Hang gliding, at its most primitive level, fulfils humankind's desire to emulate the birds. In hang gliding one can look beyond the spines of receding mountain heights, past rivers that gorge their way through dense forests and on to the plains. On an exceptionally lucky day, one may even be able to trace the route of the river till it vanishes into a slight haze.

Hang Gliding, comparatively a new sport in India, is gaining popularity. India has got thermal soaring effects in the summer months and hill soaring almost year-round. The monsoons are the only months when this sport is not possible in India, otherwise even the winter months are also ideal for it. Though a relatively recent entrant within the ambit of adventure sports, hang gliding has really caught on with clubs coming up in cities such as Pune, Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, Mumbai, Devlali, Bangalore and Kalaheti.

The sport of hang gliding through the air involves hanging suspended by a harness from a large type of kite called a hang glider. With the help of our certified instructors anyone can fly with only ten minutes of instruction on the ground. But, for high altitude gliding learning you have to enrol in a hang-gliding course where there are experienced pilots to guide you till you become professional in this sport.

Among the basic equipments of hang gliding there are harnesses, helmets, and emergency parachutes. Hang-glider is an aircraft to which undercarriage and take off power is provided solely by the pilot's legs. It consists of 3 aluminium tubes pivoted at the nose, a trapeze or cross bar for control and a decorn tail. They are of various sizes and weights ranging from 7 to 25 kg.

The safety of the pilot is assured by a parachute, which is made of high quality material to withstand different heights, wind force and gravity to which they are exposed. The alti-meter, vario-meter and wind-speed meters, and indicators are used for right movements and safe landing. For further improvement of a comfortable flying experience a small engine and wheel with extra seat have now been added. Hang gliders are portable, which you can easily carry on your back or in a jeep to the gliding site and can be made ready quickly.

India also has its own Hang Gliding Club of India organizes international Hang Gliding festivals and demonstration flights annually. Most Indian hang gliding sites have been highly rated and those in the lower regions of the Himalaya are among the best the world has. Hang gliding clubs in India are located at Pune, Delhi , Mumbai, Chandigarh , Shimla, Devlali and Bangalore.

Himachal Pradesh - Hang-Gliding is a new sport practised at Billing, 14-km from Bir and is said to be among the finest sites for hang-gliding in the world. An annual hang-gliding tournament is also held over here. Situated in Dharamsala, Dharamkot is situated at 11, 800 ft and requires a 2-km trek from the nearest roadhead.

The Nilgiris - Situated 20-kms away from Ooty, Kalahatty in the Nilgiris, has a launch area that is well connected by a jeepable road. This cross country route in the Nilgiris passes over forested areas giving glimpses of wild animals in the sanctuary below. The Bombay Hang-gliders Club organizes rallies at Talegaon in the Western Ghats on the Bombay-Pune highway.

And the rest of these sites, there are so many beautiful places for Hang Gliding in India. Few of them are –

• Billing, HP
• Dharamkot, HP
• Pune, Maharashtra
• Delhi
• Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chandigarh
• Shimla, HP
• Devlali, Maharashtra
• Bangalore , Karnataka
• Kalahatty, Ooty

So, what are you waiting for...? Get going for the most adventurous vacation of your lifetime in India .