Best Places For Paragliding in Sikkim: A Paradise for Paragliders!

Editorial Team June 30, 2022June 30, 2022

Sikkim might be one of the smallest states in India, but it is one of the biggest adventure hubs for thrill-seekers. Famous for its dazzling waterfalls, delicacies, enriching culture and traditions, and dense forests, this north-eastern state has a lot to offer to its visitors.

Come; let us get a clear idea about the best places for paragliding in Sikkim. St. Pauls, Tukvar Tea Garden, well; the list is long. No wonder Sikkim is known as the Kingdom of Heaven.

Talking about the various adventure activities, paragliding has become a very popular sport not only in Sikkim but all across India. When one says adventure, we are sure that paragliding is the first thought that crosses the mind.

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6 Places for Paragliding in Sikkim

Going on a vacation in this north-eastern state without getting a taste of what paragliding seems like in Sikkim is just not possible. Thus, given below is a list of the six most amazing places for one to experience the ‘bird sport’ without further delay.

1. Baliman Dara

This spot is on top of our list for a reason. Situated near Gangtok, here is where one can overlook the entire city. It is one of the take-off points for a flight at a medium level. Located at around 1,400m, paragliding in this area is a heavenly experience for all.

The Resithang Sports Village’s Stadium is the landing spot for the flight. In the same locality, a flight at a medium range of 1,700 m lasts more than 7 minutes. A flight at an altitude of 1,850 m is also available. The fly time for both is scheduled for 10 minutes and the other for 12 to 15 minutes, respectively.

Price: Paragliding cost per person in Sikkim is estimated to be around Rs. 1,000 to Rs.2, 500.

Address: Lower Sichey, located near the mesmerizing Jhanjhari Waterfalls, on Ranka Road in Gangtok.

How to travel to the place: If you are touring via flight, West Bengal’s Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport to Gangtok City. The distance is only 128 km.

By train, the nearest station to Gangtok, Siliguri’s New Jalpaiguri Station, is measured at a distance of 123 km. Nearby cities are well-connected to the capital city by road.

2. Bulbuley Dara

When one says, ‘We are in Sikkim. Let’s go paragliding’, Bulbuley Dara is probably one of the first locations to come into mind. The take-off point at this site for a high-fly flight is a few more moves from the village of Resithang. The highlight is the amazing Gangtok city; it is truly a sight to behold, especially when you are as high as 2,200 meters.

Price: The cost per person starts from Rs. 1,500 and can go up to Rs. 4,000.

Address: Positioned right in the center of Gangtok. On its right side are the breathtakingly gigantic mountain ranges of Kanchenjunga (the world’s third-highest mountain series)

How to travel to the place: You have an option to either travel from Bagdogra Airport or the Siliguri’s New Jalpaiguri Station, although one you can easily take up driving to Gangtok.

3. Chakung Durpiney Dara

Another scenic site for paragliding here is Chakung Durpin Dara. It is situated at the height of 1,700m from sea level, and its landing happens at the Jorethang River Beach. It takes place above sea level, at 300 m. Isn’t that just fascinating?! Paragliding duration is 15 to 20 minutes maximum.

Price: The cost for a single person is Rs. 5,200.

Address: You can find this adventure spot in Sikkim towards the west. It is nearly 82 km away from Gangtok.

How to travel to the place: The first thing to do is reach Gangtok. After that, opting for a drive from there will be a convenient option. There is also an option open to travel by roadways from Siliguri. However, we do not recommend doing the same as it is not in the best shape yet.

4. St. Pauls

There are a number of suitable places for you to do paragliding in Sikkim. One such amazing place includes St. Pauls – Lebong Route. Located in the outskirts of Darjeeling hills and near Sikkim, this point is particularly famous for this sport.

A school named St. Pauls in Jalapahar is the take-off point for paragliding. The said place is only a few minutes away from Sikkim. An operator can be used as a means of assistance to reach here. If that is not an option for you, an uphill trek is recommended. The hike is of nearly 30 minutes.

While the flight is in the air, appreciate the beautiful scenery of mountains and valleys before your eyes. It will truly be worth your time, money, and efforts.

Price: The price per person is Rs. 3,000.

Address: Only a few km away to the north of Darjeeling.

How to travel to the place: Stationed near the outer reaches of the hills of Darjeeling, one can find their way to the city through railways or Bagdogra Airport (the closest airport in the vicinity). Note that the drive nearly takes more than 3 hours. So plan your trip accordingly!

5. Tukvar Tea Garden

Known as one of the famous attractions for tourists, this lovely garden is established on the northern side of Darjeeling. The flight for paragliding takes off here and makes its landing at the renowned Jamuney Ground.

The fly time for paragliding takes nearly 15 to 20 minutes. The time is subject to change owing to the unpredictable weather conditions.

Price: The cost for one person reaches Rs.3,500.

Address: One can find Tukvar Tea Garden approximately nine km from Darjeeling’s north in the state of West Bengal.

How to travel to the place: The famous tea gardens are the pride of Darjeeling city. One of which is Tukvar Tea Garden. All you need is a taxi to get there. It is almost a 30 to 45 minutes drive from ‘The Queen of Hills.’

