The vastness of northeast India is such an allure that it leaves every adventurer tempted. From the list of adventures in the offering, paragliding in Kalimpong is, for sure, a nerve jostling activity. A mere thought of soaring above the tea plantations and infinite valleys while marveling at seamless mountain views would make your soul delve into the vastness. That’s the best way you could explore the valleys of beautiful Northeast India. As you look at the engrossing spectacles and know how easy paragliding could be, you would for sure consider having a go at this adventure towards the north of West Bengal!
If you want to explore the options, here is the entire details on everything that you must know in order to plan paragliding in Kalimpong.
What makes paragliding in Kalimpong so special?
Kalimpong is tucked in the foothills of the vast Himalayan land towards the Northernmost Bengal. With infinite landscapes and exciting nature views around, Kalimpong makes for one of the frontrunners in the list of places offering exciting adventure sports. No prize for guessing paragliding in Kalimpong! The city in the northeast is located on a daunting altitude which gives it an upper hand when travelers go shortlisting places for adventure sports.
Paragliding is an exciting adventure sport that lets you soar like a bird and fly among the clouds thus letting you seek the best of outdoors. You can maneuver your way as you wish and in the end, you will be left with a lot of wonderful memories and one unforgettable experience.
Take-off point: Dello Hills
Best time to go paragliding in Kalimpong
April to June and October is the best time to visit Kalimpong for paragliding. During this period the weather conditions are just perfect thus making for an ideal situation for a good flight. Monsoon season and winter must be avoided as both these seasons are hazardous for paragliding and even most of the operators remain closed during the period.
Timings: 9 am to 4:30 pm mostly (this depends upon wind condition)
Kalimpong map
How to reach Kalimpong: Kolkata is the nearest major city to Kalimpong located 624 km far. The city is well-connected with major parts of the country by means of road, rail, and air. Taxi/bus is the most preferred means of transport to commute from Kolkata to Kalimpong. The journey by road takes almost 16 hours.
Types of paragliding activities offered
The tandem paragliding activities in the offering are Medium and Cross Country. The duration for paragliding varies from 10 to 30 minutes and the flights constitute some of the biggest adventures in the lap of the northeastern Himalayas.
- Medium – INR 2500-3000 per person
Landing site: Ground near Dr. Grahams Homes School, almost 5 km far from the take-off point
- Cross Country – INR 5000 per person approximately
Landing site: Relli River ground near Relli resort, almost 10 km far from the take-off point. Journey back to the starting point can
Cost of paragliding in Kalimpong: INR 3000 per posts approximately
Ideal trip duration for paragliding in Kalimpong: 1 night 2 days
Ideal for: Youngsters, adults
Places to stay in Kalimpong
Kalimpong is a lovely mountain retreat and it presents some of the most stunning hotels that make your stay worthwhile. The hotels and resorts in Kalimpong, equipped with world-class amenities and terrific nature views, are just perfect for a momentous stay. Here are the five most popular hotels in Kalimpong where every traveler must consider staying at.
i) The Elgin Silver Oaks
ii) Holumba Haven
iii) The Sood’s Garden Retreat
iv) Orchid Retreat
v) Chibo Inn
Must Read: 20 Best Hotels In Kalimpong That Take You Closer To Nature In The Ginger Capital Of India!
Popular places to visit in Kalimpong
The quaint little mountain town in the northern Bengal is endowed with infinite nature around. Kalimpong is dotted with monasteries, temples, and churches that belong to ancient times and look so picturesque. Try visiting these most popular places to visit in Kalimpong that are a wonderful mix of nature and architecture!
- Tharpa Choling Monastery
- Thongsa Gompa
- Hanuman Temple
- MacFarlane Memorial Church
- Pine View Nursery
- Neora Valley National Park
- Dr. Graham’s Home
- Crookety House
- Lepcha Museum
- Haat Bazaar
Other popular things to do in Kalimpong
For a true adventurer, there’s a lot to explore in Kalimpong. You can always stretch your trip to Kalimpong by a couple of days extra and club Paragliding with adventure activities. The fact that Kalimpong is blessed with majestic outdoors only makes things more exciting for adventures. While booking paragliding in Kalimpong, consider these adventure activities as well.
