The jeep swiftly navigated the winding turns to ascend Sarangkot in Pokhara. While this wasn’t my first visit to Sarangkot—I had previously witnessed sunrise painting the Machhapuchhre and Annapurna peaks. However, today felt a little different. I was there for a new adventure, a departure from my usual comfort zone. Naturally, I was also a little apprehensive and nervous. Here I was, older and perhaps slightly wiser, yet still battling the butterflies in my stomach. I was about to float in the air on a paraglider.

Reaching the end of the road, we followed a trail to Tori Danda, a slope that served as the take-off field for paragliding. As my younger companions chatted excitedly, I stared at my pilot, Roshan Gautam, who is part of the Pokhara-based company, e-paragliding. His calm demeanour reassured me, but I still felt a tinge of fear.

Roshan briefly explained the process, his voice a soothing antidote to my growing anxiety. He threw my phone and purse into a backpack, which I then strapped on along with a helmet. I declined when a vendor attempted to rent me goggles. Roshan assured me that he would take photos and videos of the experience for later sharing with family and friends.

The slope buzzed with activity as everyone prepared for their flights. I observed others taking off—some glided smoothly, while a few appeared a bit unsteady. Notably, a Chinese woman continued shaking her feet even after becoming airborne. My attention was caught by a middle-aged pilot guiding a young man, both effortlessly navigating their gliders. It struck me how human ingenuity could craft something as simple as fabric and string into a contraption that defies gravity. Despite this marvel, a twinge of apprehension lingered.

I took a deep breath and committed to the flight.

The take-off was smooth, almost surreal. The ground slowly receded, replaced by a breathtaking panorama. Below, the valley unfolded like a map, dotted with houses painted in red, green, and blue. True to its name—Tori Danda—I spotted mustard fields, which stretched out like golden carpets. A lone bulldozer hurtled on a distant road.

We soared like birds, the wind whispering in my ears. The sky, despite being overcast, seemed otherworldly. The brisk wind continuously lashed at my down-jacket.

Midway through, Roshan turned on his GoPro camera and started documenting our adventure. He asked me to release my grip on the rope. I even managed to make a V-sign. Free from holding the ropes, I experienced something I never thought possible: the exhilarating freedom of flight.

Moments later, Phewa Lake shimmered into view. I saw a few patches of forests, unpaved mountain roads snaking through the hills and even terraced farm fields.

As we gently descended, I saw the landing field. A small bazaar had already formed with vans, jeeps and eateries. Some of our fellow gliders had arrived, likely relishing their adventurous experience.

Roshan instructed me to stand, and with a gentle bump, we touched down. A wave of relief washed over me, mingled with joy at having overcome my fear. Just an hour ago, this feat had seemed impossible.

Before we took off, the middle-aged pilot told me: “Paragliding is like whispering to the wind.” Now I knew what he meant. In the balmy afternoon, with the beautiful view unfolding before me like magic, it felt just like that.

Paragliding offered an unexpected lesson: the passenger plays a vital role in the flight, especially during takeoff and landing. While the unmotored device, with its inflatable canopy and harness system, might seem very simple, it’s a delicate balance between the pilot’s skill and the passenger’s cooperation. The pilot, attuned to the wind’s ebb and flow, shifts weight and adjusts controls to navigate the air currents. The passenger’s responsiveness during crucial moments is equally important.

Back on the ground, I realised that for me, it was more than a flight. I had taken a leap of faith. I had plunged into the unknown. I floated in the air, whispered to the wind, and found my own courage.

I discovered that sometimes the most breathtaking views come from taking a chance and letting go of fear.