Alanya: Tandem Paragliding from 700m with Meeting or Pick Up

Alanya’s coastline looks different from 700 meters up. This tandem flight carries you above the Mediterranean, golden beaches, mountains, and city streets before a guided landing on one of Alanya’s beaches. The flight itself lasts about 12 to 14 minutes, though the full outing can take much longer because of transport and waiting time.

I like the licensed pilots and safety briefing, especially for first-time flyers who need calm, clear instructions. I also like the simple setup: hotel pickup is available, equipment is provided, and the flight finishes at the coast rather than at another mountain site.

The main drawback is the extra cost. The $77 price does not include the €15 takeoff entrance fee or the optional photo and video package, which costs about €40. One recent complaint also described phones being collected before the ride up, so ask about the phone policy before setting off.

Key points before you book

• 700-meter takeoff: You launch from high above Alanya, so expect wide coastal views and a strong sense of height.
• 12 to 14 minutes in the air: Wind conditions affect the exact flight length.
• Beach landing: Your pilot guides the paraglider down to one of Alanya’s picturesque beaches.
• Optional hotel pickup: Pickup and return are available if you choose that option, with several Alanya-area drop-off points.
• Extra charges matter: Add €15 for the takeoff ticket and about €40 if you want the flight photos and video.
• Sports shoes required: Cellphones and cameras are not allowed during the activity.

What the Alanya flight is really like

This is a straightforward tandem paragliding experience, not a long sightseeing tour with many stops. You are paired with an experienced pilot, fitted with a harness and helmet, and launched from a 700-meter takeoff point above Alanya.

The appeal is the view. From the air, you can see the Mediterranean coast, sandy beaches, green mountain slopes, and the city below in one sweep. The flight gives you a short but memorable look at Alanya from an angle that buses, boats, and hilltop walks cannot match.

You do not need previous paragliding experience. The pilot handles the paraglider and landing, while you follow instructions during takeoff and flight. For a first flight, that division of work is useful. You can focus on breathing, looking around, and enjoying the view instead of worrying about the controls.

The 12 to 14 minute flight time is long enough to feel like a real aerial experience, but short enough for people who are unsure about heights. Wind affects the final duration, so you should treat the stated time as an average rather than a strict promise.

Meeting at Alanya 4 Nolu ASM or choosing pickup

The stated meeting point is in front of Alanya 4 Nolu ASM. If you choose the meeting option, you need to make your own way there and arrive on time.

Hotel pickup is available as a separate option. The service covers hotels and addresses in the Alanya area, with listed drop-off points including Avsallar, Payallar, Mahmutlar, Okurcalar, Alanya, and Alanya 4 Nolu ASM. At pickup time, wait in front of the security barrier at the main hotel entrance.

The driver will wait no more than 10 minutes after the planned pickup time. That is a small but important detail in Alanya, where hotel entrances can be spread out and resort roads can slow the ride. I would be ready early, not walking down from your room at the scheduled minute.

The transport portion is listed as about one hour each way in the itinerary. That means the full outing may take several hours, even though the actual time in the air is only around 12 to 14 minutes. The overall duration is given as anywhere from three minutes to six hours, so check the available start time and allow a generous part of your day.

The ride to the 700-meter launch site

After pickup or meeting at the central point, you ride toward the takeoff area. The drive is part of the day, not just a quick transfer, so this activity suits you best if you are comfortable giving up several hours for a short flight.

The reward comes at the launch site. At 700 meters, you get a high viewpoint over Alanya before the flight even begins. This is also where the sense of height becomes real. If you are comparing flights from different heights, the 700-meter launch should be one of your main considerations.

The supplier specifically asks people to reconsider if they are not comfortable with that height. That warning is useful and should not be ignored. Tandem flying removes the need to pilot the aircraft, but it does not remove the feeling of standing on a high launch point.

One unusual practical detail comes from a recent experience: the operator collected mobile phones before the ride up, and the person involved felt this also prevented photos from the bus. The published rules say cellphones and cameras are not allowed during the activity, but the phone-handling procedure may be worth confirming before you go.

Safety briefing, equipment, and takeoff

At the launch site, an instructor explains the safety rules and shows you how to use the equipment. You are fitted with a harness, helmet, and other required safety gear. The equipment is described as regularly inspected and maintained.

The pilot gives instructions for takeoff. In a tandem flight, your part is mainly to listen carefully and follow the pilot’s movements. Clear cooperation matters most during the initial run and at landing.

The instructors received strong praise for their personal manner. One person who felt very panicked at the start said the instructors used reassuring words and helped build confidence. That is exactly the kind of support that matters more than flashy talk when you are about to leave a mountain.

The activity is offered with English, Russian, and Turkish-speaking instructors. That gives you a useful choice if you are more comfortable receiving safety instructions in one of those languages.

The listed price includes full insurance, the instructor, and equipment. It does not include the €15 takeoff point entrance ticket, which is paid separately. Bring cash or a payment method suitable for the local operation, though the supplied information does not specify exactly how the fee is collected.

Twelve minutes above Alanya’s coast

Once airborne, the pilot controls the paraglider while you sit in the tandem harness. Your view opens toward the Mediterranean, the beaches, the city, and the mountain slopes around Alanya.

This is not a high-speed thrill ride. The sensation is closer to floating through the air, with the excitement coming from the height and open view. The pilot may guide the paraglider according to the day’s wind and the conditions, but the exact flight style is not fixed in the information provided.

The activity promises aerial photos and video, but these are optional and cost about €40 on the spot. Since phones and cameras are not allowed, the paid package is the only stated way to take home a record of the flight.

