Valle de Cauca, Colombia
The Valle de Cauca, situated between the Western and Central 'cordilleras' of Colombia has some of the best XC flying in the world. Every year thousands of pilots arrive to enjoy the tropical climate, and consistently good flying conditions.
The people and the culture are what really makes this trip special. Warm hospitality, vibrant music, and a relaxed pace of life create an atmosphere that’s as uplifting on the ground as it is in the air.
With guided support, expert local knowledge, and retrieve logistics taken care of, you’re free to focus on what matters most — flying long distances, refining your skills, and experiencing unforgettable XC adventures in one of the world’s premier paragliding destinations.
Flying
The flying is typically ridge-runs and flatland valley XC. Triangles are quite common as there is typically not much wind in any direction, other than an upslope anabatic flow. Most days 50-100km is acheivable.
We'll visit 3 sites, starting at Piedechinche, near the small town of Santa Elena, just 40 mins drive from Cali Airport. This site is a perfect starting place for the trip, not just for the proximity and easy transfer from Cali, but the slightly easier conditions and later start. We launch from the West facing slopes above the valley, which of course take a little longer to start working, compared to the East side. Typical XC routes are along the ridge line to the North/South, usually aiming to land back in Santa Elena a few km into the valley.
The benefit of course is that this side of the valley works later, and is not so influenced by the 'Pacifico' sea breeze, which comes over the back of the East facing slopes on the Western most mountain range, or 'cordillera' as its called in Spanish.
We stay 4 nights at Santa Elena, and on the 4th and last flying day there, we'll check-out and aim to fly as far North towards Roldanillo as possible and as conditions allow. The Retrieve vehicles will of course follow and pick-up pilots along the way, also allowing for re-launches and 2nd attempts.
Then we'll stay in the well-known paragliding town of Roldanillo, for the following 8 nights. The launches above Roldanillo are on the other side of the valley to Piedechinche, facing East. These slopes of course warm up earlier in the morning sun, and thermal flying generally starts earlier here than on the opposite side (08:00-09:00 is possible on really good days, but 09:00-10:30 is more common).
Typical XC routes are again North/South along the mountain range, and then out into the valley before the pacifico sea breeze comes in over the back. More of the valley is flyable here, compared to Piedechinche which has Cali CTR close by.
On the last flying day in Roldanillo, we'll aim again to fly North, if conditions allow, and aim for the final and last site of the trip - Ansermaneuvo. The flying from this site is similar to Roldanillo, but in general the skies and take off are much less busy. We'll finish with 2 days flying there before ending the trip.
Santa Elena - Piedechinche 'Seven'
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jDmLVt4wGqudUPG9A
Altitude: 1,775m
Orientation: West
Xcontest Flights
Roldanillo - Los Tanques
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9BzwvxJyXe6wpXAN6
Altitude: 1,700m
Orientation: ESE/SE
Xcontest Flights
Ansermaneuevo
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cGqJEQTTbut27aYM8
Altitude: 1,460m
Orientation: E-SE
Xcontest Flights
Weather
The weather in the Valle de Cauca is mostly warm and tropical, all year round. The sites sit at a latitude of around 4-5 degrees North of the Equator, so there are not really 'seasons', other than a slightly drier period between December and April. The temperature is typically between 19-28 degrees every day. Thermal strength can depend
Many days see the arrival of the 'Pacifico' - a Westerly sea breeze that comes from the Pacific coast. Like all Sea breezes, it is a function of land-based thermal activity, and the difference between the land heating and the cooler sea. On good flying days it is typically arriving earlier, and vice versa on cloudier, weaker thermal flying days.
The weather in the area is much more affected by the ENSO status (El Nino Southern Oscillation), which is a measure of the surface sea temperature in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Colombia, and more specifically, the difference in the temperature to the usual average.
Trade winds are blowing across the surface of the Ocean - when the wind is stronger, it is moving the surface water and bringing up colder water from below the surface. When the temperature is less than 0.5 degrees from the average, for at least 3 months, then La Nina conditions are declared. This usually means more rainfall and humidity in the Valle de Cauca.
The opposite is true when the temperature is 0.5 degrees or more than the average. Then El Nino conditions are declared and typically there is less humidity, drier days, and stronger climbs/higher cloudbase in the Valle de Cauca. When the temp is between -0.5 and +0.5 it is 'Neutral'.
The ENSO status is updated on the 2nd Thursday of each month by the Climate Prediction Centre/NOAA, and is based on a 3-month rolling average. A quick Google search will tell you the current ENSO status.
Accommodation
Accommodation is included in the cost of the holiday and is typically a Hotel or B&B.
This trip rooms will be allocated on a private basis, not based on 2 sharing, included in the cost.
Accommodation details will be confirmed before arrival.
Getting there
The first flying site in the trip will be Piedechinche, staying in the village of Santa Elena - which is around 40 mins from Cali International Airport (CLO). We provide transfers from Cali on the arrival day.
The trip will finish at Ansermaneuvo - which is 2 hr 45mins from Cali and we also provide transfers back to Cali airport on the last day. The airport of Pereira (PEI) is however only 1 hour away, and Armenia (AXM) around 2 hours, and both are well served with connecting flights to Bogota.
Should pilots wish to fly back from either of these airports, we can assist in finding reasonable transport options (bus/taxi). If enough pilots to fill a vehicle are flying from Pereira or Armenia, then we can include a free transfer to one of those airports too.
What's included?
15 nights / 14 days flying
(4 nights Piedechinche, 8 nights Roldanillo, 3 nights Ansermaneuvo)
Transfers to and from Cali airport on arrival/departure days
Hotel or B&B Accommodation (breakfast is not included)
Transport to launch and XC Retrieves
Guided flying with a maximum ratio of 6:1
Transport on non-flyable days
Suitability
All pilots need to be suitably qualified to fly on their own in whichever country they are coming from. For UK pilots 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 €1,750
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 €500 per person is required, and the remainder due on arrival.
Please contact us with the trip you would like to come on, 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 trip - and we may be able to transfer your deposit to use on a different trip (subject to availability). Or you may transfer your deposit for the same trip 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:
FLY WITH THE GODS!