Soar through the skies in Northern Cyprus!
If you’re looking for the most exhilarating experience in North Cyprus then the answer is to book a tandem paragliding jump with Highline Paragliding. Özgür and Angela Göksan, the owners of the only paragliding center in TRNC, have been operating since 2003 and have an impeccable safety record.
Take off is at 2500 ft. / 750m, to the west of St. Hilarion castle, giving you uninterrupted views of the stunning five fingers mountain range and the sparkling blue Mediterranean waters.
After an easy take off involving a few steps down a gentle slope, you are treated to the spectacular view of the unique scenery of Northern Cyprus.
Whether you want a gentle scenic flight to enjoy the views or an adrenaline joy ride over the landing site, your pilot can tailor your flight to suit your preferences. These pilots have hundreds of hours worth of flights under their belts, and when they are not flying in Northern Cyprus, they are flying in New Zealand!
Your transfers to the take off site and from the landing site are included in the trip, insurance in accordance with North Cyprus aviation laws, and you can take your own camera or purchase the amazing photos your pilot takes - remember, they have done thousands of flights and have become experts at capturing the most amazing images with their extended selfie sticks!
Understandably, a lot of people believe they cannot possibly take that leap of faith and jump off the mountain, but it really is possible, and it is really good fun and will give you the best memories of your holiday.
Be amongst world record breakers!
Peggy MacAlpine won the world record for being the oldest person in the world to do a tandem paragliding jump, not once, BUT TWICE!
Peggy first achieved this amazing title on the 31st October 2007 - she was 100 years young. Amazingly, an American lady called Mary Hardison from Utah then took the record from Peggy by jumping on her 101st birthday! When owners of Highline Paragliding became aware of Peggy’s defeat, they contacted her straight away to see if she was fit, willing and able to make another flight to get her title back - Peggy was now 104…
With permission from her doctors and the support of her family and friends, Peggy took to the skies again on 14th April 2012. The weather was not particularly great - there wasn’t much wind and it was quite overcast. The clouds were hugging the top of the Kyrenia mountain range and four generations of Peggy’s family anxiously waited on the landing site along with three official judges from the Guinness Book of Records. Then, as if by magic, Peggy and her instructor Özgür appeared through the clouds like a huge graceful bird as we all cheered and watched them make their effortless descent. We saw Peggy lift her feet up, practicing for the landing, and then they were down. Beautifully done, all credit to Özgür, the pilot who skillfully helped Peggy reclaim her world record!
So if Peggy could do it at the age of 104, what is your excuse?!
What to expect:
The most nerve racking part of the day is probably the transfer up the mountain, because you are overthinking. But once you arrive at the landing site and see the breathtaking views, it’s all about listening and concentrating on what the pilot says. Nerves seem to dissipate as the adrenaline kicks in and once you are all strapped in and wind is in the right direction, the pilot tells you start running, so you do. Probably one of the most unnatural things you will do all your life, willingly run off a mountain, but the pilot is behind you and before you know it, you are airborne.
Then the silence takes over and the views are simply outstanding, leaving you in awe. You soard close to the mountain edge and see eagles, climb up high for aerial views over St. Hilarion and glide on out to the sea - all so incredibly beautiful. At all times the pilot checks to see if you are okay while taking fun photos and might even invite you to take control! If you are a thrill-seeker you can do some aerial acrobatics, or you can gracefully descend and land gently on the landing site.
Tips:
It’s a good idea to avoid alcohol the night before. You should wear trainers and take water with you. You can take a travel sickness pill if you are partial to a bit of motion sickness, but it’s not really necessary. The flight lasts between 20 or 30 minutes, depending on weather conditions. Highline Paragliding pride themselves in giving you the best tandem paragliding flight of your life.
Contact us here to book this incredible experience and earn the right to say “I did it!” - alternatively, visit the Highline Paragliding office in the Old Harbour near the castle and speak to Angela Göksan for more information.
