Bir Billing Tourism (2024) - Himachal Pradesh

Bir Billing Travel Packages

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4 Days / 3 Nights

Dharamshala - Bir Billing - Sonipat Tour Package

Dharamshala(2N) → Bir BIling(1N)

$167/person

3 Days / 2 Nights

Paragliding with Mountain Biking in Bir Billing

Bir(2N)

$136/person

5 Days / 4 Nights

4 Nights 5 Days Dharamshala Itinerary with Mcle...

Dharamshala(1N) → Mcleodganj(1N) → Bir(2N)

$ 266

20% off

$211/person

4 Days / 3 Nights

Dharamshala – Bir Billing - Barot Tour

Dharamshala(1N) → Bir Billing(1N) → Barot(1N)

$162/person

6 Days / 5 Nights

Offbeat Himachal Tour to Bir Billing, Barot, Pa...

Delhi(0N) → Bir Billing(1N) → Barot(2N) → Parashar Lake(1N)

$209/person

4 Days / 3 Nights

Bir Billing Trekking & Camping Tour Package

Delhi(0N) → Bir Billing(1N)

$188/person

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Bir Billing Travel Essentials

Rating:

4.7 /5 (52 ratings) Rate This Destination

Weather:

Ideal duration: 1-2 days

Best Time: March - May; September - November Read More

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Also Refered As:

Bir

"Paragliding in the land of Tibetan monasteries"

Bir Billing Tourism

Situated in the picturesque Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, Bir Billing is a charming town nestled in the Joginder Nagar valley. Renowned globally as a paragliding hotspot, Bir is also revered as a haven for meditation and spiritual studies. Influenced by Tibetan culture due to the settlement of a Tibetan community, the town exudes a unique blend of tranquility and adventure. A day trip from Dharamshala located 70 kms away, Bir boasts a rich cultural tapestry, evident in its monasteries and vibrant marketplaces.

Bir boasts of being one of the finest paragliding destinations worldwide, with Billing serving as the take-off site and Bir as the landing spot, offering an exhilarating altitude change of approximately 800 meters. Divided into two distinct parts, Bir features the Tibetan Colony located downhill from Chowgan village, characterized by its serene ambiance and spiritual aura. Conversely, Upper Bir stands out for its lush greenery and tranquil surroundings, providing the perfect backdrop for meditation and introspection.

Beyond paragliding, it also offers a myriad of other activities such as trekking, camping, and mountain biking. The quaint Tibetan Colony in Bir adds to the cultural richness of the place, inviting visitors to explore its vibrant markets, monasteries, and indulge in delicious Tibetan cuisine. The area is also dotted with beautiful tea gardens and ancient temples, providing ample opportunities for exploration and relaxation. Whether seeking adrenaline-pumping adventures or seeking inner peace amidst nature's bounty, Bir Billing promises a fulfilling experience for every traveler.

Must Know Before You Travel to Bir Billing

Pre-Booking Advisable: Pre-book paragliding activities, especially during peak season, to secure your slot.
Attraction Closure: Paragliding is closed during the monsoon season from July to early September due to unfavorable weather conditions. Check ahead for closure dates.
Limited Transport Options: Public transport options are limited, but taxis and private vehicles are readily available for local travel.
Weather Consideration: Plan your visit during favorable weather seasons from September to November and March to May for optimal paragliding conditions.
Cash Dependency: ATMs may be limited, so carry sufficient cash in Indian Rupees for your expenses.
Language Barrier: While English is generally understood, local languages like Hindi and Tibetan are also prevalent. Basic phrases may facilitate communication.
Festivals: The Annual Paragliding World Cup in October attracts visitors. Plan your trip accordingly for a vibrant atmosphere.

Things To Do In Bir Billing

Paragliding in Bir Billing

Chokling Monastery

Gunehar Waterfall

Dharmalaya Institute

Bir Market

Palpung Sherabling Monastery

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Paragliding in Bir

This is a major reason why scores of tourists visit Bir. Being an ideal ground of paragliding, the months from March to November are replete with thousands of tourists, especially bold adventurers visiting Bir and the adjacent town of Billing, 14 km. north from Bir, for the paragliding. The takeoff spot is at Billing, whereas the landing spot is at Bir, the altitude change being that of 800 m. Not only do you get a slice of adventure, but it is also quite safe, with the requisite safety standards clearly met. No wonder why Bir and Billing's co-hosted the first official Paragliding World Championship on October 2015, where 150 trained paragliders competed for the ultimate glory, along with 500+ free-flying paragliders enjoying their day. Bir is also called unofficially the 'Paragliding Capital of India'.

Tibetan Colony in Bir

The Tibetan Colony of Bir, located in the village of Chowgan, was established in the 1960s by Chokling Rinpoche. After the exile of several refugees, including the Dalai Lama from Tibet, there was an influx of them into Bir. Many of the original refugees came from Kham in south-east Tibet. The population of the colony to this day continues to be predominantly Tibetan, but there are also some Indian families and other expatriates. The colony has several Tibetan monasteries. It also has some tourist attractions like the Deer Park Institute, a branch of the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute (Men-Tsee-Khang), and a Tibetan handicrafts shop.

History of Bir

The town of Bir was ruled by the Pal dynasty, belonging to the Chandravanshi lineage. They were cheated out of their kingdom with the murder of their king Raizada Prithi Pal, the last of the descendants of the Rajas of Bangahal, by his father in law Raja Sidhi Sen from the Mandi kingdom. Despite repeated efforts over the generations by different Pal rulers, who even received aid from the Mughals, they were unable to annexe the town of Bir back from the Rajas of Mandi. The establishment of the Tibetan monastery marks a new chapter in Bir’s history in the 1960s, with the arrival of Neten Chokling, an incarnate lama of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. His later incarnations, along with Chokling Rinpoche, contributed to the building of the beautiful and famous Tibetan Monastery, which to this day continues to house many refugees.

