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.

flydubai has announced the launch of a new double-daily service to Bangkok, further strengthening its footprint in Thailand and increasing its total operations to the country to 28 weekly flights.

The new route will commence on 15 September 2026, operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). The addition of Bangkok marks the airline’s second destination in Thailand, complementing its existing service to Krabi.

With this expansion, flydubai continues to enhance its network in Southeast Asia, which also includes destinations such as Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia. The carrier’s growing regional presence reflects sustained passenger demand for travel between Dubai and key leisure and business markets across Asia.

Don Mueang International Airport, located north of central Bangkok, serves as one of the Thai capital’s two international gateways. Its strategic location provides convenient access for both corporate and leisure travellers visiting Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

Commenting on the launch, Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said:

“Thailand continues to be a highly popular destination for both leisure and business travel. The introduction of our double-daily Bangkok service reflects strong and consistent demand across our network. Operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International and under our codeshare partnership with Emirates, passengers will benefit from seamless connections via Dubai to destinations across the GCC, Europe and other international markets.”

The new service further reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading global aviation hub. flydubai’s network now extends to more than 135 destinations, offering customers expanded travel options and convenient one-stop connectivity.

Sudhir Sreedharan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations at flydubai, added:

“We are pleased to expand our presence in Thailand with the launch of double-daily flights to Bangkok. We look forward to welcoming passengers on board and providing a comfortable and reliable travel experience in both Economy and Business Class.”

As part of its continued investment in customer experience, flydubai offers thoughtfully designed cabins across both classes. Passengers can enjoy comfortable seating, internationally inspired dining options and a wide selection of inflight entertainment available through the airline’s onboard system.

Flight Schedule (All Times Local)

From 15 September 2026, flydubai will operate the following services between Dubai and Bangkok:

• FZ1335: DXB 11:00 – DMK 20:45

• FZ1336: DMK 23:50 – DXB 03:20

• FZ1345: DXB 01:20 – DMK 11:10

• FZ1346: DMK 12:10 – DXB 15:40

Fares

• Return Business Class fares from DXB to DMK start from AED 9,000, while Economy Class Lite fares start from AED 2,500.

• From DMK to DXB, return Business Class fares start from THB 64,000, and Economy Class Lite fares from THB 22,000.

Flights are available for booking via flydubai.com, the official flydubai mobile application, the UAE Contact Centre, flydubai travel shops and authorised travel partners.

Xiamen Airlines will resume its direct flights between Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport in Fujian and Mactan–Cebu International Airport in the Philippines starting 29 March 2026. The twice-weekly service will operate every Tuesday and Saturday using Boeing 737-800 aircraft, featuring eight business-class and 162 economy seats. The flight takes just under three hours.

The move, announced on 14 February, follows recent bilateral talks that granted new traffic rights and improved ground-handling support ahead of the summer season. The reinstated route reconnects Quanzhou—a major manufacturing hub for shoes, garments, and stone products—with Cebu, the commercial heart of the Visayas region. It’s expected to make business travel and supply-chain visits much easier for companies that previously relied on indirect routes via Xiamen or Manila.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the restart, calling it a “new chapter” in people-to-people exchange. The Chinese Embassy in Manila also confirmed that Xiamen Airlines plans to increase flights on its Xiamen–Manila route to meet stronger demand. The announcement comes after the Philippines introduced a one-year visa-free entry scheme allowing Chinese citizens to stay up to 14 days for tourism or business.

For corporate travelers, the renewed direct link offers a more convenient route between Fujian’s export clusters and Cebu’s logistics, repair, and electronics sectors. It also supports greater accessibility to Mindanao, where several Chinese companies are currently involved in infrastructure projects. Filipino travelers should note that China has yet to introduce a reciprocal visa-free policy, so visas remain required except for short transits of up to 24 hours.

The service will also provide around five tonnes of cargo space per flight, which is expected to benefit e-commerce and high-value shipments like electronics and fashion samples. Freight forwarders are advised to secure space early, as the route typically maintains load factors above 80% during peak export periods.

Oman Air is set to introduce a new nonstop service linking Dubai with Salalah, beginning on July 3, 2026. The route will operate three times weekly throughout the year, further enhancing air connectivity to the Dhofar Governorate and offering greater travel convenience for both residents and international tourists ahead of the much-anticipated khareef season.

