Sharm el Sheikh is Egypt’s biggest and best-known resort destination. Stretching along 35 km of Red Sea coast, Sharm is a rather sprawling but fascinating place to be. The resort is popular among scuba divers, who travel to see the colourful reefs that lie beneath the water. But ever increasing numbers are also taking to the air, booking a Sharm el Sheikh paragliding trip.
It’s easy to see why. The views over the glistening Red Sea, the city itself and the desert that stretches out behind it are spectacular. Until recently, paragliding in Egypt was restricted to the military, but recent political changes have meant that it has become much easier for anyone to get up in the air. Sadly, it’s still not possible to fly from Mount Sinai, Egypt’s tallest mountain. But there are plenty of other places to start a flight from, with some extraordinary-looking rocky ridges climbing out of the desert.
It can be difficult to find the right place to fly from, with a still-developing industry and heavy restrictions on travel in some areas. But it is possible, with a local operator that knows the lie of the land. It’s worth the effort, too: the landscape is wild and remote: the perfect antidote to the busy resort streets and glitzy bars of Sharm.
Sharm el Sheikh is already a popular hub for all kinds of other adventure sports, especially diving and windsurfing. Paragliding is a newer string to its bow, but expect to see its popularity keep on growing. Go on a Sharm el Sheikh paragliding trip now, and you’ll have the pleasure of knowing you were one of the first to do so.
