Four Days in Kamshet: Learning to Fly with Indus Paragliding School

Oct 26

6 min read

I've gone tandem paragliding multiple times, and every time I was up in the air, I wondered what it would feel like to fly on my own. The thought of controlling the glider myself was exciting, but the idea of taking off from a cliff was genuinely scary.

For a long time, solo paragliding remained one of those things I wanted to try but wasn't entirely sure I could do. Still, somewhere in my mind, I had already started thinking about P2 and P3. So, when I finally decided to take the P1 course, I was excited, nervous, and curious about what the next four days would bring.

I chose Indus Paragliding School in Kamshet, around 75 km from Pune, and what followed was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed.

A Stay That Made the Experience Even Better

I stayed at Shambhala by the Lake, and I loved the place from the moment I stepped in.

The property had such a peaceful vibe. There was a lake right beside it, with greenery and mountains all around. I could simply step outside my room and enjoy the view. There were butterflies around, the weather was pleasant, and a mild breeze seemed to follow us throughout the day.

And the food? Fresh, homemade, and super tasty!

It was the kind of place where you didn't feel the need to do much. You could sit outside, enjoy the surroundings, have conversations, or simply do nothing for a while. After spending the mornings learning something new and physically demanding, coming back to this peaceful setting felt just right.

Day 1: Getting to Know the Glider

Our training started early in the morning, usually between 7 and 10 AM, at the flying site.

The first two days were all about ground handling and understanding the glider. We learned how to control it, how to use the brakes, how to manage its movement, and the techniques involved in taking off and landing.

It sounds simple when you describe it, but there is a lot to understand. You have to pay attention to the glider, your body position, your hand movements, and the instructions you're receiving.

The first day was about getting familiar with everything and learning the basics properly. There was no jumping straight into flying. We had to understand what we were doing on the ground first.

Day 2: Chicken Hops and More Practice

We continued practising ground handling and refining our techniques. By this point, we also started doing what are commonly called chicken hops — short little hops into the air that help you get comfortable with the glider and the take-off process.

I was still nervous about the actual flying part, especially the take-off. But the repeated practice was helping me understand how the glider behaved and what I needed to do.

The focus wasn't just on getting airborne. It was on learning the correct technique, building confidence, and getting the basics right.

Day 3: My First Flights

On the third day, we moved to a small slope, roughly 10–20 feet high, and started flying from there.

This was the point where things started feeling more real. We practised taking off, changing positions and directions in the air, and landing.

I was still nervous. Even after two days of training, the thought of actually taking off and flying on my own wasn't something I was completely comfortable with.

But this is where the training structure really helped. We weren't simply asked to take off and figure things out ourselves. We had radios, and the instructors continuously monitored us and guided us through the process.

Every movement mattered. Our instructors paid attention to our body positions, hand movements, and overall technique. Whenever something needed correction, they gave us instructions.

By the end of the day, I had a much better understanding of what I needed to do. The nervousness was still there, but I was beginning to trust what I had learned.

Day 4: Flying from a Hill

The fourth day was the most significant one for me.

We moved to a slightly bigger hill, around 40 feet high. The training involved taking off, changing directions, practising S-turns, and landing.

I had been nervous right up until the previous day. But on Day 4, something had changed. I felt prepared enough that I barely had time to be scared. I knew what I needed to do, and I simply followed the instructions.

And then I was flying.

The flight itself felt surprisingly easy and smooth. All the practice, corrections, and instructions from the previous days had come together. I wasn't trying to figure everything out in the air because I had already spent days learning the fundamentals.

I didn't have some dramatic moment of triumph or overwhelming excitement when I landed. It was more matter-of-fact than that. I knew this was something I wanted to do, I had prepared for it, and when the moment came, I did it.

And honestly, that felt good in its own way.

By the end of Day 4, I had completed my P1 course!

Videos are available on my insta page, link is available at home page.

What Made the Training Experience So Good?

One thing I particularly appreciated about Indus Paragliding School was the amount of attention the instructors gave each student.

We each had a radio, and the team continuously monitored our movements and provided instructions. They were attentive to even small details, correcting our positions, hand movements, and body language whenever necessary.

After our morning sessions at the flying site, we returned to our stay and watched recorded videos of our practice with the instructors. They would point out what we had done incorrectly, explain what needed improvement, and help us prepare for the following day.

We also had theory sessions in the evenings. These covered how the glider works, the physics and aerodynamics behind flying, and the relevant rules and regulations. We then practised on a simulator, which helped us prepare for the next day's training.

It wasn't just about getting us into the air. There was a clear focus on understanding, practice, feedback, and improvement.

Something else made us appreciate our instructors even more.

While we were at the flying site, we got to observe students from other paragliding schools practising too. We noticed a difference in the level of guidance and attention being provided. Some students appeared to be practising without receiving the kind of timely corrections and detailed instructions we were getting. We also observed unstable take-offs and situations where students seemed to have less support from their instructors.

Watching this made us realise how much attention our own team was giving us. Our instructors weren't simply watching us take off and land. They were closely monitoring each student, correcting mistakes, guiding our movements, and giving instructions at the right time.

It made us appreciate that learning to paraglide isn't just about getting into the air. It's about learning to do it correctly, with proper guidance and supervision.

For a beginner who is already nervous about flying, that kind of attention makes a real difference.

The People Made It Even More Memorable

There were four of us students in total, and we had a great time together.

Our mornings were spent training, but the afternoons were much more relaxed. We would nap, sit outside, talk, and share stories about our lives. It's funny how spending just a few days with people can lead to such interesting conversations.

There was also someone staying there who had already completed P3 and had returned to fly again after a gap of two years. It was nice to meet someone who had progressed further in paragliding and was still drawn back to it.

The other three students were continuing with P2 after completing P1, while I was leaving after my course. So, by the end of Day 4, I knew my training was complete, but I still had one more evening to enjoy with everyone.

An Evening Trek, a Sunset, and a Lot of Peace

One evening, we went on a small trek to a nearby hill.

The view from there was beautiful, with valleys on both sides. We could see the dam on one side, and the sun was setting in that direction. The mild breeze, the open landscape, and the changing colours of the sky made it such a relaxing experience.

There was nothing elaborate about it. Just a little walk, a beautiful view, and good company.

That evening captured what I loved about the entire trip. It wasn't only about learning to paraglide. It was also about being away from the usual routine, spending time outdoors, meeting people, and enjoying the kind of quiet moments that are easy to miss in everyday life.

On our last evening, we had some beer and enjoyed our time at Shambhala.

Four Days That Left Me Wanting More

By the time I left Kamshet, I had completed my first step into solo paragliding. I had learned the fundamentals, experienced my first flights, and realised that something which had once seemed intimidating was actually manageable with the right training and preparation.

I also came away appreciating the importance of having instructors who pay attention, explain things properly, and guide you through the learning process.

And then there was everything beyond the training — the peaceful stay at Shambhala by the Lake, the food, the mountain views, the sunset trek, the conversations, and the people I met.