A paraglider is the slowest aircraft, which is easy to learn and even forgives piloting mistakes by independently exiting dangerous mode. Nevertheless, paragliding belongs to extreme types of recreation. In this article, we will tell you where in Kazakhstan you can fly like a bird and admire the local landscapes from a height.
This sport, which borders on risk, began to gain popularity in the world in the late 1980s, when elliptical-shaped paragliders began to appear. Now anyone can feel what it’s like to soar into the sky, soaring over the vast expanses.
Paragliding is often confused with hang gliding or parachuting.
The main difference between these two extreme hobbies is in the shape and design of the wing. Hang gliders are sturdy structures that use a rigid aluminum frame to create a V-shaped wing. From the side, the hang glider resembles an invisible bomber.
Paragliders are a soft dome structure without an inner frame, which after inflating gets an elliptical shape.
The passion for flying can be combined with other sports. So, extreme snowboarders, like skiers, began to use paragliders to accelerate. One of the videos that became popular was published by journalist Arai Alimkhan, who witnessed an unusual arrival of a snowboarder.
In the footage, you can see how a snowboarder dissects the snowy plain near Nur Sultan. At the same time, the man controls the paraglider, choosing the direction and speed of movement. A pack of dogs even showed interest in him. The author of the video herself discusses whether they will be able to catch up with the athlete. As a result, the dogs met with a brave man, but immediately ran away when the snowboarder started moving towards them at speed. The instinct of self-preservation worked, and the animals hurried to escape from the incomprehensible monster.
Interesting fact
Most paragliding flights last from 15 to 25 minutes, depending on weather conditions. But professional soft-wing pilots who know how to tame updrafts can stay in the sky for a long time. Paragliding champion Will Gadd holds the world record for the longest paragliding flight, which was 423 kilometers.
Since paragliders have a lower flight speed, they are safer than other types of air transport. In addition, the paraglider is conveniently packed in a small bag, so you can take it with you on a hike along the mountain route, and then go down, for which, in fact, paragliders set off along the peaks of Kazakhstan.
Your weight is held by more than 30 slings, which are made of incredibly durable material. There is a risk of wing deformation during flight, but this rarely happens and is usually due to the fact that pilots decide to go up in bad weather. In addition, each paraglider must be equipped with a spare parachute. That is, sport provides a double guarantee of flight safety.
For those who want to take to the sky, they offer flights in tandem with an instructor, the duration of the flight is usually 15-20 minutes. Everyone over the age of six can take part in the flight.
I’m ready to fly! The last seconds of rest on solid ground, photo by Grigory Bedenko
Flight clothes
Clothes should not restrict movement, trousers and a jacket are best suited. Choose hiking shoes: hiking trekking sneakers or boots with good soles and high lacing.
It is advisable to take a set of warm clothes with you (warmer than you usually wear, for example, a fleece jacket), bring a hat and gloves with you in the cold season. You will also need a thermos of hot tea and sandwiches for a picnic after the flight.
The best period for flights: August – September
Average flight duration: 20 – 40 minutes
Altitude difference: 960 meters (start at 1,960 meters, landing at 1,000 meters)
Flight altitude: from 800 to 1,000 meters
Start of the tour: 10:00
The average duration of the entire tour: from 6 hours
Where can I paraglide?
Almaty
Here they offer a flight from two points:
Ushkonyr (duration 20 minutes) in tandem with the pilot. The cost starts from 10,000 tenge (this amount includes flight, instructor services, round-trip transfer, rental of protective equipment, in particular a helmet).
The high-altitude plateau of Ushkonyr is located southwest of Almaty, in the spurs of the mountains of the Trans-Ili Alatau. One of the most famous deltadromes of the same name in the CIS is located here. On the northern edge of the plateau, from the valley side, you can see a three-headed wide peak, which has been favored by soft wing lovers since the Soviet era. Paragliders and hang gliders have been soaring into the sky from here for more than 20 years. International competitions are regularly held on Mount Ushkonyr: CIS cups, championships of Kazakhstan and Asia.
In the upper part of the plateau, you can see the beautiful man-made lake Ushkonyr, which supplies water to the nearest village.
Shymkent (duration 25 minutes). The cost of the flight starts from 15,000 tenge (the amount includes flight, instructor services, transfer, round-trip cable car tickets, helmet).
The route varies depending on the time of year. In the winter season, the flight takes place from the Talgar Pass to the Gorelnik Gorge, in the summer months, paragliders descend from the Talgar Pass to the Medeu high-altitude skating rink.
Where to apply:
Samuryk Flight School
EXPERTANDEM company (Expertandem)
Dream Moments Company
The Paraglider company
Almaty Travel Company
Shymkent
Tandem paragliding flights in the vicinity of Shymkent are carried out from flat, massive sections of the mountain near the village of Pervomay. Before the break-off point, tourists climb the mountain to a height of up to 400 meters, so the flight requires good physical training.
The cost of the tour: from 18,000 tenge
The launch height above sea level is 2000 meters.
It is worth remembering that the flight may be postponed to another day due to bad weather conditions, poor visibility or strong winds.
Where to apply:
Expedition South Travel Company
Photo by Grigory Bedenko
Petropavlovsk
Flights in tandem with an instructor in the vicinity of the city are carried out on the field, outside the city, for example, from Raven Island.
The cost of the tour: from 15,000 tenge
Karaganda
Tandem paragliding flights in Karaganda take place from the field, outside the city.
The cost of the tour: from 15,000 tenge
Photo by Grigory Bedenko
Taldykorgan
Flights take place outside the city, at the Tekeli Delta Airfield. For example, the fields of Tokens. The paraglider rises 500 meters on updrafts.
The cost of the tour: from 15,000 tenge
Where to apply:
Sports club “ALGA” Taldykorgan
In order to feel the full charm of the flight, Astana residents go to neighboring cities. And, of course, knowing the mountains of Almaty, it is better to combine the pleasant with the interesting in this city, especially since due to the high competition, the prices for a flight to Almaty are the lowest.
Travelers from other parts of Kazakhstan travel to Almaty by direct flights from Kyzylorda, Nur Sultan, Semey, Shymkent, Taraz, Uralsk and other regions of the country.
Travelers from other parts of Kazakhstan (in particular, from Nur Sultan) can get to Almaty by direct flights, the flight time will take from 95 minutes.
The information is taken from the website Tengritravel.kz
