Fly With Birds Of Prey

If you thought paragliding was sweet, try doing it in Nepal with hawks and eagles at your side.

 ‘Parahawking’—even the word sounds badass. And it’s exactly what it sounds like: Parahawking involves paragliding while hawks and other birds of prey fly next to you. Himalayan Raptor Rescue came up with these ‘sky safaris’ as a way to raise awareness and funds to protect critically endangered species in the mountains of Nepal. As if swooping, gliding, and diving like a hawk wasn’t enough, as a bonus your money will help protect over 80 species of raptors that call the Himalayas home (like the white-backed vulture).

Check out parahawkers in action:


A tandem parahawking flight costs about $150, and all flights are based out of Pokhara, Nepal. Members from Himalayan Raptor Rescue have trained birds to fly alongside paragliders since 2001.

How about you: Would you put parahawking on your life list? Where would you like to parahawk stateside? Tells us about it below.

—Jordan Olmsted

Coolest Sport Ever: Parahawking (Mother Nature Network)