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

The mountain gives Alanya a new perspective. I like the 12 to 14 minute tandem flight and the calm, professional approach of the pilots, especially for first-time flyers. You rise above the Mediterranean, beaches, mountains, and city without needing any previous experience. I also like the choice between hotel pickup and meeting directly in Alanya.

There are a few costs and rules to note. The 700-meter launch point is not a small hill, the take-off entrance costs about €15, and flight photos and video cost around €40 extra. You also hand over your cellphone and camera before the activity, which can feel restrictive if you want to record the ride yourself.

Key points before you book

• 700-meter take-off: The height gives you broad views across Alanya, the coast, beaches, mountains, and city.
• 12 to 14 minutes in the air: Your exact flight time depends on the wind on the day.
• Two meeting choices: Select hotel pickup and drop-off, or meet at Alanya 4 Nolu ASM.
• Reassuring instructors: Pilots are licensed, and the team provides a safety briefing before take-off.
• Photos cost extra: In-flight pictures and video are optional, with a price of about €40 paid locally.
• Beach landing: The flight finishes with a guided landing on one of Alanya’s beaches.

Flying above Alanya from 700 meters

Alanya is made for a bird’s-eye view. From the take-off point, you can see the Mediterranean stretching away from the city, with golden beaches, mountain slopes, and the dense urban area below. A tandem paraglider lets you enjoy that view without learning to control the canopy yourself.

You sit in a secure harness in front of or alongside your pilot, depending on the equipment and setup used that day. The instructor handles the flight while you follow simple directions for take-off, body position, and landing. That makes this a practical choice if you want the sensation of flight but do not want a full training course.

The height matters. A 700-meter start gives the pilot room to gain a long glide, but it can also make the first look down feel serious. If heights unsettle you, think carefully before booking. The activity is not presented as a gentle low-level ride. It begins high above Alanya and is aimed at people comfortable with a strong dose of adrenaline.

Once airborne, the feeling changes quickly. The launch may be the most nervous part, while the flight itself can feel surprisingly quiet. You are not trapped inside a vehicle or rushing through a short amusement ride. You are suspended in open air, with time to look around and take in the coastline.

What happens from pickup to take-off

Your day begins either at your hotel or at the designated meeting point in front of Alanya 4 Nolu ASM. The pickup option covers several Alanya-area locations, including Avsallar, Payallar, Mahmutlar, Okurcalar, and other listed drop-off points. If you choose pickup, wait in front of the security barrier at the hotel’s main entrance.

Be ready at the stated time. Drivers wait no longer than 10 minutes after the scheduled pickup, so this is not the moment to finish breakfast or search for a missing pair of shoes. Hotel transportation can take about an hour in the itinerary, depending on the pickup area and road conditions.

The transport is part of the practical value of this activity. If you are staying outside central Alanya, reaching a mountain launch point on your own could be awkward. Pickup removes that worry, though it also adds road time to an activity whose actual flight lasts only about 12 to 14 minutes.

At the operating office or staging point, the team handles the activity arrangements and prepares you for the mountain. One important rule is that cellphones and cameras are not allowed during the activity. In practice, this means you should not plan to hold your own phone for pictures during the flight, or even assume you can use it freely on the ride up.

That rule has caused frustration for at least one participant who expected to take pictures from the bus. I think the safest approach is to treat the cellphone restriction as applying to the full activity period, not just the flight. Leave your device with the team as instructed and ask clearly when you will get it back.

Safety briefing and equipment

At the take-off point, an instructor explains the safety rules, the equipment, and the basic technique you need to follow. You do not need prior paragliding experience. The key is to listen carefully and respond promptly when the pilot tells you how to move.

The supplied equipment includes a helmet, harness, and other safety gear. The operator says the equipment is inspected and maintained regularly, and the activity includes insurance and an instructor. Those details do not remove every risk from an adventure activity, but they do give you a clear safety structure.

The team speaks English, Russian, and Turkish. That language range can make a difference during the briefing, especially when the instructions concern running at take-off or positioning your legs for landing. If you are nervous, tell the instructor before you leave the ground. One of the clearest strengths of the experience is the staff’s ability to reassure anxious first-time flyers.

You should wear sports shoes. This is not a place for sandals, loose slip-ons, or shoes with a smooth sole. Your feet need to handle the take-off and beach landing safely and comfortably.

The activity is not suitable for people with heart problems or pregnant women. The high starting point and adrenaline make this a poor choice if you have a medical concern. If you are unsure, speak with a medical professional before booking rather than relying on the short description alone.

The take-off: the moment that tests your nerve

The take-off is where many people feel the biggest rush. Your pilot checks the harness and canopy, then gives you instructions for the start. Follow those directions closely. The team is in charge of the launch, so trying to improvise is not useful.

For a nervous person, the first few seconds can feel intense. The pilots have been praised for finding the right words to calm people who were very frightened at the start. That is important here. Good tandem flying is not only about technical skill. It is also about keeping you focused when your instincts say to stop.

The 700-meter height gives the launch a serious feel, but it is also the reason the views are so wide. You should be able to see much more than the beach directly below. The city, coast, and mountain setting become one large scene, with the Mediterranean forming the main visual anchor.

The exact flight depends on wind conditions. The advertised average is 12 to 14 minutes, but the final duration can change on the day. That flexibility is normal in paragliding. Wind is not a minor detail, it is what keeps the canopy moving safely and controls how the pilot flies.

Twelve to fourteen minutes above the coast

Once in the air, you can look down toward Alanya’s beaches and city streets, then out toward the sea and mountain country. The appeal is the contrast: a busy coastal resort from above can look calm, while the open water and high slopes give the flight a sense of space.

