Paragliding in Srinagar (Astanmarg, Harwan): 2026 Guide

Paragliding in Srinagar happens at Astanmarg, a grassy shoulder of the Zabarwan ridge above Harwan. Harwan is about 16 km from Dal Gate, and the launch is a short drive further uphill. You fly tandem, strapped to a pilot, so no training is needed. The flight lasts 10 to 15 minutes and drops about 640 m (roughly 2,100 ft) from the 2,255 m take-off to Chandpora ground, with Dal Lake, the Mughal gardens and the Dachigam forest below you. Operators charge Rs 2,700 to Rs 3,800 per person.

One thing matters more than the price this year. The Khambir-Astanmarg-Chatterhama axis is on the J&K closure list that runs to 31 December 2026, according to the district orders updated on 7 July 2026 and reported by The Wire. Some operators still take bookings online, so get written confirmation that flights are running on your date before you pay. If you are planning ahead, the 2027 season normally opens in April or May.

When the sites are open, paragliding in Kashmir is run by a handful of private operators who supply the wing, harness, helmet and pilot. They fly from May to June and from September to October, when the air over the Valley is clear and the winds are steady.

Is Paragliding in Srinagar Open in 2026?

Not at Astanmarg, on current orders. The table shows every paragliding site in Jammu and Kashmir and what we know about it as of October 2026.

We update this table when the closure order changes. If you want paragliding added to a Kashmir trip the moment Astanmarg reopens, tell us your dates when you plan a Srinagar tour package.

Astanmarg Paragliding at a Glance

Where to Go Paragliding in Srinagar

All paragliding in Srinagar launches from Astanmarg. It sits on the slopes behind Harwan, the last village on the Shalimar road before the Dachigam forest begins. You will read on some sites that flights start from Pari Mahal. We found no operator or official source for that, and the Tourism Department's demonstration launch in 2013 (Kashmir Life, May 2013), the 2022 launch by a private operator and the operators who have flown here since all name Astanmarg as the take-off (Outlook India, Dec 2022).

From the launch you face west over the city. Dal Lake fills most of the view, with Hari Parbat fort on its far shore. Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh, two of the Mughal gardens, line the lake edge below you, and the Mahadev peak (3,966 m) and the Dachigam forest rise behind. The pilot turns over Dara and the Harwan orchards and brings you down on the flat Chandpora ground, close enough to the road that your cab can meet you there.

Paragliding Price in Srinagar and Kashmir

A tandem flight at Astanmarg costs Rs 2,700 to Rs 3,800 per person. Karakoram Explorers has listed flights from Rs 2,700, Kashmir Paragliding at about Rs 3,500, and other operators quote up to Rs 3,800, usually with GST on top. There is no government rate card, so the price you pay is the operator's. The free rides you may have read about were part of the launch event in 2022 and are not on offer now.

The price covers the pilot, wing, harness and helmet, and usually the drive from Harwan up to the launch. Ask before you book whether it also covers the transfer back from Chandpora and a video of your flight. Most operators charge extra for the video, so agree the price and ask for the GoPro file before you take off. For a fee and timings summary, see paragliding entry fees and paragliding timings.

What Happens on Flight Day: Harwan to Astanmarg to Chandpora

Allow two to three hours from your hotel and back. Most of it is driving and waiting for the wind, not flying.

1. Reconfirm the evening before. Flights depend on wind and cloud, and operators reshuffle slots when the morning looks poor.

2. Reach Harwan garden by mid-morning. It is about 16 km from Dal Gate along the Boulevard, past Nishat and Shalimar, roughly 40 minutes by cab.

3. Ride up to the launch. The operator drives you from Harwan up to Astanmarg, around 15 minutes on a rough track.

4. Weigh in and listen to the briefing. The pilot checks your weight, explains the take-off run and tells you to keep running until your feet leave the ground.

5. Gear up. You are clipped into a seat harness in front of the pilot, with a helmet. Phones go in a zipped pocket or the pilot's hands.

6. Run and fly. A few strides downhill and the wing lifts you. You spend 10 to 15 minutes over Dara and the orchards, with Dal Lake in front.

7. Land at Chandpora. Lift your legs, the pilot lands you on the ground, and your cab or the operator's vehicle takes you back to Harwan.

Best Time for Paragliding in Srinagar

May, June, September and October are the best months to fly at Astanmarg. Spring brings steady winds and green slopes, and autumn has the clearest skies of the year. Within a day, mornings to early afternoon fly best; by mid-afternoon the valley wind often gets too strong and pilots stop.

