First Paragliding Club in Lebanon – Since 1992

From a 750-meter launch point in the mountain village of Ghosta, you glide toward the coast with Jounieh Bay spread below you. The flight passes Harissa and the famous Our Lady of Lebanon statue before landing near the bay. This is not a standard city tour with a quick photo stop. It is a calm, airborne look at Lebanon’s mountains, religious landmarks, and coastline in one sweep.

I like the experienced, friendly team and the chance to fly in a private group rather than being mixed with a large crowd. I also like the practical touches: you can take photos in the air, and the club has handled rescheduling when a participant felt unwell. The main consideration is weather. A one-hour booking does not guarantee a one-hour flight, and poor conditions can force a new date.

Key points before you book

• 750-meter takeoff in Ghosta: Start high above the coast in an authentic mountain village.
• Harissa from the air: Glide near the Our Lady of Lebanon statue, one of the region’s best-known sights.
• Flight time can be about 20 minutes: The full experience lasts about an hour, but airtime depends on conditions.
• Certified tandem pilots: You fly with an experienced pilot, so no previous paragliding skill is required.
• All-year operation: Flights run in every season, including winter, as long as the weather is safe.
• Photos and video: You have time to capture the coast from the air, and video may be available as a keepsake.

From Ghosta to the sky above Jounieh Bay

The experience begins at the meeting point listed in Jounieh, at XJVR+96P. The club’s practical setup is part of the outing. Personal bags can be left at the base station, then you are taken up the mountain to the launch area in Ghosta.

Ghosta gives this flight its sense of place. You are not stepping onto a platform in an amusement park. You begin in a mountain village, at Lebanon’s highest paragliding takeoff point, with the coast below and the hills rising behind you.

The takeoff itself is the part most likely to make your heart beat faster. You are attached to the pilot in a tandem harness, and the wing carries both of you into the air. The provided information does not set out a detailed training session, but the club’s certified pilots handle the flight, and the experience is designed for first-timers as well as experienced adventurers.

I would plan to arrive ready for a short period of preparation and waiting. A one-hour booking covers the overall activity, not necessarily continuous time in the air. Weather, wind, and the timing of other flights can affect how long you spend at the launch point.

Harissa and Our Lady of Lebanon from above

Once airborne, the first reward is the change in scale. Roads, buildings, mountain slopes, and coastal neighborhoods become part of one broad view. The flight passes over or near Harissa, home to the large Our Lady of Lebanon statue.

From ground level, Harissa is a major sightseeing stop. From a paraglider, you see it in context, with the mountain falling away toward Jounieh Bay and the Mediterranean beyond. This makes the flight useful for more than adrenaline. It gives you a quick visual map of the area.

The club founder, Raja Saade, brought paragliding to Lebanon and established the club in 1992. That long local connection matters here. The pilots are not simply taking you over a generic patch of countryside. They are flying from a known local site with a route that connects Ghosta, Harissa, and Jounieh.

The view changes gradually rather than arriving as a series of formal stops. You will not land and walk around Harissa during this activity. The value is the moving viewpoint, especially if you have already visited the statue from below and want to understand how it fits into the hills above the bay.

The smooth ride toward Jounieh Bay

Paragliding can sound more frantic than it feels. The club describes a smooth ride, and the flight is intended to be a controlled tandem experience rather than an extreme stunt. You sit with your pilot in the harness while the wing carries you along the mountain and toward the coast.

That does not mean there is no adrenaline. The launch and the height provide plenty. The flight also gives you time to settle in, look around, and take photographs. One useful detail is that the ride can last around 20 minutes, depending on the weather. That is enough time to appreciate the route without turning the experience into an all-day commitment.

The final approach brings you toward the center of Jounieh Bay. The activity information says the flight lands near the bay, while the meeting information lists the activity as ending back at the meeting point. Confirm the exact return arrangement when you book, especially if you are coordinating this with a meal, a hotel transfer, or another timed activity.

The beach and bay setting make the landing feel like a proper finish rather than a stop in an anonymous field. You begin among mountain villages and finish with the coast in front of you.

What the pilots and staff add

The strongest part of this experience is the human side. The club is described as professional, friendly, and well organized, with pilots who are certified and experienced. That is important for an activity where trust affects how much you enjoy the view.

Communication is another practical strength. The team has been described as helpful from the first contact, and one participant who felt sick was allowed to reschedule rather than being pushed into a flight. That is the kind of flexibility I value in an adventure booking.

You may be assigned a pilot rather than choosing a specific person. Raja Saade is the club’s founder, but no individual pilot is named for every departure. You can expect the person flying with you to manage the wing, launch, route, and landing while you enjoy the ride.

