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Bir - Billing

Experiential journeys will make you a storyteller
About Bir - Billing

Nestled amongst the aesthetic natural bounties, Bir is a small village in Himachal Pradesh which is also known as the paragliding capital of India. A place so pristine, this village adds extra glitters and jitters to the beauty of Himachal. Bir is located at an elevation of 5,000 feet amidst the serene landscapes, snow-capped hills, and artistic temples. Home to a Tibetan colony, this place holds a rich culture featuring the Deer Park Institute, a centre for Indian tradition wisdom patronage by Dalai Lama, widening the horizons of your knowledge about traditions. 

Not just a visual treat, Bir is famous for enthralling activities including trekking, paragliding, mountain biking, and hand gliding, giving you savour the adrenaline rush you’ve been looking for. For the ones looking for a thrill-filled vacation to challenge your inner adventurer, Bir won’t disappoint you at all. Bir has something for everyone; head to the Bir Road market to quench your shopping cravings, leisure walk along the lake, enjoy few hours at the Himalayan Film school, explore the cafes that serve divine local Tibetan dishes, and watch the tranquilising sight as the sun sets in the sky gleaming with different hues. 

The summer season of Bir, starting from April to June, turns this beautiful land into heaven as the snow melts making the weather pleasant. This is considered the best time for paragliding bringing flocks of people from all over the globe. Magnifying the elegance of Bir, the monsoon showers flourish the flora and fauna of the place turning the place into heaven. The light to heavy showers make it an offseason for paragliding, therefore, if you want to explore Bir and indulge in activities other than paragliding then this season is perfectly fine.

The temperature in winters, starting from December to March, drop down to sub-zero as it starts to snow in the upper regions covering it in 5-6 feet ice sheet. If you wish to winter trek then you can visit Bir in this season, but make sure you are well prepared.

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Bir - Billing FAQ's

What are the best places to visit in Bir Billing for first time travellers?

Adventure activities like paragliding have transformed Bir from a sleepy little town to a tourist destination that is worth visiting. Click here to see the list of popular attractions to visit in Bir Billing.

1.
Bir Landing Site - It offers soul-stirring views of the sunset.
2. Chokling Monastery - This magnificent monastery is painted in white and is adorned with other bright colours.
3. Deer Park Institute - It is one of the most reputed centres for the study of classical Indian wisdom.
4. Chowgan Tea Gardens - Situated in lower Bir hat has many verdant tea plantations with many different types of teas grown.
5. Dharmalaya Institute - Eco-campus in that stresses on the importance of compassionate and green living.

What are the best travel advice for visiting Bir?

- You can travel to Bir by bus, train, taxi, or flight. You can take a flight to the Dharamshala’s Gaggal airport, and take a bus or taxi from there to reach Bir.

- You can take walking tours within Bir to get anywhere. You can hire a taxi or take a bus if you are going up or down the hill, and commuting longer distances.

- You need not buy bottle water in Bir. The water in Bir is considered to be clean and safer than bottled water; so get it filtered or boiled before drinking.

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You can get an accommodation at the homestays, guesthouses, hotels, or resorts in the nearby villages like Chowgan and Upper Bir.

- Most of the resort stay is budgeted and you will find basic amenities in most of the resorts and guesthouses.

- If you are extending your stay, you will also find cottages that are available for long term rentals at Ghornala.

- Avoid non-veg food in any of the places in Bir as they do not meet hygiene standards for cooking meat. You can make your own food when living in a guesthouse by buying veggies and other items in the Tibetan colony, and other nearby villages.

- Many food joints for snacks, cafes, and restaurants are available throughout Bir.

- There are many institutes spread across Bir that teach meditation and yoga.

What you will like there?

Sightseeing and activities: Bir-Billing is a global destination for paragliding. Available are many outdoor activities that can be done in the places nearby Bir-Billing, such as, Dharamshala, Kullu, Mandi, and Manali. This is a Hilltop village with serene atmosphere, clear water, and pristine beauty. You can take nature walks and cycling tours across these connected villages.

Shopping for handicrafts: 
You can go shopping at the bazaars in the Tibetan Colony. You will find handicrafts, ritual items of Buddhism, jewelry, and clothes. You can also shop at the Bir road for colorful items. 

Meditation, yoga, and spiritual studies: 
Those who are fond of spiritual and philosophical studies must visit Bir-Billing institutes and take short term or long term courses. This is a popular place for gaining the treasure of spiritual studies, arts, culture, healing arts, meditation, and yoga.

