I recently went Paragliding in Kamshet and this post is all about that experience. Being a bird comes with so many privileges, but none of them is as good as flying across the sky. (Other privileges been going wherever they want, shitting on anything they don’t like, etc). Regardless, this feeling is not understood by standing on the ground. You have to feel it, by going up in the air. While it isn’t possible to fly quite literally, there are still many options available.
One of them is the experience of Paragliding. For a really long time, I had been putting this off. For concerns regarding my safety. Also, being in Maharastra, India I couldn’t find many Paragliding spots nearby. And then as I searched I finally found out about Paragliding in Kamshet.
After searching through Paragliding in Kamshet, there was time to select the academy. So finally, I settled on the group called and booked my slot through. I found this group very good and safety conscious, which gave me an overall better experience.
All overexcited, I headed towards the meeting point at Kamshet. Later, the organisers had organised an SUV to the point where we would do the sport Paragliding. I had taken the slot of 12 noon, but as we reached the Paragliding site at Kamshet called the “Tower Hill” we realized there was no wind. Even though there were satisfying forecasts about it before, nature can change its way at any point in time.
The sport of Paragliding
Paragliding is entirely dependent on the wind. Unlike Hot air balloons, which use the gas to power up their way through the sky. Paragliding is essentially gliding on the wind, where the wind would fill up the gliders and take us up for a ride. Several of us waited and watched the solo riders Paragliding in Kamshet on their way through the sky. I had booked up for a Tandem experience where an experienced Paraglider, would be with me at all the times.
Flora and Fauna in Kamshet
As we waited for the fog to dissipate, I realized that the natural beauty and flora of the place was stunning. At times I would see a rare butterfly or a beautiful flower, at another time some unusual bird. I was so mesmerized in my thoughts that I didn’t realize it was getting windy again.
One by one we asked to wear the Paragliding gear. We were also given a prep talk by one of the instructors about how we will take off, a little idea on how wind works through the glider, and some other things. We were also told the fact that the paragliding expert coming with us would have a spare parachute in case of emergency landing if anything happens to the Glider.
After wearing all the gear, helmet, goggles and stuff, it was time for some swoosh of Paragliding in Kamshet. They attached my paragliding gear to the instructor. Then we ran a few steps together into the wind before jumping off the cliffside.
Paragliding is without any doubt the most surreal experiences of my life. As you go high above, the people below are little black dots. The huge trees look like little green grass. The large fields the size of small matchboxes. It makes you realize how small a part you are in this world. Up there you will experience wild raw nature, the wind and the silence, which has so many answers.
Paragliding in Kamshet
Paragliding in Kamshet is really good as it provides the best environment for beginners. The natural terrain and weather conditions both favour the first-timers. Additionally, from the Tower Hill Paragliding site, you get stunning views of the famous forts Visapur, Lohgad, Torna and Lonavala in distance. Many people from all over the world come here for Paragliding in Kamshet. Kamshet is 110 km from Mumbai and 45km from Pune, the two major cities in Maharashtra. Going tandem provides complete safety as we are accompanied by experienced professionals in the field.
- Where: Kamshet, Maharashtra, India
- Paragliding in Kamshet Site: Towerhill in Kamshet
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Best time for Paragliding in Kamshet: Best time to experience this is winters (ie. Oct to Jan). Closed in monsoon (ie. Jun to Sept)
- Cost: It cost me Rs 2,500 in Jan 2019
- With whom:
Additionally, I also have to mention that these people have a paragliding academy too. Where you can enrol in a course for 2 weeks, where they teach you to fly solo. Moreover, their Paragliding camp is located on the banks of beautiful lake Vadavali in Kamshet. You have to stay here and take lessons.
