For many travelers, the dream of soaring above mountains and valleys and witnessing breathtaking landscapes from the sky remains high on the bucket list. While such experiences may not be widely available in some countries, paragliding offers an exciting opportunity for adventure seekers visiting destinations abroad.

From alpine peaks to coastal cliffs, several locations around the world provide memorable paragliding experiences at relatively affordable costs.

Below are some of the most popular global destinations where travelers can enjoy paragliding along with details about the best time to visit and approximate expenses.

Queenstown, New Zealand

Often described as the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown on the South Island offers one of the most spectacular paragliding experiences in the world. The town sits beside the scenic Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by the towering Southern Alps.

Paragliders launching from the surrounding mountains can glide for extended periods thanks to strong thermal winds rising from the alpine terrain. From the sky, travelers can enjoy panoramic views of lakes, valleys, and rugged mountain landscapes.

Winter temperatures can be quite cold in this region. A typical paragliding experience in Queenstown costs between 250 and 500 New Zealand dollars.

Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh, India

Located in the Kangra Valley of northern India, the villages of Bir and Billing are widely regarded as the country’s premier paragliding destination. The launch site is at Billing, while most tandem flights land in Bir village.

The flight offers stunning views of forested hills and the foothills of the Himalayas. Tandem paragliding rides here generally cost between 3,500 and 5,000 Indian rupees.

The climate in Himachal Pradesh varies significantly, with cold winters and warmer summers. The most suitable season for paragliding in Bir Billing is between October and June.

Pokhara, Nepal

Pokhara is one of Nepal’s most popular tourist hubs and a major center for adventure sports. The skies above the city are often filled with colorful paragliders drifting over the landscape.

Flights usually launch from Sarangkot Hill, just north of Phewa Lake. From the air, participants can see the Annapurna mountain range, terraced farmland, rural villages, and the tranquil lake below.

Compared with Kathmandu, Pokhara enjoys a milder climate, allowing paragliding activities even during parts of winter when the skies remain clear. Although flights operate throughout the year, heavy rainfall occurs from June to September.

A tandem paragliding experience in Pokhara generally costs between $100 and $150.

Gudauri, Georgia

Situated in the Caucasus Mountains, Gudauri is a well-known ski resort that also offers exceptional paragliding opportunities. The area’s stable weather conditions and high launch points make it a favorite among experienced pilots.

Flights can begin at elevations of nearly 9,800 feet, allowing participants to glide for 20 to 45 minutes depending on thermal conditions. During the winter season, the snowy mountain slopes create a striking backdrop.

Paragliding in Gudauri typically costs between €100 and €150.

Oludeniz, Turkey

The coastal town of Oludeniz in southern Turkey is famous for its turquoise waters and the iconic Blue Lagoon. Paragliders launching from Mount Babadag, at an altitude of about 6,500 feet, enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the Mediterranean coastline.

Warm sea thermals often allow flights lasting up to 45 minutes before landing on the beach near the lagoon. The experience offers a unique perspective of white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and the surrounding Taurus Mountains.

The cost of paragliding in Oludeniz usually ranges from €150 to €200.

First, Switzerland

Switzerland offers numerous alpine paragliding sites, but one of the most notable is First, located above the town of Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland. The area sits beneath the towering Jungfrau massif, offering dramatic mountain scenery.

Swiss aviation regulations require strict pilot training standards, and first-time participants typically fly tandem with a certified instructor. The high-altitude flights offer sweeping views of glaciers, valleys, and alpine peaks.

A paragliding experience here typically costs between 200 and 350 Swiss francs.

Umbria, Italy

The small village of Castelluccio in the Umbria region is located high in the Apennine Mountains and is considered one of Italy’s top paragliding sites. The surrounding plateau and mountains create favorable wind conditions that make long flights possible.

During spring and early summer, the valley becomes famous for its colorful wildflower bloom, creating a vibrant landscape below the gliders.

Travelers often visit in May and June to enjoy both the scenery and ideal flying conditions. Paragliding here generally costs between €150 and €250.

Iceland

Iceland offers a truly unique paragliding experience thanks to its dramatic landscapes of waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, and lava fields. Many tours operate between April and October, when weather conditions are more suitable for flight.

Paragliding tours depart from locations near Reykjavik as well as the southern coastal town of Vik. These flights provide an extraordinary bird’s-eye view of the country’s rugged natural terrain.

The average cost of a paragliding experience in Iceland ranges from €250 to €350.

Kerio Valley, Kenya

Kenya’s Kerio Valley, located along the Elgeyo Escarpment, provides one of Africa’s most striking paragliding settings. The valley forms part of the Great Rift Valley system that stretches across eastern Africa.

With a ridge line extending roughly 62 miles, the region offers excellent conditions for long flights and is particularly popular among experienced paragliders. Beginners can also take tandem flights with trained instructors.

The best time to experience paragliding in Kerio Valley is between December and March. The typical cost is around 8,000 Kenyan shillings.

A Growing Global Adventure

Paragliding has rapidly grown into one of the world’s most accessible aerial adventure sports. Whether soaring above alpine peaks, coastal lagoons, or vast valleys, each destination offers a unique perspective of nature.

For travelers seeking both thrill and unforgettable scenery, these locations provide some of the best opportunities to experience the sky from a completely new vantage point.

Qatar Airways has cautioned passengers that refund processing times may be extended due to ongoing operational pressures, while emphasizing that teams are actively working to handle requests as efficiently as possible.

