Rio de Janeiro: Hang Gliding over Christ the Redeemer & Sugar Loaf

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/14

Duration2h

GroupUp to 10

LanguagesEN · DE +3

Mobile ticketAccepted

Fly Over Rio's Landmarks in a Hang Glider, Land on White Sand

You fly tandem with a certified instructor from Konrad Heilmann's team, launching from Tijuca Forest and passing over Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf, and Rocinha before landing on São Conrado beach. The flight lasts roughly an hour total, equipment is provided, and you can add 360° video capture. Groups are capped at eight, and the experience is weather dependent.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hang gliding over Rio landmarks

Meet certified hang gliding instructors
Launch from Tijuca Forest National Park
Fly over Atlantic Ocean and landmarks
View Rocinha, Sugar Loaf, Christ the Redeemer
Land smoothly on São Conrado beach

The Experience

"So you're actually going to jump off a mountain?" That's what most people ask when you tell them you're doing hang gliding in Rio de Janeiro. You're not jumping — you're launching from Tijuca Forest National Park, strapped into a tandem rig with one of Konrad Heilmann's certified instructors, and the moment the ground drops away, the question stops mattering. The Atlantic Forest spreads below you in shades of green, and then the city opens up: Christ the Redeemer tilts into view, Sugar Loaf Mountain sits solid on the horizon, and the favela of Rocinha sprawls across the hillside like a geography lesson you're reading from the air.

The whole thing takes maybe an hour from start to finish, though the actual flight time depends on the thermals and how long you want to stay up. Konrad's team handles all the equipment — you show up, get briefed, and then you're walking to the launch point with your instructor, feeling the wind on your face and the harness settling around you. The launch itself is smoother than you'd expect: a few running steps down the slope, and suddenly you're not running anymore. You're flying. The view of Rio from a hang glider is different from what you see from a plane or a helicopter — you're lower, slower, and the landmarks don't feel distant. They feel like they're part of the same sky you're in.

The landing happens on São Conrado beach, which is the part that still feels a bit surreal when you're thinking about it beforehand. But the instructors do this constantly, and the beach gives you plenty of room. You touch down on white sand, your legs remember how to work, and you're standing on the ground again with your phone already out because you want to download the footage. If you've booked the 360° camera option, make sure you have at least 10GB free on your phone — 3GB for standard video, another 7GB if you want the full immersive version. The app transfers can take a while, so download the Insta 360 app before you arrive if you're going that route.

Groups stay small — maximum eight people per booking — so it never feels rushed or crowded. The whole operation is weather dependent, which means you'll want to contact them before you head over to check the wind and conditions. If you're over 90kg, they might suggest paragliding instead depending on the day's atmospheric conditions and your height-to-weight ratio, but that's a safety call, not a limitation. Hotel transfers aren't included in the base price, but they can arrange pickup if you ask after booking — cost varies depending on where you're staying.

What’s included

Your experience includes all hang gliding equipment, tandem flight with a certified instructor, launch from Tijuca Forest National Park, views of Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf, Rocinha and the Atlantic Ocean, and landing on São Conrado beach. Video and photo capture are included; 360° camera footage is available as an add-on.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Konrad Heilmann - Rio Hang Gliding

Is this one for you?This is built for anyone who wants to see Rio from a perspective most visitors never get, without needing prior flying experience or special fitness — the instructors handle the flying, and the tandem setup means you're secure the whole time.