Destination guideKangra, Himachal Pradesh
Bir Billing Paragliding above the Kangra valley
Last updated
In short
Overview
Bir is a village at 1,525 m in Kangra district, best known for paragliding: pilots launch from the Billing meadow at about 2,400 m, 14 km above it, and land in Bir. It also has a Tibetan colony with several monasteries. Bir is about 50 km from Dharamshala and 67 km from Kangra airport, and an easy addition to a Dharamshala trip — ask Leisure Himachal on WhatsApp.
Getting there
How to reach Bir Billing
By air
Kangra Airport at Gaggal, about 67 km.
By rail
Ahju station on the narrow-gauge Kangra Valley Railway is about 3 km away. Pathankot, about 112 km, is the nearest broad-gauge station.
By road
About 50 km from Dharamshala and 520 km from Delhi; the turn-off is on the Baijnath–Joginder Nagar highway.
Sights
What to see in Bir Billing
- 01
Paragliding from Billing
Tandem flights launch from the Billing meadow at about 2,400 m and land in Bir, roughly 1,000 m below.
- 02
Chokling and Sherab Ling monasteries
Bir's Tibetan colony has Nyingma, Kagyu and Sakya monasteries; Sherab Ling is a walk out of the village.
- 03
Deer Park Institute
A centre for the study of classical Indian wisdom traditions, founded in 2006.
- 04
Baijnath Temple
The 13th-century Shiva temple at Baijnath, about 15 km away on the highway.
- 05
Tea gardens
Tea estates around Bir and Palampur, on the way from Dharamshala.
The guide
Bir Billing travel guide
Why Bir?
Bir is a small, slow village of Tibetan monasteries, tea gardens and cafés, with one very big draw. Fourteen kilometres up the road, the meadow at Billing faces south across the whole Kangra valley, and on good days the sky above it fills with paragliders. Bir has hosted international competitions, and many pilots learn here.
A tandem flight — you strapped in front of a licensed pilot — needs no training. You run a few steps off the slope and you are flying.
When to fly
- September to November — the main season, with stable autumn air; October is usually best.
- March to May — a good second season.
- July to mid-September — monsoon; flying is closed.
- Winter — some flying on clear days; cold at the take-off.
Flights depend on the wind on the day, so keep a spare morning.
Adding Bir to your trip
Bir fits naturally between Manali and Dharamshala, or as a day trip from Dharamshala. See paragliding for what a flight involves, and the Dharamshala guide.
Before you go
Bir Billing: questions
When is paragliding season in Bir Billing?
The main flying season is September to November, with October usually the best month. Flying also happens from March to May. The monsoon, July to mid-September, is closed.
Is tandem paragliding in Bir safe for beginners?
A tandem flight needs no experience — you fly with a pilot who does the flying. Choose a registered operator, check the pilot's licence and equipment, and follow the weight limits they give you.
How far is Bir from Dharamshala?
About 50 km south-east, two to three hours by road, past the Palampur tea gardens.
Can Leisure Himachal arrange paragliding in Bir?
Bir can be added to a Dharamshala trip as a custom day. Message us with your dates; tandem flights are booked with registered local operators.
More destinations
-
Manali
Snow, Solang & the Rohtang road -
Shimla
Colonial heritage & Kufri -
Dharamshala & McLeodganj
Culture, cafés & the Dhauladhar -
Dalhousie & Khajjiar
Pine ridges & the Khajjiar meadow -
Kullu, Kasol & Manikaran
The Beas, the Parvati & hot springs -
Chamba
Temples on the Ravi -
Spiti Valley
The high-altitude cold desert -
Leh-Ladakh
Jeep safaris over the high passes
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 24 October 2026. Fees, permits, timings and road openings change — check them before you travel.