Every year November brings some great news! This year also, in November, continuing its glorious legacy, Pokhara Skydive 2021 took place at its usual dropzone at Pame, 11km west of Phewa Lakeside. The event was organized from 16^th to 21^st November 2021. The event couldn’t take place in 2020 due to pandemic. But this year, it came back with its same glory and charm, in fact, with some more add-on charisma than before as it had altogether 178 jumpers from India and Nepal, the highest number till date. All the jumps were executed by the expert crew team of Everest Skydive that includes Team Leader Paul-Henry de Baère (France), Nadezda Solovyeva (Russia), Gregory Lee Shelton (USA), Sabina Kotarba (USA),  Arnold Camfferman (Netherland), Matthew Larry Yount (USA), Lauren Nicole Weikle (USA), Alberto Avalis (Italy), Peter Piotrowski (USA), Peter Svalo (Denmark), and Christopher Lee Whitley (USA). All heli flights were carried out by the professional team of Fishtail Air. A joint venture of Everest Skydive and Explore Himalaya, Pokhara Skydive 2021 was supported by BEEP – Beautiful Experiences Extraordinary Places, Aloft Kathmandu Hotel, Turkish Airlines, Buddha Air, Fishtail Air and Alma Artes.

Pokhara Skydive started its commercial operation from 2013. Since then, hundreds of adventurers from around the world have enjoyed the ride in the Himalayan sky. Pokhara Skydive is one of the most thrilling ways to experience freefall in which you exit from a helicopter while being among the Himalayan giants Manaslu, Machhapuchhre and Annapurnas before you surf through an ocean of clouds down to the magnificent valley of Pokhara. Due its uniqueness, the event is being one-of-a-kind adventure in the whole South Asia. And most importantly, unlike other skydiving events, it’s an annual event taking place in November only with some occasional special editions in Spring. So, it’s a rare experience that deserves to be in the bucket list of any extreme adventure buffs. This year’s immense success has also proved it right. Well, now who can say no to an epic Himalayan skydiving adventure with legendary skydiving instructors and videographers from around the world?
If you want to be a part of this exclusive adventure, Pokhara Skydive awaits you! Please feel free to contact sales@explorehimalaya.com for more details. 

Pokhara Skydive 2019 Bollywood TV Star Parth Samthaan

Flying next to Machhapuchhre and Annapurna range, floating above magnificent Phewa Lake, relishing the sweeping view of Pokhara Valley – Pokhara Skydive is indeed one of its kind! And, this year a total of 147 adventure seekers, the highest number so far in the history of Pokhara Skydive 2019, achieved this heavenly experience. Pokhara Skydive 2019 took place from 19^th to 24^th November at Pame, 11 km away from Pokhara Lakeside. The event was successfully organized by Everest Skydive that comprises of an expert crew members of 13 including Paul-Henry de Baère, Wendy Elizabeth Smith, Omar Alhegelan, Nadezda Solovyeva, Anton Gilev, Jean-Philippe Audhuy, Kim Bo Larsen, Mariojulio Hoyosvargas, Gregory Lee Shelton, Sabina Kotarba, Carolyn Goldman, Robert Goldman, Ed Luciarno; and the team of Summit Helicopters and Explore Himalaya.

Puja Ceremony before the event

On the first day, 11 Nepali and 8 Indian jumpers achieved their dream of flying in the Himalayan sky. The first jump was done by Subin Limbu, Miss Nepal 2014 at 9:50 am. On the second day, a total of 22 jumpers that includes 21 Indians and 1 Nepali made their “once in a lifetime jump” in the sky of Pokhara. Third day had just 4 Indian jumpers only as the event had to be wrapped up early due to poor visibility. The fourth day’s morning brought nice weather with blue skies. The event started at about 8 o’ clock and continued till 2 in the afternoon with altogether 23 skydivers (20 Indians, 2 Egyptians & 1 American) making their jumps. The fifth day proved to be one of the most incredible days in the history of Pokhara Skydive with a total of 48 jumpers (45 Indians, 1 Nepali, 1 French and 1 Srilankan) breaking last year’s record of 45 in a single day. Bollywood TV Star Parth Samthaan also did his first ever skydive on this day as the 18^th jumper of the day. The final day concluded with 31 jumpers (29 Indians and 2 Nepali) making a total of 147 jumpers in this year’s event. This year’s event, which is the 7th edition of Pokhara Skydive, has been a phenomenal success as it hasn’t just got the highest number of participants but also broken the single day jump record of last year. Since the event’s commercial operation in 2013, the event has been increasingly popular among both domestic and foreign adventurers alike. This year’s historic number of jumpers showed the growing craze of the Himalayan adventure. On its huge success, we congratulate everyone – the super-spirited crew team from around the world, the professional team of Explore Himalaya and Summit Helicopters who gave their best to make it a success, and the jumpers who brought excitement and energy to the whole team! May Pokhara Skydive reach new heights in days to come!