The airline confirmed that travelers holding confirmed bookings with departure dates between February 28 and April 30, 2026, can opt either to request a full refund or modify their travel dates without penalty.

According to the carrier, refunds returned to the original method of payment could take as long as 28 working days to complete. Passengers are advised to monitor their email for updates after submitting a request, as this will provide the latest status of their application.

Qatar Airways noted that reimbursement amounts will reflect the unused portion of the ticket. Any additional services purchased, such as seat selection, will be processed and refunded separately.

Customers looking for further information or support with their bookings are encouraged to consult the airline’s official travel updates portal for the most recent guidance.

Source: Zawya

India is set to abolish temporary limits on domestic airfares from Monday, according to a government directive reviewed by Reuters, as the aviation sector shows signs of recovery and carriers face mounting cost pressures.

The fare restrictions were introduced in December after widespread flight cancellations by leading airline IndiGo led to a spike in ticket prices across the market. The government intervened to stabilise fares during a period of reduced capacity.

In its latest order, the civil aviation ministry said operating conditions have improved, pointing to restored flight capacity and a return to more stable operations. The directive, dated Friday and examined by Reuters on Saturday, has not been officially released. Officials from the ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Airlines had called for the removal of the caps, saying the controls were contributing to substantial revenue losses while operating expenses continued to rise. Higher jet fuel prices, partly driven by the conflict involving Iran, have added to the financial strain.

Although airlines have not disclosed specific loss figures, analysts at HSBC estimate that a $1 per barrel increase in fuel prices could raise IndiGo’s annual fuel costs by roughly 3 billion rupees.

Under the temporary rules, fares for flights up to 500 kilometres were capped at 7,500 rupees ($80.07), while routes between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometres—including New Delhi to Mumbai—had a maximum fare of 15,000 rupees.

Despite lifting the caps, the government has directed airlines to keep ticket prices fair and transparent, ensuring they reflect market conditions without harming passenger interests.

Source: Khaleej Times

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced plans to begin non-stop services between Singapore and Riyadh from June 2026, marking a significant step in its Middle East network expansion. The airline intends to operate the route four times a week using its Airbus A350-900 medium-haul aircraft.

The aircraft will be configured with 303 seats, including 40 in Business Class and 263 in Economy Class, offering passengers a two-cabin travel option.

Pending regulatory approval, flight SQ498 will depart Singapore at 18:20 local time on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, arriving in Riyadh at 21:45. The return service, SQ499, is scheduled to leave Riyadh at 23:00 on the same days, landing in Singapore at 12:15 the following day.

From 25 October 2026, minor schedule adjustments will take effect. Departures from Singapore will shift to 17:40, arriving in Riyadh at 21:35, while return flights will depart Riyadh at 22:50 and arrive in Singapore at 11:50 the next day.

Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Commercial Officer of Singapore Airlines, said the move reflects Riyadh’s growing economic significance. He noted that the Saudi capital’s rapid development and strong business environment position it as a key destination in the region. He added that the new route could also enhance collaboration with partner airlines, providing customers with broader travel options across the Middle East.

Riyadh will become the second Saudi destination served by the SIA Group, complementing Scoot’s existing four-times weekly flights to Jeddah.

As the capital and financial hub of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh offers a mix of cultural and modern attractions. Visitors can explore historic landmarks such as Diriyah and Masmak Fortress, alongside museums, high-end hotels, and diverse retail and dining experiences.

Ticket sales for the new service will be introduced gradually through Singapore Airlines’ distribution channels, subject to final approvals.

Philippine Airlines has suspended all flights between Manila and the Gulf hubs of Dubai and Doha until April 30, leaving thousands of overseas Filipinos and other travellers rushing to adjust their plans.

The flag carrier’s decision, driven by heightened security risks and airspace uncertainties in parts of the Middle East, extends an earlier series of short-term cancellations and effectively wipes out PAL’s Dubai (PR 658/659) and Doha (PR 684/685) services for the rest of April.

For affected passengers, PAL is offering a range of options. Travellers can rebook to a later date once services resume, with the airline waiving rebooking fees in line with its current advisories. Those who no longer wish to push through with their trip may opt to convert the value of their ticket into a travel credit for future use, or request a refund subject to the fare conditions.

Passengers are urged to first check if their flight falls within the suspension period using PAL’s online manage booking facility or by contacting the carrier’s customer service channels. From there, they can decide whether to secure the earliest possible rebooked flight after April 30, bank their ticket value for a later trip, or cancel altogether.

Travel agents and community groups in the Gulf are also advising Filipino workers and residents to consider alternative routings on other airlines while PAL’s Middle East operations are on hold, especially for those with urgent travel needs such as contract changes, medical emergencies or planned vacations.

With the situation in the region still fluid, Philippine Airlines has encouraged passengers to monitor its official advisories regularly, noting that any further extensions, resumptions, or special flights will be announced through its website and social media channels.

Saudia announced an increase of 20 flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah with the Red Sea destination during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. Carried out in coordination with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the Red Sea destination, the move raises the total number of round-trip services on these routes to 44.

The expanded schedule is part of a broader partnership between Saudia and the STA designed to promote Saudi tourist sites and support the tourism sector’s development. Officials said the collaboration focuses on offering travelers more convenient flight options and enhancing the onboard experience.

The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s wider tourism ambitions, which include a target to welcome 150 million visitors by 2030.