Tea gardens, spas, and wellness: 
You can take a long stroll at the tea gardens in Chowgan during day time, and spend evening at the spas and yoga retreats at AryaMarga. Learning yoga amidst Himalayas is the best spiritual experience you can gain.

What are the best public transport modes to commute around Bir Billing?

With not much public transport available in Bir, you must come prepared in this pristine land. You can either use your own vehicle to commute around Bir Billing or avail a bike on rent to wander around the place. You can also book with tour companies which render packages along with cab facilities.

Is there snowfall in Bir Billing?

Bir Billing is perched at an elevation of around 5,000 feet and hence experience chilling winters. You can witness the formidable 4-5 inch snow covering all the land which was once green. The temperature in the winter season dropdown below zero degrees, therefore it is not a considerable season for paragliding. You can visit the place in winters by keeping paragliding off the list.

What is Bir Billing Famous for?

Bir Billing is a famous adventure hub to head including activities like hardcore camping, paragliding, trekking, and mountain biking. Also rich in Tibetan culture, Bir Billings is famous for the wondrous temples and monasteries, bringing you closer to the local traditions. This place has amazing cafes offering local as well as Indian and international cuisines that you can enjoy.

Is Bir and Billing same?

No, Bir and Billing are not the same. Billing is the starting point for the paragliding while Bir is the landing spot for this aero-sport flight. Bir, known as the paragliding capital of India, is located at a distance of around 14 Km from Billing.

When is the best time to visit Bir Billing?

Bir-Billing is a hill station and because of this the temperature stays cold throughout the year. The monsoons seasons are best to be avoided to visit Bir-Billing. Because of light to heavy rainfall, there is always a chance of landslide. Here is a season wise weather breakdown:

Summer

March to June is the perfect period to visit Bir-Billing. The temperature stays between 11 degree Celsius and 25 degree Celsius. The weather remains perfect for paragliding, which is why the highest number of visitors ends up in Bir-Billing during summer.

Monsoon

July to September is when the crowd is least in Bir-Billing, and that’s for a good reason. The cloudy weather and rain make it impossible to paraglide.

Winter

November to the end of January is not a good time to visit Bir-Billing. The temperature drops below 0 degree Celsius. The snow can cause roadblocks too.

How to reach Bir Billing?

There are a few ways to reach Bir-Billing, but they are all via Delhi. Hence, wherever you are coming from, your first destination has to be Delhi. Once there, you have the following options:

Train

You need to book a seat on any train from Delhi to Pathankot, which takes about 15 hours. From there, you can ride on a narrow gauge Toy Train, which will take you to Baijnath. You can take a bus or a hired car to Bir-Billing from there. The toy train journey is very beautiful because of the view.

Bus

There are frequent buses from Delhi to Mandi. You can either take a luxury bus or a general bus from Kashmere Gate. It is fairly easy to find a bus from Mandi to Palampur. The Bir Chowk bus stop comes before Palampur.

Car

Hiring a car to Bir-Billing is a good option for you too. The best route is the Delhi- Ambala- Rupnagar- Anandpur Sahib- Una- Amb- Kangra- Palampur- Baijnath- Bir Chowk way. This is a beautiful route and less congested.

What are the different things to do in Bir Billing?

As Bir-Billing is the best place to paraglide in India, it’s of course is the main thing to do when you are visiting Bir-Billing. Other than that, there are multiple outdoor activities you can take part in and feel the thrill.

Paragliding

If you aren’t paragliding then you probably shouldn’t even consider making a trip to Bir-Billing. Paragliding to Bir-Billing is what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. So, make sure you don’t miss your chance to fly over the green valleys. There are two ways to do it:

  • You join a paragliding training course in Bir-Billing and get a certificate to fly on your own.
  • You hire a pilot who will control the glider while you can sit back and enjoy the view and the thrill.

Paragliding will cost you about Rs. 2000-4000, depending on how much time you want to spend flying.

Trek

Bir-Billing is a trekking paradise. There are mountains, forest, and tea gardens to lead you to the most beautiful of sights. There are more than one trekking routes in Bir-Billing and all of them are charming in their own way.

Relax

Yes, that’s an option and a great one. Pick a spot on the mountain and just sit there for hours. Bring some food and water with you, relax, and soak in all the beauty.

Which are the best sightseeing attractions in Bir Billing?

There are many sightseeing attractions in Bir-Billing. With the great blue sky and a view of the green mountain, Bir-Billing is a comfort for your eyes and your soul. In addition to that, there are a few places that you should visit during your stay there.

