First Paragliding Club in Lebanon – Since 1992

Ghosta gives you a remarkable start: from Lebanon’s highest paragliding launch, you float above mountain slopes, Harissa, and the curve of Jounieh Bay before landing near the coast. I like the big visual payoff and the way a certified pilot handles the technical work. You can also take photos and selfies in the air, a fun souvenir rather than a standard postcard.

I also like the club’s long local connection. Founder Raja Saade brought paragliding to Lebanon in 1992, and the team flies throughout the year when conditions permit. The main consideration is weather: your flight may be moved, and the actual airborne portion can be around 20 minutes even though the full activity takes about an hour.

Key points to know before booking

• Launch from Ghosta at 750 meters: You begin in an authentic mountain village, not at the shoreline.
• Fly over Harissa: The route passes beside the famous Our Lady of Lebanon statue before opening toward Jounieh Bay.
• Expect about 20 minutes in the air: The overall activity lasts roughly one hour, with flight time shaped by weather.
• Certified pilots do the work: You receive a tandem flight, so you are attached to an experienced pilot rather than flying alone.
• Photos are part of the fun: You have time for selfies and aerial pictures during the descent.
• Private for your group: Only your party takes part, with a listed price of $90 per person.

From Jounieh to Ghosta, the flight begins above the coast

The meeting point is listed at XJVR+96P in Jounieh. From there, the experience shifts uphill to Ghosta, a mountain village with a 750-meter takeoff point. That change in setting is important. You are not simply stepping into a beach activity. You first reach the high slopes, then look down toward the bay you may have just been exploring from street level.

A review describes bags being stored at the base before the group is taken up the mountain to launch. That is useful practical information. Bring only what you need for the flight, and expect the team to explain where to leave larger items. Since the activity ends back at the meeting point, you should not need to arrange a separate ride from the landing area.

The exact timing depends on the flight schedule and wind. Departure times are offered to fit different sightseeing plans, and the club operates all day and throughout the year when the weather is suitable. If you hope to fly at sunset, that option may provide striking light over the bay, but do not treat any particular time as guaranteed until the club confirms it.

Ghosta offers a mountain takeoff with a clear sense of place

Ghosta is more than a launch pad. It gives you a look at a traditional Lebanese mountain setting before the flight begins. From 750 meters, the takeoff point provides the height needed for a long, scenic glide toward the coast.

A tandem flight begins with the pilot preparing the equipment and giving you instructions. You are not expected to know how to control a paraglider. Your job is to follow the launch directions, settle into the harness, and let the pilot manage the flight. For a first flight, this removes much of the technical worry.

The first moments can feel intense. You move from firm ground into open air, with the mountain slope and bay spreading below. If you are nervous, tell the pilot before takeoff. The club is used to first-time flyers, and the experience is designed around a pilot and passenger flying together.

This is not a free-fall jump. The ride is a glide, and the reports of a smooth flight make that distinction clear. You still get an adrenaline rush, but the experience also has a calm, suspended quality. The best part may be the change from excitement at takeoff to quiet views once the paraglider is settled.

Harissa and the Our Lady of Lebanon statue become your landmarks

The route takes you over Harissa, one of the best-known viewpoints in the Jounieh area. The Our Lady of Lebanon statue is a clear visual marker along the flight path. Seeing it from the air gives you a useful sense of scale that is hard to get from the ground.

From above, the relationship between the mountain and the coast becomes easy to understand. Harissa sits high above the bay, while Jounieh spreads below and the Mediterranean opens beyond it. You are not just looking at one attraction. You are seeing several parts of the area at once, connected by the route of the flight.

This is where the experience offers more than an amusement ride. The view helps you understand the geography of the coast. Mountain villages, the statue, the city, and the water fit into one broad scene. If you have already visited Harissa, the flight gives you a completely different angle. If you have not, the statue provides a memorable point of reference during the descent.

The main drawback is that visibility and flight direction are weather-dependent. On a clear day, the bay and sea should provide the main reward. On a hazier day, the view may be less sharp. The club can cancel or reschedule if conditions are poor, which is frustrating for a tightly planned itinerary but sensible for an activity that depends on wind and visibility.

The flight toward Jounieh Bay is the main event

The glide carries you along the slopes and over the city of Harissa toward Jounieh Bay. You can look down at the changing terrain, then out toward the Mediterranean. The contrast is what makes this route memorable: mountain greens close below, city streets farther down, and open sea beyond.

The airborne portion is often around 20 minutes, according to the practical details of the experience. That may sound short for a $90 activity, but tandem paragliding requires a launch, preparation, transfer uphill, flight, and landing. The listed duration is about one hour overall, so you are paying for a complete guided experience rather than only time in the air.

I see the price as fair for a private tandem flight with a certified pilot, especially if you value the view and the setting. It is not the cheapest way to see Jounieh, since a viewpoint or coastal walk costs far less. But those options cannot give you a bird’s-eye route from Ghosta to the bay, nor the feeling of floating beside Harissa.

You should also factor in the photo value. The club allows time for selfies and aerial pictures during the descent, and a video leave-behind is mentioned in the practical feedback. Confirm exactly what media is included when booking, since the provided details do not specify whether every package includes video or how it is delivered.

Photos, proposals, and special occasions

The club presents the flight as suitable for birthdays, proposals, and other special events. That makes sense because the setting changes the experience from a simple thrill ride into a shared memory. A couple can fly over one of Lebanon’s most recognizable bays, while a family or group of friends can book a private activity for their own party.

