The Tour to Portugal

We first started going to Portugal to fly in 2002 and each year we've discovered more and more about the wonderful flying opportunities to be found in this little known paragliding destination. The tour is based in the small fishing village of Burgau on the south coast of the country in an area known as the Algarve.

Burgau is perfect for our purposes. It is nestled beneath a huge bluff that soars wonderfully in a southeast wind and is just stones throw away from the east facing Praia dos Robilhino, also known as Canada Cove in our honour. To the east ten kilometers is Praia do Porto do Mos which is the eastern end of a five kilometer long stretch of south facing two hindred foot cliffs that terminates at the tourist village of Luz. An out and back is simple or you can fly to Luz at the end of the day and land at the beach bar for a thirst quencher.

Fifteen minutes west of Burgau is the startling cliffs and wild beaches of the west coast. Here we mostly fly the incredibly beautiful cliffs at Cordoama. They're three hundred feet high and run for fifteen kilometers to the surfer beach, Praia do Amado. ( Are you getting the picture that Praia means beach in Portuguese !!) There is also a south west face at Amado which can also be flown as it curves out to the Pontal do Carapateira.

For inland flying we go north into the mountains of Monchique or east to the big ridge at Loule. Each of these two sites have been resonsible for producing xc condtions with a northerly or north easterly flow. It's beautful country.

Skill level - Novice to experienced.

Whatever skill level you posses you will find conditions here that will fill your wish list. The coastal soaring is wonderful to say the least. The strong smooth air off the Atlantic can be like silk. The thermals of the inland sites can be as productive as anywhere. As for most flying the air can either be totally generous or it can be challenging, making it good to have local knowledge and a good mind for analyzing the local conditions.

The Focus -
Having a good time flying while experiencing the generosity of this great part of the world.

Although the flying here can be so perfect you will find that the community here is too. Great people.Great local pilots. Wonderful food. Tantalizing beaches Sweet wine.

But aside from the epicurean delights there is also a huge history to explore. As the south western most corner of Europe it has been home to seafarers and explorers, Islam and Christian and now to those who are exploring the surf, the air and solitude. Then of course there is the after hour delights to be found in many a small and informal bar or cafe.

The Cost

You get there and share the daily costs ( the common good principle - whatever we all share- lodging, van, fuel, in house foods, etc)
Pegasus fee ( set up, accomodation and vehicle booking , driving, guiding, skills advancement, xc and bar retrieval, etc) $600

Call me and I can give you the breakdown and the shared costs of previous years.