Tandem Paragliding in the Atlas Foothills

This half-day experience takes you about an hour from Marrakech to a launch site in the Atlas foothills for a tandem paragliding flight of roughly 15–25 minutes with a certified pilot. You need no experience: you run a few steps, lift off, and fly above villages, hills and the Lalla Takerkoust lake area.

What tandem paragliding feels like

People are often surprised by how calm it is. After a short run down the slope, the wing lifts you gently and the noise disappears. You sit in a harness in front of the pilot, who steers and handles take-off and landing. If you want, the pilot can let you hold the brakes for a moment, or do a few spirals for more adrenaline; if you prefer, you simply glide and enjoy the view.

Where and with whom

Flights take place from sites in the foothills south-west of Marrakech, typically above the Aguergour and Lalla Takerkoust area, chosen each day according to the wind. We work with a school whose pilots hold tandem qualifications and fly with reserve parachutes and regularly checked equipment. They will cancel if conditions are not safe, and in that case you rebook or are refunded.

• Flight time: roughly 15–25 minutes, depending on thermals and wind.
• Take-off altitude: around 1,000–1,300 m, landing in fields below.
• Weight limits: about 20–100 kg; tell us if you are close to the limits.
• Age: children from about 8 can fly with parental consent.

Photos and video

Most pilots fly with a GoPro on a pole. The photo and video package costs about 300–400 MAD and is paid to the school on the day; it is worth it, because you cannot safely hold your own phone in flight.

Best season and time

Flights run all year, but the best conditions are from October to May, usually late morning or mid-afternoon when the air is smooth. In summer we fly earlier in the morning to avoid strong thermals and heat. Snow on the Atlas from December to March gives the most dramatic backdrop.

Practical tips from our team

• Wear trainers or hiking shoes, long trousers and a windproof layer.
• Eat a light breakfast; a very full or empty stomach is not ideal.
• If you are prone to motion sickness, ask the pilot for a smooth flight with no spirals.
• Keep a spare morning in your schedule in case wind forces a change of day.

For more detail on safety and sites, read paragliding near Marrakech: where, when and how safe. If you prefer staying closer to the ground, see Terres d'Amanar ziplines. Book on WhatsApp at +212 606-957514.