Parapente Yelagiri Hills Yayakrishna

Yelagiri Hills, located in Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its favorable paragliding conditions and picturesque landscapes. Just a few hours' drive from Chennai or Bangalore, the journey to Yelagiri includes a scenic ghat road with 14 hairpin bends, offering panoramic views of the Javadi Hills and stunning sunsets over the Andhra Pradesh hills. Flying Season: - **March/April**: Light winds from the east/southeast with mild midday thermals. Takeoff from Jayakrishnan. Overdevelopment and thundershowers begin mid-April. - **May/June**: Medium to strong winds from the south/southwest/west (not flyable during south winds). Thermals are medium to strong. Takeoff from Ramakrishna. High chance of overdevelopment and thundershowers. - **July/August**: Medium to strong winds from the southwest/west/west-northwest. Thermals are medium to strong. Takeoff from Ramakrishna. Overdevelopment and scattered thundershowers. - **September**: Light to medium winds from the west/southwest. Medium thermals. Takeoff from Ramakrishna. Scattered thundershowers. - **October**: Pleasant weather with west/southwest winds. Flyable until the start of the Northeast monsoon around October 15. Takeoff from Ramakrishna. Scattered thundershowers. - **November/December**: Monsoon rains with winds from the north/northeast. No takeoff sites in that direction, hence no flying. - **January/February**: Northeast winds. No flying. Landing: Official landing sites are yet to be established, so landing in any bare field is acceptable. Avoid cultivated fields. To return, head to the village of Pooneri at the base of Yelagiri on the west side and catch a bus to Attanavoor. For landings on the east/southeast side, head to Tirupattur, then to Pooneri or Attanavoor directly. Important: Upon arrival, register with the Yelagiri Paragliding Club (YPC) at the tourist office near Attanavoor before flying. A minimum P3 level flying experience is required. For more details, visit the YPC office or contact them at ypc.birds@gmail.com. Elevation: 1111 meters. The Yelagiri launch site is 500 meters above ground level, with an 8 km long ridge. Launch sites are available for northwest, southwest, and southeast wind directions. For more information, visit [YASA](http://www.yasa.co.in/YPC/welcome.html). Accommodation: Yelagiri offers a range of accommodations from budget to luxury. Government-run Yatri Nivas caters to budget travelers, while various private resorts offer different comfort levels and tariffs. Weather Hazards: Avoid the Southwest monsoon season (June, July, August) and the Northeast monsoon season (December, January). Flight Regulation: Follow the rules set by YASA (YPC). Contact the Yelagiri Paragliding Club for more information. Mr. Sudhakar can be reached at +91 4179245333 (landline) or +91 9786958374 (mobile). Paragliding in Yelagiri: Located 14 km from Ponneri on the Vaniyambadi-Tirupattur Road, Yelagiri Hills is a popular hill resort midway between Chennai and Bangalore. Known as the 'Poor Man's Ooty,' Yelagiri has transformed into a paragliding hotspot thanks to efforts by the Tourism Department, district administration, and YASA. The local community is enthusiastic about paragliding, with several identified sites for the sport, including Kottur, Muthanoor, and Raneri. Paragliding Events: The Paragliding Festival held in September 2008 was a huge success, attracting 45 paragliders from around the world. Future plans include trekking, rock climbing, and mountain biking in Yelagiri Hills. How to Get to Yelagiri: - **By Road**: From Chennai, take NH 4 towards Bangalore, switch to NH 46 before Vellore, and head towards Vaniyambadi. From Bangalore, take NH 7 to Krishnagiri, then NH 46 towards Chennai, and look for the Yelagiri sign. From Salem, take NH 7 to Dharmapuri, continue towards Chennai, and follow NH 46 after Krishnagiri. - **By Rail**: Take a train to Jolarpettai, then a local bus or taxi for a 45-minute ride to Attanavoor. - **By Air**: The nearest airports are in Chennai and Bangalore, followed by a train or car journey as mentioned above. For more information, visit [Yelagiri Paragliding](http://www.yelagiritrips.com/yelagiriparagliding2010.html) and [Adventure Sports Paragliding](http://www.yelagiritrips.com/adventuresportsparagliding.html).