First Paragliding Club in Lebanon – Since 1992

See Lebanon from a bird’s seat. This tandem flight with Paragliding Club Thermique begins in the mountain village of Ghosta and carries you over Harissa, Jounieh, and the coast. I like the striking route, from a 750-meter takeoff point to a landing near Jounieh Bay, and I like that certified, experienced pilots handle the flight while giving you time for photos.

The main consideration is the weather. Paragliding runs throughout the year, including winter, but only when conditions are suitable. The flight itself may last about 20 minutes, while the full experience takes roughly an hour, so you need some flexibility in your sightseeing schedule.

Key points to know before you book

• Take off from Ghosta at 750 meters: The mountain launch gives you a high starting point and wide views toward the coast.
• Fly beside Harissa: The route passes near the famous Our Lady of Lebanon statue, one of the area’s most recognizable sights.
• Land near Jounieh Bay: You finish close to the center of the bay rather than returning to the mountain.
• Expect a tandem flight with a certified pilot: You do not need previous paragliding experience, and most participants can take part.
• Photos and video are part of the appeal: You can take selfies during the flight, and one experience included a video keepsake.
• Weather controls the schedule: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

From Ghosta’s hillside to the open sky

The experience begins at the stated meeting point, XJVR+96P in Jounieh. From there, the team organizes the move up to the launch area in Ghosta. One useful detail is that you can leave bags locked at the base station before heading uphill, which means you do not have to carry loose belongings into the harness.

Ghosta is not just a random launch pad. It is described as an authentic mountain village, and the takeoff point sits at about 750 meters, the highest launch point in Lebanon. That height gives the flight its shape. You begin among the hills, then gradually open out toward the coast, with the city and bay spreading below you.

At the launch site, your pilot prepares the tandem equipment and explains what you need to do. The precise briefing details can vary with the day’s conditions, but your main job is to listen carefully, follow the pilot’s movement instructions, and stay calm during takeoff. The pilot controls the paraglider.

The first moments may feel more exciting than expected. Paragliding is not a free fall, but leaving a hillside while attached to a large canopy still gives you a strong rush. The team’s calm, professional manner matters here. Several people specifically praised the staff for making first flights feel organized and comfortable.

The view from 750 meters above Lebanon

Once airborne, the experience becomes quieter and smoother. Instead of the noise of a motor, you have the movement of the canopy and the sound of the air. The route takes you over the mountain slopes toward Harissa, giving you a changing view rather than one fixed panorama.

Harissa is the visual centerpiece. The Our Lady of Lebanon statue sits high above Jounieh and is one of the most visited landmarks in the area. Seeing it from the air gives you a different sense of its position above the bay. From the ground, you look up toward Harissa. From the paraglider, you see the statue, the hills, the city, and the sea in one broad picture.

The flight continues toward Jounieh Bay and the Mediterranean. On a clear day, the contrast is memorable: wooded slopes near the launch area, dense city below, and open water beyond. The route helps you understand the shape of the region in a way that a road trip cannot.

This is also where you should keep your camera ready. The experience specifically allows time for selfies and photos during the descent. That does not mean you should spend the entire flight staring at a phone. The better plan is to take a few pictures, then put the device away and watch the scenery.

A phone strap would be sensible, but the supplied information does not confirm that one is provided. Ask the club about its preferred phone and camera arrangements before you fly. You should also avoid bringing anything loose unless the team has given you a safe place to store it.

A tandem flight suited to first-timers

You do not need to arrive with paragliding experience. This is a private activity for your own group, and the club provides a certified pilot for each tandem flight. That setup makes it a good choice for a solo visitor who wants an unusual activity, a couple looking for a shared memory, or a group of friends who want to do something more memorable than another meal with a view.

Families can also consider it, since the description says most people can participate. Still, no specific age, weight, or medical requirements are provided. If you are booking for children, older adults, or anyone with a health concern, confirm the requirements with the club before paying.

The flight can also mark a special occasion. The club promotes it for birthdays, proposals, and other celebrations. A proposal in the air may sound romantic, but practical planning matters. You should confirm exactly how the club handles special requests, photography, and timing instead of assuming the pilot can arrange everything at the last moment.

The club’s founder, Raja Saade, brought paragliding to Lebanon and established the club in 1992. That long history gives the operation a clear local identity. You are not simply purchasing a generic aerial activity that could happen anywhere. The route depends on Lebanon’s mountain-to-sea geography, and the club has been operating in this setting for decades.

What the one-hour schedule really means

The advertised duration is about one hour. That includes meeting the team, preparing equipment, going to the takeoff area, flying, and completing the landing process. The airtime itself may be closer to 20 minutes, depending on the weather.

That distinction is important. If you are expecting a full hour in the air, this is not the right interpretation. If you see the experience as a compact mountain excursion with a flight at its center, the timing makes more sense.

The departure schedule offers a choice of times, which can help you fit the activity into a day around Beirut or Jounieh. A morning flight may work well before other sightseeing. A later departure can offer softer light, and one French-language account described a smooth sunset flight. Sunset timing is not guaranteed, so treat it as a possible bonus rather than a promised feature.

