Cusco: Tandem Paragliding in The Sacred Valley of The Incas

The best part of this trip is the change in viewpoint: from Cerro Sacro, you rise above the Sacred Valley’s patchwork of settlements and fields, with Inca ruins on the hillsides and high mountains on the horizon. You fly tandem with a professional pilot, so there is no need for prior paragliding experience.

I like two things in particular: the grand views from a launch point at 3,880 meters, and the care pilots take to explain the start and wait for suitable wind. The included video gives you a way to keep the memory without trying to handle a camera in the air.

One consideration: the flight itself is short compared with the six-to-seven-hour outing, and weather can mean a wait or a cancellation. It is also cold on the mountain, so bring a warm jacket, gloves, a hat, and sunscreen.

At a glance

• Cerro Sacro launch: Take off from a mountain in the Sacred Valley area, at 3,880 meters above sea level.
• A short but memorable flight: Expect about 10 to 15 minutes, with some flights lasting longer when wind conditions allow.
• Tandem with a pilot: A professional instructor handles the paraglider and briefs you on safety and takeoff.
• Small group: The outing is limited to six participants, which helps keep the briefing and transport manageable.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off: Pickup is available in central Cusco and selected Sacred Valley towns, depending on the option you choose.
• Price and practicalities: At $120 per person, the fee includes transport, equipment, instruction, and a flight video, but not food or drinks.

From Cusco to Cerro Sacro

Allow six to seven hours for the whole outing, not just the flight. Pickup is offered from hotels in Cusco’s Historic Center and from selected Sacred Valley hotels, including those in Ollantaytambo, Yucay, and Urubamba. The exact pickup and drop-off arrangements depend on your chosen option.

The drive is part of the day. One route described by a participant included a transfer from Cusco to the landing area, followed by a four-wheel-drive ride up toward the launch point. The drive gives you a ground-level sense of the region before you see it from above, though the total travel time makes this a substantial half-day or longer activity.

If your hotel sits on a narrow street, the vehicle may not be able to reach its door. In that case, the operator provides a nearby meeting point. The same applies if you are staying in a private apartment or outside the regular pickup route, so confirm the pickup spot before the day.

Your drop-off is at a central Cusco location, either Plaza de Armas or Plaza del Recorrido, or at your Sacred Valley hotel, depending on the option selected. If you have an important connection or another timed activity afterward, leave room for weather delays. The stated duration is an estimate, and the pilot may wait for safer flying conditions.

A mountain made for the view

The flight takes place from Cerro Sacro, northeast of Cusco. At 3,880 meters, the launch site is high, and the mountain has a steep slope and a vertical drop of about 600 meters. Those figures help explain why you should expect a mountain setting rather than a simple roadside stop.

From the air, the Sacred Valley’s scale becomes easier to grasp. You may see forested slopes, Inca ruins, settlements on the broad valley floor, and glacial peaks in the distance. The exact view depends on the weather and flight path, but the appeal is clear: this is a way to see the region’s terrain from a perspective you cannot get on a valley road.

Cerro Sacro is described as a safe mountain for this activity because of its topography. That does not mean conditions are guaranteed. Wind, turbulence, and rain can change the plan, and the pilot has the final say on whether it is safe to launch. Another mountain may be used if Cerro Sacro is unsuitable.

Getting ready for takeoff

At the flight site, the team gives a safety briefing and explains how the takeoff works. Your pilot fits you with a harness and helmet, then talks you through the launch procedure. You fly attached to the instructor, who controls the paraglider.

The brief is especially useful if you are nervous or have never flown before. Pilots named by participants include Leo, Simon, Carlos, Andy, and José, though the pilot on your day can vary. Several people describe clear explanations and a calm manner as important parts of the experience. Leo, in particular, is often named for his experience and ability to reassure first-time flyers.

Takeoff is an active moment, not a step where you simply sit back from the start. Listen closely to the instructions and follow the pilot’s directions. You do not need paragliding experience, but you do need to be comfortable with the physical demands of reaching the launch point and following the takeoff guidance.

Once airborne, the pilot does the work of steering. You can focus on the valley and the sensation of flight. One useful expectation to set: paragliding is not always a perfectly still glide. Wind and rising air can change the movement, and one participant compared the stronger turns to a roller coaster. If you prefer a gentle ride, tell the pilot how you feel; the pilot can explain what to expect, while safety and conditions remain the priority.

What the flight feels like

The listed flight time is 10 to 15 minutes, while the activity description gives a range of 15 to 20 minutes. Actual time depends on wind conditions, so treat any figure as an estimate rather than a promise. Some flights can last longer if the pilot finds rising air, while weak or changing wind may shorten the experience.

