Summary
Take offs at 2500 m with 50200 m cloudbases, or flying over dessert dunes near Yazd, or seasites near Bandar Abass the Persian Golf, It all depends how the wind blows. Take offs and landings are 'spanish', so dont expect grassy slopes. Expect 3-4 m thermals, and dynamic soaring in the evenings. Flying in Iran demands some discipline, we are not allowed to take fotos of military installations, antennas etc... . Groups of local pilots will always accompany us and help us out briefing flying. Being 7 times on a roadtrip to Iran, helped us having all necessary permissions to fly their sites. Without the locals impossible to use their hills. The hospitality, the genuine friendliness of the Iranean people will warm us travelling through their Persia,. A roadtrip away from the commercial circuit. Only for pilots who want some exclusive roadtrip, out of the ordinary roadtrips
The Destination
The Experience
Iran is a huge country and we will try to get as much as possible from it from this condensed experience. We will visit Esfehan, and make our way to Shiraz and Yazd, to make the most of the flying in April. In Esfehan we will fly Rokh, a 2500 m high take off, from where the main XC routes are done. Present record of 350 km XC flights has been done by Iranian pilots. Shiraz, historically famous for its wine, and as the known happy town of Iran. Yasd with its magic dessert dunes. Bandar Abbass with its 2500 m hills next to the sea. Nurabad, evening soaring in Lori country, An eye opener, a magic roadtrip in Persia.
Road-Trip and Cultural Immersion
This is experience is essentially a road-trip, not just a paragliding trip. We have a bus on our behalf with an Iranian driver, who will take us to the sites on which we decide each morning. Never knowing where we will end up the next day, but always in contact with the locals, and making the best of it between flying. In between the flying we nose around in the country.
On this trip we will pass by Sadra, Dasht, Arjan or Kotal as all are nearby. Yazd, is the most interesting old city and we will fly the nearby dunes in the desert. In between, we will take the chance to visit a lot of interesting, rich places, nature, culture, history, after all you are in Persia, the cradle of civilizations. Necropolis, Persepolis, shrine of ZaratHustra, ancient Mosques etc.etc....
People
I have organised this trips to Iran several times already, and its only getting better. More and more sites are open, more local paragliding clubs are welcoming us. And to be honest we have to refuse their invitation to visit their homes and give us food and welcome us with full heart. Amazing values are still there, that we have lost long time ago, Iran is a developing country, and its people are very well educated. The conversations go much further than the usual gossip.
Accommodation
Your Host: Nick
Nick is your host for this experience and will provide you with all the information needed.