Pokhara. Pokhara’s tourism is not limited only to lakes, hilly areas and mountains. Culture and adventure are also the part of tourism here. Nature, culture and adventure are the main foundation of tourism development of Nepal, not only of Pokhara. Pokhara, rich in nature and culture, is renowned as the adventure tourism destination. Adventure sports activities like–paragliding to hot air balloon, ultra light to skydiving have added separate attraction to Pokhara’s tourism. A large number of domestic and foreign tourists visit Pokhara to experience adventure and exciting sports.
The test flight of skydiving was operated in Pokhara in 2067 BS for the first time. Skydiving is specially being conducted in the Nepali month Asoj-Kartik and Chaitra-Baishakh since then. Insky Skydiving Company coordinating with Helicopter service provider– Simrik Air has been operating skydiving at Air Sports Practice Ground of Avia Club located at Pame in Pokhara, said Company proprietor Nirmal Pandey. He stated that Nepal’s tourism sector would greatly benefit if the Authority grants permission for regular operation of skydiving rather than on a temporary basis.
Pandey said that skydiving companies have been requesting the authority to issue the Recreational Aviation Operation Certificate (RAOC). Although the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has granted licenses to operate recreational aviation services, companies have not been able to run skydiving themselves due to not obtaining ‘RAOC’ from the Authority. Companies have been inking separate agreements with helicopter companies to conduct skydiving. Director Pandey said, “Allowing only 15 days at a time poses challenges for the promotion and sustainable management of the skydiving business, and the lengthy and cumbersome permit process is also causing problems.” According to him, if the Authority grants ‘RAOC’, companies are ready to invest in skydiving, which will also increase state revenue and create employment. He says that skydiving is now conducted by trained and experienced Nepali instructors.
Until a few years ago, only foreigners used to operate skydiving in Pokhara. Gyanendra Bhul, Information Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), stated that Pokhara is a suitable destination for skydiving. He said, “Preparations are underway to make Pokhara and Syangboche in the Everest region the destinations for skydiving. The successful flights and landings from repeated skydiving have also highlighted the potential of these two places.” The CAAN information officer, Bhul, stated that the process has been initiated for issuing a RAOC to a skydiving company that meets the standards set by the Authority. “Some companies have been in contact, and we will provide RAOC from this fiscal year if possible, otherwise from next year,” he said, adding that a company obtaining a RAOC can conduct skydiving at any time, and there will no longer be a situation requiring frequent permission as at present. Pandey, the Director of In Sky Skydive Company, stated that currently Nepali instructors are conducting skydiving through his company.
Experienced instructor Elis Thapa, who trained in China, Thailand and Dubai, stated that he is currently conducting skydiving in three packages in Pokhara. The price of the deluxe skydiving package for Nepali is Rs 95,000. The VIP package is set at Rs 115,000 and the ‘diamond package’ at Rs 150,000. Trainer Thapa said that for foreigners, the rate for each package is USD 750, 900 and 1,200, respectively. Along with him, Subash Thapa, Manish Hirachan, and Nepal’s first female skydiver Yasoda KC Thapa have been skydiving in Pokhara. He stated that parachute landings are carried out by jumping from a helicopter located over three thousand feet. “Pokhara can be developed as a centre for adventurous sports including skydiving, which would greatly aid the country’s economy as well as creating employment. We are hopeful that the Civil Aviation Authority will soon provide companies with ‘RAOC’, creating a regulated environment for skydiving,” said Instructor Thapa.
