Bir Billing

Bir Billing, in the Kangra district of Himachal, is two places joined by a winding mountain road and a shared passion for flying. Billing, at roughly 2,400 metres, is a grassy ridge used as the take-off point for paragliders. Bir, around 1,000 metres lower and roughly 14 km away by road, is the village where they land, in open fields near the Tibetan colony and tea gardens.

The site is known internationally for its reliable thermals and long flying days, and it has hosted major international competitions, including a Paragliding World Cup event. For visitors, the highlight is a tandem flight with a trained pilot: you run a few steps off the Billing slope, the wing lifts you over the forest, and you glide down with the Kangra Valley and the Dhauladhar range spread out around you. No experience is needed, though you should be in reasonable health. Our paragliding guide explains what to expect.

Bir has much more to offer than adventure. The Tibetan colony at Chowgan has monasteries, prayer wheels, small cafés and craft shops, and the large Sherab Ling monastery lies in the forest a short drive away. Other Buddhist centres, including Chokling and the Deer Park Institute, give the village a calm, reflective atmosphere. Beyond them, tea gardens, pine forests and small Gaddi villages make for pleasant walks.

Nearby, the ancient Baijnath Shiva temple is worth a stop, and Palampur and Dharamshala are within a couple of hours. Trekkers can continue from Billing towards Rajgundha and the Barot valley.

Bir works well as a two- to three-night trip for friends, couples and active families. Our Bir Billing Adventure tour includes stays, transfers and arrangements for flying, subject to weather on the day.

Spring and summer (March–June): A good flying season with long, warm days. Strong midday thermals in late spring suit experienced pilots; tandem flights usually run in the morning and late afternoon.

Monsoon (July–September): Paragliding in Himachal is suspended during the monsoon, typically from around mid-July to mid-September. Rain also makes the Billing road slippery.

Autumn (October–November): The best season for most visitors. Stable weather, clear skies and excellent visibility over the Dhauladhar. International pilots often gather here in these months, so book early.

Winter (December–February): Cold but often clear, and flying continues on suitable days. Billing can get snow, which may close the take-off road for a while. Village walks and monastery visits are peaceful.

For first-time tandem flyers, October and November are usually the most reliable months.

By air: Kangra Airport at Gaggal is around 65–70 km away, roughly 2 hours by road, with flights mainly from Delhi. From Pune or Mumbai, connect via Delhi, or fly to Chandigarh and drive roughly 250 km.

By train: Pathankot is the nearest broad-gauge railhead, roughly 4–5 hours by road. The narrow-gauge Kangra Valley railway stops at Ahju, a few kilometres from Bir, though services are slow and limited.

By road: Bir is roughly 500 km from Delhi, with overnight buses to Baijnath or Bir Road. From Dharamshala it is around 65 km, roughly 2 hours, and from Manali it is around 6–7 hours. Taxis run between Bir and the Billing take-off.

Many travellers combine Bir with Dharamshala or Manali, so the transfer becomes part of a wider Himachal itinerary rather than a separate long journey.