Seven days of XC touring across Portugal
No coaching agenda. No structured debrief. No deliberate-practice framework. The Portugal XC Tour is a week-long guided cross-country paragliding expedition across the finest XC terrain in Portugal — Alentejo plains south of the Tagus, the mountain thermals of the Serra da Estrela, the Douro Valley thermal corridor, or northern sites where the terrain concentrates the air. Behrooz reads the RASP thermal model and synoptic charts ahead of each day, picks the region where conditions will be best, and plans a task that suits the sky.
Behrooz is your terrain guide and flying partner, not your instructor. He has been flying these sites for over 15 years and knows exactly where the air goes — which launch produces the first thermal, which ridge channels the convergence line, which transition is fast and which is a trap. He flies alongside the group every day, in the air with you rather than watching from the road. On a strong Alentejo day that means 50 to 100+ km of open-country XC; on a technical Serra da Estrela day it means threading ridge systems and playing altitude in mountain terrain.
Full outlanding retrieval is included every day. A radio on every pilot keeps the group connected for conditions calls and site information. Back at the accommodation, evenings are informal — route planning for the next day over a map, looking at tomorrow's RASP together. There is no mandatory track-log session, no individual feedback unless you want it. You decide what you take from each day's flying.
The group is a maximum of 5 pilots. The same small-group principle as the coaching programme — because small groups can adapt faster, chase different conditions, and reach launches that a larger convoy can't. Portugal's Alentejo plateau is one of the finest cross-country paragliding regions in southern Europe: reliably strong afternoon thermals, 2,000+ metre cloudbases in peak season, clean agricultural outlanding terrain as far as the eye can see.
What's included
- Daily forecast analysis & task planning
- Behrooz flies alongside the group daily
- Radio on every pilot, every flight
- Full outlanding retrieval every day
- Private transfer to every launch
- Live track-log monitoring during flights
- Evening route planning for next day
- RASP & synoptic weather analysis
- Video & photos of your flying days
- Bad-weather programme on low-forecast days
Before you come
XC flying across Portugal puts specific demands on your equipment — sort these before you travel.
Licence & IPPI card
Bring your national licence or IPPI card. Portuguese air law requires licensed pilots to carry proof of qualification. A photo on your phone is fine.
Glider & reserve check
Full glider check and reserve repack within the last 12 months. XC flying over the Alentejo plains is no place to discover a porosity problem. Behrooz will ask about both on arrival.
GPS variometer
Essential for the daily XC tasks. If you don't have one, let Behrooz know before you come — he can advise on options. A basic Bluetooth vario paired to XCTrack works fine.
Radio
Behrooz provides a radio for each pilot. If you have your own handheld already configured to the standard frequency, bring it — it saves setup time on day one. Spare batteries recommended.
Travel insurance
Standard travel insurance won't cover XC paragliding. Get a policy that explicitly includes it before you travel. Check it covers outlanding retrieval distances across Portugal.
Getting here
Fly into Lisbon (LIS) — 45 minutes to an hour from the airport. Behrooz can arrange an airport transfer; ask when you confirm your dates.
What XC experience is required for the Portugal XC Tour?
A B-licence or national equivalent and enough XC hours to fly comfortably in thermic conditions, navigate a basic task, and land safely in a field. You don't need to be a seasoned cross-country pilot — pilots on their first XC week, pilots returning after a season off, and experienced pilots exploring new terrain all join regularly. If you are unsure whether your level fits, message Behrooz before booking.
What XC distances can I expect on the Portugal XC Tour?
On a good Alentejo day, tasks of 50–100+ km are realistic. Serra da Estrela and northern sites typically produce shorter, more technical flights due to the terrain. The week is planned around conditions, not a fixed target — on a big-sky day the task goes long; on a lighter day Behrooz plans something tighter and more technical. There is always a flyable objective.
How is this different from the XC Coaching programme?
The XC Coaching programme is built around structured skill development — individual goal setting, deliberate practice, and detailed feedback on your flying technique. The Portugal XC Tour is built around flying great cross-country terrain together. Behrooz is your guide and flying partner rather than your instructor. There is no coaching agenda. If you want to improve your XC flying, choose the coaching week. If you want to tour Portugal's finest XC terrain with a competition pilot who knows every site, choose the XC Tour.
Is outlanding retrieval included?
Yes — full outlanding retrieval is included every day. Behrooz or a support driver follows the group and retrieves every pilot who lands out. It is built into the programme. No pilot is left in a field.
Is private transport to the flying sites included?
Yes — daily transfer from your accommodation to the launch is included, as is full outlanding retrieval. No rental car is needed at any point during the week. Behrooz or a support driver handles all site logistics so you can focus entirely on flying.