Paraglide Governador Valadares, Brazil
The capital of free flight
Fly from Pico da Ibituruna, one of the most iconic launches in the world, at the birthplace of Brazilian paragliding.
The city that was built to fly
Governador Valadares is well-known in the paragliding world and has a long history of free-flight. Pico da Ibituruna rises over three-thousand feet above the Rio Doce valley, generating thermals that have drawn pilots from around the world for decades. GV is a thriving metropolis of over a quarter million people with all types of industry and commerce, serving as a central hub for outlying residents across the state - and the mountain that towers over it all happens to be one of the best paragliding launches on earth.
Damien leads guided trips to GV for pilots who want to experience one of the great flying sites on the planet. Whether you are looking to log flights from a bucket-list launch, push your XC distance along the Rio Doce, or simply soak in the energy of a city that lives and breathes paragliding, this trip delivers.
Why pilots choose GV
Capital of Free Flight
Governador Valadares earned this title for good reason. The city has hosted international competitions for decades and flying is woven into the local culture.
Pico da Ibituruna
One of the most recognized launches on the planet. At 1,123m, Ibituruna offers a massive vertical drop and consistent thermal triggers along its ridgeline.
Consistent Conditions
Strong, reliable thermals throughout most of the year. The Rio Doce valley acts as a thermal engine, producing predictable cycles that make planning flights straightforward.
Massive Landing Zone
The main LZ sits right in the city, wide open and easy to reach. You can see it from launch and there is plenty of room to set up your approach.
Competition Heritage
GV has hosted Brazilian nationals, pre-PWC events, and international competitions. The airspace, launch logistics, and flying infrastructure are built for serious pilots.
Brazilian Vibe
The local flying community is warm, welcoming, and passionate about the sport. Expect cold beers at the LZ, barbecue after flying, and new friends from around the world.
Your Trip
Site Orientation
Days 1 - 2
You arrive and we get you settled. Day one is about understanding Ibituruna and its XC corridors - the launch, the valley terrain, the thermal triggers, and the course lines that pilots use to fly distance along the Rio Doce. Day two is your first flying day. You already know how to thermal - now you learn how GV thermals work. They are soft, consistent, and lazy compared to what you may be used to. Cloud-to-cloud hops become the rhythm. The driver follows along the course line, picking up pilots wherever they land. It is possible to launch all day at Ibituruna, and we typically fly until 5:00 PM.
Building Distance
Days 3 - 5
Now you have the feel of the site. Each day is an XC day. Morning briefing covers route planning along the Rio Doce corridor - identifying thermal streets, setting turnpoints, and discussing the cloud formations that tell you where the next climb is. Flights get progressively longer as you read the valley better. The soft thermals and long thermal window mean you are in the air for hours, not minutes. Rest day mixed in to explore GV, eat churrasco, and recharge. By day five, you are covering distances that would have seemed ambitious on day two.
Chasing 100km
Days 6 - 7
This is what you came for. You know the thermals, you know the corridors, and you know how to read the clouds for the next climb. These are your biggest distance days. Launch, climb out, and commit to the course line. The driver chases along below, picking up pilots as they land. The valley funnels thermals into flyable corridors that stretch for 100+ kilometers on the best days. Everything you have learned about reading the soft GV thermals and planning cloud-to-cloud transitions comes together here. Celebrate your distance over cold Brahma at dinner.
What this trip gives you
Iconic Launch, Soft Thermals
Ibituruna is one of the most famous launches in the world. The thermals here are a soft, well-organized experience compared to sites like Roldanillo - strong enough to be productive but smooth enough to log long hours in the saddle.
Hours in the Saddle
The goal at GV is airtime. Long thermal windows, sustained conditions, and a massive LZ mean you fly more hours per day than at most sites. That seat time is what builds real pilot skill.
Chasing the 100km Flight
The Rio Doce valley stretches for hundreds of kilometers, creating natural XC corridors. The soft thermals and long thermal window make this the site to chase your first 100km flight. With radio guidance and retrieve support, you push distance without worrying about getting home.
Competition-Site Experience
Fly the same airspace used for Brazilian nationals and international competitions. Learn what it feels like to fly a world-class site with proper infrastructure.
Brazilian Flying Culture
Immerse yourself in one of the most passionate flying communities on earth. The pilots, the energy at the LZ, the barbecue after landing - it all adds up to something special.
Just bring your wing and your passport
Housing
Shared accommodation in Governador Valadares, close to the flying community. Not a resort, not a hostel - a comfortable base where the group lives together, with common spaces for debriefing, route planning, and sharing stories from the day's flights.
Food
Breakfast every morning - fresh tropical fruit, strong coffee, pao de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread that you will become addicted to). Group dinners in the evening. Brazilian food is incredible - from churrasco to acai to freshly grilled fish. Lunch is usually grabbed at the LZ or in town.
