The 10 Best Hang Gliding Flights

1.Rio de Janeiro: Hang Gliding Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 760 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $229Our pick

Run from Rio’s 525-meter Pedra Bonita platform with a tandem pilot such as Konrad, Klaus, Claudio, or Maurice. After a short briefing, you glide toward São Conrado Beach with views of Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana, Ipanema, Lagoa, and Niterói. Weather can change the timing or switch the flight to paragliding.

“It was an incredible experience. The drivers that picked us up was great but I wasn’t picked up from my hotel, I had to get an Uber to them so additional money. My instructor was nice and safe but I wish he had reassured me more as I was a bit scared, he didn’t show much emotion. I had to find him as there was no communication, unlike other instructors, they offered their clients water and updated them every time. But over, nice guy! Also we had to wait about 3 hours for the fog to clear and the wind to shift the right way on the day (this is…”

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2.Rio de Janeiro: Hang Gliding Tandem Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 426 reviews · 2h 30m · from $301

Fly tandem from Pedra Bonita, 520 meters above Rio, with an instructor such as Beto, Bebe, Dudu, or Renato. Expect a safety rehearsal, a 7 to 15 minute flight, beach landing at São Conrado, and front-camera video. Wind may switch your booking to paragliding.

“The best activity I did in Rio, worth every penny because it’s an activity you will remember for a lifetime also everyone is super nice and very helpful! 10/10”

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3.Rio de Janeiro: Hang Gliding or Paragliding Flights

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 132 reviews · 1 hour · from $381

Meet Ricardo Hamond and his team on Sao Conrado Beach, then ride up to Pedra Bonita for a 7 to 20-minute tandem flight. Your pilot chooses hang gliding or paragliding based on weather, weight, and availability. Expect clear safety coaching, small groups, and superb views of Rio.

“We had a great time with Ricardo! One of us did paragliding and the other did hang gliding. Despite there being some clouds in the morning, Ricardo reassured us and we both had a great flight! He was awesome and even walked us to our uber to make sure we were safe when we left :) the videos were great too! highly recommend him and his team!”

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4.Beginner Hang Gliding Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $149Best value

At Jockey’s Ridge, Kitty Hawk Kites gives beginners a 30-minute ground lesson, gear, and five training flights over about three hours. Instructors such as Ben, Larson, Brad, and Drake coach you from the sand. Expect a strenuous walk over dunes, strong sun, and low glides rather than high, long soaring.

“We had a great time. The instructors were professional, informative and friendly. It was fun learning how to hang glide my family and friends had a great time.”

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5.Rio de Janeiro: Hang Gliding or Paragliding Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · 2 hours · from $261

Meet your pilot at São Conrado Beach, ride to Pedra Bonita, complete a short training session, then fly tandem over Tijuca Forest and Rio’s coast. Pilots including Paulo, Felipe, Ricardo, Marcos, Zero, and Fubá guide the flight in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Photos and videos cost extra.

“Paolo was an amazing instructor, he was very knowledgeable and was very reassuring!”

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6.Birdlike Hang Gliding Lucerne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $342

Meet Fredy or another Birdlike pilot at Stanserhorn-Bahn in Stans, ride toward Mt Stanserhorn, then launch head-first in a tandem hang glider from nearly 2,000 meters. Expect 20 to 60 minutes in the air, sweeping views of lakes and peaks, and a landing back in the valley.

“Great fun. Staff were clear and helpful. Thank you for an amazing afternoon. Can’t wait to share with others.”

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7.Hang gliding in Valle de Bravo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $208

Meet at Sky Cafe in Temascaltepec, cross the forest to the launch area, then fly for 30 minutes around El Peñón with a professional pilot such as Potro. The private experience lasts about 2.5 hours and includes transport to takeoff, but photos and video cost extra.

“The actual flying. "Potro" has a lot of experience doing his job, he gave me a lot of confidence. Definitely recommended.”

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8.Queenstown: Tandem Hang Gliding Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 2 hours · from $208

Meet the Skytrek team at the Ziptrek Ecotours shop, then head toward a high launch site near Coronet Peak for a tandem hang-gliding flight. A certified English-speaking pilot handles the glider while you take in Queenstown’s mountains, forests, and lakes from above.

“Den var helt i top. jeg forventede at skille flyve over Queenstown, men blev glædeligt overrasket over at vi skulle køre ud til er negrt højere bjerg og derved fik en længere flyvetur. Jeg er vildt begejstret 😄😄”

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9.Tandem Hang Gliding

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · from $222

Meet SkyTrek Tandems at 1/45 Camp Street, then ride 20 minutes to Coronet Peak for a tandem hang-gliding flight. Pilots including Ian, Pablo, Andy, and others handle the flying while you follow a short briefing and enjoy views over Queenstown, lakes, forests, and mountains.

“Pablo and Andy were great! We had such a fun time. One of the highlights of our trip to New Zealand. If you’re having any hesitation, DO IT!”

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10.Grandy Tandem Hang Gliding 2000′ – Outer Banks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $199

Take a tandem hang-glider flight to 2,000 feet near the site of the Wright Brothers’ first flight. An USHPA-certified instructor, including pilot Charlie, handles the flight while you enjoy Outer Banks views and try the controls. No experience is needed, but good weather is essential.

“My daughter (age 15) and I made the trip from Missouri to some what celebrate her father who we lost to COVID in 2021. He was with us on our previous trips to the outerbanks, and it was our favorite area. This trip was about remembering, but also about new experiences, and this absolutely did not disappoint. Charlie (our hang glider pilot) was amazing, so was the rest of the crew on the ground,, and I am so grateful for the experience for me and my daughter. I highly recommend the experience. UNFORGETTABLE”

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