The club also handles special occasions. Birthdays, proposals, and other celebrations can be arranged, although the supplied information does not specify exactly what extras are included. If you are planning a surprise, contact the provider before booking so you know what can be done.

Photos, video, and what to carry

The chance to photograph yourself in the air is a real advantage. The view is the souvenir, but a few pictures make it easier to remember the scale of the flight later. The experience specifically allows time for selfies and photos during the descent.

One practical detail from the club’s setup is that bags can be locked at the base station before you go up the mountain. I would still bring only what you need. Loose items, large bags, and anything that could fall are poor companions in a harness.

Video may be available as a leave-behind from the flight. The supplied information does not confirm whether it is included in the $90 price, so ask before you depart. If a video matters to you, confirm the format, cost, and delivery method at the meeting point.

Wear clothes that allow easy movement and shoes suited to a launch and landing area. The activity data does not list a clothing requirement, so do not treat this as a formal dress occasion. Keep your phone secure and follow the pilot’s instructions about when it is safe to use it.

Is $90 a fair price?

The listed price is $90 per person. That is not the cheapest way to see Jounieh Bay, but you are paying for more than a viewpoint. The fee covers a tandem flight, a certified pilot, the mountain-to-coast route, and the club’s operating experience since 1992.

The value is strongest if you want a memorable activity rather than another sightseeing transfer. In roughly an hour, you connect Ghosta, Harissa, the Our Lady of Lebanon statue, and Jounieh Bay from a viewpoint that roads cannot provide.

The value is less clear if you mainly want a long flight. The total duration is about one hour, while the actual airtime may be around 20 minutes and can vary with conditions. You should book this for the unusual view and the feeling of flight, not because it offers a full day of entertainment.

It is also a private activity, with only your group participating. That is useful for couples, families, and friends who want the experience to feel personal. Solo participants can also book, but they should be comfortable joining a tandem flight with a pilot.

Timing, seasons, and weather

The club offers a choice of departure times, which helps you fit the flight around sightseeing in Beirut, Jounieh, or Harissa. A morning, afternoon, or sunset departure can change the mood of the view, though the exact available times depend on the booking schedule.

The company flies throughout the year, including winter, when conditions permit. That gives you more flexibility than a seasonal attraction, but it does not remove the weather risk. Wind and other conditions can affect takeoff, airtime, and cancellation decisions.

This is the one factor you cannot control. If the club cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. For your own plans, avoid placing a tightly timed activity immediately afterward. The flight may be short, but weather-related changes can affect the day.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off follows local time.

Who will enjoy this flight most?

I would recommend it to solo visitors who want one bold activity, couples looking for an unusual shared memory, and families or groups of friends who prefer a private booking. It also suits people who have already seen Lebanon’s main coastal sights and want a fresh way to connect them.

First-time flyers should not assume they need technical skill. This is a tandem flight with a pilot, and the club specifically presents the experience as suitable for most participants. You still need to be comfortable with height and with a weather-dependent outdoor activity.

It is a good choice for people who care about views, photos, and a sense of occasion. A sunset flight can add a memorable setting, though the exact conditions and timing must be confirmed when you book.

I would be more cautious about recommending it to anyone with a rigid schedule. Weather may change the plan, and a flight is not the right choice if you need a guaranteed start and finish time. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not explain how animals participate during the flight, so ask the provider directly.

Should you book Paragliding Club Thermique?

Book it if you want to see Lebanon from a completely different angle and you like the idea of combining mountain scenery, Harissa, and Jounieh Bay in one short outing. The strongest reasons are the high launch point, the local route, the private format, and the professional approach of the team.

Do not book it expecting a long, fixed-length flight or a weather-proof schedule. The airtime can be about 20 minutes, and the experience may be changed by conditions. For most people, the $90 price is fair because this is a distinctive activity with a strong sense of place, not a simple ride above the coast.

My practical advice is to leave room in your day, ask about video before takeoff, and keep your belongings light. If the forecast cooperates, this is one of the most memorable ways to see Jounieh Bay.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding experience begin?

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

How high is the takeoff point?

Ghosta is described as Lebanon’s highest paragliding takeoff point, at 750 meters.

How long does the activity last?

The overall experience lasts approximately one hour. The flight itself can be around 20 minutes, depending on the weather.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $90 per person.

Do I need previous paragliding experience?

No previous experience is stated as a requirement. You fly tandem with a certified, experienced pilot.

Can I take photos during the flight?

Yes. The experience allows time for selfies and photos during the descent.

Does the club operate during winter?

Yes. Flights operate all year, including winter, as long as weather conditions permit.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.