There are two main ways to try paragliding in San Gil. As far as I could see, the main difference was the price.
PARAGLIDING IN SAN GIL: THE OPTIONS
OPTION ONE
At the time of writing, you could pay $60,000 COP for a 20-minute flight in a place called Curiti, where frontal winds crash against the side of a mountain to create thermals that take you higher and higher over the tobacco fields, with distant views of the mountains.
OPTION TWO
If you happen to have $170,000 COP going spare, the alternative is a longer flight over the Chicamocha Canyon. Though evidently better if everything goes to plan, there were rumours that it was sometimes harder to find thermals in the canyon.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
The weather conditions have to be right for paragliding. Too little wind and you won’t stay up for long. Too much and you risk being blown in an undesired direction and potentially being smashed into the mountainside.
We had to wait a while for a thunder storm to pass, but eventually the conditions were just right for take off.
GETTING AIRBORNE
It took a few attempts to catch the upward gusts of wind, but one by one, we were airborne.
There were 12 people in my group, which made for some nerve-racking near collisions.
My guide was especially daring with his stunts and I kept having to put my camera down so I could grip the ropes. He swung from side to side, then climbed a few hundred feet above the valley to prepare for a spiral descent.
TOBACCO TOUR
As we waited for the tour company to pack up the gear, we checked out the local tobacco drying huts.
VERDICT
Not only is this the best way to see the region’s gorgeous landscape, it’s a very decent price for paragliding. It might not be the world’s number one place to do it, but it makes for a really exciting adventure and might be the start of a new hobby. If you’re looking for more adventure in the area, try rappelling down Juan Curi waterfall.
This looks so much fun!! xx
Scarlett recently posted..Brighton Beach, Melbourne ‘v’ Brighton Beach, UK
Do it! It really was – although I thought the rappelling was even better. San Gil is so much fun!
Whoa, haha, the first option sounds better to me too. I don’t want to be stroking the cows if the currents fail me… ;)
Audrey recently posted..Yusong Foot Spa | Daejeon, South Korea
Yes, I think I chose wisely! :)
Wah, looks great so far Ari – love the shot of the tobacco leaves. If you are heading round any food markets or sample some ‘more than usual cusine’, post it – love seeing that side of it too :-) And my adrenaline’s up just thinking about the rapelling & slipping xx
I will try, but I’m not a foodie. So far, I’ve been most excited about the melon on my trek to the Lost City!
Ahh memories of Olu Deniz! Looks amazing – very jealous xxx
Yeah, it was pretty cool! You would have loved it – apart from the spiral maybe. At least the guy who took me up wasn’t a sleazebag!
Looks so cool! … good effort not throwing up.
Neil recently posted..Travel Blogger Relay Competition with lowcostholidays.com
Haha. Thanks! I’m very proud of myself.
Niiiiiiice!!!!
J.
Les Petits Pas de Juls recently posted..Photo series of the Week : Thunderstorm
I haven’t got the courage for this just yet… I might need you to come with me for moral support!
Angie Away recently posted..A Technicolor Trip Through My Travels
I’d be up for doing it again! It’s great fun. You’ve dived with sharks. This would be a walk in the park for you :)
You girls are making me feel like chicken shit (can I say that word) with all the things you do – I thought just the journey itself was enough – now I am faced with all these challenges to keep up with you all. God bless you all, I am going to try but I have a great fear of hieghts so say a prayer for me. Hahahaha.
Haha. I love this comment! I have a fear of heights too, but some things just have to be done. Once you’re in the air, paragliding is actually quite relaxing! Just make sure you tell your pilot not to do too many twists and swings! The views are great and the sensation even better.