About
Governador Valadares is a mid-sized city with approximately 400,000 inhabitants, located in the northern region of Minas Gerais, in central Brazil.
The city is best known for the impressive Pico da Ibituruna, a large mountain that rises beside the urban area and has become one of the region’s main attractions. Ibituruna draws visitors from across Brazil and beyond, especially paragliding and hang-gliding pilots, as it is considered one of the top free-flight destinations in the world.
Governador Valadares also serves as an important regional hub, offering a lively commercial center and strong connections to the surrounding countryside.
Flying
Govenador Valadares feels like a natural playground designed for free flight. Takeoff is from Pico do Ibituruna, an 860-metre mountain with 2 grassy launch areas.
On most days, wind conditions are very light, which makes it harder to fly long open distance. However, the combination of calm air and the surrounding hilly terrain creates large, smooth thermals that remain active for long periods. This allows pilots to stay in the air for many hours, often until sunset, making Valadares an ideal place for flying triangles and for refining thermalling technique.
Another great advantage is that the main landing field is located right in the city center, allowing for easy retrievals and a relaxed end to long flights, with cafés, restaurants, and services just a short walk away.
Pico da Ibituruna
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1dS7eNSg8jrfi8kJ6
Altitude: 1,120m
Orientation: North & South
To see example flights made in the area from Xcontest, click here:
All flights
Weather
The weather is very consistent for flying from late January until October, with more OD occurring towards the end of the season.
The best XC season is from mid-February to mid-April.
Accommodation
Accommodation is included in the cost of the holiday and is typically a Hotel or B&B, based on 2 sharing a room.
We have several options and for group bookings we can arrange accommodation based on the preferences of the group.
Accommodation details will be confirmed before arrival.
Private Rooms
If you would like to book a private room then please just ask whilst booking. This is subject to availability and surcharge.
Getting there
The closest airport is located in the town itself (GVR) - with typically a couple of domestic flights each day to Belo Horizonte (CNF).
Belo Horizonte is a much better connected international airport, also with good domestic connections. There are buses and trains connecting Belo Horizonte with Govenador Valadares, and it is approximately 6-7 hours trip. Car transfers can also be arranged from there for a supplement (see below) and takes around 5.5hrs.
What's included?
Hotel accommodation with breakfast
Transport to launch and XC Retrieves
Weather briefings & XC task setting
Transport on non-flyable days
Skygods T-Shirt
Suitability
All pilots need to be suitably qualified to fly on their own in whichever country they are coming from. For the UK this would mean CP rated, with some thermalling experience.
We strongly advise guests to take a comprehensive Holiday Insurance Policy that includes cover for Paragliding.
Pilots also need:
VHF Radio
Smartphone with mobile data
Livetrack24 account
An app capable of tracking to LT24, for a complete list for Android/iOS/Windows see:
Cost
The cost for the 2 week trip is €1,250
Private Room supplement is €250
Transfers to/from Belo Horizonte Airport for €250 return
(divided by all the pilots taking the same transfers)
OFFERS:
*** Previous guests receive €50 off per booking ***
All discounts are automatically applied and taken off your final bill, payable on arrival.
How to Book
A deposit of €100 per week booked is required, and the remainder due on arrival, either in Reais cash or by IBAN transfer.
Please contact us with the week(s) you would like to come, and we will provide instructions on how to pay the deposit.
Refund Policy
Deposits are non-refundable. However - please contact us if, for some reason you cannot make a week - and we may be able to transfer your deposit to use on a different week (subject to availability). Or you may transfer your deposit for the same week to a friend or someone else - please just make contact to request any changes.
Social Media
Please click the Gallery link for more pictures or check out our social media pages:
Questions?
If you have any questions at all, please do get in contact with us.
FLY WITH THE GODS!