Ground Transport
Daily shuttle up the winding road to the top of Pico da Ibituruna. Retrieve service for XC flights along the Rio Doce valley. You never need to figure out how to get anywhere - just show up and fly.
Instruction
Damien is your coach for the entire trip. Morning briefings on weather and thermal forecasts, radio-guided flights with real-time coaching, and evening debriefs where you review your track logs and plan for tomorrow. One instructor who knows your flying from day one.
Retrieve Service
Critical for XC flying in the Rio Doce valley. Our ground crew tracks everyone via GPS and picks you up wherever you land. When you know you have reliable retrieve, you fly differently - you stop playing it safe and start flying for distance.
Airport Coordination
Fly into Governador Valadares (GVR) directly, or fly into Confins/Belo Horizonte (CNF) for more flight options. We coordinate ground transport either way so you do not have to figure out Brazilian logistics on your own.
Who this trip is for
I want to log serious airtime
You have solid launch skills and can core thermals autonomously. What you need is hours - long days in the air building the instincts that only come from seat time. GV's soft thermals and long flying window give you exactly that.
I want to chase 100km
You can thermal consistently and you have XC experience, but you have never had the conditions and retrieve support to really push distance. The Rio Doce valley corridor is built for it. This is where pilots come to log their longest flights.
I want the full Brazilian experience
You want more than just flying. You want to experience Brazilian flying culture - a community with a long history of free-flight where the energy at the LZ, the barbecue after landing, and the international pilot scene add up to something you will not find anywhere else.
Not sure if you are ready? Call Damien and talk it through.
Call 801-244-4791
Your Guide for the Entire Trip
Damien "Vampiro" Mitchell
This is not a school where you get passed between different instructors. Damien flies with you, coaches you, and debriefs with you for the entire trip. He knows your flying on day one and builds on it every day after that.
Damien has been flying Ibituruna across multiple seasons and knows the thermals, the terrain, and the local community the way locals know it. He knows which thermal triggers fire first off the rock face in the morning, where the best XC corridors run along the Rio Doce, and which restaurants serve the best post-flight churrasco.
In Governador Valadares, the thermals are strong and the flying culture is intense. Having an instructor who knows the site - who can talk you through your first powerful Ibituruna thermal on the radio - makes the difference between white-knuckling it and actually learning to fly this kind of air with confidence.
USHPA Advanced Instructor. 25+ years of flying. Over 10,000 flights. When you fly with Damien, you are getting the benefit of thousands of hours at sites around the world, combined with a genuine passion for helping pilots improve.
Join the Next Brazil Trip
Or call Damien directly: 801-244-4791
★★★★★ 5.0 / 33 reviewsBeyond the flying
The City
GV is a real Brazilian city on the Rio Doce. Not a tourist town, not a resort - a mid-sized city with markets, restaurants, bars, and a genuine local culture. The people are friendly and curious about visiting pilots. Walk around town and you will see paragliders on murals, on shop signs, woven into the identity of the place. This is a city that celebrates flying.
Day Trips
Minas Gerais is famous for waterfalls, colonial towns, and incredible food. On rest days, explore the surrounding countryside - there are swimming holes, hiking trails on Ibituruna itself, and small towns that feel like stepping back in time. The region has no shortage of things to do when you are not in the air.
The River
The Rio Doce runs through the heart of the valley and shapes everything - the thermals, the XC corridors, the landscape. On rest days, the river and its surroundings offer a peaceful contrast to the intensity of thermal flying. River walks, waterfront dining, and a slower pace when you need it.
What Pilots Say About Flying with Damien
"I saw my flying mentality and my piloting skills improve drastically over the course of the week."
Feb 2023
"The combination of ground school, launch support, and in-sky coaching provided an incredibly valuable learning experience. The accommodations and hospitality made for a great overall experience."
Jan 2023
"Great instruction, local knowledge, small groups, no attitude or pressure just great flying and even better times."
Jan 2024
Brazil-specific reviews coming soon. These reviews are from pilots who have flown with Damien on other trips.
Common Questions About the Brazil Trip
When does the Brazil trip run?
How do I get there?
Do I need a visa for Brazil?
What rating do I need?
Is it safe?
Can I combine this with other Air Damien trips?
Explore Other Destinations
Mexico - Valle de Bravo
The Hair Dryer at El Penon. 300+ flyable days a year, clockwork thermals, and a charming lakeside town.
View Mexico Trip
Colombia - Roldanillo
World-class XC in the Cauca Valley. Powerful thermals and long cross-country routes.
View Colombia Trip
Italy - Dolomites
Alpine flying through the most dramatic mountain scenery on earth.
View Italy TripReady to Fly Ibituruna?
Or call Damien directly: 801-244-4791
★★★★★ 5.0 / 33 reviews