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Paragliding Cusco – The Ultimate Sacred Valley Adventure Experience

Mark Whitman

Paragliding in Cusco provides unrivalled views of the Sacred Valley and is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and adrenaline-filled experiences you can have in the region.

But before you go ahead and book yourself on a paragliding tour, it is important that you understand some basics about adventures involving paragliding in Cusco.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you have a safe and enjoyable experience!

In this paragliding Cusco article, I have put together a list of the most frequently asked questions so that you can make an informed decision as to whether this experience is for you, as well as establish which company you should make a booking with.

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Paraglide Cusco FAQs

Is paragliding in Cusco dangerous?

It really depends on your definition of danger. Paragliding in general, regardless of where or when it is conducted, is a relatively dangerous activity when compared to the multitude of other adventure experiences you could undertake.

However, risks to your safety are significantly mitigated by the quality of the tour company you book with, the quality of gear used, and most importantly, the experience of the pilot.

When choosing a company, you should find out some key information first: 

  • Ask how long they have been running tours for. 
  • Establish how new and well maintained their equipment is. 
  • Get a brief history on your pilot’s experience.

At a minimum, your pilot should have the following credentials:

  • A professional certification and commercial licence or membership from either FAI or the APVL
  • Hundreds of hours of flight time under their belt. A significant portion of this time should have been conducted whilst piloting tandem flights.

The Scared Valley is a mountainous area which makes the flight more technical than paragliding in Lima, for example. Make sure you only go with a reliable company and experienced pilot.

Do I need to have any technical skills or training to Paraglide in Cusco?

No, you don't need any technical skills or training to go paragliding in Cusco. All paragliding tours in Cusco and the Sacred Valley are tandem flights that should be operated by trained paragliders. You will be shown the basics of how to takeoff and land in a safe way, but once you're airborne, the pilot will be in full control.

Where do paragliding tours in Cusco fly and how long do they last?

There are two main spots where most operators run their paragliding Cusco tours. The first and most popular is near Chinchero, which is about 30 minutes north of Cusco in the Sacred Valley.

The other frequently used launch spot is near Pisac, which is about 45 minutes from Cusco. Both provide exquisite views of the Sacred Valley and have well profiled launch stations. Flights from these stations last between 15-30 minutes.

Some operators offer special tours which fly from the Sacred Valley all the way to the ancient Incan ruins at Sacsayhuaman near Cusco city. This option lasts about 45 minutes and provides more extensive views of the Sacred Valley and Cusco city.

lima-paragliding

How much does it cost to Paraglide Cusco?

Costs vary from operator to operator to paraglide in Cusco, but are generally based on a 2-person minimum booking.  Each person pays between US$120-US$150. If you are a single person, expect to pay a US$20-US$30 premium. Hence, it’s worth joining up with a small group to save on expenses.

To make a paragliding Cusco reservation, you need to provide the following information:

  • Your full name
  • Your passport number
  • Your nationality
  • Your date of birth
  • Your weight and height
  • You need to pay a 50-60% deposit

Costs Usually Include

Costs Usually Exclude

Private Transport from Cusco to the launch site and return to Cusco

Food and Drinks

Rental of gear


Professional pilot


Some tour operators also offer additional services like short films of your flight. I recommend taking a GoPro on your trip so you can capture the experience in full-flight. Perhaps you can put together a video like the one below.

Please Note: This paragliding video is not filmed in Cusco, but is still pretty amazing! This paragliding film was made using a GoPro Hero 3 at Dune De Pyla in France.

What should I bring or wear?

For a paragliding Cusco tour, you should bring:

  • Comfortable and good-fitting shoes. No sandals or flip flops. 
  • Sporty layered clothes. Convertible trousers and a warm jacket is recommended so that you can layer up or down depending on changes in the weather.
  • Sunblock, sunglasses and a hat.
  • Water (at least 1 litre).
  • Snacks. You can end up waiting a few hours for the right weather conditions and thermals. Bring some food to snack on like fruit, sandwiches, crisps, nuts and sweets. 
  • A rain jacket or poncho, particularly during the raining season (October-April). 
  • A small backpack or bag to hold your belongings. 
  • A camera, video Camera or GoPro (with mounts). 

I’m a little overweight, can I still go paragliding?

It really depends on your definition of ‘a little overweight’. Most companies require participants to weigh under 100kg (220 pounds or 15.5 stone).

I have a heart condition, am I allowed to paraglide?

I am not a doctor, so I recommend seeking medical advice and clearance if you want to paraglide in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. That being said, most tour operators will not allow you to paraglide if you have a pre-existing heart condition. If you have any heart problems, I suggest giving this tour a miss!

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Conclusion

If you have any questions or insights about Paragliding Cusco, leave us a comment below and we will respond within 24 hours (remember to check back).

More Articles:

Tags: Paragliding Cusco, Paragliding Peru, Cusco Paragliding, Paragliding Cusco Peru, Paragliding in Cusco, Paragliding over the Sacred Valley, Paragliding Sacred Valley, Paragliding Machu Picchu

References: (1) Personal experience, (2) Tour operators interviews, (3) Trailblazer Guides

Mark Whitman

Hi, I'm Mark! Welcome to Machu Picchu Trek Guide - the Web's No.1 Trekking Guide to Machu Picchu. I started this guide to help trekkers like yourself get the information you need to plan for an awesome Machu Picchu trekking experience. Over 1 million people have used Machu Picchu Trek to plan their adventure to the famous Incan ruins. We hope we can help you too! If you have any questions don't hesitate to drop a comment below! Happy Trekking!