You should plan your photo expectations carefully. A selfie in the air is possible, but you still need to keep your hands and equipment secure and follow the pilot’s instructions. The flight is not a photo shoot with unlimited stops. You are moving with the wind and descending toward the landing area.

For a proposal, birthday surprise, or sunset flight, contact the club ahead of time and confirm the timing and any special arrangement. The activity offers a choice of departure times, but weather can still override the plan. A little flexibility will protect the special occasion from turning into a stressful wait.

The private format is a real advantage here. Only your group participates, so you are not sharing the flight program with a large mixed party. That can make the day feel more personal, particularly if you are marking an occasion.

Why the club’s local experience matters

Paragliding Club Thermique was founded in 1992, and Raja Saade is identified as the first person to bring paragliding to Lebanon. That local history matters because the route is tied closely to the area. This is not a generic flight over an unnamed hillside. The club knows the takeoff at Ghosta, the approach toward Harissa, and the landing near Jounieh Bay.

The pilots are described as certified and experienced. That does not remove the normal risks of an aerial activity, but it tells you who is responsible for the flight decisions. The pilot controls the paraglider, judges the conditions, and gives you the instructions you need.

The strongest practical praise is directed at the team’s professionalism, communication, friendliness, and willingness to help. One useful example involves a passenger who became unwell and was rescheduled for a later time. That suggests the staff can handle changes with care, though you should never assume every late change is free or guaranteed.

You may also hear local information during the flight or preparation. One pilot is praised for combining the flight with local knowledge, so the experience can include a little sense of place rather than only equipment checks and takeoff instructions.

Timing, weather, and what you should wear

The activity runs all year, including winter, as long as the weather permits. That gives you more booking flexibility than a seasonal attraction, but it does not mean every booked flight will operate. Wind, rain, and visibility can affect the decision.

Wear practical clothing that lets you move comfortably during takeoff and landing. The provided information does not set a specific clothing rule, so use common sense and dress for the day’s mountain conditions. Temperatures may feel different at the higher launch point than along the bay.

Give yourself room in your schedule. The listed duration is about one hour, but weather decisions and the movement from the Jounieh meeting point to Ghosta can affect the pace. Do not book a tight airport transfer or another fixed activity immediately afterward.

The club offers a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at booking. You should keep the meeting details available on your phone, especially since the starting point is given as a map code rather than a famous landmark.

Who will enjoy this flight most

This experience suits a first-time flyer who wants the thrill of paragliding without learning to pilot a canopy. The tandem format lets you focus on the view while the certified pilot manages the flight.

It also works well for couples, families, solo visitors, and groups of friends. The private format is helpful for people who prefer not to join a large shared tour. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. The information says most people can participate, but anyone with personal health concerns should make their own judgment and discuss them with the operator before booking.

You should skip it if you need a fixed, weather-proof timetable or if the thought of a mountain takeoff makes you uncomfortable. This is still an aerial adventure. The ride may be smooth, but the launch and height are part of the experience.

It is also not the right choice if your main goal is a long flight. The full outing lasts about an hour, while the airborne section may be around 20 minutes. The value comes from the full sequence, the views, the pilot, and the unusual route, not from hours in the air.

The $90 price and the cancellation safety net

At $90 per person, the experience sits in the moderate range for a private tandem adventure. You receive the flight, a certified pilot, access to the Ghosta launch, and the route over Harissa toward Jounieh Bay. For someone who wants a memorable aerial view of Lebanon, that is a reasonable use of a half day, even though the activity itself is about an hour.

The price makes less sense if you are only seeking a viewpoint. Jounieh and Harissa offer other ways to see the area, and none require a weather-dependent booking. Choose this experience for the flight itself, not simply for sightseeing.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If the club cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy gives you useful protection, but leave flexibility in your Lebanon schedule in case conditions shift.

Should you book Paragliding Club Thermique?

I would book this if you want one bold, visually memorable activity near Beirut and can keep your schedule flexible. The route from Ghosta to Harissa and Jounieh Bay is the real reason to choose it. The founding story of Raja Saade, the experienced certified pilots, private group setup, and strong record for friendly service add confidence.

Before paying, confirm the meeting time, expected airborne duration, photo or video arrangements, and the weather plan for your date. If you want a smooth introduction to tandem paragliding with a major coastal view, this is a strong choice. If you dislike heights, need a guaranteed timetable, or want a much longer flight, spend your $90 elsewhere.

FAQ

Where does the paragliding experience begin?

The listed start point is XJVR+96P in Jounieh, Lebanon. The flight itself takes off from Ghosta.

Where does the flight take off?

The launch is in Ghosta, an authentic mountain village with a 750-meter takeoff point, described as the highest takeoff point in Lebanon.

Where does the flight land?

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

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts about one hour. The airborne portion may be around 20 minutes, depending on weather.

What sights can I see during the flight?

The route includes views over mountain slopes, Harissa, the Our Lady of Lebanon statue, Jounieh Bay, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Do I fly alone?

No. This is a tandem paragliding flight with a certified pilot who handles the paraglider.

Can I take photos during the flight?

Yes. You have time to take selfies and photos during the descent. A video leave-behind is also mentioned as part of the experience details.

Does the club fly in winter?

Yes. The club operates all year, including winter, when weather conditions permit.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

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