The addition of the new service reflects the growing demand for travel between Salalah and Dubai, while reinforcing Oman Air’s ongoing efforts to expand its domestic network and strengthen regional air corridors within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Oman Air Chief Executive Officer Con Korfiatis described the new route as a strategic step in advancing the airline’s role in national development. “Launching the Dubai–Salalah service highlights our continuous investment in enhancing regional connectivity in line with Oman’s broader economic and tourism ambitions,” he said.

“We’re responding to strong market demand by increasing capacity and creating more travel opportunities that support tourism and business growth across Dhofar. Oman Air remains a key enabler of connectivity and economic diversification under Oman Vision 2040.”

Consistent with its growth strategy, Oman Air continues to scale up operations on key domestic routes. Seat capacity to Salalah has increased by 20% in January 2026 compared to the same period last year, following a 15% expansion during the 2025 khareef season to handle the surge in visitors. The airline also launched its first direct charter between Moscow and Salalah, expected to attract over 7,000 travelers from Russia and contribute strongly to Dhofar’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

In addition, Oman Air plans further network and schedule enhancements, including expanded services during Ramadan, to provide passengers with even more flexibility and travel options throughout the year.

Tickets for the new Dubai–Salalah route will be available from Monday, February 16, 2026, through www.omanair.com and the Oman Air mobile application.

AirAsia X is launching new routes from Kuala Lumpur to Bahrain and on to London Gatwick starting June 26, 2026. This move positions Bahrain as the airline's first global hub outside Asia.

The service connects Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe via Bahrain's prime location and strong aviation setup. Bahrain-to-London becomes AirAsia X's second Fifth Freedom route, helping it tap into worldwide low-cost long-haul travel.

AirAsia X sees Bahrain as a springboard for growth, with opportunities for transit traffic and partnerships in cargo and maintenance. It fits the airline's push to link regions efficiently while keeping fares affordable.

Tony Fernandes, Capital A CEO and AirAsia X advisor, called it a key growth step. "Bahrain lets us link Asia, the Middle East, and Europe better, plus scale up cargo like Teleport after its $50 million raise," he said. He plans deeper ties with local airports and tourism groups.

Bahrain's Finance and National Economy Minister, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, welcomed the deal. "It boosts jobs in aviation, tourism, and logistics, plus skills for Bahrainis in this growing field," he noted. Bahrain aims to solidify its role as a regional connector.

Emirates has launched a fourth daily flight to London Gatwick, marking the debut of the Airbus A350 on the route and bringing its popular Premium Economy cabin to Gatwick for the first time. The new service joins the airline’s three existing daily A380 flights between Dubai and Gatwick, expanding travel options for passengers on one of its busiest routes.

With this latest addition, Emirates now operates 146 weekly flights to the UK—90 of them to London across Heathrow, Stansted, and Gatwick—offering travellers more flexibility and choice than ever before.

Flight EK069 departs Dubai at 17:05, arriving in London Gatwick at 20:50. The return flight, EK070, leaves Gatwick at 23:55 and lands in Dubai at 11:00 the next morning. The new evening schedule gives passengers another convenient option for both business and leisure travel between the two cities.

A New Experience on the A350

The new daily service is operated by the Airbus A350-900 in a three-class layout, featuring 32 lie-flat Business Class seats, 28 Premium Economy seats, and 238 in Economy Class. Passengers can look forward to the latest Emirates cabin experience with thoughtful design touches like wireless charging in Business Class, electric window blinds with the airline’s Ghaf tree design, and digital menus on Emirates’ ‘ice’ entertainment screens.

The A350 also introduces Emirates’ next-generation inflight entertainment system, with ultra-responsive 4K and HDR touchscreens that deliver a cinema-quality experience. Onboard Wi-Fi is powered by ViaSat’s Global Xpress satellite network, offering stronger, faster connections and enough bandwidth for more passengers to stay connected throughout their journey.

Strengthening the London Connection

Gatwick now becomes the second UK destination served by Emirates’ A350, following the aircraft’s launch in Edinburgh in early 2025. London joins a growing list of cities to welcome the airline’s latest addition, including Montreal, Oslo, Mumbai, and Istanbul. Later in 2026, more destinations—such as Rome, Copenhagen, Taipei, Phuket, Cape Town, and Helsinki—will also see the new A350 join their routes.

Customers can book flights and learn more through emirates.com, the Emirates App, Emirates retail outlets, contact centres, or travel agents.