As adventure lovers, we were bound to try paragliding sooner or later. On a family trip to Saputara, a small hill station near the border of Maharashtra, opportunity came knocking on our door and we could not resist. We did not even know Saputara had paragliding. Having tried parasailing before, we were very excited at the thought of paragliding.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUyIHMfAdJb/?taken-by=siddharthandshruti
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What to expect:
Credit: HBO | Game of Thrones
Wondering what to expect? Imagine a mind-numbing adrenalin rush, a fantastic view and a memory for a lifetime. This is not for you if you have fear of heights, any motion sickness or vertigo. First timers like us can go tandem with a trained instructor. Once in the air, the instructor will rotate and you will be tumbling in the air. The experience cannot be justified by words. For an adrenalin junkie, it is heaven.
The best time to paraglide:
The wind needs to be at its strongest which is usually between 11am to 4PM. We went around noon. If you are lucky enough and the wind gods agree, you could paraglide around sunset.
Two regrets we had:
1. Not wearing appropriate footwear
Being spontaneous is fun, but sometimes it comes back and bites you in the ass. Shruti had chosen to wear flip flops since it was the peak of summer (39°C) and we weren’t planning on doing too many adventure activities. Or so we thought! When the men were pushing the gliders upwards, one of them stepped on her toe really badly and her nail broke and started bleeding. When the instructor asked her if she’s having fun, she was angry and in pain. Despite the ordeal once she was mid-air, she forgot all about her nail. The view was just breathtaking. Luckily the injury wasn’t too bad. Her mistake for not wearing appropriate shoes and his mistake for stepping on her toes. The nail healed in a few days.
2. Not having an action camera
Although we lived the moment to the fullest and the memory will always remain, we would have loved to capture it on film. We need to buy an action camera; either a GoPro or a SJCam asap! Even though we are sure we will go paragliding again and get some lovely footage, the memory of our first paragliding experience on camera would have been nice.
Not brave enough for paragliding?
If paragliding is not your thing, you can take a joyride in the cable car at Saputara. It is far less daunting, something children and adults can both enjoy.
The other option for an amazing view is the Hatgad fort nearby. It is not a massive fort. It takes around half an hour to reach the top. Like us, you can try and catch the sunset from the top. We stayed at the Club Mahindra Hatgad resort which is a lovely option if you want to avoid the Saputara crowds.
Have you ever tried paragliding? What was the best in-air experience you have ever had?
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It’s one of my dreams!! I’d love to fly, and Ive already thought of it but didn’t do it yet… This is something that I will do for sure!
Thanks for advice (the action camera) i’m sure it’ll be useful 😉
Author
Someone commented on our instagram that in Europe and Americas you can rent out an action camera. Saputara is a very tiny place, so we didn’t have that option.
Amazing article! I still have to experience paragliding, so your tips are definitely gonna be so helpful 🙂
Author
We hope you can try paragliding soon. We are glad our tips were helpful.
That sounds incredible! I’m yet to go on my first paragliding! 39°C??? That’s so damn hot! I’d curl in an AC room on such a day. Too bad you broke your nail! I guess even I’ve gotta invest in an action camera!
Author
Yep. We stayed in as much as we can in our resort. But we did want to explore the fort. Paragliding was an expected surprise.
Don’t worry about the lack of action camera—without a video, your memories now will become much better in your mind than they would if a realistic video was around to bring it back to reality.
Author
The memories will always be etched in our mind. The experience was too good to forget.
That already sounds so exciting. Can’t wait to have my first paragliding experience.
Author
Thanks Gokul. It really is an amazing experience. You should definitely try paragliding.
Our first paragliding experience was in Maharashtra too but not in Satpura but in Kamshet and it was amazing. We were wondering how did they allow to paraglide without shoes that would have dangerous during landing too. The Hatgad fort looks magnificent we would love to explore.
Author
They probably should not have allowed me without my shoes. Kamshet sounds like a great place to paraglide.
Paragliding in Satpura! Wow, India is getting really innovative with adventure sports. We saw zip-lining in Meghalaya recently. Things are changing…
A pretty awesome experience – I definitely want to give it a try sometime and India looks like as good a place to to have a go as any! Well done and definitely another item ticked off the bucket list!
I am big on adventures and paragliding is definitely one of those! I did one in Austria and I loved it. I feel like it gives you a birds eye view with a thrill.
This looks like so much fun! Apart from the toe crushing part of course! I’d love to go paragliding one day. Looks like you chose a perfect spot for your first paragliding experience.
Wow. Looks amazing. I’d love to try that – Saputara looks like a beautiful location too. Nice post and pictures.
Paragliding is such adventure! Saputara looks like the prefect place to do it and it’s great that they have two options, heights isn’t everyone’s love.
Beautiful photos! We also spontaneously paraglided in New Zealand and it was incredible. I think sometimes these spontaneous experiences are even more fun then when you plan them.
Paraglide is not for me at all. I mean I would like not be scared, but I am unfortunately. I know I should win my fears……anyway the place loos fantastic and I guess your experience was unique. thanks for your sharing!!
Paragliding in Saputara. Wow!! I really want to try Paragliding but there is some phobia which is not letting me do it. Hopefully soon, I will be able to come over it and fly. The views from the top look amazing and the fort too looks worth exploring. your pictures are great
Wonderful article highlighting the adrenaline rush you had during this experience. I have a fear of heights so I’m not sure if I would ever try this. But I’m sure its an experience to remember for life.
Looks like you got some incredible views! I went paragliding in Slovenia two years ago. It was soooo hard for me, because I’m actually super scared to fly! Worth it, though.
Sounds like an amazing experience. I’d love to give it a go! I hope your toe heals quickly!
This is something I will surely love doing! I love this kind of adventure, and I’m glad that you enjoy it! Be sure to have an action cam next time to capture the moments up in the air!! 😉
So cool! I always wondered how people get into paragliding because you can’t really “practice”. I would definitely do this!
I had visited Saputara many years ago as a kid. Of course there was no paragliding then. Happy to note that this activity is now available in Saputara. Regretful that you could not capture the experience on camera, but the experience, I am sure will be etched in mind forever.
So glad you had a great time! Though sorry to hear about Shruti’s foot – that sucks. Yes, sometimes spontaneity isn’t the greatest choice 🙁 And definitely recommend packing an action camera for the next time – it’s so much fun to watch your adventure back on film!
We’ve always wanted to try this too, but so sorry Shruti got hurt! Next time you will be prepared with better footwear. I hope that the wind gods will be on our side when we try this one day 🙂
I think I would be too scared! Well done you two.
I wish I didn’t have such a fear of heights!! I have often looked at paragliders in the air and wondered if I could do it, I then watch later them as they start slowly and are lifted in the air, then I realise that I would probably cry lol. So, I will live vicariously through wonderful blog posts like this (minus the bleeding toenail)! #feetdotravl
How fun! I am so ready to try paragliding 🙂 I agree proper footwear and a GoPro is a must. I would be scared but still, do it, just for the view and adrenaline. Thanks for sharing! #feetdotravel
Paragliding looks like so much fun. I’ve not had the chance to do it yet, but I hope I can do soon.
I’m not sure I could do it, but you have certainly got me thinking. Paragliding looks such fun. Helpful tips too!
This wouldn’t be for me (fear of heights), but being ex-military, Joe would be in heaven. Definitely get yourself a GoPro for next time. We love ours!
This looks amazing I would love to go paragliding. I think I would prefer that to the cable car for some reason. Good tip about what time of day to go I never thought of that.