Surkhet Emerges as a New Hub for Adventure Tourism Through Paragliding

Surkhet. The skies of Surkhet have become increasingly colorful in recent years due to paragliding. As the capital of Karnali Province, this city has recently expanded into a new center for adventure tourism.

Taking flight from the lap of the Chure hills, the view of lush green forests, sprawling settlements, and vast landscapes below provides instant joy to anyone. In recent years, tourists have begun visiting to experience the feeling of flying freely in the open sky.

Ramesh Bista, involved in the teaching profession, is not just a witness to this change but an active participant. He says, “In a short time, paragliding here has attracted people from all walks of life.”

As paragliding expands in Surkhet, its reach is widening. Professionals, students, teachers, doctors, and engineers are all beginning to participate. This sport is no longer limited to a specific community but has become accessible to the general public. Improvements in management, adherence to safety standards, and the availability of trained pilots have increased confidence in this business.

A local youth, known by the nickname ‘Sensei’, who returned after living in Japan for five years, said he arrived in Surkhet to experience paragliding for the first time in his life. For him, this is not just entertainment, but an opportunity to reconnect with the nature and tourism potential of his homeland. He said, “Although I was slightly nervous before the flight, it was fun afterward.”

Like Jivan and Ramesh, the experience of Niru Chaudhary, who came to try paragliding for the first time, is no different. “I had seen many videos of paragliding. It was not financially or time-feasible for me to go to Pokhara to do it. But since it is close by, I came here,” she said.

According to the operators of Welcome Paragliding, the takeoff site constructed in the Bayalkanda area of Birendranagar Municipality-14 is being developed in an organized and planned manner. The operating company stated that in the context of ‘Karnali Prosperity 2082’, paragliding flights are being operated at affordable and accessible rates, which has boosted domestic tourism.

This campaign is being led by experienced instructor Deshbir Jimi, who has been working continuously in this field for about 16 years. Through the ‘Welcome Paragliding’ company operating under his leadership, four skilled pilots are conducting commercial flights daily.

Located at an altitude of about 1,500 meters above sea level, Bayalkanda is considered a naturally suitable site for paragliding. According to Jimi, the balanced wind flow here makes the flight safe and easy. Jimi states that after taking off from Bayalkanda, a safe landing is arranged in the open field in front of Radio Nepal in Birendranagar-1.

He explains that the entire paragliding experience is divided into three stages: takeoff, flying, and landing. This flight of a few minutes gives participants an experience they will remember for a lifetime.

As paragliding flourishes, its positive impact on local businesses is beginning to show. The income of people involved in hotels, restaurants, transportation, and guide services has started to increase. In this context, Chakra Prasad Dhungana, Chief of the Inland Revenue Office, Surkhet, stated that the paragliding activities being conducted in Surkhet have made a significant contribution to the economic development and tourism promotion of Karnali Province. According to him, paragliding has helped stimulate the province's economy.

The paragliding taking place in the skies of Surkhet is not just an expansion of adventure sports; it is also a sign of potential in the tourism development of Karnali.