A Guide to Paragliding in Kamshet: Above the Clouds in the Western Ghats
Leave behind the traditional weekend getaways from Mumbai and Pune like Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar, and Khandala.
Thinking why? Then continue reading.......
Mondays, deadlines, assignments - when life seems to drain all energy out of you, you've got to take a risk and plunge into an adventure! And what better way to relieve that stress than to compete with the clouds in the sky?
India offers a lot of scopes for aspiring paragliders to spread their wings- from Yelagiri to Bir Billing. India is one of the central developing hubs for paragliding.
Paragliding in Kamshet is a thrilling experience that you must try. Kamshet is one of India's best locations for paragliding, known for its perfect weather conditions, ideal terrain, and stunning views.
Table of contents
Pros and Cons of Paragliding in Kamshet
PROS | CONS |
Stunning views of the Western Ghats. | It may get canceled due to unfavorable weather. |
Incredible rush of adrenaline. | The risk of injuries is a possibility. |
Experienced, professional instructors | More personalized lessons or longer flights can be expensive. |
Ideal weather conditions with suitable winds. | Requires a certain amount of stamina to endure the flight. |
About Kamshet:
Kamshet is a small hill station in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India. It is famous for paragliding and other adventure sports like trekking, rock climbing, and rappelling.
The scenic beauty of Kamshet attracts tourists from all over the world. It is surrounded by hills and lush green forests. Kamshet is well-connected by road and rail and can be easily reached from Pune or Mumbai.
Kamshet boasts of four paragliding sites: Tower Hill (East & West), Shelar Hill, and Pawna Hill. The take-off point at Tower Hill stands tall at 900m above sea level, offering a breathtaking view from 230m above the ground, while the take-off point at Shelar Hill is located at an altitude of 720m above sea level.
How to reach Kamshet?
By air:
The nearest international airport is the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai (110 km away). Pune Airport in Pune (49 km away).
By rail: The railway station adjacent to Kamshet is Lonavala (16 km away), closely linked to Goa and Mumbai.
By road: A number of private and government buses ply from Mumbai and Pune to Kamshet.
Why is Paragliding in Kamshet so Popular?
Geographic location: Kamshet is located in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India, a mountain range known for favorable wind conditions.
Weather: Kamshet has a mild climate throughout the year, sunny with light winds, making it an ideal location for paragliding.
Infrastructure: Kamshet has several paragliding schools and experienced instructors, making it a popular destination for beginners and experienced paragliders.
Scenic beauty: Kamshet is a picturesque location with breathtaking views of the Western Ghats, making it an unforgettable experience for paragliders.
Cost of Paragliding at Kamshet
The cost depends on what kind of paragliding you're going in for - tandem paragliding, where you fly along with a pilot, generally lasts for around 20-30 minutes. Solo paragliding involves only one flier and is usually taught in paragliding schools over a period of 5-7 days or more.
Tandem paragliding cost: The standard paragliding cost for a classic tandem paragliding session is 2,500 per head for a 10-20 min flight. It may go up to 4,500 for advanced paragliding or Acro tandem.
Solo paragliding cost: This option is for those who want to master the nitty-gritty of paragliding so they can fly freely by themselves. Find the details of the cost of solo paragliding courses here.
Paragliding Schools/Operators in Kamshet
Cost of paragliding: P1 course - 16,000 (3 days) P2 course - 16,000 (3 days)
P3 course: 19,000 (4 days)
Location link: https://goo.gl/maps/H4yymaRMbp5zUwsr5 Contact number: +91 7798 111 000
+91 8552 944 203 (Indus Base)
+91 9869 083 838 (Sanjay Pendurkar)
The brainchild of a mountaineer and adventure sport-lover Sanjay Pendurkar, Indus Paragliding School is one of the most reputed schools offering paragliding lessons in the Western Ghats at Kamshet. It is India's first member school of the PAI or Paragliding Association of India.
They have trained over 1000 pilots in paragliding and aim to make paragliding accessible to all.
Cost of paragliding: P1 + P2 course - ₹30,000 + GST (5days) P3 course - ₹30,000 + GST (5 days) Location link: https://goo.gl/maps/bpRaTNikwsNL4vp5A Contact number: +91 7391991111 +91 9923922277
Orange Life Adventures is a popular paragliding operator in Kamshet that teaches basic and advanced training. They focus on creating passionate fliers with skill and dedication to make the paragliding future of India even brighter.
