XC and coastal soaring tours in Portugal — following the forecast
The XC & Coastal Combo is the most adaptable programme in the lineup. Behrooz reads the full synoptic forecast ahead of each day — RASP thermal models, wind layers, cloud-base prediction — and decides where you fly. When the Nortada fills in and the Atlantic ridge is firing, it's a coastal day — ridge soaring above the Arrábida cliffs, Atlantic beaches, and whichever stretch of Portugal's coast is producing the best lift. When the thermal day looks strong inland, you head into the Alentejo plains, the rolling terrain of Central Portugal, the mountain thermals of Serra da Estrela, further into northern Portugal, or across into Andalusia on the days when Spain is the best XC terrain available — wherever the forecast points that morning.
The split varies naturally across the week. A typical Combo might be four coastal days and three XC days, or three and four — there's no fixed schedule. The forecast decides. That flexibility is exactly why pilots who've been before tend to choose the Combo: two completely different flying experiences, and you always fly in the best conditions available that day.
Behrooz flies with you every day — on XC days either alongside you in the air or tracking from the next thermal ahead, giving radio calls on climb rates and routing; on coastal days soaring the same ridge, running the site briefing and individual debrief after every session. The group is kept to a maximum of 5 pilots — smaller than the coastal-only week — to ensure XC coaching stays focused and every pilot gets real radio time.
The combination of coastal soaring and cross-country flying within a single paragliding week in Portugal is more than a scheduling convenience — it reflects how Portugal's Atlantic weather actually works. When the north-westerly fills in and the coastal ridge fires, the Alentejo thermals are typically suppressed. When high pressure sits over Iberia and weakens the trade wind, Portugal's inland sites open for serious cross-country flying under a high cloudbase — from the Alentejo plains south of Lisbon, through Central Portugal, to the thermal-rich sites of northern Portugal. Following the conditions daily, rather than a fixed timetable, is what makes the XC and coastal combo the most consistently productive paragliding holiday available in Portugal.
What's included
- Daily forecast analysis & site selection
- Radio support every pilot, every flight
- XC task planning on thermal days
- Live track-log monitoring on XC days
- Evening track-log analysis & debrief
- Private transfer to every launch, daily
- Launch & ground-handling coaching
- Video & photos of your flying days
- Coastal sites: Sesimbra, Arrábida, Atlantic
- Bad-weather backup site every day
Before you come
The Combo week covers both coastal and XC flying — prepare for both before you travel.
Licence & IPPI card
Bring your national licence or IPPI card. Portuguese air law requires licensed pilots to carry proof of qualification at all times. A photo on your phone is acceptable.
Glider & reserve check
Full glider check and reserve repack before you travel — especially important for the XC days. Behrooz will ask about both on arrival. If your reserve is overdue, bring it and he'll pack it during the week.
GPS variometer
Required for the XC days. If you don't have one, let Behrooz know in advance. A basic GPS vario paired to XCTrack covers everything needed for the daily tasks.
Radio
Behrooz provides radios for every pilot. If you have your own handheld, bring it — it saves setup time. Coastal days use the same frequency as XC days, so one radio covers the whole week.
Travel insurance
Standard travel insurance won't cover paragliding. Get a policy that explicitly includes it — check it covers both coastal ridge soaring and XC cross-country flying. Most national paragliding associations offer suitable policies.
Getting here
Fly into Lisbon (LIS) — Sesimbra is 45 minutes from the airport. Behrooz can arrange an airport transfer; ask when you confirm your dates. No rental car needed at any point during the week.
Do I need XC experience for the combo programme?
A B-licence or equivalent and some previous thermal experience is recommended. You don't need to be an experienced XC pilot — but you should be comfortable in broken thermals and happy flying in wind. Behrooz will confirm your level is suited before the programme starts.
How many XC days versus coastal days can I expect?
It depends on the forecast during your week. A typical split is three or four coastal days and two or three XC days, but Behrooz reads the weather daily and picks the best option. The programme is designed to give you the best paragliding available in Portugal at any given time.
Which inland sites are used for the XC days?
XC days follow the forecast across Portugal and beyond — Alentejo to the south, Central Portugal and Serra da Estrela in the middle, northern Portugal when conditions push up the country, and Andalusia in Spain on the days when conditions across the border are exceptional. Behrooz knows every flying site in Portugal and picks wherever delivers the best cross-country flying that morning. Outlanding retrieval is always included.
Is transport and retrieval included on both coastal and XC days?
Yes — private transfer from your accommodation to the launch is included every day, whether you're flying coastal or inland. On XC days, full outlanding retrieval is always covered. You arrive in Lisbon and Behrooz handles everything from there. No rental car is needed at any point.
What's the ideal time of year for the XC and Coastal Combo?
April through June and September through October are the sweet spot — both disciplines are at their best simultaneously. Spring brings high cloudbase and strong coastal lift; autumn delivers punchy thermals and long, settled soaring days. July and August work well for the coastal component but the inland thermal window is typically limited to morning flights only.
How does payment work?
Payment is made directly to Behrooz — no booking platforms, no agencies, no middlemen. No deposit is required to reserve your place; a WhatsApp message or email locks it in. Payment details are sent once your reservation is confirmed.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation on all programmes. If you've already paid ahead of your tour, cancellation is free of charge in full — nothing is deducted. Just send a WhatsApp message or email and Behrooz will take care of it personally.
What happens if the weather doesn't cooperate?
Behrooz knows every flying site in Portugal and always has a backup plan — if the coast is out, we shift inland, and vice versa. On any day nothing can be flown, you're not charged the full rate, only reasonable administrative or transport costs. Because of this, payment is handled flexibly: depending on the week, Behrooz may take payment before or after the tour, so you only ever pay for the days you actually flew.