Tandem Paragliding in Córdoba, Argentina

Enjoy Sky Diving With a Parapente Course at Cuchi Corral, La Cumbre

Apr 13, 2009 Karin-Marijke Vis

Cuchi Corral, in Córdoba Province, is thé location for free flight sports: take a tandem paragliding flight or paragliding lessons, and watch a parapente competition.

On the western shoulder of the Sierras Chicas in Argentina, a mountain range that divides Córdoba Province from north to south, lies the friendly village of La Cumbre – a favourite destination for Argentinean holidaymakers and lovers of free flights.

Paragliding Competition in Córdoba

At an altitude of 1141 metres, La Cumbre has pleasant temperatures, a laid-back ambience and offers plenty of hiking and horseback riding options. Eight kilometres further west, at the end of an unpaved road, lies Cuchi Corral – one of the more technical launch sites for paragliding flights in Argentina.

The varying weather conditions at Cuchi Corral made it hard to organise the World Paragliding Cup in 1994, an event that since then has been organised in Tucuman – where weather conditions are more predictable. Nevertheless, Cuchi Corral is a much-used location for the National Paragliding Competition of Argentina, which is organised every year in five different locations between October and March. It is quite a sight to watch a paragliding competition, when a large group of professionals colour the sky with their bright sails.

Tandem Paragliding Flights at Cuchi Corral

Cuchi Corral is situated 380 metres above the picturesque Río Pinto, a river that meanders through a gorge and offers plenty of recreational activities. Further ahead are the flat lands that stretch further into west Argentina. Cuchi Corral is a fabulous location to take up a tandem paragliding flight and to enjoy the views.

The easiest way to find instructors for tandem paragliding flights is to drive to Cuchi Corral and ask around. The paragliding instructors work independently and there are always several present at Cuchi Corral, waiting for customers interested in a tandem paragliding flight. During the flight you sit in front of the instructor and don't worry - he pulls the strings.

Since the parapente instructors work independently, and there is no coordinating organisation, take the time to chat with them and get a feel of their experience and willingness to make it a special tandem paragliding flight, instead of getting down as quickly as possible.

Costs of Tandem Paragliding Flights and Third-party Insurance in Argentina

Check with the Tourist Information in La Cumbre or at hotels to see if there is additional information to be found on which are the most reliable instructors before deciding to make a tandem paragliding flight. A tandem paragliding flight costs about 250 pesos [US $80].

N.B. In Argentina, third-party insurance does not exist for these kinds of adventures, so those who are interested, check beforehand that your insurance company covers an adventure like paragliding!

Costs of Paragliding Course at Cuchi Corral

Some of the instructors at Cuchi Corral also give paragliding courses. Expect to pay about 2500 - 3000 pesos [US $800 - 1000], for a paragliding course that includes ten flights.

Sky Diving at the Aeroclub in La Cumbre

Check out the nearby Aeroclub [situated at Camino a los Troncos], run by former parapente world champion Andy Hediger. This enthusiastic Swiss goes out of his way to make people participate in and enjoy whatever form of free flight: tandem paragliding, ultra lights, and parachuting.

Outdoor Activities and Cultural Sights in Córdoba Province

Argentina's centrally located province of Córdoba offers much more than paragliding; it is a destination with a wide diversity of activities and sights:

Jesuit estancias in Córdoba Province for the culturally inclined.
Doma y Folklore Festival for lovers of horse breaking and traditional music.
Candonga is a recreational location, which is an excellent option when travelling with kids.

The copyright of the article Tandem Paragliding in Córdoba, Argentina in South America Travel is owned by Karin-Marijke Vis. Permission to republish Tandem Paragliding in Córdoba, Argentina in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Argentina's Paragliding Competition, Cuchi Corral	Argentina's Paragliding Competition, La Cumbre	Andy Hediger Enjoys Paragliding, la Cumbre
Preparing for Parapente flight, Córdoba Province	Paragliding Site Cuchi Corral, Córdoba Province