Kerala Is Hosting A Paragliding Festival, Here's What You Must Know

When considering a trip to Kerala, most people think of the breathtaking tea gardens in Munnar and the beautiful backwaters of Allepy. However, an exciting new experience awaits as Kerala is set to host a paragliding festival. The International Paragliding Festival will take place from March 19 to 23, 2025, in Vagamon, located in the Idukki District. This event, which is the largest of its kind in India, is organized by the Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism.

During this paragliding festival, participants will compete for top honors in six categories, including the prestigious International Top Landing Accuracy Cup. The event, managed by KATPS and supported by Orange Life Paragliding School, will award cash prizes of ₹1.5 lakh for first place, ₹1 lakh for second, and ₹50,000 for third in each category.

The five-day festival is officially recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the global governing body for air sports since 1905.

Competitions will take place at the Vagamon Adventure Park in Kolahalamedu, with categories including Paragliding Accuracy (Overall), Paragliding Accuracy (Women), Paragliding Accuracy (Team), Paragliding Accuracy (Indian Overall), Paragliding Accuracy (Indian Women), and Paragliding Accuracy (Junior).

The events will begin around 10:00 AM and continue as long as weather conditions permit.

What To Know About The Flying Site For Paragliding Festival

Kolahalamedu Hill, situated just 4 km from Vagamon, offers an ideal setting for paragliding. Rising over 3,000 feet, it features a 10 km stretch that is perfect for both take-off and landing.

How To Reach Vagamon

To reach Vagamon by air, the closest airport is Cochin International Airport (COK), about 95.8 km away, which can be accessed by bus, car, or cab. If traveling by road, Vagamon is 100 km from Cochin, with direct bus services available from Cochin, Trivandrum, Madurai, Kottayam, and Munnar.

What About The Registration And Other Things?

If you're thinking of joining or know someone who might be interested, the registration fee is INR 10,600 in total. This amount covers accommodation in twin or triple sharing rooms, as well as meals. For more information, including contact details and other important information, please visit here.