For the city's wider weather pattern, see the best time to visit Srinagar.

How to Reach Spots for Paragliding in Srinagar

Astanmarg is reached from Harwan, about 16 km and 40 minutes from Dal Gate. Take a cab or an auto along the Boulevard past Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh to Harwan garden, which is where most operators meet their flyers. From there the operator's vehicle takes you up to the launch. Srinagar airport (SXR) is about 30 km from Harwan, so you can fly in, settle in, and plan the flight for the next morning. The detailed route is on our how to reach Astanmarg page.

Getting to Srinagar first? Read about the best and quickest routes to save time and money, as suggested by our travellers:

• Chandigarh to Srinagar

• New Delhi to Srinagar

• Kolkata to Srinagar

• Mumbai to Srinagar

Is Paragliding in Srinagar Safe? Weight, Age and Who Should Not Fly

Tandem paragliding is flown by trained pilots, and the risk depends on the operator and the weather. Nobody can promise a flight is absolutely safe, so check these points before you take off:

• The operator is registered with the J&K Tourism Department and can show the pilot's tandem certification.

• A reserve parachute is fitted to the harness, and you are given a helmet.

• The operator weighs you; one Srinagar operator lists 40 to 100 kg, and anyone outside the operator's band should not fly.

• Your travel insurance covers adventure sports, or the operator carries its own cover.

• The pilot calls off the flight when the wind gusts. A good pilot grounds the flight without being asked.

Skip the flight if you are pregnant, have a back, neck or heart condition, have had recent surgery, or suffer from epilepsy. Children can fly with a parent's consent where the operator allows it; one operator sets the minimum age at six. More pointers are on our paragliding tips page.

What to Wear and Carry

The launch is about 670 m above the city, so it is roughly 4°C cooler than Srinagar and windier. Wear closed shoes with ankle grip, because you run on uneven grass at take-off. Add a windproof layer and sunglasses with a strap. Leave loose scarves, hats and dangling earrings in the cab. Carry ID, water and cash or UPI for the video and the ride back.

Key Spots for Paragliding in Kashmir

Beyond Astanmarg, paragliding in Kashmir has run at a handful of seasonal sites in the Valley and in the Jammu division. The Jammu sites are a long drive from Srinagar, so they suit a trip that also takes in Jammu, Katra or Patnitop.

In the Jammu division, the usual short flight at Sanasar is a hop of a few minutes from the slope down to the Sanasar meadow. Nathatop, above Patnitop, gives a longer flight of around 10 minutes with a drop of 1,500 to 2,000 ft. JKTDC lists Sanasar, along with nearby Madha Top, among its aero sports sites (JKTDC). Gulmarg, at about 2,650 m, is better known for the Gondola and winter skiing, and its paragliding depends on the operator and the snow.

If the flight falls through, Kashmir has plenty more to keep you busy. Apart from paragliding in Kashmir, you can ski in Gulmarg, raft on the Sindh at Sonamarg or the Lidder near Pahalgam, and kayak on Nigeen Lake. Our Srinagar adventure activities guide and adventure sports in Kashmir cover the rest.

Make a Day of It at Harwan

Astanmarg sits at the far end of Srinagar's garden road, so a flight fits neatly into a half day of sightseeing. Fly in the morning, then work back towards the city: Harwan garden first, then Shalimar Bagh (about 3 km), Nishat Bagh, and a sunset shikara ride on Dal Lake from the Boulevard ghats. See all things to do in Srinagar to fill the rest of the trip.

Srinagar vs Bir Billing vs Manali: Which Should You Pick?

Pick Srinagar if you are already in Kashmir and want a short, scenic flight over the lake and gardens. Pick Bir Billing if the flight is the whole point of the trip and you want long air time, or Manali if you are already in Himachal. Paragliding elsewhere in India is covered in our paragliding in India guide, including Vagamon in Kerala and Gangtok in Sikkim.

What Our Kashmir Desk Sees

Prices and site status on this page were checked by our Srinagar desk against operator rate lists and the J&K district closure orders in October 2026.

Add Paragliding to Your Kashmir Trip

A flight at Astanmarg takes half a day, so it slots into the Srinagar part of most itineraries. Our Kashmir tour packages start in Srinagar, and you can ask for a paragliding morning with the Harwan transfer built in. Couples often add it to Kashmir honeymoon packages, and families pick it up on Srinagar family packages. For everything else in the city, see our Srinagar travel guide.

Edited by TravelTriangle