Catching Thermals While Paragliding in Hunza (June–August)

Nestled in the embrace of the mighty Karakorams, Hunza isn’t just a destination—it’s a dreamscape where mountains scrape the sky, rivers carve out stories, and eagles glide effortlessly in thermals you can only imagine until you’re up there with them.

For paragliders chasing thermals, June to August is when the skies over Hunza truly come alive.

🌄 Why Hunza Is a Thermalling Paradise

Hunza offers a perfect storm of conditions for thermal paragliding:

• High solar radiation thanks to thin mountain air.
• Clear skies and dry heat—perfect fuel for thermals.
• Dramatic terrain with dark rock faces and wide valleys that generate strong, predictable lifts.

From Altit Fort to the Eagle’s Nest viewpoint and up towards Duikar, the entire Hunza Valley serves up stunning launch points and reliable triggers.

☀️ Thermal Activity Through the Summer

June

Spring snow still lingers on the high peaks, but the valleys heat up fast. Expect mild to moderate thermals—a great time for longer flights and smooth climbs, especially for intermediate pilots.

July

Peak season. Strongest thermal activity of the year. With the sun nearly vertical at noon and dry rock heating rapidly, thermals can kick off as early as 10:30 AM and keep rolling till 4:00 PM. This is when you might get those legendary +5 m/s climbs up to 5,000m ASL or more.

August

Thermals stay consistent, though slightly more humid. Still amazing flying, with cloud bases slightly lower than July. Evening glass-off flights around 5–6 PM can be buttery smooth and visually breathtaking as the golden hour floods the valley.

🎯 Where to Find Thermals

• Dark south-facing slopes below Duikar and Ultar Glacier.
• Riverside cliffs near Ganish and Altit.
• Rocky faces above Karimabad—these cook in the sun and reliably trigger thermals all afternoon.

Eagles and vultures are your best friends. See them circling? You’re in business.

⚠️ What to Watch Out For

• Strong valley winds (especially after 2 PM) can shear thermals or create turbulence near ridges.
• Overdevelopment (rare, but possible) can lead to cloud suck.
• High altitude hypoxia—if you're climbing past 4,500m, monitor your body and don't push it too hard without acclimatization.

🧭 Tips for Thermal Success

• Launch early (between 10:30 AM and noon).
• Use a vario with thermal mapping to stay centered in lift.
• Keep one eye on the sky and the other on the terrain—dark rocks = lift, snow = sink.
• Stay hydrated. Even a short XC in thin air can be dehydrating fast.

🪂 Wrap-Up: More Than a Flight

Paragliding in Hunza in the summer isn’t just about altitude gains and XC records—it’s about soaring in silence above glacial rivers, drifting over apricot orchards, and sharing thermals with eagles in a place that feels plucked from a dream.

So this summer, if you’re chasing lift and soul-stirring views—Hunza is waiting. And the sky’s already warm.