Paragliding in Shimla is the most buzzing activity in Shimla, and people from the across India travel to this distant Himalayan town to soar high in the valley. Spread out your hands and fly in the sky, the kind of thrill it is to be in the air against the gravity with the rewarding bird’s eye view is amazing! Shimla was the summer capital of Britishers in Northern India for more than one reason, the mystical woods and the enchanting valley at a height of 2200 meters make a spectacular sight. The closely located Bir Billing is the hub of all the adventure sports. Paragliding at Bir Billing is the best compared to any other places in India! The region around Shimla is considered as the best aero sports site. The aerial distance between Bir and Billing is 14-km and the gliders take off from Bir and land in Billing in a time span of 20 to 30 minutes.
Paragliding tours in Shimla can be paired with trekking and camping expeditions in the lowland Himalayan terrain. Paragliding in Shimla has many options one of which is in Barot, where expert guides will train you and guide you in a two-hour session. Bilaspur in Bir Billing is the most frequented site for Paragliding adventure where you cruise through the clear sky at an elevation of around 8000 feet. Ditch the Mall Road of Shimla this time, while you are in the neo-gothic town of impeccable greenery and awe-inspiring vistas. Instead, take a memorable fly and witness the floating clouds and the jutted out peaks of the valley. The best time for Paragliding in Shimla is from October to November and March to May. Monsoon is not the perfect dig for carrying out this sport. If you indulge in this sport just after the monsoon is over, your eyes will be overwhelmed by the greenery around.
Shimla can be reached from Delhi and Chandigarh in about 4 to 5 hours of driving and can be the best base for connecting to the paragliding sites. Shimla places such as Kufri, Chail, Narkanda, Tattapani, Theog etc. can also be visited on your paragliding trip. If you are setting out on a camping trip near Shimla, then you must additionally check for camping operators who also offer paragliding in the stay. If you are seeking some heart-throbbing adventure, nothing can thrill your soul as fantastically as gliding thousands of feet above the ground in the dense and deep Himalayan ridges and cliffs. Go out in the mountains, adventure awaits you!
Shimla Top Attractions
Places To Visit In Shimla
The 2 feet 6 inches narrow gauge that takes the trains through the mountainous stations from Kalka to Shimla has a lot of admirers all over India. Thus Kalka- Shimla Railway secures its place intact among travelers of Himachal Pradesh. The relishing views of the hills and valleys of Himachal Pradesh seem to be more charming while you make a journey in one of the trains along this railway track. It was built in 1898 to connect Shimla with other parts and it is recorded that during the construction of this system, there were 107 tunnels and 864 bridges through the course of the track as well. Though the system is years old, it emerges out to surprise the visitors of Himachal still.
At the convergence of two famous roads, the Ridge and the Mall Road in Shimla is the famous Scandal Point, to the western edge of the convergent point. There are multitudes of stories existing related to the birth of this Scandal Point, dating back to the British regime. One story says that the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh eloped with the daughter of the British Viceroy after meeting at the Scandal Point and thus it got this intriguing name and another set of tales shows that the Maharaja kidnapped young women from Scandal Point. Regardless the umpteen number of stories, this square overlooking the paradisiacal location has ample features to be on the top of the best sightseeing places in Himachal Pradesh’s list.
The Roopkund Lake is situated high up in the Garhwal Mountains in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. This lake is of much historical and religious importance. It was also called the Mystery or Skeletal Lake after a large number of human skeletons were found in it in 1942 by a Forest Officer.Following this discovery, a number of scientists visited the lake to find out the reason for the skeletons being there and it was eventually concluded that the skeletons belonged to some pilgrims who were caught unawares in a flash hailstorm.Due to the huge chunks of ice that came with the hailstorm, the pilgrims died due to injuries to their skulls. This story was aired in national and international media and since them the Roopkund Lake has become a popular tourist destination. The trek to Roopkund Lake showcases the best of Himalayan beauty. The trek begins at Lohajung, which is situated at an elevation of 3200 metres and goes on for five days till you reach the lake, which is at an altitude of 5000 metres. The first couple of days will take you through beautiful villages, forests, rivers and Bugyals.The air will get thinner and thinner as you ascend and gain altitude. So it is very important that you are in the best of health and fitness when you set out for this trek. Higher energy levels will allow you to adjust better with the changing environment and enjoy the views offered by the region. Your team leader will also offer you tips on how to cope with the changing levels of the atmosphere.The trekking trail followed during the Roopkund trek coincides with that of the Raj Jay Yatra pilgrimage route. This is conducted during a festival dedicated to goddess Nanda Devi and the residents of nearby village participate in this festival dressed in their traditional attire.Best Season: August - OctoberDifficulty Level: DifficultMax. Elevation: 5020 m
Popular Paragliding Destinations
Shimla Travel Guides
People Also Ask About Paragliding in Shimla
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Which are the best places to go for paragliding in Shimla?
Amongst the most famous and favoured holiday destinations in the country, Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is undoubtedly one of the top places to enjoy paragliding. Some of the best places to go for paragliding in Shimla are:
1. Shivpuri: One of the best places in the city to have a great paragliding experience is Shivpuri. With the guidance of an experienced pilot, here, you can soak in the beauty of the amazing hill station that Shimla is while soaring up in the sky. The entire paragliding trip takes around 15 to 20 minutes, and takes you above thick, dense forests and snowy mountains.
