Foreign trainees also arriving for flight training

Dhankuta: A hilltop in eastern Nepal’s Udayapur district is gaining recognition as a promising destination for paragliding training, attracting enthusiasts from both Nepal and abroad.

Located in Belaka Municipality-8, Boptang hill has gradually transformed from a quiet rural area into one of eastern Nepal’s emerging paragliding training centres. Overlooking the Saptakoshi River, the Chure hills and surrounding settlements, the site offers panoramic aerial views that have become a major attraction for trainees.

Training is being conducted by Flying Under Paragliding School Udayapur Pvt Ltd, which began operations around three years ago. According to the school, more than 150 people have completed basic paragliding training so far, including around 60 foreign nationals.

The school’s instructor and operator, Suren Gurung, said trainees have arrived not only from various parts of Nepal but also from countries including India, China, Spain, France, Germany, Poland and Portugal.

“The geography, weather conditions and wind patterns here are highly suitable for paragliding training,” Gurung said.

The school currently offers a 15-day basic course for up to five trainees at a time. Participants are trained in take-off and landing techniques, wind analysis, emergency safety procedures and the use of paragliding equipment.

“Paragliding is not just an adventure sport,” Gurung said. “It also requires discipline, patience and technical knowledge.”

Training, however, remains costly for many Nepalis. The course fee is around Rs 180,000 for domestic trainees, including accommodation, meals, insurance and equipment, while foreign trainees pay around 1,500 US dollars.

Despite the high cost, operators say interest in the sport has continued to grow, particularly among young people seeking opportunities in adventure tourism and aviation-related activities.

At present, the school is limited to training activities and has yet to launch commercial tandem flights for tourists, as official approval is still pending.

Operators believe that with proper infrastructure, clear government policies and permission for commercial flights, Boptang could develop into a major paragliding destination in eastern Nepal.

Test flights have already been conducted successfully in several parts of Udayapur, including Chaudandigadhi, Gadikot, Rautapokhari hill and Udayapurgadhi.

Tourism entrepreneurs, however, say government support has remained limited. They argue that issues related to forest areas, private land and inadequate infrastructure have slowed efforts to expand commercial operations.

Ishworman Rai, president of Nepal Paragliding and Hang Gliding Udayapur and general secretary of the District Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneurs Association Udayapur, said local governments need to play a more active role in facilitating permits and managing potential flying zones.

Paragliding experts say the region’s terrain and climate make it naturally suitable for the sport, but investment uncertainty persists due to the lack of clear policies and long term planning.

Currently, Udayapur has 18 active solo pilots, including two women.

Local businesses believe that if commercial paragliding flights begin, the sector could also create employment opportunities in hotels, transport, guiding services, food businesses, photography and videography.

While Pokhara remains Nepal’s best known paragliding destination, tourism operators say eastern Nepal is increasingly being explored as a new frontier for adventure tourism with Boptang now emerging as one of its most promising sites.