  • Deer Park Institute- a monastery where you can relax, practice meditation, and enjoy some great vegetable food. Visit it in evening to enhance your experience.
  • Arya Marga Yoga Institute- if you are visiting Bir-Billing for a longer period of time then this yoga institute is the place to visit. You can learn here to meditate. It will change your life.
  • Bir Tea Factory- a visit to this place is a must if you are interested in knowing how the entire tea-business works. You will get a tour of the tea factory and have the chance to taste some good tea.
  • Tibetan Colony- this place is famous for authentic Tibetan food and handicrafts.
  • Bir Road Market- a very colorful market area where you can buy clothing and mementos.

Which are the best resorts to stay in Bir Billing?

Bir Billing has a variety of accommodation options for you. The rates are little on the higher side during the peak seasons. This is completely understandable as Bir Billing doesn’t get many tourists during monsoons and end-winters.

  • Garden View Hotel- this hotel is right beside the paragliding landing site. It will also offer you a great view from its rooftop.

 

  • Zostel- a very cozy place with good services. It offers you everything you need to relax and have a good time.

What are the best public transport modes to commute around Bir Billing?

Bir Billing mostly has mountain ways that lead to the most prominent tourist attractions. If you are a trekker then rely on your walking skills. You can also hire a mountain bike and ride it around.

Which are the best places for shopping in Bir Billing?

Bir Billing is a good place to shop for souvenirs and decorations. You can try these markets out:

  • Bir Bazaar
  • Kotli
  • Tibetan Colony
  • Bir Road
  • Baijnath

Which are the famous pilgrimage spots in Bir Billing?

Bir Billing has a great number of Tibetans living in there. You can clearly notice the influence in Bir Billing’s culture and religion. There are beautiful monasteries and stupas in the area which you should visit. There are local temples too.

Which are the famous destinations for paragliding and trekking in Bir Billing?

Billing is the launching area for paragliding. From there you can glide up to Bir, where the flight ends.

The two main trekking trails in Bir-Billing are: 

  • Tatta Pani Trek- a 2.5 km trek from the hydro-electricity power station to the hot spring.
  • Hanumangarh Trek- this is a longer trek and offers the view of the mountain. Starts from Billing and walk up to Hanumangarh.

Bir - Billing Reviews

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Abhijith S D
Reviewed: 02 May 2023
5.0/5
The trip was amazing. It was one of the best excursion that we have had in ages. We would like to thank Thrillophilia for organising such well tailored custom trip plan to us. We thank Dilip and Abhishek for providing best contacts and managing our wonderful trip. 
Abhijith s.d
Abhijith s.d
Abhijith s.d
Abhijith s.d
Abhijith s.d
Abhijith s.d
(8+)View All
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Dhawal Shah
Reviewed: 25 Dec 2023
4.0/5
All was good and hotels were also well maintained. Only thing we found or suggesting is when you take this much amount for a trip including all the facilities there should not be but in it, like heater facilities in hotel that should be handled by you...i understand it was informed to us but just a ... Read More
dhawal shah
dhawal shah
dhawal shah
dhawal shah
dhawal shah
dhawal shah
(1+)View All
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Shubham
Reviewed: 10 Nov 2022
5.0/5
Everything was well planned and 2 days i thought were less but honestly its so enriching experience that it was fullfilled. A suggestion - add skycycling and bungee jumping in the package too it will enhance the experience more.
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Prateek Sah
Reviewed: 12 Nov 2018
4.0/5
"One of the most famous hill stations and Paragliding spot in India. It is the right mix of Indian glory with British sophistication.it is consecrated stunning landscape and fresh climate all through the year. To be known right as the second highest paragliding spot it has lot more to be experienced... Read More
Prateek Sah
Prateek Sah
Prateek Sah
Prateek Sah
Prateek Sah
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Shashikala Chopra
Reviewed: 15 Feb 2020
5.0/5
Camping at Bir Billing was the best idea for conducting the yoga sessions and we booked it for 3 days. Thrillophilia even provided us with additional discounts on group booking and the offer was a fascinating one. The staff was informed prior to it and they arranged a place to carry the yoga session... Read More
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Bhadra Bhat
Reviewed: 15 Feb 2020
5.0/5
Rajgundha Trek should not be done by itself because you need a guide to know about the routes and at some point, the climb is also a bit steep and one can not do it all alone. Thrillophilia has the best of the people for this trek and the staff was really friendly. The bonfire was the best during ou... Read More

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