First Paragliding Club in Lebanon – Since 1992

Lebanon looks different from the sky. This tandem flight takes you from the mountain village of Ghosta, about 750 meters above sea level, over Harissa and toward Jounieh Bay. I like the dramatic route and the club’s long record, since founder Raja Saade introduced paragliding to Lebanon in 1992. I also like that you can take photos and selfies during the flight.

The main drawback is simple: weather controls the day. Flights operate year-round and throughout the day when conditions allow, but poor weather can force a change of date. At about $90 per person, this is good value for a private, high-view experience, though your actual time in the air may be around 20 minutes rather than the full one-hour activity window.

Key things to know before you fly

• Ghosta is the launch point: You take off from an authentic mountain village at Lebanon’s highest paragliding launch point, about 750 meters high.
• The route reaches Harissa and Jounieh Bay: You fly near the famous Our Lady of Lebanon statue before landing near the bay.
• The flight is tandem: You fly with a certified, experienced pilot, making this suitable for first-timers.
• The team handles the practical details: Bags can be stored at the base, and you are taken up to the launch point.
• Flight time depends on conditions: The full experience lasts about an hour, while the glide itself may be around 20 minutes.
• Weather flexibility matters: If poor weather cancels the flight, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

From Ghosta’s 750-meter takeoff point

The experience begins at the meeting point in Jounieh, listed at XJVR+96P. From there, the club organizes the move toward Ghosta, the mountain village used for takeoff. This matters because the flight is not simply a quick launch from the edge of town. You first gain height, then begin the glide with a wide view of Lebanon’s coast below.

Ghosta gives the experience a more local feel than a basic beach activity. It is described as an authentic village, and the launch point sits around 750 meters above sea level. That height gives you room to appreciate the change from mountain slopes to the built-up coast and the open Mediterranean beyond.

You should expect some preparation before takeoff. The club provides the equipment and pairs you with a pilot. One useful practical detail is that bags can be left securely at the base station before you go higher up the mountain. That means you do not need to carry a daypack or loose items into the harness.

The first moments may feel more exciting than frightening. You are not making a solo jump or managing the controls yourself. This is a tandem flight, so your pilot directs the takeoff and flight while you focus on the view and the experience.

The flight path toward Harissa

Once airborne, the route takes you over the mountain slopes and toward Harissa. The town is famous for the Our Lady of Lebanon statue, one of the most recognizable sights above Jounieh. Seeing it from the air gives you a useful sense of its position above the bay, rather than only viewing it from a road or lookout.

This section is one of the strongest reasons to choose this activity. A normal sightseeing trip gives you a view of Harissa from below or across the water. Paragliding changes the angle completely. You can look down at the hills, across the coast, and toward the sea in one continuous flight.

The club allows time for photos and selfies while you are in the air. That is useful, but keep your expectations sensible. Your hands may be occupied at points during takeoff and landing, and you should follow the pilot’s instructions about when it is safe to use a phone. The supplied information confirms that photos are part of the appeal, and some flights include a video keepsake, though you should confirm exactly what is included when booking.

The ride is often described as smooth. It is still an outdoor activity controlled by wind and weather, so the feel of the flight can vary. The pilot’s role is especially important here. The club uses certified, experienced pilots, and the strongest praise for the experience centers on professionalism, calm organization, and a reassuring approach with first-time flyers.

Jounieh Bay from above

The flight continues toward Jounieh Bay, one of the most attractive coastal views in the area. From the air, you get a broad look at the bay, the city, the slopes above it, and the Mediterranean. The route offers more than a short thrill. It gives you a clear visual connection between the mountain villages and the coast.

The landing is near the center of Jounieh Bay. This makes the route feel complete: mountain launch, flight over Harissa, then a return toward the coastal heart of the area. The activity information says the experience ends back at the meeting point, so the club handles the return arrangement as part of the outing.

You should allow about one hour for the complete activity. The actual time in the air may be around 20 minutes, depending on conditions. That distinction is worth noting when you plan your day. The hour includes the practical parts around the flight, while the glide itself is the main event.

A sunset flight is also possible when the schedule and weather work together. The warm evening light can make the bay especially appealing, but sunset times are less flexible than daytime departures. If you want the best chance of keeping your plans on schedule, a daytime slot may be simpler.

A club built around first flights

Paragliding Club Thermique has operated since 1992. Raja Saade, the club’s founder, is credited with bringing paragliding to Lebanon. That background gives the activity more weight than a newly added tourist attraction. You are booking with a club that has been connected with the sport in Lebanon for decades.

The pilots are described as certified and experienced. That does not remove the need to respect weather limits, but it gives you the right setup for a first tandem flight. You can ask questions before takeoff, listen to the briefing, and let the pilot manage the technical side.

