10-Day Certified Paragliding Pilot Course in San Gil

Vast mountain ranges, everlasting sunny days, and warm winds - is there a better place to become a certified paragliding pilot than in Colombia? With a professional and experienced bilingual paragliding instructor, your 10-day course takes place in the beautiful and adventure-filled town of San Gil and the stunning mountains of Bucaramanga.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive at Palonegro International Airport at Bucaramanga and then with your guide, drive for about three hours to San Gil. Take your first theory course in the evening and stay overnight in a comfortable hotel in town located 25 minutes from the course’s rural location.

Day 2: Learn the basics

Drive to the paragliding school in Bucaramanga in the morning where you'll begin to practice controlling your wings on the grounds. Return to San Gil for dinner and enjoy a relaxing night at your hotel.

Day 3: Tandem micro-flight

Today’s goal is to learn to gain control of your equipment in the wind. You'll also get a chance to practice with a tandem “micro flight” with your pilot. Return to San Gil in the evening.

Day 4: First solo flight in Bucaramanga

Today, your instructor will let you fly solo for the first time, but you will always be in radio contact with him/her. Instead of driving back to the town in the afternoon, you'll enjoy the convenience of staying and dining at the school's hotel and restaurant. Stay overnight in the relaxing, rural environment and gain a taste for Colombia’s mountain lifestyle.

Day 5: Solo flight and learning to land precisely

Another day, another chance to do solo flights! On today's flight, you'll focus on finessing your landing in a precise area. Stay overnight at the school’s on-site hotel and enjoy local food.

Day 6: Practice flight

The remainder of your course is dedicated to fully immersing yourself in practice flights that will prepare you for your final flight assessment. After the day's lesson, you'll also have free time to visit local villages and restaurants with other paragliders to gain a sense of Colombian food and culture. 

Day 7: Practice flight and feedback session

Fly solo in the morning, and, in the afternoon, you'll have a helpful and informative constructive feedback session with your instructor. Stay overnight at the school’s onsite hotel.

Day 8: Practice flight 

Today, you'll be able to apply what you have learned in the feedback session to improve your flight and prepare for flight assessment the next day. Stay overnight at the school’s onsite hotel.

Day 9: Flight assessment

Fly solo along-side your instructor for an assessment flight. Upon successful completion of an additional assessment of learning, obtain your Diploma and Paragliding Pilot License Level 1 FEDEAEREOS Colombia FAI (Federation Aeronautique Internationale) and APPI (Association of Paragliding Pilots and Instructor) Adventure Pilot Certification. 

Day 10: Departure

Say goodbye to your new-found friends before boarding your heading off to Palonegro International Airport in Bucaramanga.

Included

• Airport pick up and drop off
• Accommodation for 9 nights
• Water, breakfasts, lunches, non-alcoholic drinks
• Professional and experienced bilingual paragliding instructor
• 10 hours of theory class
• 40 hours of practical ground handling
• 1 training tandem flight (45 minutes)
• A minimum of 40 low take-off flights (max 30m)
• 10 solo flights from high take-off to landing
• Paraglide and all safety equipment
• Educational resources, course materials

Excluded

• Visas
• Flights
• Personal expenses
• Tips and gratuities
• Taxes, fees, and other service charges 
• Travel/Medical insurance

What to bring

• Photocopy of ID 
• Sports camera (if you have one)
• Notebook to use during classes
• A pair of closed-toe walking shoes
• Long pants and long sleeved shirt
• Sunblock and sunglasses
• Refillable water bottle
• Bug repellent
• Weather appropriate clothing

Please Note

• Breakfast and dinner meals will be authentic Colombian cuisines. As for dinner, your guide and the hotel staff will offer recommendations to fit your preferences.
• Excellent vegetarian, vegan, gluten- free, and other dietary options will be provided. Please notify us ahead of time if you have any dietary needs or food allergies.
• Treated water is offered to guests, please bring a refillable water bottle or purchase bottled water.