™ 1Paragliding (Billing to Bir)
Tandem flights of about 15–30 minutes from Billing (around 2,400 m) down to the landing site in Bir. Fly only with registered operators.
Bir travel guide
India’s paragliding capital – Tibetan monasteries, tea gardens and flights from Billing
📍 Himachal Pradesh 7 places to visit 🏨 1 stay to book Updated 31 Oct 2026
Bir is a small village at about 1,400 m in the Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh. It is the landing site for paragliders flying from Billing, about 1,000 m above, and home to a Tibetan settlement with monasteries, cafés and meditation centres – a relaxed base for adventure and slow travel.
History of Bir
Bir was a quiet farming village in the old hill country of Kangra until Tibetan refugees settled here in the 1960s, after the Dalai Lama came to India. The settlement built monasteries such as Chokling Gompa, and Sherab Ling nearby became a major seat of learning.
The steep ridge at Billing, with steady thermals and a wide landing field below, was found to be one of the best paragliding sites in the world. Bir–Billing hosted the Paragliding World Cup in 2015 and now draws pilots and tandem flyers every autumn and spring.
Today Bir mixes Himachali villages, tea gardens, Tibetan cafés and courses in meditation and Buddhist studies at places like the Deer Park Institute.
Best time to visit Bir
October–November and March–May are best – the paragliding seasons. Flying usually stops in the monsoon (July to mid-September). Winters are cold but clear.
Mar–May
Spring flying · Pleasant, about 12–28°C
Best
Good flying days and green tea gardens.
Jun
Early summer · Warm
Good
Flying possible on good days.
Jul–mid Sep
Monsoon · Heavy rain
Avoid
Paragliding usually closed.
Oct–Nov
Autumn flying · Clear, about 8–22°C
Best
The best season for flying and views.
Dec–Feb
Winter · Cold, about 2–15°C
Good
Quiet; some flying on clear days.
How to reach Bir
✈️
Nearest airport
Kangra Airport, Gaggal (DHM)About 65–70 km (about 2 hours by taxi).
🚆
Nearest railway station
Ahju on the Kangra Valley narrow-gauge line; Pathankot (main line)Ahju about 5 km; Pathankot about 140 km (4 hours).
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Bus stand
Bir bus stop and Baijnath bus stand (about 15 km) – HRTC Volvo and ordinary buses to Delhi, Chandigarh and Dharamshala usually stop at Bir Road / Baijnath. Taxis and shared jeeps run from Bir to Billing.
| From | Distance by road | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Billing (take-off) | About 14 km | 45 minutes |
| Palampur | About 35 km | 1 hour |
| Dharamshala | About 70 km | 2 hours |
| Mandi | About 75 km | 2.5 hours |
| Chandigarh | About 270 km | 7 hours |
| Delhi | About 520 km | 11–12 hours |
Distances and times are approximate and change with traffic and weather.
Famous places to visit in Bir
2Billing
The meadow on the ridge above Bir with views of the Dhauladhar range – worth the drive even if you don’t fly.
3Chokling Monastery
A colourful monastery with a large stupa at the heart of Bir’s Tibetan colony.
4Sherab Ling Monastery
A large, peaceful monastery in pine forest, an important seat of the Karma Kagyu school.
5Tea gardens of Bir
Small Kangra tea gardens with walking paths – lovely in the evening light.
6Gunehar village & waterfall
An old village with stone-and-mud houses and a short trail to a waterfall.
7Baijnath Temple
A 13th-century stone Shiva temple, one of the finest in the Kangra valley.
Timings and entry fees change – please check locally before you go.
🪂 Paragliding at a glance
- Take-off
- Billing, about 2,400 m
- Landing
- Bir, about 1,400 m
- Tandem flight
- About 15–30 minutes (longer flights cost more)
- Rough price
- About ₹2,500–4,000 per tandem flight
- Season
- About Oct–Nov and Mar–May; closed in the monsoon
Choose registered operators, check the pilot’s licence and insurance, and fly in the morning when winds are calmer.
Bir itinerary
2 days in Bir
Day 1
- Morning tandem flight from Billing.
- Afternoon at Chokling Monastery and cafés in the colony.
Day 2
- Tea garden walk and Gunehar village.
- Sherab Ling or Baijnath temple.
3 days – Bir & Palampur
Day 1
- Arrive, monasteries and sunset at the landing site.
Day 2
- Paragliding and Billing ridge.
Day 3
- Baijnath temple and Palampur tea gardens.
Trip budget for Bir
| Item | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (homestay / camp / hotel) | About ₹1,000–3,500 / night | Camps and mud houses near the landing site |
| Food | About ₹400–800 per person / day | Tibetan cafés and bakeries |
| Tandem paragliding | About ₹2,500–4,000 | Video often extra |
| Taxi Bir → Billing | About ₹800–1,500 | Usually included in the flight |
| Weekend for 2 (approx.) | ₹10,000–16,000 | 2 nights’ stay + food + 2 flights |
Costs are rough estimates for Oct 2026.
Bir vs Dharamshala and Manali
Bir, Dharamshala or Manali for your adventure trip?
| Place | From Chandigarh | Vibe | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bir | About 270 km, 7 h | Village, Tibetan cafés, calm | Paragliding, slow stays |
| Dharamshala | About 240 km, 6 h | Tibetan town, busier | Triund, monasteries |
| Manali | About 300 km, 8 h | Mountain resort | Snow, Solang |
Where to stay in Bir
Stay near the landing site or the Tibetan colony to walk to cafés and monasteries. Camps and mud houses around the landing field and in villages like Tramat are quieter and great for watching the gliders come in.
See all stays in Bir →
Plan your stay in Bir
Find stays
1 homestay, hotel or cottage – book directly with the host.
Own a homestay or hotel in Bir? List it with Stay in Bharat
Good to know before you go
SafetyFly only with registered operators; flights stop in bad weather.
MorningsMorning flights are usually smoother.
CoursesMeditation and Buddhist studies courses run at the institutes – check dates in advance.
CashCarry some cash – few ATMs in the village.
FAQs about Bir
When is the paragliding season in Bir Billing?
Mainly October–November and March–May. Flying usually stops in the monsoon, from July to mid-September.
How much does paragliding cost in Bir?
A tandem flight usually costs about ₹2,500–4,000, depending on flight time and video.
How do I reach Bir?
Take an overnight bus to Bir Road or Baijnath from Delhi or Chandigarh, or fly to Gaggal (Dharamshala), about 2 hours away.
How far is Bir from Dharamshala?
About 70 km, around 2 hours by road.
Is Bir good if I don’t want to paraglide?
Yes – the monasteries, tea gardens, cafés and village walks make it a calm, beautiful stay.
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