KATHMANDU, Oct 29: Commercial paragliding operations have taken flight at Chandragiri Hill in Kathmandu, thanks to the pioneering efforts of pilot Sanobabu Sunuwar and his company, 'Babu Adventures,' which boasts the distinction of being Nepal's inaugural high-altitude paragliding instructor.

Sunuwar explained that the paragliding experience commenced from Chandragiri Hill, a location situated approximately 20 minutes to the west of Bhaleshwar Mahadev Temple. The adventure begins at Chandragiri, which stands at an elevation of 2,300 meters. From there, participants are lifted up to an altitude of 100 meters in the sky, concluding their paragliding journey at Chitlang, a charming spot resting 1,700 meters above sea level. Along the way, passengers are treated to breathtaking vistas of the Kathmandu Valley and its surroundings.

During the paragliding excursion, participants can relish the 'aerial view' of the Bhaleshwar Temple and witness the panoramic landscape of the Kathmandu Valley. From this vantage point, travelers can also marvel at the breathtaking expanse of territory encompassing Rasuwa, Dhading, and the man-made Indra Sarovar Lake, in addition to Tistung and Palung in Makwanpur.

Sunuwar disclosed that, with the government's permission, his company can accommodate up to 12 paragliders simultaneously and serve up to a hundred people daily. Hailing from Swarek Maidan in Syangja, Sunuwar is committed to extending the thrill of adventure air tourism throughout Nepal. Investing in Chandragiri, he aims to offer the residents of the Kathmandu Valley a taste of the exhilarating experience of flight. He noted, "There is a campaign to spread paragliding across Nepal. Since the population density is high in Kathmandu, I am hopeful that the message can be spread quickly and effectively."

Furthermore, 'Babu Adventures' is well-prepared for cross-country paragliding, demonstrating its commitment to expanding its services. Sunuwar shared that the investment in Chandragiri for paragliding has thus far amounted to about 15 million rupees, with plans for continued investment in the future. He also highlighted the significant effort, which spanned approximately six years, invested in research, paperwork, and physical preparation to bring paragliding to Chandragiri.

As for the cost, the company has set a fee of Rs 8,000 per person for paragliding at Chandragiri. This package includes a paragliding flight lasting between 15 to 25 minutes, the provision of photos and videos, as well as transportation from Kathmandu to the paragliding site. All photo and video equipment are managed by the company. Foreign visitors opting for the same package will be charged Rs 12,000 per person.

For Nepali tourists who choose not to use the company's transportation, the paragliding experience can be enjoyed at a rate of Rs 7,200.

 
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