Paragliding Trip with River Rafting

Two Nepal adventures, one busy day. This Pokhara tour pairs a 30-minute paragliding flight from Sarangkot with rafting on the Upper Seti River, giving you mountain views from above and rushing water at river level. I like the variety, and I like that transport, guides, safety gear, photos, video, water, and a sandwich are included.

The main consideration is the schedule. You start around 9:15 or 9:30 in the morning, return to your hotel near midday, freshen up for about an hour, then head out again for rafting and finish around 5 p.m. It is efficient, but not a lazy day.

Key points to know before booking

• Sarangkot puts the Annapurna range, Pokhara Valley, and Phewa Lake below your flight path.
• The 30-minute paragliding flight gives you real airtime, not just a quick launch and landing.
• Upper Seti River rafting adds rapids, safety kayakers, and a very different view of Nepal.
• A maximum group size of 14 keeps the outing small enough for organized transfers and briefings.
• Photos and video are included, along with mineral water, a sandwich, permits, helmets, and safety jackets.
• The two-part schedule works best for active visitors who want to pack a lot into one day.

Why this pairing works in Pokhara

Pokhara is unusually well suited to a day of air and water. Sarangkot gives you a high viewpoint over the city and Phewa Lake. The Seti River then changes the pace completely, replacing open sky with rapids and river corridors.

I like this combination because the two activities do not feel repetitive. Paragliding is quiet and panoramic. Rafting is physical and immediate. One gives you time to look outward, while the other asks you to pay attention to the next stretch of water.

At $168 per person, the price is not bargain-basement, but it covers a lot. You are paying for hotel transport, a licensed English-speaking guide team, a paragliding pilot, rafting permits, equipment, professional safety kayakers, photos and video, mineral water, and a light sandwich. Booking the activities separately could offer more control, but this package saves you from arranging two transfers and coordinating two operators.

The day is also designed for visitors with limited time in Pokhara. Instead of using one day for paragliding and another for rafting, you handle both in roughly seven hours. That makes sense if you want adventure without sacrificing a full day to each activity.

Morning pickup and the road to Sarangkot

The stated meeting time is 9:15 a.m., while the hotel pickup is described as taking place at 9:30 a.m. I would confirm the exact pickup time with CAN Travels before the day begins. That small check can save you from waiting outside your hotel too early or holding up the vehicle.

The ride to Sarangkot takes you to the paragliding takeoff point above Pokhara. The attraction here is not only the flight itself. Sarangkot is known for its broad view over the Annapurna range, Pokhara Valley, Phewa Lake, and the city below.

You should expect a preparation period before takeoff. The pilot gives you a briefing, helps you get ready, and handles the technical side of the flight. The experience is designed for most participants, with a professional pilot guiding the flight from start to finish.

The flight lasts about 30 minutes. That is long enough to settle into the sensation of being airborne and spend time looking at the valley rather than simply reacting to takeoff and landing. The exact feel of the flight can vary, but the advertised view includes mountain ridges, green hills, Phewa Lake, and Pokhara spread below.

For me, the best part of this first section is the change in viewpoint. From street level, Phewa Lake and the surrounding hills frame Pokhara. From the air, the city becomes part of a much larger setting, with the Annapurna range providing the distant mountain backdrop.

The flight lands near Phewa Lake. A vehicle waits there to take you back to your hotel, with the return planned for around noon. This is a useful touch. You do not need to arrange a taxi from the landing area or figure out how to reconnect with the tour.

What the paragliding portion includes

The paragliding package includes an experienced pilot and photos and video. Those recordings matter because your attention during the flight will be divided between the view, the sensation of flying, and the instructions from the pilot.

The supplied details do not specify how the photos and video are delivered, so I would ask about that before takeoff. Still, having them included removes a common extra cost from an adventure activity.

The professional team is another strong point. The guides are English-speaking, licensed, and trained in safety. That does not remove the need to listen carefully during the briefing, but it gives you a clear structure for the activity.

You should also remember that this is an active tour, not a sightseeing ride with a short thrill added. You need to be ready for a full day that includes getting fitted for equipment, following instructions, changing clothes, and moving between locations.

The one-hour break at your hotel

After landing near Phewa Lake, you return to your hotel around noon. The plan allows roughly an hour to freshen up before the rafting pickup.

This break is practical. Paragliding and rafting use different equipment, and changing into suitable clothes makes the second half more comfortable. The provided details do not state what clothing you should bring, so I would ask CAN Travels for current packing advice before departure.

Do not treat the break as a long rest period. The rafting pickup follows soon after, and the entire day runs on a fairly tight timetable. Have your dry clothes ready, keep your belongings organized, and be prepared to leave again promptly.

The schedule also means you will not spend much time lingering around Phewa Lake after the flight. That is the tradeoff for fitting both activities into one outing. If you want a slow morning by the lake, this is not the right format.

Heading to the Upper Seti River

The second pickup takes you from your hotel to the Upper Seti River starting point. Here, the mood changes from open mountain views to a focused water activity.

Before entering the river, you receive a safety briefing and get fitted with a helmet and safety jacket. The tour also includes professional English-speaking guides trained in whitewater river guiding, swift water rescue, and wilderness first aid.