Plan some breathing room around the booking. Weather can affect the start time, and flying conditions come first. The club operates year-round, even in winter, but only when the weather permits. If poor weather cancels the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

How the staff affect the experience

The strongest pattern in the available feedback is the staff’s friendly and professional approach. People praised communication, organization, and the pilots’ calm manner. That matters more here than it would on a standard sightseeing trip because you are trusting the team with equipment, timing, and your first few moments in the air.

One pilot was praised for sharing local knowledge as well as flying skill. That adds value to the route. You are not only looking down at a pretty bay. You can also understand the landmarks below, especially Harissa and the coastal setting.

The club has also shown flexibility when a flight did not work out. One person became unwell and could not fly, and the team arranged a later time. That is encouraging, though you should not assume every late change will be accepted. The stated policy allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made inside that window are not refundable, and late changes are not accepted.

The activity has a 5 out of 5 rating based on 193 reviews, with 99 percent recommended. Those figures point to unusually strong satisfaction, especially around the crew, organization, and views. They do not remove the normal limits of an outdoor activity. The flight depends on weather, and your comfort in the air will depend partly on how you respond to height and motion.

Is $90 a fair price?

At $90 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Jounieh Bay. It is also more than a short viewpoint stop or a ride up to Harissa. The value comes from combining transport to the mountain launch, a tandem flight, a trained pilot, a memorable route, and the chance to capture aerial photos or video.

For a first paragliding experience, the price is easier to justify because you are paying for the whole setup, not simply minutes in the sky. You do not need to buy equipment or learn how to launch. The club handles the technical side while you enjoy the view.

The value is especially strong if you want an activity that feels tied to Lebanon. The flight connects Ghosta, Harissa, Jounieh Bay, and the Mediterranean in one short outing. It also works well as a special-event purchase for a birthday or proposal.

I would think twice if you are mainly looking for a long flight. Airtime can be around 20 minutes, while the complete activity lasts about an hour. I would also avoid booking it as the one fixed item in a tightly packed day. Weather may force a change.

Practical details that make the day easier

The experience uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is sent at the time of booking. Keep the ticket available on your phone, but store other belongings with the team at the base station if that arrangement is offered on your visit.

The activity ends back at the meeting point, according to the stated details. The actual flight lands near Jounieh Bay, so the team’s return arrangements are important. The supplied information indicates that participants are taken up to the mountain launch site and that the activity ends at the meeting point, but you should confirm the exact transfer sequence when you book.

Public transportation is nearby, and service animals are allowed. The activity is private, meaning only your group participates. That does not necessarily mean you will be alone with one pilot from start to finish, but it does mean you are not being placed into a large sightseeing group.

Wear clothing that allows easy movement and shoes suitable for the launch and landing areas. The exact clothing rules are not provided, so ask the club if you have concerns about footwear, weather, or equipment fit. Bring sun protection for the exposed part of the flight, and keep your phone secure before you leave the ground.

Who should book this flight?

I would recommend it to you if you want a strong view of Lebanon in a short amount of time and you are comfortable trying something active. It suits solo visitors because the tandem setup removes the need to find a partner. Couples and small groups can turn it into a shared event, while families should confirm age and participation requirements first.

It is also a good choice for people who have already seen Beirut’s streets and Jounieh’s waterfront and want a different perspective. The flight gives you a clear sense of how the mountains rise behind the bay. That is the sort of view you remember after the details of a busy sightseeing day have faded.

I would be cautious if heights make you very uncomfortable, if you need a guaranteed departure time, or if your schedule has no room for a weather change. A smooth flight is often the goal, but this remains an outdoor adventure rather than a fixed indoor attraction.

Should you book Paragliding Club Thermique?

Yes, if you want a short, personal, and visually impressive way to see Jounieh Bay. The strongest reasons are the high Ghosta launch, the pass near Harissa, the landing by the bay, and the club’s experienced local team led by a founder who introduced paragliding to Lebanon.

Book with a little schedule flexibility and confirm any special requests in advance. At $90, the experience is best viewed as a complete aerial outing, not a one-hour flight. If that distinction works for you, this is one of the more memorable ways to connect Lebanon’s mountains with its coast.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding experience begin?

It begins at XJVR+96P in Jounieh, Lebanon. The activity then proceeds to the launch area in Ghosta.

Where is the takeoff point?

The takeoff point is in Ghosta, an authentic village in the mountains. It sits at about 750 meters and is described as the highest takeoff point in Lebanon.

Where does the flight land?

The flight lands near the center of Jounieh Bay. The activity details state that the experience ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately one hour. The actual flight may last around 20 minutes, depending on the weather.

Do I need previous paragliding experience?

No previous experience is stated as necessary. This is a tandem flight with a certified, experienced pilot, and most people can participate.

Can I take photos during the flight?

Yes. The experience allows time for selfies and photos during the descent. One account also described receiving a video keepsake.

Does the activity operate in winter?

Yes. The club operates throughout the year, including winter, as long as weather conditions allow the flight.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.

Is the activity private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity. Service animals are also allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.