How about a flying visit in the sky, like a bird with your wings opened up and floating with the force of the air? Come to the ultimate adventure, the adventure of flying free, without any hindrance, the excitement of freedom, the freedom to fly. No one can resist the temptation of indulging in the celestial recreation. You've always wanted to be a bird. For a long time, mankind has dreamed of flying high and soaring through the sky like a bird. So try your hand at skimming meters high above the mountain, enjoy the bird's eye view of the world.

Paragliding scene in India started 7 years ago, though it is now just about gaining popularity. India has immense flying possibilities with Himalayas in the North and the Sahayadri ranges in the west coast. There have been international competitions where distance world records were set. These sites have conditions for both ridge, thermal soaring and ideal cross country routes, almost all the year round except the monsoons.

Paragliding is a combination of hang gliding and parachuting. In parachuting one has to jump from an aircraft whereas in para gliding one has to run down hill. Your wish of flying free as a bird dream can be fulfilled by joining this adventurous sport. It provides a similar experience though the equipment used is much lighter, the sport is easier to learn and it's flight not as fast. And the other, Paragliding is broadly classified under two heads:

• Short flights : The client is taken 100 - 150 mts up the slope and takes a flight along with the pilot in the two seater paraglider. The flight lasts for approximately 60 - 90 seconds.
• High flying : Approximately 20-30 minutes flight and arranged at Fatru, Kothi and Bijli Mahadev. Mainly for experienced pilots who have done short flights.

Paragliding is a exciting game and enjoy in so many destinations in India . Some of the best destinations for gliding in India are –

Manali offer some of the most popular sites for para-gliding. Other areas coming up for this sport are the Nilgiri hills in the south, the Eastern Himalayas in the Darjeeling/Gangtok area, Auli in Uttar Pradesh, and Sansar in Jammu & Kashmir.

Billing (8,500 feet) in Kangra valley in Himachal Pradesh has been the venue for hang-gliding rallies offering opportunities for excellent flying. Billing offers 100 km of up and down, and cross-country flights.

Dharamkot (11,800 feet), situated near Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh), is another good place for hang-gliding in Himachal Pradesh. It requires a 2-km trek from the nearest road head to reach this place.

Kallahatti near Ooty offers 25 km of up and down, cross-country route in the Nilgiris that passes over dense forested areas. The gliders are offered 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.

Sikkim Tourism is developing sites in Northern and Western Sikkim to encourage hang-gliding.

Certain things must be taken into account while going for a gliding in India . The acrophobics (people who are afraid of heights) cannot take to it. Same with the case with the people with high or low blood pressure. It is also advisable for over weight persons not to resort this thrilling adventure. You will have to be mentally and physically fully fit. These are the common guidelines, which must be followed in any of the high-altitude games and adventure sports.

The risk involved in the gliding is undoubtedly very high. This makes it one of the most perilous sports. In case any medical complication or technical fault, the glider can get no help when he is aloft in the air. But these risks have not deterred people from going for gliding. On the contrary, the popularity of this adventurous sport has increased in geometrical progression. A glider will need a hand-glider, which is a heavy and large apparatus. It takes about half an hour to be set up, and same amount of time to be folded up. You need to know how to control and navigate it in case of unexpected buffeting wind.

So what are you waiting for !! Just pack your sports gear and get going!!