Professional safety kayakers accompany the rafting group. That is an important inclusion. The guide team does not only lead the raft. Safety kayakers add another layer of support on the river, which is especially valuable when the route includes rapids.

The group size can reach 14 people. That is not a private trip, but it is still a controlled number for a guided rafting outing. You should expect to share the raft and follow the guide’s instructions rather than set your own pace.

Rafting the Seti River

The rafting section brings the day’s physical energy. You move through rapids while passing Nepal’s natural scenery along the river. The experience is less about a single spectacular viewpoint and more about the changing rhythm of the water, the guide’s commands, and the river corridor around you.

I like that the tour includes both helmets and safety jackets rather than leaving basic protective equipment to you. River permits are included as well, so there should be fewer costs to handle during the day.

Mineral water is included, and a light sandwich is provided. The lunch is practical rather than elaborate. After a morning flight and an active rafting session, that simple food can be useful, but you should not expect a full restaurant meal.

The supplied information does not give a precise rafting distance, the number of rapids, or the exact time spent on the river. I would not book this expecting a specific grade of whitewater or a detailed technical rafting route. The dependable facts are that the trip takes place on the Upper Seti River, includes rapids, and is guided with safety kayakers and trained staff.

That lack of technical detail is worth noting for experienced rafters. You may want to ask CAN Travels about the route and river conditions if you are choosing the tour for a particular level of whitewater. For a visitor seeking a first taste of rafting alongside paragliding, the package offers a clear and convenient introduction.

Changing clothes and returning to Pokhara

At the end of the rafting trip, you can change into dry clothes. This is one of those small details that makes a difference. A wet return ride after a river outing can take the shine off an otherwise enjoyable afternoon.

You then have a light snack and drive back to your hotel, with arrival planned around 5 p.m. The full schedule is about seven hours, though the exact timing may shift with transport and activity conditions.

Since you begin in the morning and finish near early evening, I would keep the rest of your night flexible. The tour is not designed to leave you with a long afternoon for other plans. It is better to view the day as your main Pokhara activity.

Safety and organization

Safety is the strongest practical feature of this package. The paragliding portion has a trained pilot, while the rafting portion has licensed English-speaking guides, safety kayakers, helmets, safety jackets, and staff trained in swift water rescue and wilderness first aid.

The included safety credentials do not mean you can ignore the briefing. You still need to listen, follow instructions, and tell the guide if you are unsure about anything. Most people can participate, according to the supplied details, but the tour does involve flight and whitewater activity.

The organization also receives strong support from the available feedback. A French-language comment describes the experience as magnificent and praises the excellent organization and professional team. With only two ratings listed, I would treat that as encouraging rather than conclusive, but it matches the tour’s clear structure and wide list of inclusions.

Who should book this experience

I would choose this trip if you want two major Pokhara adventure activities in one day and prefer having the transport arranged. It suits active couples, friends, and small groups who like a full schedule and do not want to negotiate separate bookings.

It is also a good fit if photos and video matter to you. Those are included for both paragliding and rafting, though you should confirm the delivery method.

This tour may not suit you if you dislike fixed schedules, want a private experience, or prefer to spend a full day on one activity. The group can include up to 14 people, and the timetable leaves only about an hour between the two outings.

The package is also not ideal if you need detailed technical information before booking. The provided description does not state the rafting distance, rapid grade, or exact transport times. Ask those questions directly if they matter to your decision.

Price, value, and what to confirm

At $168 per person, I see the value in the convenience. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, two activities, professional staff, permits, safety equipment, water, a sandwich, and photos and video. You are buying a complete day rather than only paying for airtime or river time.

The maximum group size of 14 also helps keep the price below what a private day would likely cost, while avoiding an enormous group. Group discounts are available, which could improve the value if you are booking with friends or family.

Before booking, I would confirm three points: the exact pickup time, how the photos and video are delivered, and the expected rafting route or duration. The meeting time is listed as 9:15 a.m., while the hotel pickup is listed as 9:30 a.m., so clarify that detail first.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the paragliding and rafting day?

I would book it if your goal is efficient adventure. You get the Annapurna range and Phewa Lake from the air, then the Upper Seti River from the water, with transport and safety arrangements handled for you.

I would skip it if you want a relaxed Pokhara day or need a highly specialized rafting itinerary. For everyone else, the combination offers strong value, especially with the included photos, video, permits, safety kayakers, sandwich, and hotel transfers. Confirm the pickup time and rafting details, then prepare for a long, active, memorable day.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding flight take place?

The paragliding flight begins at Sarangkot, the takeoff point above Pokhara. It offers views of the Annapurna range, Pokhara Valley, Phewa Lake, and the city.

How long is the paragliding flight?

The included paragliding flight lasts 30 minutes.

Where does the rafting take place?

The rafting section takes place on the Upper Seti River. The route includes rapids and views of the surrounding area along the river.

What time does the experience start and finish?

The listed meeting time is 9:15 a.m., with hotel pickup described as around 9:30 a.m. The rafting return to your hotel is planned for around 5 p.m., and the full experience lasts about seven hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the 30-minute paragliding flight, professional guides, safety kayakers, river permits, mineral water, a light sandwich, helmets, safety jackets, and paragliding and rafting photos and video.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.