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Bir Billing Travel Guide: Paragliding, Best Season and How to Reach
Bir Billing, in Himachal's Kangra valley, is India's best-known paragliding site and has hosted the Paragliding World Cup. You take off from Billing, a meadow at about 2,400 m, and land in Bir, a relaxed village of Tibetan monasteries and cafés about 1,000 m below.
How to reach Bir
- By bus: overnight buses from Delhi to Bir or Baijnath take about 11 to 13 hours. It is the most common way to arrive.
- By air: Gaggal Airport (Kangra/Dharamshala) is about 65 to 70 km away, about 2 hours by taxi.
- By train: Pathankot is the nearest broad-gauge station, about 4 to 5 hours by road. The narrow-gauge Kangra Valley railway stops at Ahju, a few kilometres from Bir, and is a slow but scenic ride.
Billing is about 14 km uphill from Bir. If you book a tandem flight, the operator usually takes you up to the take-off point.
Best time to fly
| Months | Flying conditions |
|---|---|
| October to November | The best season: stable air, clear views of the Dhauladhar range, longer flights possible. |
| March to June | Good flying, warmer days. Afternoon thermals can be strong. |
| December to February | Flights run on clear days, but it is cold at take-off and days are shorter. |
| Mid-July to mid-September | Monsoon. Paragliding is usually closed. |
Short flight or cross-country?
- Standard tandem (about 15 to 20 minutes): perfect for a first flight. You glide down from Billing to the landing field in Bir with views of the valley and tea gardens.
- Long cross-country tandem (about 30 to 40 minutes or more): the pilot uses thermals to climb and stay up longer, often flying along the ridge. Better views, more thrill, and more weather-dependent.
No experience is needed for either. You will run a few steps at take-off, then sit back in the harness. Your pilot does the flying. Ask for a GoPro video if you want one.
What to wear
- Layers: it is several degrees colder at Billing than in Bir.
- Closed shoes with good grip for the take-off run.
- Sunglasses with a strap. Keep phones zipped away unless the pilot says it is safe.
Other things to do in Bir
- Tibetan colony and monasteries: Chokling Monastery in the colony and Sherab Ling, a large monastery a few kilometres away.
- Trek from Billing to Rajgundha: a day trek through forest to a remote valley with mountain views.
- Mountain biking: rides through tea gardens, villages and monasteries around Bir.
- Baijnath Temple: a 13th-century stone Shiva temple about 13 km away.
- Palampur tea gardens: about 35 km away, with tea estate walks and tastings.
Weather first: pilots only fly when the wind is safe, so keep a spare morning in your plan. If your flight is cancelled for weather, you can reschedule or get a refund as per the booking terms.
Frequently asked questions
October and November are the best months, with stable air and clear views. March to June is also good. Flying is usually closed from mid-July to mid-September for the monsoon.
No. A trained pilot flies the glider. You only run a few steps at take-off and sit in the harness for the rest of the flight.
The take-off at Billing is about 14 km uphill from Bir. Tandem operators usually drive you up and you land back in Bir.
Things to do in Bir Billing
See allTandem Paragliding (20 min) – Billing to Bir
From ₹3,200
Billing to Rajgundha Valley Trek (10 km)
From ₹1,900
Pine Forest Camping – Bir
From ₹1,700
