Everything you need to know
before booking
22 most common questions: safety, logistics, weather, gift certificates, payment. If anything’s still unclear — message us on WhatsApp, we reply in 30 minutes.
Is it safe? How experienced are the pilots?
Paragliding with a licensed tandem pilot is one of the safer ways to fly. The pilots we work with are certified tandem instructors with international licenses and 20+ years of experience.
🏆 Our pilots are multiple Caucasus record holders across all disciplines, participants and winners of Paragliding World Cup stages, medallists of international competitions. Not just experience — world-class sporting level: the open records speak louder than words.
And for the record: our pilots do not smoke or drink — athletes with a healthy lifestyle, not only in the sky.
Before every flight, the pilot checks the weather, inspects the gear, and runs a briefing with the passenger.
What if something goes wrong in the air?
The key safety link is the pilot. Booking with us, you fly with world-class pilots — among the best not only in Georgia. That is the difference: with us things do not «go wrong», and if weather or circumstances interfere, our pilot will do everything to make them right again.
The equipment backs it up: every paraglider carries a reserve parachute, the gear is certified to international safety standards and inspected regularly, and every wing is approved for tandem flights with passengers.
Is there insurance? What does it cover?
Yes. Every passenger is insured automatically: flights are covered by a Third Party Liability and Passenger Personal Accident policy — Aldagi insurance company. View the insurance policy (PDF).
We also recommend having your own travel insurance that covers paragliding in Georgia — it never hurts. But remember: with us you are already insured.
How long is the flight? And how long does the whole procedure take?
It depends on the flight type — and on the season: the Gudauri sky keeps two schedules.
☀ Summer (April 16 – December 4):
- Express: 7–10 minutes in the air ⚡ (fastest and most popular)
- Free Your Soul / Aragvi Canyon: 15–20 minutes 🌄
- Sightseeing / Aerobatics: 20–25 minutes 🎢
- XC Adventure: 30+ minutes 🛩️ (long distance, thermals)
❄ Winter (December 5 – April 15): flights are shorter — the sun reflects off the snow and thermals barely work. The views, though, are pure fairytale:
- Winter Adventure: 5–7 minutes
- Winter Fairytale: 7–10 minutes
- Winter Aerobatics: 6–10 minutes
- Winter VIP Canyon: 15–25 minutes
The whole procedure (meeting at Café Bar PILOT → drive to launch → briefing → flight → back to the café) takes 1–2 hours in summer, and an hour to an hour and a half, no more, in winter: we don’t keep you out in the cold — the sooner you fly, the sooner the hot coffee.
How high do we fly? Is it cold up there?
The launch site in Gudauri (Sadzele plateau) is 2,100–2,300 m above sea level. In flight we gain another 700–1,000 m, reaching up to 3,006 m depending on the thermals and flight type.
Air temperature is 5–10°C colder than ground level. In summer, regular clothing is fine; in winter, we provide a thermal suit, gloves, and helmet. We recommend bringing a hat and sunglasses.
What’s the minimum age? Can kids fly?
From age 5, accompanied by a parent (written consent required).
For children under 12, we recommend calmer classes: Express or Free Your Soul. Aerobatics is available from age 16 and weight 40 kg+.
There’s no upper age limit — we’ve had passengers 75+. What matters is no medical contraindications.
What are the weight limits?
Maximum passenger weight: 125 kg. Minimum: 25 kg.
up to 80 kg — no surcharge
80–100 kg — +100 GEL
100–110 kg — +150 GEL
110–125 kg — +250 GEL
Weigh-in takes place on-site before the flight. Surcharge — cash or card at Café Bar PILOT.
Pregnancy, post-surgery, medical conditions — is it OK?
Pregnancy: no — this is a safety rule.
After surgery — doctor’s clearance required and at least 6 months of recovery.
Serious contraindications: heart conditions, recent spinal injuries, epilepsy, severe hypertension. If in doubt — message us on WhatsApp before booking, we’ll discuss your situation.
How do we get to Gudauri? How long does it take?
Distances and travel times:
- Tbilisi → Gudauri: ~120 km, about 3–3.5 hours (Google Maps shows less — doesn’t account for trucks, convoys, difficult overtaking)
- Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) → Gudauri: ~40 km, 45 min – 1 hour
- Kutaisi → Gudauri: 5–5.5 hours minimum
The Georgian Military Road is the main route. It’s busy with heavy trucks. Travel can take longer than your navigation app suggests. We always recommend leaving early, especially in winter.
What are the transport options?
Five options available:
- 🚌 Marshrutka (minibus) — the cheapest option. From Tbilisi (Didube metro station) to Gudauri at 08:00, in summer also around 17:00; back from Gudauri around 16:00–16:30. In winter there are more departures, but they are packed: look for a seat in advance, and with big luggage it is hard to get on. Tell the driver you need New Gudauri, the SPAR supermarket (next to Café Bar PILOT) — otherwise you may be dropped in Lower Gudauri and lose 20–30 minutes.
