October 27: Commercial paragliding is now available at Chandragiri, a 'hill station' near the Kathmandu Valley.

Babu Adventures, the company owned by pilot Sanobabu Sunuwar, Nepal's first instructor of high altitude paragliding, has launched paragliding service at Chandragiri.

Sunuwar is also the winner of the 'Adventures of Year-2012' award from National Geography. He has flown all the way to the sea from the peak of Mount Everest.

Sunuwar says that the paragliding flight are being conducted from a spot 20 minutes’ walk west from Bhaleshwar temple in Chandragiri.

The flight from Chandragiri (2300 meters) lands outside the valley at Chitlang, which is 1700 meters above the sea level, while offering a wonderful view of beautiful scenery.

During the paragliding flight, one can observe the 'aerial view' of Bhaleshwar temple as well as most of the terrain of Kathmandu valley.

“From the flight, you can also see the terrain of Rasuwa and Dhading, and you can also have an attractive view of the man-made Indrasarovar Lake as well as Tistung, Palung of Makwanpur. When the weather is clear, the wide range of snow-capped mountains visible to the north will fascinate anyone,” says Sunuwar.

Sunuwar informed New Business Age that his company can operate 12 paragliders at a time, as per the approval from the government. He added that up to a hundred people can be served per day.

Sunuwar, who is running a paragliding school in Syangja, says that adventure tourism is possible all over Nepal and that they have invested in Chandragiri to give the valley dwellers the taste of flying in Kathmandu.

“There is a campaign to spread paragliding across Nepal. As the population density is high in Kathmandu, I am hopeful that its message can be spread quickly and effectively,” he said.

How much is the fee?

The company has fixed a fee of Rs 8,000 per person for paragliding at Chandragiri. It covers paragliding flight of 15 to 25 minutes, photos and videos as well as transportation from Kathmandu to the paragliding site. Photo and video equipment is managed by the company itself.

Sunuwar informed that foreign nationals have to pay a fee of Rs 12,000 per person for the same package.

Nepali tourists who do not wish to take the facility of traveling in the company's vehicle will be able to enjoy the paragliding flight by paying Rs 7,200.

What should you be careful about?

It is advisable to use a windproof jacket and dark sun glasses while going on a paragliding flight.

Also, it is better to wear shoes than sandals as you have to run during the take off.