Bir Billing Travel Guide

Bir is a quaint little village in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Scenic vistas, gushing waterfalls, colourful monasteries, and the snow-covered peaks in the distance make Bir the perfect destination to escape into the lap of nature. But the natural beauty of Bir is not its main draw. Known as the paragliding capital of India, people from all over the world come here to jump off and fly from the second-highest paragliding site in the world. 

Bir and Billing are two separate villages. Billing is where the takeoff site is, and Bir is the landing site. Billing is 15 km from Bir, and both are well connected by road. Here’s a complete Bir Billing travel guide for those planning a trip for paragliding in India.

How to get there

Pathankot in Punjab is the nearest railway station to Bir, located approx. 140 km away. Local buses are available from Pathankot to Bir. Kangra Airport is the nearest airport to Bir, located roughly 65 km away. One can get a taxi from the airport to Bir. If travelling from Delhi, one can take an overnight Volvo bus and reach Bir in 11-13 hours.

Places to visit in Bir

Nyingyang Monastery

Located very close to the paragliding landing site is Nyingyang Monastery. It’s a quaint little monastery you can visit if you’re looking for some peace. There is a golden Buddha idol on the premises and paintings of Buddha around that art-lovers can marvel at. There’s a garden where you can spend some time and watch the resident monks go about their day. 

Chokling Monastery

Located in the Tibetan Colony, this is one of the most popular monasteries in Bir. The beautiful colours of the monastery, the intricate design, and the surrounding natural beauty and paragliders flying in the sky make for picture-perfect scenery.

Deer Park Institute

Deer Park Insitute is a place where you can learn something new. The university offers courses in Indian philosophy, arts & science, and Buddhism. There are workshops conducted here on meditation, yoga, classical language, healing arts, and more. The best part is that these courses are free of cost since the institute is run on donations.

Bir Tibetan Colony

The Tibetan Colony is undoubtedly the life of the town. The streets are always bustling with locals and tourists. You can walk around the colony and visit various shops selling clothes and handicrafts that you can take back as souvenirs and stop by cafes to enjoy momos and a warm cup of coffee. 

Gunehar Waterfall

Located 1.5 km from Bir is the beautiful village of Gunehar. The lush greenery, the snow-capped mountains in the distance, tiny village houses, and shepherds guiding their sheep in the mountains make it a picturesque location to get away from the city to relax amid nature. You can trek from the village to reach the waterfall.

Things to do in Bir

Bir Billing Paragliding

Many tourists from India and around the world come to Bir Billing to learn how to fly. There are many institutes and instructors you can learn from and become a certified paraglider. However, if you want to have some fun, you can take a tandem flight and enjoy the view of the snow-capped mountains and fly around Bir. The experience is truly unforgettable.

Camping in Bir Billing

Camping in Billing is another adventurous activity many travellers like to undertake. Billing is an hour’s ride from Bir. One can pitch a tent there, spend the night and watch the beautiful sunrise. Since Billing is the takeoff site for paragliding, you can combine both activities and have an adventure-filled vacation!

Bir Billing Trekking 

You can do the beginner’s trek to Rajgundha valley and enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the snow-clad mountains and the surrounding greenery! It starts from Bir village and goes through Billing and further. It’s a 2-day excursion which includes activities like fishing and exploring scenic villages, and then you can conclude it with a paragliding joyride.

Things to do around Bir Billing

Not too far from Billing is the beautiful village of Dharamshala. After spending a few days in Bir, you can drive up to Dharamshala to explore this quaint little village, the current residence of The Dalai Lama. Among different resorts in Dharmashala,  plan your stay at our Club Mahindra Dharamshala to enjoy the best amenities and a comfortable stay surrounded by nature. Take a jeep safari, visit Kangra fort, explore colourful monasteries, and enjoy delicious thukpas and momos–there’s a lot to experience here. 

Bir Billing is slowly gaining popularity among the tourists for the town’s quaint charm and paragliding. So when are you planning your Bir Billing adventure?