Restaurants and Local Food in Bir Billing

Bir, being the popular tourist destination that it is, offers a number of choices to its visitors, with delicacies from across cuisines. You can find both Indian and Continental food here, at a price which is light on your pockets. At the same time the area is also a major Tibetan settlement. Hence, the food here is also influenced by Tibetan cuisine and popular items like Momos are almost staple.
Other than these influences, the typical Himachali cuisine is very simple as it mainly centers on Chapati, Dals, Vegetable gravy and Curd. A teasing variety of pickles almost always compliments the meals here. One might also find some local delicacies here, which are more or less exclusive to the state. These include Sidu (a preparation of wheat), Patande (a local version of pancakes), Chouk, Bhagjery, Chutney of 'Til', Aloo palda, Auriya Kadoo (a preparation of pumpkin) and more.
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Suggested Itinerary for Bir Billing

Day 1: Reach Bir, preferably by noon and take some rest. In the evening, you can go to the main market in Bir, also known as Bir Bazaar where you can buy the local souvenirs, curios to take back and marvel at. Not very far from here is Bir Tea Factory, which is a popular shot.
Day 2: If you're in for the adventure, the 2nd day is when you should ideally take off for your trip. Before the trip begins, you should have your safety related documents ready. 14 km from Bir is the town of Billing, which is the takeoff spot for the sport of paragliding.
Day 3: This day should ideally be reserved for a rest. However, if you're active enough, and raring to go, do visit the serene monastery in Chokling, which serves as an important centre of Buddhist studies as well.
Day 4: This is the day when you can either come down to Palampur or go further to Baijnath, an important pilgrimage for Hindu devotees, in the context of Hindu deity, Lord Shiva. Baijnath is 12.7 km. away from Bir, via NH 154.

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Bir Billing Photos

Paragliding in Himachal Pradesh Bir Billing

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FAQs on Bir Billing

What are the places near Bir?

The top places near to Bir are Manali which is 50 km from Bir, Mcleodganj which is located 45 km from Bir, Kasol which is located 56 km from Bir, Kullu which is located 38 km from Bir, Shimla which is located 112 km from Bir

What are the things to do in Bir?

The top things to do in Bir are Paragliding in Bir Billing, Hang Gliding in Bir Billing, Palpung Sherabling Monastery, Bir Road, Tibetan Colony, Bir Tea Factory. You can see all the places to visit in Bir here

How much does a package cost for Bir?

The packages for Bir start at INR 5198 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here

What is the best way to reach Bir?

There is no direct flight or rail connectivity to Bir. Ahju railway station is the nearest railway station, which is only 3 km. away from Bir, although the nearest broad gauge railway station is in Pathankot, which is 142.2 km. away from Bir. while Kangra airport in Gaggal, Dharamshala, is the nearest airport, which is 67.6 km. away from Bir. The Pathankot railway station is connected to the major cities of the country and the Dharamshala airport is connected to Delhi and Kullu. One can take a taxi or a bus from Pathankot to Bir. Regular bus services ply to and fro Bir, through a well-connected roadway network. Other airports close to Bir are in Chandigarh (290 km), Amritsar airport (260 km) and New Delhi (520 km).
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What is the local food in Bir?

What is the best time to visit Bir?

The summers during the months of April to June are pleasant. This is the best time to visit Bir. The monsoons receive light to heavy rainfall and might be prone to landslides and winters are harsh with temperatures falling to sub-zero levels. October & November are the ideal months for flying in autumn and March to May i.e. spring is also flyable but conditions are very strong in spring with thermals of 6-12 meters/sec and a cloud base of 4000 to 6000 meters. At an altitude of 5000 feet, Bir Billing almost touches the clouds and is genuinely one of the most stunning places in the north. There are two seasonal times to visit Bir - from March to May and from late September to November.

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Who should visit Bir?

Ideal for adventurers and paragliding enthusiasts from across the country. Suitable for backpackers and travellers from cities like Delhi, Chandigarh and other parts of North India.

What is not so good about Bir?

Freezing cold in winters. Paragliding could be risky without proper guidance. Public buses directly to Bir are not that easily available from cities like Delhi. However, it is well connected by road and can be reached by changing buses or taking a cab.

What is famous about Bir?

One of the best place for paragliding in the world. A charming mix of adventure and spiritualism. Extremely beautiful in summers.

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Bir Billing Reviews

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Kumar Kislay

6 years ago

- This quaint little hill town with a Tibetan culture has beautiful monasteries and tea gardens, along with yoga retreats and of course paragliding. This is the best place for paragliding in India a (Read More)nd is playing host to the Paragliding World Cup in Oct-2015. The pilots charge Rs 2000 for a half an hour long flight. We stayed in Nyingma Guest House

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Bir Billing

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Bir Billing Travel Packages

Dharamshala - Bir Billing - Sonipat Tour Package

Paragliding with Mountain Biking in Bir Billing

4 Nights 5 Days Dharamshala Itinerary with Mcle...

Dharamshala – Bir Billing - Barot Tour

Offbeat Himachal Tour to Bir Billing, Barot, Pa...

Bir Billing Trekking & Camping Tour Package

Bir Billing Travel Essentials

Bir

"Paragliding in the land of Tibetan monasteries"

Bir Billing Tourism

Must Know Before You Travel to Bir Billing

Things To Do In Bir Billing

Top Hotels In Bir Billing

More on Bir Billing Travel

Paragliding in Bir

Tibetan Colony in Bir

History of Bir

Restaurants and Local Food in Bir Billing

Suggested Itinerary for Bir Billing

Best Time to Visit Bir Billing

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