Chicamocha Canyon: Paragliding Flight & San Gil Pickup

Summary

Soaring above chicamocha canyon with local pilots and laughter

You’ll stand on the edge of Chicamocha Canyon, heart racing as your certified pilot guides you into open sky for a 20-minute paragliding flight. Soak up wild views, catch your breath mid-air, and relive it all with pro photos after landing. Includes round-trip transport from San Gil — just bring your nerves and let go.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Paragliding flight in Chicamocha Canyon

• Travel from San Gil to Palo Blanco
• Prepare for paragliding flight
• Paraglide over Chicamocha Canyon
• Return to San Gil

Top questions

How long does the paragliding flight over Chicamocha Canyon last?

The flight lasts approximately 20 to 25 minutes depending on conditions.

Is pickup from San Gil included in this tour?

Yes, round-trip private transportation from San Gil is included.

Are certified pilots provided for the paragliding experience?

Yes, all flights are conducted with certified pilots using homologated equipment.

What time of day does the activity take place?

The flights are scheduled between 9 am and noon based on weather conditions.

Is medical insurance included during the activity?

Yes, medical assistance insurance is included in your booking.

Can children participate in this paragliding tour?

Infants must sit on an adult's lap; check specific age restrictions before booking.

Are photos included in the package?

Yes, professional photos are taken during takeoff and landing and included with your tour.

Where does the paragliding take place exactly?

The launch site is Palo Blanco village in Aratoca municipality, about an hour from San Gil.

What’s included

Your day includes private round-trip transport from San Gil to Palo Blanco village near PANACHI park, a 20–25 minute paragliding flight over Chicamocha Canyon with a certified pilot using homologated equipment, bottled water for hydration, medical assistance insurance throughout the activity, plus professional photographs capturing both takeoff and landing moments before returning early afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

There’s this weird silence right before takeoff — not the kind you get in a city, but a real hush, just wind and the faint shout of someone down the slope. I was standing on the edge at Palo Blanco, shoes digging into loose earth, trying to look braver than I felt. Our pilot, Andrés, checked all the straps again (he’s done this for years — you can tell by how he jokes about his “paragliding tan”). The Chicamocha Canyon opened up below us, green and brown folds stretching out like some giant had crumpled Colombia and then tried to smooth it back out. It didn’t feel real.

When we finally ran those first steps and lifted off, my stomach dropped — then everything went light. You don’t really hear much once you’re up there except wind in your ears and Andrés pointing out where the river cuts through far below. He kept telling me to look left for condors (I never spotted one), but honestly I was too busy staring at the way sunlight slid across the canyon walls. There’s this smell too — dry grass mixed with something almost sweet that I still can’t name. The flight lasted maybe 20 minutes? Time got weird up there. At one point I tried to ask how high we were but my voice just disappeared into all that space.

Back on solid ground, legs shaky but grinning like an idiot, they handed me bottled water and showed me photos from a camera I didn’t even notice at takeoff. Everyone clapped when a kid landed after me — his mom cheering louder than anyone else. The drive back to San Gil was quiet; people either napping or scrolling through their new photos. I kept replaying that first silent moment before we launched. Still gives me goosebumps thinking about it now.