Paragliding in Kamshet is possible for eight months of the year, but those eight months are not all alike. A December morning and an April afternoon offer very different flights — one calm and glassy, the other long and thermic — and choosing the right one for you makes a real difference to the experience.
This guide walks through the season month by month, explains why slot times move from 7 am to 2:30 pm, covers crowds and festival bookings, and tells you what happens when the weather refuses to cooperate. It is written for visitors from Pune, Lonavala and Mumbai planning a day trip or a short stay.
Kamshet paragliding season at a glance
Kamshet sits in the Sahyadri (Western Ghats) between Lonavala and Pune, and its flying season follows the monsoon cycle. Once the rains withdraw in late September or early October, the hills dry out, the sky clears and the wind settles into a reliable pattern. That pattern holds until late May, when pre-monsoon heat and humidity make conditions rough. We then close from June to September.
The season divides naturally into two halves with quite different characters:
- October to February — the winter half. Cool, smooth mornings, winds of roughly 10–15 km/h, reporting around 7:00 am. This is the classic first-timer window.
- March to May — the summer half. Stronger afternoon thermals, winds around 20 km/h, reporting around 2:30 pm. Flights tend to be longer and higher.
Whichever half you choose, the day itself is decided by the wind. Our pilots pick between the two take-off sites — Tower Hill (higher, longer flights) and Shelar Hill (gentler slopes, great for beginners) — each morning based on direction and strength. All flying is in daylight, roughly 7 am to 5 pm.
Month-by-month wind guide
Below is how a typical season unfolds. Conditions vary year to year, so treat this as a planning guide rather than a forecast; our team confirms the actual slot the evening before you fly.
| Month | Conditions | Slot | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | Season opens; landscape still green from the monsoon, occasional humidity | Morning, ~7 am | First-timers, photographers who want green hills |
| November | Cool, dry, very smooth air; excellent visibility | Morning, ~7 am | Everyone — one of the best months |
| December | Coldest mornings, calm and stable wind, clear skies | Morning, ~7 am | Families, children, nervous flyers; busy over Christmas week |
| January | Crisp mornings, reliable light wind, sharp long-range views | Morning, ~7 am | First-timers, photos and videos |
| February | Warming up, still smooth; transition towards thermic days | Morning, ~7 am | Anyone who wants winter calm without the cold |
| March | Afternoon thermals build, wind ~20 km/h, longer flights begin | Afternoon, ~2:30 pm | Instructional and Acro Tandem, repeat flyers |
| April | Strong thermals, highest flights of the year, warm and hazy | Afternoon, ~2:30 pm | Longest airtime; carry water and a cap |
| May | Hot, thermic, increasingly humid; season winds down late month | Afternoon, ~2:30 pm | Experienced flyers; book early in the month |
| June – September | Monsoon: rain, cloud, unpredictable wind | Closed | — |
Morning vs afternoon slots: the thermals explained
People often ask why we fly at 7 am in December but 2:30 pm in April. The answer is thermals. A thermal is a column of warm air rising off ground that has been heated by the sun. Paragliders use thermals to climb and stay up longer, but strong thermals also make the air bumpier.
Winter mornings (October–February)
In winter the sun is weaker and the ground is cool, so thermals are gentle. The early-morning valley breeze gives a steady 10–15 km/h flow up the hill — exactly what a tandem pilot wants for a smooth launch and a calm 8–10 minute Joy Tandem. By late morning the wind often picks up and turns gusty, so we finish flying early. This is also why winter is our recommendation for first-timers, children and anyone slightly nervous.
Summer afternoons (March–May)
In summer the mornings are often too still to launch well. As the day heats up, strong thermals develop and the wind settles into a firm ~20 km/h flow by mid-afternoon. Pilots can use this lift to climb higher and stay up longer, so Instructional and Acro Tandem flights in April frequently run to the top of their 10–15 minute range. The air is livelier, which thrill-seekers enjoy, and the slot lets you leave Pune after lunch.
