𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐍𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐋 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐋 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃-𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐘?

I’ve done more than 20 tandem flights, in over a dozen towns around the world. But my flight in Pokhara, Nepal, will be one of the most memorable. It was my first time to fly with a lady pilot! Sorry to all my man-pilot friends (you know I love you), but I’ve never felt safer and most serene than when I flew with her.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒

Nepal is overflowing with paragliding pilots and companies. I carefully did my research and chose OPEN SKY PARAGLIDING. The response to messages was immediate. I visited their office because I had a special request: to fly with a girl pilot named Sharmila, also the owner of the company. Why? Because being a company-owner myself, I wanted to pick her brains, while up in the sky.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌

Paragliding in Pokhara has a centralized booking system and you’re not allowed to pick your pilot because their round robin system assigns who you fly with. But I explained my intentions and told them I was willing to wait for when it’s her turn to fly. They were kind enough to accommodate my request. They sent me updates from time to time, until the day finally came.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐊-𝐔𝐏

I liked that their service was personalized. I had a different pick-up location than the rest, and they sent updates until they arrived.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐘𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐄

The site was packed with people. But it was a colorful mess, that made my heart beat faster, making me more alive than ever. I loved every single minute up there, just watching one wing fly after the other. Seeing how skilled the pilots were, I didn’t feel fear at all.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆

Anyone who wants to fly must expect some waiting time. Part of flying is waiting for skies to clear or for good winds. We had a bit of waiting time, but my pilot kept me entertained and she answered all my questions about their operations.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐎𝐅𝐅

Even if I’m a pilot myself, I appreciate that she still did her safety orientation with me. Don’t sit, just run. Her confidence was infectious. We gracefully took off into the wind – smooth and easy! Amazing.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄

As I sat deeper into my harness, I was embraced by God’s amazing display of creation. I had no words. All that could come out of my mouth was “WOW”.

We flew over the vast valley and green hills dotted by colorful houses. On one side were famous mountain ranges, on another side were breathtaking terraces. I looked down and saw the cable cars going up and down the ridge, while children and dogs were walking along the winding white streets. I looked beyond and saw the mesmerizing Phewa lake. I peered to my right and saw a waterfall. I peered to my left and saw the stillness of the Sarangkot village.

I looked up and saw the glorious blue OPEN SKY!

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆

Approaching the lake for landing, I felt a little sad that the flight had to end. I envied the birds flying by us. I was briefed on what to do upon touchdown. We slowly descended and the view was as hypnotic as when we took off. My feet slowly touched ground. My pilot did it so effortlessly!

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐘

Big thanks to Dee who took my special booking, to Shree who sat with me post-flight and explained more about paragliding processes in Nepal, and to all the pilots and crew who made the day fun and safe.

𝐌𝐘 𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐓

Sharmila taught me about courage, hardwork, and consistency. She inspired me to keep flying.

If you have the luxury of time in Nepal, and you’re willing to wait, you can request her to fly you. Choosing the best and safest pilot is what makes a paragliding experience worth remembering.

𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐈𝐓?

Is paragliding worth your time and money? Try it and let the OPEN SKY answer your question.