Tandem Hang Gliding Flight from Pedra Bonita Rio de Janeiro

Pedra Bonita take-off ramp

Pedra Bonita is a granite peak in Tijuca National Park, rising above the São Conrado district on Rio's western side. Near its summit, about five hundred and twenty metres above sea level, a wooden take-off ramp juts out over the forest, and it is from here that Pedra Bonita hang gliding flights have launched for decades. The ramp is reached by a short drive up a winding road through the rainforest, which is included in your booking.

At the top your pilot-instructor gives you a calm briefing: how to hold the frame, how to run and how to relax once you are in the air. Take-off takes only about seven quick steps along the ramp before the wing lifts you away. Most people feel nervous on the platform and then astonishingly peaceful seconds later. Watch other gliders take off while you wait; it is a spectacle in itself.

Flying over the Tijuca rainforest

The first moments of the flight carry you out over the green canopy of the Tijuca rainforest, one of the largest forests inside any city in the world. Below you the treetops roll down the mountainside, and in the quiet of the air you can hear tropical birds calling from the forest. Directly beside you stands Pedra da Gávea, the enormous granite dome that dominates this part of the coast.

Your pilot steers the glider along the ridges, using the rising air currents to stay up as long as conditions allow. You simply relax in your harness, enjoy the view and smile for the cameras if you chose a video package. Flights take place in the morning and early afternoon, when the sea breeze is usually steady, and the pilot decides the best moment to launch each day.

Views of Rio from the air

Seen from a hang glider, Rio de Janeiro finally makes sense as a whole. On a clear day you see Sugarloaf Mountain at the entrance to Guanabara Bay, Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado, the long curves of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, and the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon framed by mountains. On the far side of the bay lies the city of Niterói.

This is why people call flying over Rio de Janeiro the best way to understand its geography: the forest, the mountains, the beaches and the sea all appear in one glance. Bring sunglasses on a strap if you wear them, and leave loose items behind. If you would like to share the moment, the 360-degree camera option lets you choose any angle later, while the dual-camera option films you from the front and the side.

Landing on São Conrado beach

The flight ends with a gentle descent over São Conrado and a soft landing on the sand of the beach, where the hang gliding club has its landing area beside the sea. São Conrado is a quieter beach than Copacabana or Ipanema, framed by Pedra da Gávea at one end and the Two Brothers hill at the other, and it is a lovely place to linger.

After landing you can take off your harness, catch your breath and watch other flyers come in from the mountain. Hang gliding São Conrado is a sight in its own right, with colourful wings circling above the waves. With the hotel pickup option the return trip is not included, so plan your way back by taxi or bus from the beachfront avenue. If you met the team in São Conrado, the meeting point is a few minutes away.