What a cross-country paragliding tour in Portugal looks like
The Portugal XC Tour is guided cross-country paragliding across the best thermal terrain of inland Portugal — from the plains of the south to the mountains of the centre and the north, and across the border into Spain when the forecast is better there. Every day Behrooz studies the RASP thermal model and synoptic charts, picks the region where conditions will be strongest and plans a task that suits the sky. Fly a few days or a full week; private transfers to every launch are included.
Behrooz is your guide and flying partner, not your instructor. An active competition pilot with more than 20 years of flying, he knows these regions intimately — which launch produces the first thermal, where the convergence lines set up, which transition is fast and which is a trap. He flies alongside the group every day, in the air with you rather than watching from the road, and on a good day that means 50 to 100+ km of cross-country flying.
Full outlanding retrieval is included every day, and a radio on every pilot keeps the group connected for conditions calls. Evenings are informal: route planning for the next day over a map and a look at tomorrow’s forecast together — no mandatory debriefs, just great flying. With a maximum of 6 people, the group stays fast and flexible, able to chase the best conditions and reach launches a larger convoy can’t.
Why inland Portugal is perfect for XC paragliding
Inland Portugal is one of the finest cross-country paragliding regions in Europe. Hot, dry summers build strong, reliable thermals, cloudbases climb above 2,000 metres in peak season, and wide, quiet countryside offers safe outlanding fields almost everywhere. There is XC flying from April to October, with the strongest conditions from July to September.
Few countries pack so much variety into so little distance. The Alentejo plains are made for long, open-country distance flights; the Serra da Estrela and the mountains of central Portugal offer technical, high-altitude flying; and the valleys and ridges of northern Portugal add yet another character. Flying them with a pilot who knows every region means more time in the air and less time searching for the right launch.
What's included
- Daily forecast analysis & task planning
- Behrooz flies alongside the group daily
- Radio on every pilot, every flight
- Full outlanding retrieval every day
- Private transfer to every launch
- Live track monitoring during flights
- Evening route planning for the next day
- Daily region choice across Portugal & Spain
- Video & photos of your flying days
- Bad-weather plan on low-forecast days
Before you come
Cross-country flying puts specific demands on you and your equipment — sort these before you travel.
Licence & IPPI card
Bring your national licence or IPPI card — Behrooz checks every pilot's qualification before the first flight. A photo on your phone is fine.
Your equipment
Bring your own glider, harness with reserve and helmet — there is no equipment rental on the XC tour. Have the glider checked and the reserve repacked within the last 12 months: the Alentejo plains are no place to discover a porosity problem.
GPS variometer
Essential for the daily XC tasks. If you don't have one, let Behrooz know before you come — he can advise on options. A basic Bluetooth vario paired to XCTrack works fine.
Radio
Radios can be provided free. If you have your own handheld already set up, bring it — it saves setup time on day one. Spare batteries recommended.
Travel insurance
Standard travel insurance won’t cover XC paragliding. Get a policy that explicitly includes it — and make sure it covers flying in Spain too, as the tour can cross the border.
Getting here
Fly into Lisbon (LIS). Behrooz agrees the meeting point and any airport transfer with you when you confirm your dates — all transfers between flying sites are included.
Frequently asked questions
What XC experience is required for the Portugal XC Tour?
A B-licence (or national equivalent) and enough thermal experience to fly comfortably, follow a simple task and land safely in a field. First-time XC pilots are welcome — unsure? Message Behrooz.
What XC distances can I expect on the Portugal XC Tour?
On a good day, 50–100+ km is realistic. Each day's task is set by the conditions — longer on big days, tighter and more technical on lighter ones.
Where does the Portugal XC Tour fly?
Across inland Portugal: the Alentejo, central Portugal and the Serra da Estrela, and northern Portugal. When the forecast is better across the border, the tour can also fly in Spain. Behrooz chooses the region each day from the forecast.
When is the best time for XC paragliding in Portugal?
From April to October across inland Portugal, with the strongest thermals and highest cloudbases from July to September.
What equipment do I need to bring?
Your own glider, harness with reserve, helmet and a GPS variometer — there is no equipment rental on the XC tour. Radios can be provided free.
How is this different from the XC Coaching programme?
XC Coaching is structured skill development with individual goals and feedback. The XC Tour is about flying great terrain together — Behrooz is your guide and flying partner, with no coaching agenda.
Is private transport to the flying sites included?
Yes — daily transfers and full outlanding retrieval are included. No rental car needed, and no pilot is left in a field.
How does payment work?
Payment goes directly to Behrooz — no booking platforms, no agencies and no deposit. You usually pay once your programme is over, and only for the days you actually fly.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation on all programmes. If you've already paid, you get a full refund — just send a WhatsApp message or email.
What happens if the weather doesn't cooperate?
Behrooz always has a backup plan and moves to wherever is flyable. On a day nothing can be flown, you aren't charged the day rate — only reasonable administrative or transport costs may apply.