Himalaya Thermalling and cross country courses

Airtrips can make that dream a reality...

SPRING

26/03/25 to 13/04/25 - Cross Country Flying

AUTUMN

The flights have yet to be released by the airlines, so dates are tentative.

Trip One 2/10/25 to 17/10/25 - Thermalling & Cross Country Flying

Trip Two 18/10/25 to 2/11/25 - Advanced Cross Country Flying

Introduction

BOOK NOW, these trips will fill up! We have been coming here for well over twenty years and are once more off to that most reliable and mellow thermal paradise, the green and luscious Indian Himalayan foothills.

Each year pilots with differing levels of experience, ranging from absolutely zero hours since qualifying to near Skygods come with us. We always leave with experienced pilots and everyone always wants to go again. Most break all their personal bests! In 2015 we completed a 125 km out and return cross country flight, probably the then longest guided group xc of all time... We have now guided group 145km out and return flights here without infringing airspace. Flights of well over 200km are possible!

Group Sizes

We aim to operate at an incredible 3:1 student/instructor ratio to ensure that pilots progress as quickly and securely as their ability permits.

One of the benefits of our very high instructor to student ratio and multiple instructors is that we can ensure the best possible experience for any level of pilot: For the recently qualified and/or low airtime pilot you can expect to become a competent XC pilot, able to identify and use thermal lift to cover serious distances and then land safely in a field of your choosing, perhaps even occasionally the main landing field. Look upon out-landings as an opportunity to meet new friends and have an amazing travel experience and you won't go far wrong; For the more experienced pilot on trip 2 who can launch autonomously, already thermal well, and is seeking some quality instruction in the awesome scenery and benign thermals of this classic XC paradise, we'll be aiming to improve your skills by guided XC flying every day including some of the more dramatic routes and with the occasional vol-bivouac.

Weather

Typical Autumn conditions start with the end of monsoon a week or two before we now arrive in Bir. Of course, with global warming, even the monsoon, upon which you can normally set your watch, could be affected.

Days typically start with cloud base at perhaps 3000m, well above launch at 2400m, then dropping towards launch altitude during the day. We have 1000m down to the valley floor to play with and have flown over 100km out and return flights in these conditions. Cloud base rises quickly and within a few days we are usually able to climb to more than 3500m on the launch spine. Thermals are about 3 m/s, similar to the nicest days in UK summer, but generally larger and much more frequent & consistent.

As the season develops it usually becomes more tenable in the bigger mountains over the back, where climbs to 5000m are almost routine. Hence group two pilots will want to bring particularly warm flying kit if they anticipate flying over the back or on the main 4980m back wall. (You will need to acclimatise before going this high!)

In spring the thermals have been similar to autumn, but there were fewer inversions and the occasional restitution flight (Magic lift) happened. Potentially, thermals can be a little stronger than the autumn and cloud base above launch can be over 6000m! However, immediately over the back was more benign because of the snow cover limiting thermals and hence valley breezes.

For 2025 we are heading out a little later in March so expect even better conditions.

Non-Flying Activities

We may append a week of backcountry skiing or snowshoeing for anyone interested.

To help reduce 'flown-out pilot syndrome', which occurs with two weeks incessant paragliding, we have a non-flying day in the middle of each trip: Non-flying activities include visits to Dharamsala, hot springs, 1000 year old temples, fantastic trekking opportunities and a group will usually go on a motorcycle adventure

What's included

Instruction, Airport transfers from/to Amritsar, transport to launch and half-board (B&B and evening meals) accommodation.

Flights

The autumn flights have yet to be released by the airlines, so dates are tentative.

This year, we again plan to fly Air India from Gatwick to Amritsar, then drive to Bir.

Alternatively of course, you could take flights that bracket ours and meet us at Amritsar or Bir.

You can of course leave earlier if you cannot get the leave from work for a full trip. Do call to discuss travel options.

I strongly recommend you source your flights and transit hotel if required through a travel agent such as Southall Travel. It may cost a few pounds more than booking direct, but it helps immensely to have an agent when dealing with India.

In autumn it can be the moveable festivals of Holi, Deshera, Navratra and Diwali while we are there, so we need to book flights before they fill up!

We are getting the following flights and will be arranging airport transfers from and to Amritsar. Autumn flights have yet to be released so dates are tentative:

Spring 2025

• Out: AI 170, Gatwick to Amritsar, 20:30 Tuesday 26 MAR 25
• Return: AI 169, Amritsar to Gatwick, 13:40 Sunday 13 APR 25

Autumn Session 1

• Out: AI 170, Gatwick to Amritsar, 20:50 Thursday 2 OCT 25
• Return: AI 169, Amritsar to Gatwick, 13:40 Friday 17 OCT 25

Autumn Session 2

• Out: AI 170, Gatwick to Amritsar, 20:50 Saturday, 18 OCT 25
• Return: AI 169, Amritsar to Gatwick, 15:00 Sunday 2 NOV 25

Payment

The cost of all this is £1899 for each session, plus flights. Those with a more leisurely schedule could opt to do the first two autumn trips for £3399.

Note that these prices include Amritsar vehicle transfer rather than your paying to fly to & from Dharamsala as was previously the case.

Please make your payment to AIRTRIPS as soon as possible. You can secure your place with a non-refundable £500 deposit, the balance falling due six weeks before departure.

Documentation

Information pack with details of everything you need to know, through from visas and injections, to equipment is here:
Information and Essentials

The contact details and risk acceptance form are here. Please complete and return before your trip:

Risk Acceptance and Contact Form

To discuss your needs please feel free to pop in for a coffee and a chat, call us on (01273)434002 or email info@airworks.co.uk.

See you soon!

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