6. Kalimpong

Not many people are aware of what the neighbouring areas of Sikkim represent. Here, choices for paragliding are just beyond excellent. The Dello Hills region in Kalimpong is one of the most celebrated paragliding points. Tourists’ attention is easier to grab when the striking aura of tea gardens near the Darjeeling hills gives a blissful view.

The Dello Hills serves as the point of take-off for paragliding. The types of flights are both medium as well as high. While the flying time for the former is about 15 minutes, high flights last for 30 minutes.

You must note that though the take-off point is similar for both the flights, the place for landing is not the same. The point where the medium-level flight can land is none other than the Home’s Garden. For the latter, Relli River Ground is the name.

Price: The price is Rs.3,699 for one person.

Address: This famous paragliding spot is situated fifty km towards the Northeastern part of Darjeeling City.

How to travel to the place: Drive along the smooth roads or book a cab to reach the designated area. While traveling, you can enjoy the triumphs of Mother Nature.

Additional Tips

Successful engagement in adventure sports is determined only when specific safety measures are taken into consideration. The same applies to paragliding as well. They are as follows:

To perform the activity, ensure that your body weight is less than 90 kg.

Appear before the adventure with an empty stomach. Otherwise, food is bound to wobble, causing you to throw up.

Clear weather also plays a very important role.

A helmet must be worn at all times while paragliding.

Check that the harness is correctly fastened and is completely secure.

Properly examine the parachute and harness before taking off.

Maintain sufficient elevation at the time of landing.

You need to wear comfortable pair of shoes and clothes.

Carefully listen and follow all instructions given.

There must be nothing on the ground to hinder your safe landing.

Make sure you fit into the age criteria. It varies from country to country, sometimes even state to state.

Final Thoughts

In view of concluding the article, we can determine the best places for paragliding in Sikkim. The eye-catching spectacles of the Himalayas, landscapes, and views will be forever stamped on your memory after paragliding in Sikkim.

Thus, we encourage every reader to travel around Sikkim and try out this extreme sport in at least one of the locations mentioned above. The experience will be like never before when you decide to paraglide in Mother Nature’s lap.

Even though the prices would be high in some places, we highly recommend performing paragliding as it is an experience for a lifetime. Do not think much and just go for it!

So, what are you even waiting for? Book your tickets or drive to Sikkim and explore the joys of paragliding in this extraordinary state.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. When is the Best Time to Holiday in Sikkim?

When there is an overflow of beautiful sceneries here, visitors do not seem to pay much attention to the season criteria or weather before booking their tickets. As noticed, Sikkim and its local regions are often treated to some unforeseen weather conditions throughout the year.

Coming to the question about the best time to visit the wonderful destination, we can say that the months of summer and September to November must be considered for taking a trip to Sikkim.
If you want detailed information about what is the Best Time to Visit Sikkim, check out our article about Best time & places to visit in Sikkim

2. How Does the Paragliding Pricing System Function in Sikkim?

Paragliding has not one but two kinds of flights: Medium and High. Each helps to gain a better experience while performing this sport around the city limits. Generally, the flight’s height decides the cost of paragliding.

As simple as it gets, it is observed that not only does a medium flight estimate its cost at a lesser amount, but also the time dedicated to this type is reduced as compared to the other. As for the price, it varies between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 5,699.

3. What are the General Requirements Before Saying a Yes to Paragliding?

Before proceeding with any adventurous activity, one must have a clear idea about the same. For that, conduct proper research. An adequate amount of information concerning the tips and safety procedures is necessary.

One must never paraglide in bad weather conditions. Physical fitness must equally be a matter of concern. Another requirement before paragliding is ensuring that all the equipment is thoroughly checked.

4. What are the Other Activities One Can Go For in the Sikkim Region?

Sikkim is truly looked upon as a region for pleasure seekers. There are a lot of exciting tourist attractions found here. Apart from paragliding, one can indulge in other activities such as:

River Rafting in Teesta River
Hire a bicycle and ride along the streets, capturing the picturesque views.
A day trip to the 7 Sister Waterfalls
Drive away around the Nathu La Pass
Get on a Yak and wander along the banks of the Tsomgo Lake
Take a walk in the famous tea gardens, exciting zoological parks, and monasteries

5. Why Is Tourism So Important for This State?

Tourism is crucial for bringing revenue to the Sikkim state. The rapid development of flora and fauna, wildlife, Buddhist monasteries, socio-economic infrastructure, etc., have contributed to the growth and attraction of masses from all across the globe.

With the help of this, there is an increase in tourists’ arrival in the state. This has benefited the regional economy to a great extent. Major advantages include – providing income and employment opportunities to natives.

Here’s a article that explains all about Sikkim: Traditional Games, Dance, and Food

6. How Many Days Does it Take to Visit Sikkim?

There is absolutely no doubt in the saying that Sikkim is one of the most beautiful places to visit in our country. Keeping that in mind, 2 weeks should be enough to explore all the tourists’ points of interest in Sikkim.