Aloburo

Aloburo is a high-altitude paragliding launch in Ecuador's Andes, sitting at around 2,716 m, with a wide range of workable wind directions — east, southwest, west and northwest — that make it a versatile site across different weather patterns. It's set up for more than casual flying: locals fly it for thermals, ridge soaring, cross-country and hike-and-fly outings, and there's also a winch-launch option for days when the mountain wind isn't cooperating. An established paragliding school has operated in the area for decades, which is typically where visiting pilots get oriented to the site's takeoff, landing and local quirks, since detailed public write-ups of the launch itself are thin. Given the altitude and the breadth of flyable directions, expect real mountain conditions rather than a beginner-friendly bunny hill — anyone flying here for the first time should connect with local pilots or the school before relying on this page alone for takeoff and landing specifics.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Aloburo, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Aloburo with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.