Cost of paragliding:
P1 course - ₹22,000 + 18% GST (4 days) P2 course - ₹18,000 + 18% GST (3 days) P3 course - ₹31,000 (5 days)
Location link: https://goo.gl/maps/Br3DLFFMXv7s7xiVA
Contact number: 7678068855
9323708809
Nirvana Adventures is India's first and only ISO-certified paragliding school offering paragliding lessons to all levels of pilots. Founded in 1997, they are one of the area's oldest and most experienced operators.
They offer accommodation facilities to guests in the midst of the natural scenery in an eco-friendly guesthouse with dining facilities.
Cost of paragliding: P1 (Introductory) course - ₹15,800 + 18% GST ( 3 days) P1+P2 (Combined package) - ₹37,800 + 18% GST (7 days) P1+P2+P3 (Combined package) - ₹54,000 + 18% GST (10 days)
Location link: https://goo.gl/maps/YXPUnuU8ZvG4GauF9
Contact number: +91-9970053359 (Shriya)
Temple Pilots is an experienced and well-reputed paragliding school that was one of the forerunners of the development of adventure sports in India back in the 1990s when it wasn't so popular. They are internationally recognized and provide pilots with the APPI certificate.
Things to Do when not Paragliding in Kamshet:
Trekking: Go trekking up the lush mountainous forests up to Tikona or Lohagad Fort and take in the majestic views from the top.
Camping: Try out lakeside camping by the banks of the serene Pawna Lake and retreat into the peaceful atmosphere of nature.
Caving: Decode the cave architecture and rock carvings of the Karla and Bhaja Caves and learn more about the Buddhist influence here.
Shopping: Go on a shopping spree in the markets of the town of Kamshet for traditional outfits and locally-made chikki and handicraft items.
Picnicking: Enjoy a picnic at the Pawna Dam.
Quick Summary for Paragliding in Kamshet
Paragliding in Kamshet costs around INR 2,500 per head for classic and instructional tandem paragliding. It goes up to INR 4,500 per head for acro (advanced) paragliding.
Wear body-fitting but comfortable clothes.
Keep your feet completely covered. Avoid slippers or sandals. Wear sturdy sports shoes or trekking shoes.
Listen to the safety instructions carefully.
Try planning this activity early in the morning.
Carry a water bottle while trekking.
Do not ride immediately after a meal. A gap of a minimum of 2 hours is suggested.
Wear a generous amount of sunscreen as your skin will likely be exposed to the sun.
Where to stay in Kamshet?
Heritage Inn (Located 5.7 km away from Indus Paragliding School) Cost of accommodation: ₹1,531 + taxes Location link: https://goo.gl/maps/zXptqZ561bTjSmSQ7 Contact number: +91-91673-37513
Whistling Woods Resort (Located 2km away from Golden Arrow Paragliding that offers tandem flights) Cost of accommodation: ₹2,282 + taxes Location link: https://goo.gl/maps/UX9xPmVgja8Faq7W9 Contact number: 09096321818
FAQs
Q1: What is the best time of the year for paragliding in Kamshet?
Ans: To avoid the monsoon season, October-May is the ideal time for paragliding in Kamshet.
Q2: What is the best time of the day for paragliding in Kamshet?
Ans: Mornings are preferable for paragliding, ideally from 10 am onwards.
Q3: What are the age and weight limits for paragliding in Kamshet?
Ans: Anyone between 12 – 65 years can enjoy paragliding. A person should weigh between 25 kg to 95 kg and can fly. You must be physically fit and active to hike around 500m or more to the flying site.
Q4: Is Kamshet paragliding safe?
Ans: Paragliding in Kamshet is absolutely safe because it is operated by experienced flying instructors.
Q5: How long can you stay up paragliding?
Ans: You can stay in the air as long as a wind lift is available. A tandem ride usually lasts for 10-20 minutes. But a glider can stay up as long as the prevailing wind is blowing, but in the case of thermals, this can last up to 8 hours.
Q6: What precautions should be taken while paragliding?
Ans: Precautions -
Check your harness before each flight.
Fly only if you are confident and calm.
Regularly practice your ground handling and launch techniques for solo flights.
Stay in sight of your instructors.