- Rafting in Teesta River
- Mountain biking in lower hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong
Must Read: Top 6 Incredible Things To Do In Kalimpong
- Hiking in Kalimpong
Most popular trekking trail in Kalimpong are:
i) Kalimpong – Gumbadara – Buddabare – Kaffer – Samthar – Suruk – Shivkola – Samco Ropeway (4 days)
ii) Kalimpong – Gumbadara – Buddabare – Kaffer – Samthar – Yongri – Ponabu – Coronation Bridge (5 days)
- Camping by Teesta River
Basic paragliding tips
- Always opt to fly with a certified instructor
- Know the area you’re going to fly
- Read the instructions well
- Listen to the instructions properly
- Practice the take-off a couple of times before taking the final leap
- Do a proper check of the wind conditions and climate
- Know your landing zone and span well
Further Read: 50 Best Hill Stations In India For A Soothing Mountain Escape
You too can fancy the life of a bird and fly with wings all you need to do is be prepared for that giant leap. Paragliding in Kalimpong could be it!
Frequently Asked Questions About Paragliding In Kalimpong
What is the best time to go paragliding in Kalimpong?
The best time to visit Kalimpong for paragliding is from April to June and October. The weather during this time is ideal for a perfect flight. Winter and monsoon season are not good for paragliding and moreover, operations are closed during this time.
What are the other popular things to do in Kalimpong?
There is a lot of adventure activities to explore in Kalimpong. Apart from paragliding, the other things to do in Kalimpong are rafting at Teesta river, mountain biking in lower hills of Kalimpong, camping by Teesta river and hiking in Kalimpong. All these activities will give you an experience of a lifetime.
What are some tips to keep in mind while paragliding?
The first and foremost tip to consider while paragliding is that always opt to fly with a certified instructor. Other important tips are that you should know the places you’re going to fly well and listen to the instructions carefully. Also, make sure to practice the take-off a number of times before taking the final flight.
Is there paragliding in Gangtok?
Paragliding in Gangtok has become a popular adventurous sport. There is no need for any prior training or experience as the operators here offer Tandem flights. The two types of paragliding flight offered here are medium fly and high fly. The only two certified paragliding take-off locations in east Sikkim are Baliman Dara and Bulbuley Dara.
Which are the best hotels in Kalimpong for stay?
There are many stunning hotels located in this beautiful mountain retreat area. Some of the popular hotels you must consider staying at are Orchid Retreat, Chibo Inn, The Elgin Silver Oaks. All these places offer world-class facilities and wonderful view of nature and are perfect for stay.
What categories of paragliding activities can one access in Kalimpong?
You will be able to take part in different categories of paragliding activities in Kalimpong, including a medium package that costs INR 2500 to 3000 and cross-country package that costs INR 5000. The medium box would allow you to fly about 5 km from the starting point, and the cross-country package lets you operate 10 km from the starting point.
Where is the landing site for the medium package of paragliding in Kalimpong?
If you choose the medium-package in case of paragliding, then you will be landing in the ground that is situated near Dr Graham’s Homes school.
Where is the take-off point of the cross-country package of paragliding in Kalimpong?
In case you want to choose the cross-country package in paragliding in Kalimpong, the starting point will be near Relli resort. Relli resort is located near Relli river.
When should one visit Kalimpong for paragliding?
You will be able to fly correctly while paragliding in Kalimpong between April to June and October. Those months are appropriate for paragliding since it would not rain, and you will be able to navigate correctly.
When do most people take part in paragliding in Kalimpong?
Most paragliding activities take place between 9 AM to 4.30 PM in Kalimpong though sometimes due to the direction of the wind, the time of paragliding may differ.
