Simrik Air to hosts historic skydiving event

In a historic milestone for aerial sports in Nepal, Simrik Air, in collaboration with local skydiving instructors with over a decade of experience and thousands of successful jumps are leading the country’s first-ever skydiving event, entirely managed by Nepali professionals. The event, taking place from Jan 10 to 21, marks a significant turning point in Nepal’s adventure tourism landscape, highlighting the country’s homegrown talent.

The event is spearheaded by Alish Thapa, a seasoned instructor and aerial sports enthusiast who has been a paragliding instructor for 14 years. In 2017, he completed his first tandem jump, and by 2018, he began intensive training in skydiving. With experience as a Safety and Training Advisor (S&TA), Chief Instructor, and tandem instructor in Thailand, Alish’s vision for establishing skydiving in Nepal is now becoming a reality.

“This has been my dream for years,” says Thapa. “Thanks to Simrik Air, CAAN, and the Ministry of Tourism, we are finally taking steps to establish Nepal as a skydiving hub. With government support for dedicated airspace, skydiving could provide opportunities for youth and year-round economic benefits.”

Thapa is joined by a highly skilled team, including Subash Thapa, Manish Hirachan, Aashish Thapa, and Nepal’s first female skydiver and USPA-certified coach, Yeshoda KC Thapa. Together, they plan to showcase Nepal’s natural beauty and towering peaks to attract global adventure seekers. “Nepal has some of the most breathtaking landscapes for skydiving,” says KC Thapa. “We see immense potential, but proper policies and dedicated airspace are essential to fully capitalize on it.”

While the event is a crucial step forward, the team faces challenges in developing skydiving as a mainstream activity in Nepal. The approval process for skydiving activities is time-consuming, often causing potential clients to lose interest.

“Interested clients often leave because of the long wait times for approvals,” explains Subash. “Pokhara needs a dedicated airspace for aerial sports like skydiving, paragliding, paramotor, hot air balloons, and ultra-light flights. This would streamline operations and enhance Nepal’s reputation as an adventure tourism destination.”

The team believes that with the right policies, infrastructure, and government backing, Nepal could become a global hub for skydiving and other aerial sports. With Pokhara’s stunning landscapes and proximity to the Himalayas, it offers an unparalleled adventure experience.

“This is not just about skydiving,” says Alish. “It’s about creating opportunities for Nepal’s youth and unlocking the economic potential of adventure tourism.”

Enthusiasts wishing to take the leap can contact Simrik Air or the Insky Skydive Team in Pokhara to secure their spots. Two packages are available: the VIP package and the Deluxe package, starting at Rs 95,000.