That fee is significant compared with the $77 booking price. If you care about having a keepsake, include it in your real budget before deciding. If you are content to remember the flight without footage, you can skip the extra purchase.

The wind determines the exact flight length. You may receive close to 14 minutes, or somewhat less. Weather also affects whether the activity can operate as planned, although no detailed weather cancellation procedure is supplied.

Landing on an Alanya beach

The flight ends with a guided landing on one of Alanya’s beaches. A beach finish is convenient because you return to the city’s coastal area rather than ending at the mountain launch point.

Your pilot handles the landing sequence, but you still need to follow instructions. Wear sports shoes, as required by the activity information. Open sandals and loose footwear are poor choices for a takeoff or landing that requires you to move as directed.

After landing, transportation takes you back to your Alanya hotel or to the meeting point, depending on the option you selected. The itinerary also lists return points in Avsallar, Payallar, Mahmutlar, Okurcalar, and nearby Alanya locations.

The return transfer may add another hour to the day. That is not a problem if you plan this as a half-day outing, but it can affect dinner plans or another booked activity. I would avoid scheduling anything that requires a precise arrival time afterward.

What the $77 price includes, and what it does not

At $77 per person, the experience offers a relatively clear base package. You receive the tandem flight, pilot, equipment, insurance, and hotel transfers if you select the pickup option.

The hidden costs are easy to spot once you know to look for them:

• The 700-meter takeoff entrance ticket costs €15.
• Photos and video cost about €40.
• Food and drinks are not included.
• Hotel pickup and return depend on the option you book.

The price is reasonable if you want a first paragliding experience with transport arranged. It is less attractive if you want a very short, all-inclusive activity with no add-ons.

The photo charge deserves particular attention. Forty euros is not a minor extra, especially when the base price is $77. Ask before takeoff what the package contains, how the files are delivered, and whether the price covers both still photos and video. The available information confirms the approximate cost but does not specify the number of images or the delivery method.

What the ratings tell you about the experience

The overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 from 27 reviews, which points to a generally positive experience with some service concerns.

The strongest praise focuses on the instructors. People describe them as professional, friendly, and reassuring, with one nervous flyer giving special credit to the team for helping her feel calm. Another person simply said the flight was worth trying, while two April visitors described it as a top experience and one of the best experiences of their lives.

The negative feedback is more about the operation around the flight than the flying itself. One person reported a punctual hotel pickup and professional instructors, but disliked the phone collection, the walk back to the office after landing, and the pressure to buy the €40 photo package. The same person also found a manager’s manner unpleasant.

That distinction is important. The actual flight and pilot work appear to be the strongest part of the experience. The less polished moments may come before and after the flight, particularly around phones, the photo sale, and the return walk or transfer.

I would go in with clear expectations. You are paying for a short tandem flight, not a relaxed mountain day with unlimited personal photography. Confirm the extras, keep your phone policy questions direct, and decide in advance if you want the photo package.

Who should book this flight

This activity suits you if you want to see Alanya from above without learning to pilot a paraglider. It is also a good fit if you appreciate having transport arranged and prefer a guided first flight with an experienced pilot.

It may appeal to you if you are nervous but curious. The reported instructor support is encouraging, and the pilot controls the paraglider. Still, you must be willing to launch from 700 meters and accept the physical sensation of height.

You should not book this experience if you have heart problems or are pregnant, as the activity specifically lists both conditions as unsuitable. You should also reconsider if the 700-meter height itself makes you uncomfortable.

This is not ideal for someone who wants to film the whole outing independently. Cellphones and cameras are not allowed, and the only stated recording option is the paid photo and video service.

It also requires sensible time planning. The flight is short, but transport can take about two hours in total, and the full activity may last up to six hours depending on the schedule and conditions.

Simple preparation that will make the day easier

Wear sports shoes and comfortable clothing that allows you to follow takeoff and landing instructions. Do not bring a camera or plan to use your phone during the activity.

Arrive early at the meeting point or hotel entrance. With pickup, the driver waits only 10 minutes, and missing the vehicle could spoil the entire plan.

Bring money for the €15 entrance charge and decide how you feel about the €40 photo package before you leave. You can ask the office about both charges at the start, rather than making a decision while you are still excited after landing.

Allow enough time for the return ride. The listed route includes about one hour by bus or coach in each direction, and the day may run longer if conditions or group timing change.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Alanya plans are still shifting, though you should still check the available start time before booking.

Should you book the Alanya tandem flight?

I would book this if your main goal is a short, memorable flight over Alanya with a reassuring pilot and optional hotel transport. The high launch point creates the drama, and the beach landing gives the outing a satisfying finish.

I would pause if you dislike surprise costs or want full control over your photos. Add the €15 entrance fee to the advertised price, treat the €40 media package as optional, and confirm how phones are handled.

For a first tandem flight, the professional and calming instructors are the strongest reason to choose it. For a highly polished, no-pressure operation, the phone and photo-selling complaints suggest you should compare another company first. The flight itself looks like good value, as long as you understand exactly what the $77 does and does not cover.

FAQ

How high is the paragliding launch point?

The flight begins from a takeoff point 700 meters high above Alanya.

How long is the actual flight?

The tandem flight lasts about 12 to 14 minutes, depending on the wind conditions on the day.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select the pickup option. You can also meet the team in front of Alanya 4 Nolu ASM.

Which languages do the instructors speak?

The instructors speak English, Russian, and Turkish.

What should I bring?

You should bring sports shoes. Cellphones and cameras are not allowed during the activity.

Are photos and videos included?

No. Photos and video are optional and cost about €40, paid on the spot.

Who should not take part?

The activity is not suitable for people with heart problems or pregnant women. You should also reconsider if you are uncomfortable launching from 700 meters.