There is no need to manage a camera while you are in the harness. A video from the flight is included, which lets you look around and take in the scenery instead. You can take photos as well, but secure your device and follow the pilot’s advice.

The landing is part of the flight, too. A participant describes landing seated, while another recalls a turning approach before a soft touchdown. Your pilot will guide you through the landing instructions, so listen carefully and follow them rather than guessing at the last moment.

For many people, the flight is the day’s highlight. It also goes quickly. If you are booking mainly for aerial time, remember that transport, briefing, and waiting for weather take up most of the schedule. The full outing is a scenic adventure day with a brief flight at its center, not hours in the air.

Weather, waiting, and the cold

Paragliding depends on the wind. If conditions are unstable because of high winds, turbulence, or rain, the pilot may wait or cancel to protect passengers. Waiting is not wasted time from a safety point of view, but it can make the day longer and less predictable.

There is an important cost detail to understand: if the flight is cancelled because conditions become unsuitable, passengers are responsible for transport costs. Ask the operator how this applies to your booking before you go, especially if a weather cancellation would affect your budget.

Dress for a cold mountain, not just the milder weather you may have in Cusco or the valley. Bring a jacket, gloves, a hat, and sunscreen. The mountain can feel cold while you wait, and sun exposure remains a concern at altitude. Food and drinks are not included, so bring what you need for a long outing.

Is $120 good value?

At $120 per person, this is not a bargain add-on, but the price covers more than the flight. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off within the selected service area, safety equipment, a professional instructor, a briefing, and the flight video. Transport to a remote launch site is a meaningful part of the cost, especially if you are not arranging your own vehicle.

The value depends on what you want from your day. If a first tandem flight over the Sacred Valley is a major goal, the included transport and video make the price easier to justify. If you are mainly looking for a long airborne experience, the 10-to-15-minute stated flight time may feel brief for the overall cost and time commitment.

No meals are included, and possible delays can stretch the outing. Budget for your own food and drinks, and do not schedule the day so tightly that a wait creates stress. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and the reserve-now, pay-later option may help if you want to keep plans flexible.

Who should book this flight?

This suits you if you want a first paragliding experience with a pilot, value mountain scenery, and are comfortable spending much of a day on transport and preparation for a short flight. The small group limit of six is useful if you prefer a more personal outing than a large coach tour.

It may be a poor fit if you have limited mobility, weigh more than 200 pounds (91 kilograms), or weigh less than 88 pounds (40 kilograms). Children must weigh more than 40 kilograms and have permission from a parent or guardian. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

You should also be willing to accept the weather’s say in the schedule. The pilot may wait, switch to another mountain, or cancel for safety. If that uncertainty would spoil your day, choose a less weather-dependent activity.

Should you book it?

Book this if the chance to fly over the Sacred Valley is one of your priorities in Cusco and you can spare six to seven hours without rushing. You get a professional tandem pilot, safety equipment, transport, and a video, with striking views as the payoff.

Skip it if you need a fixed timetable, dislike cold and waiting, or want a long flight for the price. For a first-time flyer who is curious about the region from above, though, this is a memorable way to see the valley and a strong use of a day, provided you arrive dressed warmly and let the weather set the pace.

FAQ

How long does the whole activity take?

Plan on six to seven hours, including pickup, transport, preparation, possible weather waits, and drop-off.

How long is the paragliding flight?

The included flight is listed as 10 to 15 minutes. The activity description gives 15 to 20 minutes, and actual flight time can vary with wind conditions.

Where does the flight take off?

The flight is from Cerro Sacro in the Sacred Valley area, northeast of Cusco, at an altitude of 3,880 meters. Another mountain may be used if conditions at Cerro Sacro are not suitable.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is available from hotels in Cusco’s Historic Center or selected Sacred Valley locations, depending on the option you choose. In Ollantaytambo, Yucay, or Urubamba, a nearby meeting point may be used if a vehicle cannot reach your hotel.

What is included in the price?

The price includes selected hotel pickup and drop-off, a tandem paraglide flight, a professional instructor, safety instructions, licensed equipment, a harness, a helmet, and a video from the flight.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring what you need for the outing.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, sunscreen, a jacket, and gloves. It can be cold at the mountain site, particularly while waiting for suitable wind.

What happens if the weather is unsafe?

The pilot may wait for better conditions or cancel the flight because of high winds, turbulence, rain, or other unsafe conditions. Passengers are responsible for transport costs in the event of a weather cancellation.

Are there weight or mobility restrictions?

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, people over 200 pounds (91 kilograms), or people under 88 pounds (40 kilograms). Children must weigh more than 40 kilograms and have permission from a parent or guardian.