What an XC and coastal paragliding holiday looks like
The XC & Coastal Combo is the most versatile paragliding holiday in Portugal: every day, you fly wherever the conditions are best. Each morning Behrooz reads the forecast — RASP thermal model, wind layers, cloudbase — and chooses between two completely different kinds of flying. When the north-westerly fills in, it’s a coastal soaring day above Sesimbra’s Atlantic cliffs and dunes; when strong thermals are forecast inland, you head out for cross-country flying across the Alentejo, central Portugal, the Serra da Estrela or the north. Fly a few days or a full week; private transfers to every launch are included.
There is no fixed split between coastal and XC days — the forecast decides, so you always fly in the best conditions available. Behrooz, an active competition pilot with more than 20 years of flying, flies with you every day: on XC days in the air alongside the group, calling climbs and routes on the radio; on coastal days on the same ridge, with a briefing before each session and an individual debrief afterwards.
The Combo suits licensed pilots with some thermal experience who want to progress on both fronts — sharper launches, top-landings and wing control on the coast, longer cross-country flights inland. With a maximum of 6 pilots, everyone gets real radio time in the air, and the XC days end with an evening track-log debrief.
Why Portugal is made for XC and coastal paragliding
Few countries offer two kinds of world-class paragliding within a couple of hours’ drive. Sesimbra, 30 minutes south of Lisbon, is one of Europe’s best coastal soaring destinations, with dozens of sites and one for every wind direction; inland, the Alentejo plains, central Portugal and the Serra da Estrela are among Europe’s finest cross-country paragliding regions, with strong thermals and cloudbases above 2,000 metres in peak season.
Combining both in one paragliding holiday in Portugal simply follows how the country’s weather works. A steady north-westerly lights up the Atlantic ridges around Sesimbra; lighter wind and strong heating switch on the inland thermals; and on exceptional days the cross-country flying can continue across the border into Spain. Following the conditions instead of a fixed timetable makes the Combo the most consistently productive way to fly in Portugal — and the best way to come home a better all-round pilot.
What's included
- Daily forecast analysis & site selection
- Coastal soaring around Sesimbra
- Cross-country flying inland on thermal days
- Behrooz flies with the group every day
- Free radio for every pilot, every flight
- Live track monitoring on XC days
- Evening track-log debrief after XC days
- Launch, top-landing & ground-handling coaching
- Private transfers & full outlanding retrieval
- Video & photos of your flying days
Before you come
The Combo covers both coastal and cross-country flying — prepare for both 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 Combo. Have the glider checked and the reserve repacked within the last 12 months, especially for the XC days.
GPS variometer
Required for the XC days. If you don't have one, let Behrooz know in advance. A basic GPS vario paired to XCTrack covers everything needed for the daily tasks.
Radio
Radios are provided free for every pilot. If you have your own handheld, bring it — it saves setup time. Coastal and XC days use the same frequency, so one radio covers the whole programme.
Travel insurance
Standard travel insurance won't cover paragliding. Get a policy that explicitly includes it — check it covers both coastal ridge soaring and XC cross-country flying. Most national paragliding associations offer suitable policies.
Getting here
Fly into Lisbon (LIS) — Sesimbra is 30 minutes away by car. Ask Behrooz about airport transfers when you confirm your dates; daily transfers to the flying sites are included.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need XC experience for the combo programme?
A B-licence or equivalent and some thermal experience are recommended. You don't need to be an experienced XC pilot — Behrooz confirms your level before you book.
How many XC days versus coastal days can I expect?
It depends on the forecast — there is no fixed split. On a typical trip coastal and XC days are roughly balanced, and Behrooz always picks the best option for the day.
Where do you fly on the XC & Coastal Combo?
Coastal days are flown around Sesimbra, 30 minutes south of Lisbon. XC days take you inland — the Alentejo, central Portugal and the Serra da Estrela, or northern Portugal — and on exceptional days across the border into Spain. Behrooz chooses each day from the forecast.
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 Combo. Radios are provided free for every pilot.
How much does the XC & Coastal Combo cost?
You pay per flying day: €90 for a coastal day and €120 for an XC day. Payment is usually made once your programme is over, and only for the days you actually fly.
Is transport and retrieval included on both coastal and XC days?
Yes — private transfers are included every day, plus full outlanding retrieval on XC days. No rental car needed.
What's the ideal time of year for the XC and Coastal Combo?
April to July and September to October, when coastal and XC conditions are both at their best.
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.