The Puncak area is one of the most popular places, often a favorite and main tourist destination for Jakarta residents on weekends. This is because, apart from being not too far away, you also don't need an extended vacation. This is why Puncak is so popular and very crowded on the weekends.
Despite being close to the hustle and bustle of the crowded metropolitan city, the Puncak area is a magical place that can satisfy Jakarta residents' longing for a calmer, cooler atmosphere, fresher air, and a sense of nature that is very difficult to find in the middle of the city.
It is no wonder that even today, the development of various activities supporting short escapes in the Puncak area or Bogor in general is relatively rapid. One of the tourist attractions often visited by tourists who come to Bogor is paragliding in Puncak Bogor.
About Paragliding Puncak Bogor
For those who like challenges, you can try paragliding in Puncak Bogor, also known as paragliding. This sport certainly requires extraordinary courage because of its adrenaline-pumping nature. This sport is under the organization of PLGI (Indonesian Hang Gliding Association) and FASI (Indonesian Aero Sport Federation).
Costs and Facilities
The cost of paragliding at Puncak Bogor is not too expensive. You only need to pay an entrance fee of IDR 13,000 per person, IDR 5,000 for a car, and IDR 3,000 for a motorcycle. This place is only open until 5:00 PM. You can proceed directly to the registration area to obtain a queue number upon arrival. When I arrived, the queue was quite long.
This sport tourism activity costs IDR 350,000 per person for domestic tourists and IDR 400,000 for foreign tourists, which includes a flight of approximately 5-10 minutes, a certificate, and documentation. It is pretty expensive, but it is worth it for the experience.
Requirements for Paragliding in Puncak Bogor
For safety reasons, several requirements must be met before being allowed to fly, namely a minimum weight of 45 kg and a maximum weight of 90 kg. My cousin, who weighs less than 45 kg, was not allowed to participate in this sport. Participants must not have heart disease or epilepsy, and children are allowed to participate with their parents' permission.
Because this sport is powered by wind, it can only be done when the weather is good, i.e., sunny, so the wind conditions are favorable. Trained and certified instructors will accompany us during the flight so that it will be safe.
My Paragliding Experience in Puncak Bogor
So, what was my experience like paragliding in Puncak Bogor? Here we go.
Early in the morning, I left home with some of my cousins to avoid traffic. When we arrived at Puncak Bogor, my cousin, who knew a paragliding instructor, immediately directed us to the paragliding location.
We registered and underwent a safety check, as several requirements had to be met before we could paraglide. Finally, I passed the health check and several other requirements. Meanwhile, my cousin, who weighs less than 45 kg, couldn't participate in this sport.
After waiting for about 30 minutes, it was finally my turn. I was really nervous because this was my first time. But fear must be overcome, and I like new things, so I had to try this.
Before flying, the instructor gave some instructions, such as to relax during the flight, trust the instructor, make sure the equipment we were wearing was comfortable, and what to do when taking off and landing. We were even asked if we wanted to do stunts or maneuvers like an airplane in the sky. Definitely, I said yes.
After the briefing and waiting in line, it was finally my turn. At the beginning of the flight, my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest, and I could only close my eyes. From takeoff, the instructor who was tandem with us gave instructions on what to do. Finally, after a few seconds of flying, I started to calm down a little.
The first thirty seconds were a little nerve-wracking, and I didn't dare to look down. The instructor tried to calm me down, and eventually I started to feel comfortable and enjoy the paragliding. I enjoyed the fresh air sweeping across my face, the view of the vast sky, and the green tea plantations below.
From a height of 1.3 km, we could enjoy the view of the green Puncak Bogor, enjoying the beauty of the tea plantations that soothed the eyes. The cool air made me sleepy, and I even fell asleep for a few seconds. Finally, after we were satisfied with maneuvering above and enjoying the view from above, we arrived.
As we approached landing, the instructor again reminded us of the correct foot position. Finally, we landed at the designated spot and collected our documentation. Do not forget to bring a flash drive to copy the photo files, guys. It turns out that paragliding in Puncak Bogor is really fun.
As we approached landing, the instructor also reminded us again of what to do when approaching landing. That is, our legs must be straightened, not bent. Only when I touched the ground could I finally relax. I finally managed to overcome my fear and anxiety. I landed safely and smoothly.
According to information from several instructors and friends who want to pursue this sport, Paralayang Gantole Puncak also offers course packages for those who want to explore the world of paragliding. After 40 flights, some of which are accompanied by instructors, friends can practice flying on their own and eventually receive a valid certificate to fly without an instructor.
For those who are afraid of heights, the flying fox activity, which costs Rp 20,000 per person, is located near the paragliding site, below the paragliding registration area.
Tips Before Paragliding in Puncak Bogor
Here are essential tips to ensure a safe and comfortable paragliding experience.
- For those who can't stand the cold, try to wear long clothes or use them because it's really cold up there.
- For women, don't wear skirts, wear long pants for your comfort and safety.
- Wear shoes or sandals with straps so they stay on your feet.
- Bring a flash drive to copy the documentation files.
- Come early in the morning to get an earlier queue.
- Prepare a camera or documentation device that can be hung or tied to your hand, so you don't have to worry about it falling while taking photos up there. It would be a shame if you didn't take any pictures while up there, since the documentation is currently only available when we're about to land, and there's none while we're up there.
That's my experience paragliding in Puncak Bogor. Has anyone else had this experience? Feel free to share in the comments section.
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