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  1. Hello,

    I am interested in paragliding (tandem jump) around Cusco.
    I do have some more questions:
    My children are 12, 14 and 17 years old, can they already do paragliding?
    When is the best moment of the day to do paragliding, in the morning or afternoon or evening?
    What will be the price?
    How long in advance do we have to book? And where can we book?

    Best regards,
    Luc Cochez.

  2. Do you know the names of any companies that offer the 45 minute Sacsayhuaman paragliding experience? I am not able to find any.

    Thank you!

    Susan

  3. Will we need to be properly acclimatised in Cusco before we can participate in the paragliding experience? We plan on arriving in Cusco on October 4th in the morning and want to book the paragliding for October 5th. Would that be okay?

    1. Hi Lilian, I recommend acclimatising for 1 or 2 days before paragliding. Most paragliding tours are in the Sacred Valley, which is below Cuzco. I recommend going to Ollantaytambo after arriving in Cuzco, spend a day relaxing and then the following day you should be good to go for paragliding. Cheers!

  4. Hola. Im a paragliding pilot from Switzerland. Im in Cusco right now and would like to go paragliding. Is it possible to rent gear and go flying with a local. My girlfriend is with me and would do a tandemflight. Thanks for the information. Gracias

  5. Hello, if Richard at cloudwalkerparagliding.com is unavailable, do you have any other recommendations of reputable paragliding operations in Cusco? Thanks!

  6. Thank you in advance for tall the info you provide here regarding paragliding.I will be in Cusco from the 28th of March to 1st April. Do I have to book in advance or it can be arranged after my arrival?

    1. Hi Yohannes, most operators will take bookings a day or two prior. It’s best to check with the paragliding operator to see if they require early booking. All the best!

  7. Ciao,

    Dal 11 al 26 agosto farò il tour del Perù.
    Sarò a Cuzco il 20 di Agosto ed essendo un parapendista posso chiedere assistenza ed equipaggiamento per fare un volo sulla valle sacra?
    Peso 82 kg. No equpaggiamento.
    Vela classe A o B .
    A chi posso appoggiarmi??
    Grazie
    Maurizio

    1. Hi Maurizio, we are not a paragliding company. We just provide free information for tourists. You can rent equipment in Cuzco and arrange your paragliding trip once you are in Peru. Hope this helps.

  8. Hi, do I need to make a reservation to go paragliding? I would like to book a tour, but I can’t find where to book my paraglide tour.. Hope you can give me some information! Thanks!

    1. Hi Lonneke, we are not a tour operator. Your best bet is to find a tour operator in Cuzco and book on the day.

  9. Hello,
    My partner and I are planning a trip to Peru come June.
    We would like to do paragliding (tandem) however a lil confused (thanks to the countless websites).
    May I know what’s the difference in views when it comes to flying above Miraflores, Pisac and Cusco? Which will you recommend?
    Thanks!
    However,

    1. Hi Isabek, Miraflores is in Lima. The flight takes you off and over the cliffs at Miraflores and down to the beach below. It is a coastal paragliding experience. The flights near Pisac and Cusco are in the mountains, in the Sacred Valley. I recommend the latter. Hope this help!

  10. Can you recommend any paragliding operators in the Sacred Valley. The link you suggested a few years ago, cloudwalkerparagliding.com appears to not be in existence anymore.Thanks!

    1. Hi Roberta, I don’t have any specific company recommendations, but once you get to Cusco you will see there are many operators who offer paragliding in the Sacred Valley. You can generally book on the day or a day before. Hope this helps!

  11. Are any of the trail treks to Aguas Calientes decent for paragliding? I'm wondering how ridge lift and thermals are along the way. Impractical to try shipping gas engines and electric is impractical due to charging batteries as well as shipping.

    Also do you know of English translation of any Peruvian laws regulating paragliding? I'm just starting to look but thought I'd ask

    1. Hi JC, I’m not sure about the regulations and the suitability of launching from the various trails to Aguas Calientes – I would assume that there are many launch spots though. I recommend contacting a specialist paragliding company in Cusco and they will be able to help.

  12. Hi Mark, we have a home for youth in Urubamba; we would like to give them the experience of paragliding as part of their education in how to approach life and its challenges.

    We would like to know if you were willing to connect with us to discuss prices.

    Having our youth facing and overcoming their fears through experiencing paragliding would be an unforgettable life experience.

    We look forward to hearing from you.

    Viviana Martínez
    Directora Ejecutiva/Executive Director
    Niños del Sol, Valle Sagrado – Cusco, Perú
    http://www.ninosdelsol.org FB Niños del Sol, Perú

    1. Hi Viviana, this sounds like a great initiative. I’m just an information website though. There are quite a few companies that offer paragliding in Cusco, if you Google it, you should find a few to get quotes. All the best, Mark

  13. My Husband and I are interested in paragliding either tomorrow, July 7 or the 11th. Do you have availability?

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