Your pilot guides the paraglider and may adjust the route according to the wind. You are there to enjoy the view and the feeling of open-air flight. If you want photos or video, you can purchase the operator’s package after or around the flight. The stated price is about €40, paid on the spot.

That extra fee deserves an honest look. Forty euros is not a small add-on beside a $77 booking price. If you mainly want the experience, you can skip it and keep your costs under control. If you want proof of the flight, the package may be worthwhile because you cannot use your own cellphone or camera.

Ask before take-off how the photo and video purchase works and what you will receive. The information confirms that aerial shots and a record of the flight are available, but it does not specify the number of images, video length, or delivery method. Clarifying this early avoids an awkward sales conversation after landing.

You may also want to agree on the package price before you fly. One participant found the sales approach unpleasant, describing a manager as arrogant while promoting the €40 photos and video. That does not erase the positive comments about the pilots, but it is a useful warning: enjoy the flight, then decide about media on your own terms.

Landing on an Alanya beach

The flight ends with a guided landing on one of Alanya’s beaches. Your pilot tells you how to position your legs and when to move. Pay attention, even though the beach may look like an easy finish. A good landing still depends on following instructions.

Landing by the coast gives the activity a satisfying ending. You begin high in the mountains and finish at sea level, with the city and beach setting close by. It also means you can take a moment to recover, look back at the route, and enjoy the fact that the most intense part is over.

After landing, the group returns to the office or meeting point. The itinerary allows roughly an hour for the return bus segment, with transport back toward Alanya-area drop-offs. Hotel pickup customers are returned to their accommodation, while meeting-point customers are brought back to the agreed location.

One practical drawback is that the return process may involve walking back to the office after the flight. This was a complaint for one participant, who felt the walk and photo sales made the ending less pleasant. If you have limited mobility, ask in advance about the distance between the landing area and the next vehicle.

What the $77 price really includes

At $77 per person, this is a reasonable price for a tandem paragliding activity if you select an option that includes hotel transport. You are paying for the pilot, equipment, insurance, the flight, and possibly a long round trip by vehicle. The main value is the chance to see Alanya from a viewpoint that a standard city tour cannot provide.

The price is less attractive if you add every extra. The take-off entrance costs about €15, and photos or video cost around €40. Food and drinks are not included. With those charges, your final cost can be much higher than the headline price.

I would compare the total rather than the advertised figure. If you already have transport and choose the meeting point, the base price may be good value. If you need pickup from a distant resort and want the media package, calculate the complete amount before committing.

The activity may also occupy much of your day. The stated duration ranges from three minutes to six hours, and the itinerary includes about an hour by bus in each direction. The flight is short compared with the transport and waiting time, but that is normal for a mountain-based activity. You are paying for access to the launch point, not six hours in the air.

Meeting point or hotel pickup?

The meeting point is in front of Alanya 4 Nolu ASM. This option suits you if you are already in Alanya and can reach the location easily. It may save time compared with collecting people from several hotels and resorts.

Hotel pickup is more convenient if you are staying in Avsallar, Payallar, Mahmutlar, Okurcalar, or another listed area. You do not need to arrange your own route to the launch point, and the return transport is included when you select that option.

The trade-off is punctuality and road time. Pickup schedules can be affected by multiple stops, and the driver’s 10-minute waiting limit is strict. Set an alarm, stand at the main entrance, and keep your booking details handy.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this for an adult or older teenager who wants a first tandem flight above Alanya, likes dramatic views, and accepts that the actual flight is short. It also suits someone who prefers an instructor-led activity rather than handling equipment alone.

It is a particularly good fit for a nervous beginner if you tell the pilot about your fear. The positive feedback about the instructors calming anxious participants is one of the strongest reasons to consider this experience.

I would be cautious if you dislike heights, need to keep your phone with you, or feel uncomfortable with optional photo sales. You should also avoid it if you have heart problems or are pregnant, as the activity specifically excludes those conditions.

Booking, cancellation, and small practical tips

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule for your date rather than assuming a fixed departure.

Bring sports shoes and avoid carrying valuables you need during the flight. Since cellphones and cameras are not allowed, ask about storage and collection timing before the vehicle leaves.

Wind controls the flight. A 12 to 14 minute ride is the expected duration, not an absolute promise. If conditions change, listen to the operator’s instructions and keep your schedule flexible for the rest of the day.

Should you book this Alanya paragliding flight?

Book it if the idea of launching from 700 meters and gliding over the Mediterranean sounds exciting rather than frightening. The pilots receive strong praise for their reassurance and professionalism, and the combination of sea, city, beaches, and mountains gives the flight real visual appeal.

Skip it if the added €15 entrance fee and roughly €40 media charge push the cost beyond your comfort zone. Also think twice if you want a relaxed half-day with no transport delays or sales pressure.

My practical verdict: this is a worthwhile first tandem flight when you focus on the time in the air, arrive prepared, and treat photos as optional. Confirm the full price, understand the cellphone rule, wear proper shoes, and tell your pilot if you are anxious. Those four steps will make the experience easier and help you decide if the 700-meter view is worth the climb.

FAQ

How high is the paragliding take-off point?

The tandem flight begins from a take-off point 700 meters high above Alanya.

How long is the paragliding flight?

The flight usually lasts about 12 to 14 minutes. The exact time depends on the wind conditions on the day.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you select the pickup option. Otherwise, you meet the team in front of Alanya 4 Nolu ASM.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is in front of the Alanya 4 Nolu ASM.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The instructors speak English, Russian, and Turkish.

Can I use my cellphone or camera during the activity?

No. Cellphones and cameras are not allowed during the activity. Photos and video can be purchased separately for about €40.

What should I wear?

Wear sports shoes. Food and beverages are not included, so plan accordingly.

Who should not take part?

The activity is not suitable for people with heart problems or pregnant women.