The club’s team also receives strong praise for communication and organization. The practical signs are important: keeping the schedule, helping with bags, arranging transport to the launch site, and dealing sensibly with changes. One especially useful example is the option to reschedule when a participant felt unwell and could not fly. That kind of flexibility is valuable for an activity that requires both good weather and a willing stomach.

You can also make the flight part of a personal occasion. The club promotes it for birthdays, proposals, and other special events. A proposal in the air requires careful planning, of course, but the private format means only your group participates. Couples and small groups can enjoy the outing without being mixed into a large public tour.

What the $90 price gets you

The price is $90 per person. That is not a cheap way to fill an hour, but it is a reasonable price for a private tandem activity with a mountain launch, a coastal flight, a certified pilot, and the club’s operational support.

The value depends on what you want from your time in Lebanon. If your priority is seeing as many standard sights as possible, the cost may feel high for a flight that can last around 20 minutes. If you want one memorable experience that combines scenery, a little adrenaline, and a different view of Jounieh, the price makes more sense.

The private format improves the value for couples, families, or friends. Your group participates together rather than joining a large shared sightseeing outing. The choice of departure times also helps you fit the flight around a visit to Harissa, Jounieh, or other nearby plans, although the final time remains subject to weather.

Photos and possible video footage add value, especially if you do not want to worry about recording everything yourself. Check what media is included at the time of booking, since the available information confirms that video is provided on some flights but does not define it as a guaranteed inclusion for every booking.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to first-time flyers who want a controlled introduction to paragliding. You get the thrill of leaving the mountain under a canopy, but the pilot handles the flying. That makes it more approachable than a solo lesson or an advanced sport flight.

It also suits people who want a different view of Lebanon. The route links Ghosta, Harissa, the Our Lady of Lebanon statue, Jounieh, and the sea in one outing. You see the area as a connected whole rather than as separate stops reached by road.

Couples may like the private format and the option of a sunset flight. Families and groups of friends can also book together, provided everyone in the group can participate. Solo visitors should not feel out of place. The activity is designed for individual bookings as well as groups.

This is less suitable if you need a fixed, minute-by-minute schedule. Weather can change the plan, and the actual flight length depends on conditions. You should also think carefully if heights or motion make you uncomfortable. The pilots can provide reassurance, but no mountain flight can remove the basic sensation of being airborne.

Planning the day around weather

The club operates all year, including winter, as long as the weather permits. That is useful if you are visiting Lebanon outside the main summer season. It also means you should keep a little flexibility in your itinerary rather than placing the flight immediately before an important appointment.

If the club cancels because of poor weather, you can select another date or receive a full refund. If you cancel, you need to do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you do not need a printed voucher. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though the activity remains dependent on safe conditions and the pilot’s assessment.

Choose comfortable clothing that does not restrict your legs or upper body. Keep loose belongings to a minimum, since bags are stored at the base before the trip to the launch site. Your phone may be useful for photos, but it should be secured and used only when the pilot says it is appropriate.

Is Paragliding Club Thermique worth booking?

Yes, if you want one memorable view of the Jounieh area and you are comfortable with a weather-dependent activity. The strongest reasons to book are the high takeoff from Ghosta, the route near Harissa, the coastal finish, and the club’s long experience since 1992.

I especially like the balance between adventure and simplicity. You do not need previous paragliding experience, and the pilot manages the flight. The team’s professional manner, clear communication, storage for bags, and willingness to reschedule when someone is unwell all add practical value.

Book it if you can keep your schedule flexible and accept that the flight itself may be around 20 minutes. Skip it if you need a guaranteed departure or if the idea of heights is likely to spoil the day. For everyone else, this is a memorable way to see Jounieh Bay from an angle that roads and viewpoints cannot match.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding experience begin?

The meeting point is XJVR+96P in Jounieh, Lebanon. The flight itself takes off from the mountain village of Ghosta.

How high is the takeoff point?

The Ghosta launch point is about 750 meters above sea level and is described as the highest takeoff point in Lebanon.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately one hour. The actual flight may be around 20 minutes, depending on the weather and flying conditions.

Where does the flight go?

The route takes you over the mountain slopes and Harissa, near the Our Lady of Lebanon statue, before heading toward Jounieh Bay and the Mediterranean coast.

Where does the flight end?

The landing is near the center of Jounieh Bay. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is this a tandem flight?

Yes. You fly with a certified, experienced pilot, making the experience suitable for people without previous paragliding experience.

Can I take photos during the flight?

Yes. The experience allows time for selfies and photos during the descent. Some flights also include a video keepsake.

Does the club operate during winter?

Yes. Flights are available throughout the year and during the day when weather conditions permit.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the club cancels because of poor weather.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund.