more constant conditions than the Kathmandu valley 150km east.

There are several sites around Phewa Taal (the lake) but the most accessible is Sarangkot (1500m ASL). A view point 700m above Pokhara, it is unique in that it has a road running to the top. A short walk brings you to the only purpose built take off in the country. Cut out of the slope is a 45m by 45m clearing. With regular cycles providing easy reverse launches, you could not ask for a more picturesque site. With the lake 2000ft below, the mountains behind, and the unlimited potential for XC and out and returns, this has quickly become the main site for the area, and many pilots have based themselves in Pokhara for the season, flying from this mountain alone.

There are an abundance of other sites around the valley with names such as Dhikie Danda, Galem, Sirkot, Tansen, Bandipur all can be connected by air from Sarangkot.

This is a spectacular site, with everything that makes flying in Nepal so awesome. A sheer jungle covered mountain over 2700m. Home to an abundance of wildlife and waterfalls. You can cruise along, scaring troops of monkeys screaming at you from their tree only inches from your wing tip, or ride the face and fly through the spray of a 300ft waterfall. It is also the start for the best XC flights in the area.