If you have ever stood on a Naggar balcony and watched the hawks ride the thermals over the Beas, you already understand the pull of paragliding. The good news: one of the Kullu valley's best-known take-off sites, Dobhi, is a short drive from the village, and a tandem flight here needs no experience at all — just a pilot, a harness and a bit of nerve.
Where is Dobhi?
Dobhi sits on the slopes above the Kullu–Manali stretch of the valley, roughly 19 km from Manali and within easy reach of Naggar by taxi. It is one of the officially registered paragliding sites in Kullu district, alongside places like Solang, Gulaba and Raison. Operators drive you from the base up a winding road to the take-off point; the landing field is down in the valley, close to the river.
What the flight is like
Most operators describe the high take-off at Dobhi as being around 7,000–8,000 ft, with a drop of well over 2,000 ft to the landing field. That height difference is what makes Dobhi special compared with short "joyride" hops — on a good day you get a proper glide with a 360-degree view of the valley, the Beas snaking through orchards, and snow peaks on the horizon.
- Flight time: usually around 8–15 minutes for a standard tandem; longer "high fly" packages of 20 minutes or more are offered when conditions allow.
- Price: expect roughly ₹2,500–3,500 per person for a standard flight, depending on package and season. GoPro photos and video usually cost extra (around ₹500).
- Timing: mornings to early afternoon usually offer the steadiest air. Your pilot decides on the day — wind and cloud can delay or cancel flights.
When can you fly?
Adventure sports in Kullu district, including paragliding and river rafting, are suspended during the monsoon — typically from 15 July to 15 September — and reopen after that. Late September to November is a lovely window: clear skies, crisp air and golden light over the valley. Spring (March to June) is the other main season. Winter flying depends heavily on weather.
Safety tips
- Fly only with operators and pilots registered with the district tourism authorities, and ask to see their registration.
- Check that you're given a proper harness and helmet, and listen carefully to the take-off briefing — you'll be asked to run a few steps.
- Wear closed shoes, a windproof layer and sunglasses; it gets cool up there even on sunny days.
- If you're pregnant, have heart, back or neck conditions, or have had recent surgery, skip it and check with a doctor.
Getting there from Naggar
Hire a local taxi from Naggar for the morning — it's the easiest way, since the operator's vehicle takes you up from the base. Plan half a day including the drive, waiting time and the flight. Pair it with a slow lunch in the valley and a stroll by the Beas on the way back.
After the adrenaline, it's nice to come home somewhere quiet. Ghar in the Hills is a cozy homestay right in Naggar village — a peaceful base for adventure days in the valley.
Ready to take off?
Dobhi is one of those experiences that reframes the whole valley — you'll look at the view from your window differently afterwards. Plan it for a clear autumn morning, and book your stay at Ghar in the Hills to make Naggar your launchpad.