Flight height in both seasons is typically 800–1,500 ft above the ground, with the higher figures more common on thermic summer days launching from Tower Hill.
Weekdays, weekends and long weekends
Kamshet is within easy reach of Pune (49 km), Hinjewadi (35–40 km), Lonavala (16–19 km) and Mumbai (102 km), so weekends get busy from November through February. More flyers means more waiting at take-off, and on very crowded Sundays a slot can slip later into the morning when the wind is less ideal.
- Weekdays: quieter hill, more relaxed briefing, and the Joy Tandem costs ₹2,999 instead of ₹3,500. Best if you have flexible leave.
- Saturdays and Sundays: perfectly good flying, but book earlier and expect to share the jeep and the take-off queue.
- Long weekends and festivals: Diwali, Christmas to New Year, Republic Day, Holi and any Friday-Monday combination sell out first. Book at least several days ahead through our booking page, and pay the ₹500 deposit early to hold your spot.
If you are combining paragliding with a Lonavala stay, a weekday is doubly rewarding: hotels are cheaper and the expressway from Mumbai is far less congested.
What happens when the weather says no
Even in peak season, some days do not work. We do not fly in rain, strong or gusty wind, or poor visibility; our pilots make that call on the hill, not from an app. Here is how it plays out in practice:
- The evening before, our team calls with your reporting time and any weather warning.
- On the day, if conditions are marginal we may hold you at the meeting point near Hotel Rangoli for a short while or shift you to a later slot.
- If flying is called off, you choose between rescheduling to another date or a full refund of your deposit. No arguments.
Allow about two hours on site for the briefing, jeep ride, flight and return, and keep a little slack in your day so a small delay does not spoil the trip. If you are travelling from Mumbai, staying one night in Lonavala gives you a natural fallback slot the next morning.
Best months for first-timers, longest flights and photos
First-timers and families
November to February. Smooth air, gentle launches (often from Shelar Hill), and a calm 8–10 minute Joy Tandem that feels more like floating than flying. Children aged 6 and above can fly with parental consent, and under-12s must be accompanied by a parent.
Longest and highest flights
March and April. Afternoon thermals let pilots gain height and stretch the Instructional and Acro Tandem to the upper end of 10–15 minutes. If you have flown before and want more, this is your window. Compare the flight types on our packages page.
Photos and videos
December and January have the sharpest air, so your free GoPro footage shows Pawna Lake, Lohagad and Tikona forts in crisp detail. October gives greener hills but sometimes lingering humidity. Summer is hazier — still beautiful, but with softer horizons. Whatever month you pick, the pilot records photos and videos and transfers them to your phone after landing.
What to wear in each season
Kamshet weather at 7 am in December and 3 pm in April could hardly be more different, so pack accordingly. The basics never change: closed sports shoes with grip, long trousers and a full-sleeve top. Phones and cameras cannot be held during the flight, so leave them with your group or in a zipped pocket.
| Season | Wear | Carry |
|---|---|---|
| Oct–Feb mornings | Full-sleeve top, long trousers, light jacket or windcheater (it is chilly at 7 am on the hill), closed shoes | Water, ID proof, personal medicines, strap for glasses |
| Mar–May afternoons | Breathable full-sleeve top, long trousers, closed shoes; no jacket needed | Plenty of water, sunscreen, cap for before and after the flight, ID proof, medicines |
Glasses and contact lenses are fine; use a strap for spectacles. Avoid sandals, skirts and loose scarves. For a complete checklist see our guide on preparing for your first tandem flight.
So, when should you book?
If this is your first flight, or you are bringing children or parents, aim for a weekday morning between November and February. If you have flown before and want the longest, highest ride Kamshet can offer, choose an afternoon in March or April. If you simply want the best odds of good weather and clear views, December and January are hard to beat.
Whatever the month, the process is the same: pay the ₹500 per person deposit on our booking page at least a day ahead, wait for our call the evening before, and meet us near Hotel Rangoli at Kamshet junction. The wind will decide the hill; we will handle the rest.