By: Kim Bo Larsen

I got to say I have never been so exciting to wake up at 04:50 in the morning! After a quick breakfast with a bit of coffee, we went down to the airfield and were there at 6 o’clock sharp. The plan for today was two loads, one with Anton and myself, and one with Anton along with Anuj in a tandem-jump with Nadia filming. Everest Skydive Expedition

After an hour of gearing up, parachutes on, oxygen, helmets, cameras on, the helicopter arrived. After a quick talk about the winds and weather with the pilots and one last gear check, Anton and myself climbed in the helicopter for our first jump here. The flight up was amazing. Although sitting on the floor, we could see all the mountains, glaciers and villages. We climbed to around 8000 ft. Above the airfield. As I am already an experienced HALO jumper, I was to observe our oxygen before exit. When the pilot have me the thumbs up, Anton and I did one last handshake and I opened up the door. Everest Skydive Expedition

It’s another world out there. It’s like nothing else. For a moment I had the exact same feeling as I had when the door opened up for my first jump when I was 9. Even after 8000 jumps, this gave me the chills and although you couldn’t tell from the mask, I was smiling from one ear to the other.

Because of the thinner air, the acceleration is a lot faster, with the terminal velocity being a lot higher too. I reached 5500 ft. Much faster than usual. Once the parachute was deployed, it was really time to take in the view.

The landing was sweet but fast. Even a Performance Designs Navigator 260 flies pretty fast at 12.300 ft. Landing between rocks seemed a bit tricky, but was not a problem at all.

There was smiles and high fives all over, but not much time, because we needed Anton geared up for the tandem, so we the helicopter back up fast.

Anuj had done one skydive before in Pokhara, but this was his first in Everest, and first with oxygen. He was cool and calm, and they went up with no snags or issues. The climb was a bit longer, and everyone was happy to jump out in to the thin air. Both Nadia and Anton and Anuj in tandem landed perfectly. Anuj was really thrilled. To be able to have this experience is absolutely amazing.

We packed down all the gear, as we will have a short break for a few days, before the next group of clients arrive. We will spend the break doing a bit of trekking and relaxing. A few of us have a bit of work to catch up on, and a lot of photos and video to go through.Everest Skydive Expedition

I can’t wait to jump again in this amazing place.

By: Kim Bo Larsen

Everyone got up early, as breakfast was at 05:20. We needed to get down to the airfield and start up as early as possible, as the best weather in the mountains is in the morning.

Everest Skydive Expedition Day 3

As we arrived and started getting gear ready, Osama and Yorick arrived in the helicopter. When gearing up for a normal skydive, it tastes around 5-10 mins. When gearing up for a skydive here, with oxygen equipment and warm clothes, it takes between 1 and 1,5 hours. As Osama is disabled, it makes gearing up a bit more difficult. But with great mood and energy, we did it all with a smile.

First load consisted of Osama, Aliaa, Nadia and Paul-Henry. It was the first jump for the three first. PH was load master in charge of oxygen and spot.

At approximately 09:00 the first jumps of this years Everest Skydive Expedition were done. Everyone had a great jump, and the three for whom it was their, was overwhelmed by the view and sensation of leaping from a helicopter, looking at Everest and all the other massive mountains visible from here. They all made perfect landings. Osama hereby becomes a new world record holder for highest parachute landing by a paraplegic person! We are super proud of Osama!

After packing the parachutes, which is hear work in the thin air, all were ready for another jump.

Load two also went according to plan with big smiles all over. Winds picking up with turbulence as well, and clouds moving in, we decided to call it a day at around 11. This unfortunately meant no jumps for me today. But I’ve been waiting for this for many years, so I will wait for one more.

For the first time during the expedition, we had a bit of time to ourselves. After packing down and having a small talk, I headed down to Namche by myself. I needed to buy data for my phone, and maybe a bit of chocolate found it was into my backpack too. Others went to the teahouse to rest and catch up on a bit of work with photos and video.

Tomorrow is another jump day, although Osama and Aliaa have done their jumps, Anton and I need our training jumps, and Anton has to do a tandem with Anuj from Explore Himalaya. 

Everest Skydive Expedition Day 3

EverestSkydive Expedition Day 3

By: Kim Bo Larsen

After a good nights rest in Namche, we trekked the short 1,5 hours to Syangboche, where we will be jumping. The trek was mostly steep, with great views of Namche and the surrounding mountains. This was the first day we actually saw the mountains. EverestSkydive Expedition Day 3 The last couple of days have been cloudy. To see the white peaks, glaciers and massive ridges is just awe inspiring.

When we got to the airfield at Syangboche, we headed to the teahouse for a light extra breakfast, hot tea and relaxation. We were waiting for the helicopter to bring Osama, Yorrick and Greg from Lukla along with the 500 kg. Of equipment we will need for the jumps. Skydiving rigs, oxygen equipment, helmets, suits, extras and so on.

When they arrived it was time for the traditional Puja ceremony. Before commencing skydiving operations, we need the Buddhist munks to ensure that we have blessings from the mountain-gods. The offer and pray. The ceremony lasted about one hour and ended in each of us being blessed by the monk. Now we can skydive and know everything is in order.

After the puja, we set up everything and prepared for next days jumping. Plans change all the time, but the overall plan of course is to have Osama and Aliaa do their two jumps.

We got to the teahouse after dark. It was hard navigating up through the bushes not being able to see the trail. Once up there, we had dinner and everyone was a bit tired. The thin mountain air does this. Everyone went to bed early, as breakfast is at 05:20 tomorrow morning.