Bir Billing: How to Experience the Paragliding Capital of India

Flying Over the Dhauladhar Range

In 2015, Bir Billing hosted the Paragliding World Cup, putting this small Himachal Pradesh town on the global adventure map. Since then, thousands of first-timers and experienced pilots flock here every year for some of the best paragliding conditions on the planet.

The setup is simple and spectacular: you launch from Billing (2,430m), a ridge top with open meadows and consistent thermal updrafts, and fly 14 km down to the landing site in Bir (1,525m), a Tibetan settlement with monasteries, cafes, and an artisanal craft scene.


What to Expect on Your First Tandem Flight

Before the Flight

You'll be driven from Bir up to the Billing launch site (30 minutes). Your pilot will brief you: how to run during takeoff, how to sit in the harness, and what to do during landing. The total briefing takes about 10 minutes.

Takeoff

The most nerve-wracking moment. You'll stand at the edge of a grassy slope with the valley 900 meters below. Your pilot inflates the wing behind you, and when conditions are right, you both run downhill. Within 3-5 steps, your feet leave the ground. It's that simple — and that terrifying.

The Flight

A typical tandem flight lasts 15-30 minutes, depending on thermal conditions. Your pilot will find rising columns of warm air (thermals) to gain altitude, then glide toward Bir. On a good day, you might soar up to 3,000m — higher than the launch point itself.

The views are extraordinary: the Dhauladhar range fills the northern horizon, the Kangra Valley stretches south to the plains, and the patchwork of forests, farms, and villages below looks like a living map.

Landing

Smooth landings in the large, flat landing field in Bir. You'll touch down gently on your feet (or your backside — both are normal).

Choosing an Operator

This is the most important decision you'll make. Paragliding is safe when done with certified pilots but dangerous with untrained ones.

Look for:

APPI or BHPA certified pilots

Well-maintained equipment (check the wing for tears, the harness for wear)

Insurance coverage

Positive reviews from recent flyers

Operators who cancel in unsafe conditions (this is a good sign, not a bad one)

Costs: ₹2,500–3,500 for a tandem flight including GoPro video. Avoid operators offering significantly lower prices — they may be cutting corners on safety.


Best Season for Paragliding

**October–November**: The BEST months. Clear skies, stable thermals, moderate temperatures. This is when competitions are held.

**March–June**: Good flying conditions. Spring thermals can be strong. May gets warm.

**July–September**: Monsoon. No flying. Clouds, rain, and unpredictable winds.

**December–February**: Flyable but cold. Shorter thermal windows.

What Else to Do in Bir

Bir isn't just about paragliding:

**Chokling Monastery**: A large, active Tibetan Buddhist monastery with a beautiful prayer hall.

**Deer Park Institute**: Founded by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, this center offers meditation and Buddhist study programs.

**Bir Tibetan Colony**: Explore the handicraft center where Tibetan refugees make carpets and crafts.

**Mountain Biking**: Rent a bike and explore the trails around Bir and the Kangra Valley.

**Cafe Culture**: Bir has a growing cafe scene — Garden Cafe, Vairagi Cafe, and Silver Linings are local favorites.

Getting There

**By air**: Nearest airport is Dharamshala/Gaggal (70 km). Taxi: ₹1,500-2,000.

**By bus**: Direct buses from Delhi (12 hours), Dharamshala (3 hours), and Manali (7 hours).

**By train**: Nearest rail: Pathankot (150 km). Connect by bus or taxi.

Safety First

Don't fly in rain, strong wind, or cloudy conditions

Inform someone about your flight schedule

Wear closed shoes (not sandals)

Avoid flying immediately after a heavy meal

If you have heart conditions, vertigo, or severe anxiety, consult a doctor first