Bir Billing paragliding — season, flights and what to expect

Why Bir

Billing, 14 km above Bir by road, is a long grassy ridge facing south over the Kangra valley. Morning sun on the slopes below sets up reliable thermals, and there is almost nothing to hit — fields, tea gardens and a wide landing field at Bir. That combination has made it one of the world’s well-known flying sites and a regular venue for international competitions.

How a tandem flight works

1. A jeep takes you up the hill road to the Billing take-off.
2. The pilot briefs you and clips you into a harness in front of them.
3. On the pilot’s word you take a few running steps — and you are flying.
4. The pilot works the thermals and glides down to land in Bir.

You need no training. Wear closed shoes and a windproof layer; it is cooler at the top.

Safety

Choose a registered operator, check that the pilot is licensed, look at the equipment, and respect the weight limits. If the wind is wrong, the flight is postponed — keep a spare morning.

Fitting it in

Bir is a night stop between Manali and Dharamshala, or a long day from Dharamshala. See the Bir guide, paragliding, and our Dharamshala Volvo trip.