Fly, this Carnival

ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 14 May: Fly Sikkim Adventure under Sikkim Paragliding Association is offering ‘Wings of Change’ this Spring Carnival with professional pilots from Himachal Pradesh brought in to give a better flying experience to customers.
Fly Sikkim Adventure started its journey in March 2010 and has since been building its reputation in the field of adventure sports in the state. Co-owner Arun Gurung, while talking to media-persons today, said, “We have been trying to give the best adventure experience to the customers as they are here to enjoy the fly and the beauty of Sikkim”.
He informed that they offer three categories of flights - Short fly, Medium fly, High fly, at different rates. “We have 20 experts, most of whom are locals and only few are from outside the state. We also have one female pilot from West Sikkim, Tshering Bhutia who has been working with us since 2010,” he informs.  Tshering from Daramdin, West Sikkim, undertook a basic course and expressed that she is fully satisfied with her work.
The short flight takes off from Thami Dara, Gurung gaon, to Reshithang Khelgaon; the Medium flight [from above 1000 meters from sea level] takes off from Ani Gumpa Phenzong and High flight [from above 2000 meters from sea level] takes off from Takste and also lands at Reshithang Khelgaon.
Mr. Gurung further informs, “We normally make 5 to 6 flights a day even during peak season time, but these past few days due to the Spring Carnival, we have been doing 20 to 25 flights a day even though the weather is not that pleasant. From the very first day of the carnival we have been getting a positive response from the tourists”.
He added that the Sports & Youth Affairs department has been supporting them since the establishment of Sikkim Paragliding Association and now the Tourism Department has also come out to help in promoting paragliding in the state.