After 7 years, paragliding starts in Queen of the Hills
Times of India | 7 May 2024
SILIGURI: It has been about a month that adventure freaks visiting the Queen of Hills are now able to catch a glimpse of the majestic Kanchenjunga while paragliding for 2.5km, after a break of seven years. This summer, paragliding is back in Darjeeling and receiving an overwhelming response from the visitors.
After Kalimpong, the tourism Department of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has reintroduced paragliding in the Darjeeling Hills adding it to the new tourism destination in the Hills.Darjeeling offers paragliding from St Paul's to Lebong, offering views of the city's architecture and nature. The flight lasts from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on weather conditions and wind. The glides offer the best view of Kanchenjunga. It was started in 2011 but operations were stalled due to 'Gorkhaland' agitation in 2017.
Karma Sherpa, the sole operator of the glides in Darjeeling said at present they had two gliders and two pilots with which they operate six glides a day.
"The paragliding experience offered in Darjeeling is priced at Rs 3,500, including videography and pick up and drop facility for the tourist. We operate the services from 5am to 10am only as after that the west wind comes in and we cannot fly. The tourists have to make an advance payment of Rs 500 to book the slot. However, if the weather conditions are not favourable for flying, we refund their payment", said Karma, adding they were getting a lot of enquiries from the tourists.
Dawa Sherpa, chief coordinator of adventure tourism at GTA, said the tourism Department of GTA had reintroduced paragliding in Darjeeling in a bid to boost adventure tourism.
"Only registered adventure companies will be permitted to apply for paragliding operations in Darjeeling. It's worth noting that Darjeeling has a shorter flying season compared to Kalimpong", said Dawa, adding that the department is planning to operate paragliding services from Kurseong.
The officials said that paragliding would soon start in Kurseong, around 35 km from Siliguri.
"We have already conducted the survey. At present, we are facing landing issues and working on it. The glides will be operated from Gidda Pahar till Rohini in Kurseong covering an aerial distance of 3km," Dawa said.