Bir and Billing are two places joined by 14 km of mountain road and a lot of air. Billing, a meadow at around 2,400 m, is the take-off point; Bir, a village of Tibetan monasteries, cafés and tea gardens at about 1,500 m, is the landing zone. Together they are India’s most famous paragliding site and have hosted Paragliding World Cup competitions.
Even if you do not fly, Bir is a delightful place to slow down: walk between monasteries in the Tibetan colony, sip Kangra tea, and watch dozens of wings circling over the ridge in the afternoon.
Top things to do in Bir Billing
Tandem paragliding
Flights with a licensed pilot last around 15–30 minutes, depending on conditions and package. The main flying seasons are roughly October–November and March–May; flights stop in the monsoon (July to mid-September). Compare tandem flights and book with an operator that has registered pilots and insurance.
Tibetan monasteries
The Chokling Monastery with its large stupa, the Palpung Sherabling monastery a short drive away and the Deer Park Institute are peaceful to visit.
Baijnath temple
About 15 km away, the Baijnath Shiva temple is a finely carved stone temple dating from the early 13th century.
Palampur and tea
The tea town of Palampur, around 35 km east, has estates you can walk through and factories that sell Kangra green and black tea.
How to get to Bir Billing
- Bir is about 70 km from Dharamshala (2–2.5 hours) and around 190 km from Manali (6–7 hours) via Mandi. The nearest bus stop on the highway is at Bir Road/Chowgan, with taxis up to the village.
- Kangra (Gaggal) airport is about 65 km away; the narrow-gauge Kangra Valley Railway stops at Ahju near Bir, but services are limited.
Insider tips
- Book flights for the morning or early afternoon, when conditions are usually steady; flights are cancelled in high winds or rain.
- Make sure your pilot is registered with the local authorities and that the package includes transport to Billing.
- Solo flying requires a proper course — Bir has several schools that run them.
Tours that include Bir Billing
These guided trips cover Bir Billing or combine easily with a visit:
Tandem paragliding Bir Billing: Tandem Paragliding from the Himalaya’s Top Launch Site
Bir Billing is India’s best-known paragliding site and has hosted Paragliding World Cup events. After a jeep ride up to the Billing launch meadow you fly tandem with an experienced pilot, riding thermals over pine ridges and tea gardens before landing in the fields at Bir.
- Take off from Billing at around 2,400 m
- Fly with a certified pilot over the Kangra valley
- Land in the Tibetan settlement village of Bir
Day tour Dharamshala: Full-Day Sightseeing Tour with Lunch
A comfortable full-day overview of Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj by car: the Dalai Lama temple, the Bhagsunag temple and waterfall, the Victorian church of St John in the Wilderness, Naddi viewpoint, the HPCA cricket stadium and the tea estates of the Kangra valley.
- Tsuglagkhang, Bhagsunag and St John in the Wilderness
- Kangra tea gardens and the cricket stadium
- Lunch included
