BEST OF · PARAGLIDING
Six countries do the bulk of the world’s tandem flying and each does it differently: cheap and coastal in Turkey, expensive and vertical in the Alps, thermic and green in Colombia. These 15 are the flights that earn a place in an itinerary, with prices, flight times and what the weather can do to each.
Fly tandem from Mt. Babadag above Butterfly Valley and Ölüdeniz with Hanuman Paragliding. Pilots such as Barış, Törehan, Nida, and Deniz guide beginners through takeoff, flight, photos, and beach landing. Pickup is available, while photos and videos cost extra.
“Mami was very friendly, he made me feel really very comfortable and took fantastic shots 💃. Totally recommended...”
Ride to Beatenberg, run a few steps from a grassy hillside, and glide above Lake Thun, villages, and snowy peaks with a Skywings pilot. Simon, Ray, Remo, Val, and Michael are among the pilots praised for calm guidance. Choose gentle sightseeing or ask for turns and tricks.
“It was the best! All of the pilots are very friendly and accommodating the activity itself is very fun and exciting 10/10!!!!”
Fly tandem from Babadağ with pilots such as Tamer, Tugba, Birsen, Faruk, or Kerem. Expect a weather-dependent 30 to 40-minute flight above Ölüdeniz, Butterfly Valley, Fethiye, and Kayaköy, followed by a beach landing. Hotel pickup and insurance are included.
“Amazing experience and excellent pilots. The view is amazing. Will recommend this to everyone visiting Fethiye.”
Meet Skywings Paragliding at Signal Hill, where a certified pilot such as Kai, Kane, Ria, or Blessing guides you into the air. Expect a short briefing, a gentle running takeoff, and 5 to 20 minutes of flight above Cape Town. GoPro photos and video cost extra.
“I was really really nervous at the top but my guide was very helpful, playful and managed to calm my nerves ! Overall it was an extraordinary experience which I 100% recommend!”
Meet your pilot in Interlaken, ride to Beatenberg, and run into the air for a tandem flight above Lake Thun and the Jungfrau peaks. Pilots such as Yannick, Dan, Krisha, and Sebastian are praised for calm briefings, playful tricks, and excellent photos. Expect a small group and a 10 to 20 minute flight.
“This experience is not to be missed! From ease of booking to final touchdown in Interlaken, this experience was unbelievable! After a quick drive up to the launch site, our friendly pilots gave us a briefing and helped us gear up. The flight was UNBELIEVABLE - something I will never forget! A big shout out to our amazing pilots, Drew & Timo, who gave us the ride of our lives! And they also happened to be phenomenal photographers as they captured our experience in stunning pictures and videos! WOW! WOW! WOW!”
You’ll ride from Alanya to a 500-meter cliff, receive a short safety briefing, then fly tandem over Cleopatra Bay with a certified pilot such as Hikmet, Mecit, or Burak. The flight lasts roughly 15 to 25 minutes, ending on Cleopatra Beach. Photos and videos cost extra, and a €20 take-off fee applies.
“it's once in lifetime experience jumping of a mountain and paragliding for about minutes guided by an expert pilot. mine was Narin . very calm and pleasant lady who was reassuring and made experience of flying over Alanya beautiful land and sea very enjoyable. I loved the photos and video clips. though abit expensive as their was 6 of us including youngest son who is 9. we all immensely cherished and enjoyed the experience. I definitely recommend this activity. 👌”
Fly tandem for about 15 minutes above Medellín, Bello, and the surrounding mountains from San Félix. Hotel pickup begins at 10:00, with safety instructions, life insurance, an English or Spanish speaking pilot, and GoPro photos and video included. Ask your pilot about gentle aerial tricks.
“I really liked how they talked us through the process beforehand and were very understanding that it was our first time.”
Spend a full day traveling from Marrakech into the High Atlas with a guide and driver. Visit an argan oil cooperative, walk near Imlil waterfalls, eat in a Berber home, paraglide for 15 minutes with a pilot and GoPro, then ride a camel in Agafay.
“Such an amazing and surreal experience. From the pickup to the drive to the village, the breakfast, camel riding then paragliding off the mountain then finishing off with a traditional tagine and a hike through the valleys and waterfall was amazing. The tour hides were all so lovely and helpful and our driver was exceptional as the imlil village is his hometown he gave us additional information about it. All in all it was an exceptional and excellent experience both me and my mum loved and I would definitely recommend the company and this experience.”
Fly tandem over Tenerife with Sky of Tenerife, led by world champion Daniel Crespo and a team that includes Felix Rodriguez. Expect a full safety briefing, a 15 to 35 minute flight over ravines or the Conde ridge, and a beach landing near Adeje. Choose a calm flight or add acrobatics and a short turn at the controls.
“Paragliding was something I never imagined I’d do in my 60s—but I’m so glad I did. From the moment I arrived, the instructors were calm, professional, and incredibly reassuring. They took the time to explain everything clearly, never rushed me, and made safety the top priority. The flight itself was peaceful rather than scary. Floating quietly above the landscape was both exhilarating and deeply calming. I felt secure the entire time, and the views were absolutely breathtaking. It was a powerful reminder that adventure doesn’t have an age limit. I landed with a huge smile, a sense of accomplishment, and a renewed confidence in myself. If you’re over 60 and…”
Fly from the Alanya hills with certified pilots such as Kerim and Bahadir, taking in Cleopatra Beach, the sea, and castle from up to 1,000 meters. Expect about an hour for the full activity, though airtime can be much shorter. Transfers and photos cost extra.
“It was an amazing experience we had, the staff are super friendly and very experienced and polite I definitely recommend for everyone”
Meet your pilot in Ölüdeniz, ride up Babadağ through the forest, and launch above the Blue Lagoon. Pilots such as Ata, Ataberk, Osman, Bediha, and Aisha are praised for calm instruction. The flight usually lasts 10 to 30 minutes, followed by photo viewing at the office.
“Unprofessional team. Picked up at 7:30 am and then took us to collect bread, cigars on way! Which delayed our arrival time from 9 am to 10! The pilot didn't gave proper and clear instructions and as a result I fell down and hurt my legs! Instead of checking if I am okay, the pilot got upset! We somehow completed the flight but my experience was totally ruined. Then we were made to wait for 45 mins for drop off back to hotel This time it took us 1 and half hour to reach back hotel which was only 45 mins away! All because the team took us to bank,…”
Fly tandem above south Tenerife with an experienced pilot such as Enrique, Carlos, Andres, or Donald. You need no previous experience. Pickups cover Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas, and Los Cristianos, while takeoff shifts between Taucho, Adeje, and Ifonche according to the weather.
“It was a great experience I did it first time and everything was awesome! Jan is a great pilot and you will be lucky to have him on your flight!”
Meet Skywings Paragliding in Interlaken, ride the shuttle to Beatenberg, and launch with a licensed tandem pilot. Pilots such as Olivier, Sebi, Haydon, and Florian keep first-timers calm while pointing out lakes, towns, and Alps below. Ask about wingovers if you want extra thrills.
“Amazing experience, better than I imagined. Pick up was on time and everyone was very professional. Recommend!”
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…”
Meet your pilot near Hotel Jungfrau Victoria, ride 20 minutes to Beatenberg, then launch from 1,300 meters for 12 to 20 minutes above Interlaken. Pilots such as Lars, Yannick, Dario, and Chris provide calm instruction, scenic commentary, and optional photos and video for CHF 40.
“Best experience ever and Lais made this such a fun and memorable time!!”
Pick a coast, a ridge or a valley.