Location: Near Kufri.
Price: Starts from INR 4,000 per person.
Timing: 09:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m.
2. Bir Billing: Located in the Kangra Valley, Bir Billing is yet another top spot to enjoy paragliding in Shimla. In fact, it is amongst the top five places in the entire world for this amazing sport.
With a 25-minute long ride, you get to fly through a clear sky from a height of 8000 feet above the sea level. Along with that, you can also marvel in the scintillating views of the verdant green valleys and surrounding little towns.
Location: Bilaspur, Bir Billing.
Price: Starts from INR 4,150 per person.
Timing: 09:30 a.m. to 03:30 p.m.
3. Barot: Located around 60 kilometres from Billing is the small, scenic town of Barot, which is yet another great place to enjoy paragliding in Shimla. Here, expert guides and professionals take around 2 to 3 hours to teach you the basics of paragliding before you do the actual activity.
The entire ride can be anywhere between 20 to 30 minutes, where you can enjoy picturesque vistas of the various hills, valleys and camps around the Barot.
Location: Barot.
Price: Starts from INR 2,200 per person.
Timing: 10:30 a.m. to 03:30 p.m.
4. Waknaghat: Located 20 kilometres away from Central Shimla, along the Shimla-Chandigarh National Highway, Waknaghat is a great place to enjoy paragliding. This 20-minute ride at Waknaghat is surreal, to say the least, offering spectacular views of the lofty mountains, curving roads, and small villages high up from the sky.
Taking adventure junkies up to a height of 3100 feet in the sky, this is an experience like no other.
Location: Waknaghat Market, Waknaghat, Shimla-Chandigarh National Highway.
Price: Starts from INR 2,500 per person.
Timing: 10:00 a.m. to 04:30 p.m. -
When is the best time to go for paragliding in Shimla?
The best time to go for paragliding in Shimla is between the months of March and June, when the skies are clear and the weather in Shimla is quite pleasant.
The temperatures in Shimla during these months range from 15 to 28 degrees Celsius during the day, making it ideal to enjoy paragliding. -
What is the minimum age to do paragliding?
The minimum age to do paragliding, especially in Shimla is 12 years. Children below 12 years of age are not allowed to do the activity.
Moreover, children between 12 and 18 years of age require the presence of a parent, guardian or an adult while they paraglide. -
Is Paragliding safe in Shimla?
With the presence of experienced professionals and guides who are always there to ensure that all safety and convenience standards are met before one takes off, paragliding is considered very safe in Shimla.
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What type of clothing is required to do paragliding?
In order to do paragliding, you must have proper clothing, which includes:
- Heavy woollen clothes
- Cap
- Sunglasses
- Wind-proof heavy jackets
- Thermal wear (to wear inside)
- Gloves
- Sneakers
- Soft-shell jackets (wind-proof and water resistant)
- One-piece flight suit (available for rent in a lot of places)
- Two-piece flight suit (available for rent in many places). -
What are the different types (levels & time) of Paragliding in Shimla?
There are three types of paragliding in Shimla:
- Short Duration: A 5 to 10-minute ride, between 09:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 03:00 p.m. to 04:00 p.m.
- Medium Duration: A 15 to 20-minute flight, between 09:00 a.m. and 04:00 p.m.
- Long Duration: A 30-minute flight, between 09:30 a.m. and 03:30 p.m. -
How much does paragliding cost in Shimla?
The cost of paragliding in Shimla for one person usually starts from INR 2,000. However, it also varies from one region to the other.
Since paragliding is one of the most enjoyed adventure activities in Shimla, the city has many different places where one can enjoy the sport. -
What are the other adventure activities I can do in Shimla?
Apart from paragliding, you can enjoy a lot of other adventure activities when visiting Shimla. Some of these include:
1. Rriver Rafting at Tattapani: A haven for adventure enthusiasts, Tattapani is located around 50 kilometres from Shimla, along the banks of the Sutlej River. Tattapani is famous for one of the best river rafting experiences you will have in Shimla. From high and low currents, and some of the most spectacular bends in the river, this is one adventure activity that you must do in Shimla.
2. Trek to Jakhu Temple: Jakhu Temple is said to be one of the oldest temples in the region, located on top of the Jakhu Hill. This hill is the highest peak in Shimla, situated at an elevation of almost 2,455 metres above sea level.
The 2.5-kilometre trek to Jakhu Temple is not just adventurous, but also quite extraordinary since it offers views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and other colonial architectures in the area.
3. Camping: One of the most adventurous activities to do in Shimla is camping in one of the many camps scattered around the region. This will give tourists the chance to relax and rejuvenate amidst nature and its fine surroundings, along with a completely different holiday experience.
Some camps also require travellers to trek, after which they can settle around a great, cosy bonfire, under the starry night sky.
4. Ice Skating: When in Shimla, you must definitely try ice skating, without which your trip to this hill station will be incomplete. There are many hills in Shimla which are covered with a thick white blanket of snow all year round, making it convenient for ice skating.