- 🚕 Bolt / Yandex Go — app-based taxi from Tbilisi. Fast, but by default it is a one-way ride: you arrange the return yourself. If you want the driver to wait and take you back — agree on it upfront, for an extra fee. One tip: do not tell the driver you are going paragliding. Many drivers expect a commission from paragliding companies — we do not pay commissions, and a driver counting on one may get upset, rush you or simply leave. Just give the address: New Gudauri, Loft 1.
- 🚗 Rent a car — HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Full freedom, flexible schedule, beautiful stops on return (Jvari Pass, Ananuri fortress, Sioni church, wine villages). Prices vary by season. In winter rent only a car with proper winter tyres: the Georgian Military Road is slippery, and in Gudauri the roads are not cleared down to asphalt — even when Tbilisi is dry, here you will drive on snow.
- 🚙 Our transfer service — full-service round-trip with local, experienced drivers. Driver waits while you fly. Safe, punctual, fixed price agreed in advance. BEST IF first time in region or peace-of-mind matters.
- 🎫 Tour package — via SkyAtlantida. All-inclusive: transport + professional guide + sightseeing stops + paragliding flight. VIP experience, zero logistics stress. Prices vary by season and group size.
Where do we meet? What should I bring?
Meeting point: Café Bar PILOT, New Gudauri Loft 1 (Plus Code FF9V+Q7) — tap to open the pin on the map and build a route from your location.
Open daily 09:00–21:00. Arrive 15–30 minutes early for paperwork, weigh-in, payment.
Bring: comfortable clothing, trainers/hiking boots, sunglasses. In winter: gloves, hat (we provide thermal jacket).
Arrived unprepared for the weather? No problem: SkyRent has fully insulated flight suits covering you from ankles to neck (95 GEL), gloves (20 GEL) and winter boots for deep snow (50 GEL). Nobody flies cold — we will dress you.
What if the weather is bad on the flight day?
Safety first. If conditions (wind, visibility, clouds) don’t allow safe flight, the pilot cancels.
You get: Free rescheduling (preferred) OR deposit refund (minus fees).
Final call on morning of flight. We’ll contact via WhatsApp 1–2 hours before meeting.
⭐ What’s the difference: gift certificate or slot booking?
🎁 CERTIFICATE: Not tied to date • Valid 1 year • 1st booking free • Giftable • Pay online
📅 SLOT BOOKING: Specific date/time • Deposit secures slot • Late/no-show = deposit forfeited • Weather cancellation by the SkyAtlantida team = free rescheduling • Book via WhatsApp
What types of certificate are there?
Two types:
- Specific flight — you choose the flight type and gift exactly that. The recipient only picks the date.
- Cash certificate — a fixed amount (e.g. 500 GEL). The recipient decides how to spend it: any flight type, video and photo, transfer, tour, or paragliding training at our SkyAtlantida school.
Certificates start from 500 GEL. A cash certificate is best when you want to leave the choice to the recipient. A specific-flight certificate is a ready-made adventure: it is immediately clear what you are gifting.
How long is the certificate valid?
1 year from purchase. Expiry date shown on certificate.
If expires, extend for 1 more year at 50% price. Message WhatsApp to extend.
How does the recipient use the certificate?
Recipient messages WhatsApp (+995 551 35 5000), provides certificate number, agrees on date. We confirm slot.
Rebooking after no-show = €50 / 150 GEL.
Weather reschedule = FREE (pilot’s call).
Is the certificate personal? Can it be transferred?
Personal and non-transferable. Recipient’s name set at purchase, can’t be changed.
Certificate value less than flight cost — can I pay the difference?
Yes. For example: a 500 GEL certificate and a 649 GEL flight — you pay the 149 GEL difference in cash at Café Bar PILOT on the flight day.
Any upgrade works the same way: a higher flight type, 4K video and photo, weight surcharge.
Specific-flight certificate — can I upgrade to a better flight type?
Yes. Pay the difference in cash at Café Bar PILOT. If the certificate exceeds the flight price, the remainder is not paid out in cash, but can be used for media, transfer or another activity.
Can I get a refund for an unused certificate?
Refunds not available. Can extend 1 more year at 50% price instead.
How do I book? What payment methods?
Booking ONLY via WhatsApp: +995 551 35 5000. We reply 09:00–21:00 GMT+4, avg 30 min.
Payment methods:
- Apple Pay / Google Pay (via card link)
- Bank of Georgia transfer
- Cash at café (if already in Gudauri)
All fees paid by client.
Are cancellations and refunds possible?
Deposit non-refundable if client cancels, is late, or no-show.
Refund ONLY if flight cancelled due to weather/pilot decision. Then: free rescheduling OR deposit refund (minus fees and services provided).