Bir and Billing are two different places
Bir is the village where you'll stay and where flights land. Billing is the take-off ridge about 14 km uphill on a narrow, winding road. Tandem operators usually drive you up to Billing as part of the flight, but if you're booking your own transport, tell the driver which one you need.
The landing field is on the edge of Bir near Chowgan, close to the Tibetan colony, so most guesthouses and cafés are a short walk or ride from where you touch down.
When you can fly
The district administration bans paragliding every year during the monsoon, usually from about 15 July to 15 September, and flying resumes once the ban lifts and safety checks are done. Check the current notice before you book a late-summer trip.
Outside the ban, the most reliable flying is generally in October and November, when the air is clear and stable, and again from March to May. Sources differ on exact months, and the wind decides each day, so treat these as the likeliest windows rather than guarantees.
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Mid-Jul to mid-Sep | Paragliding banned (monsoon). Bir is quiet and green. |
| Late Sep to Nov | Main flying season: clear skies and good views of the Dhauladhar. |
| Dec to Feb | Cold; some flying on clear days, with fewer operators active. |
| Mar to May | Second flying season; warmer, with busier weekends. |
| June | Flying possible early in the month; pre-monsoon weather can stop it. |
Planning your flight day
Book a tandem flight with a registered operator, and ask what's included: the drive up to Billing, insurance, and video. Flight length depends on conditions, so don't book on the promise of a fixed time in the air.
Keep at least one spare day. Pilots cancel when the wind turns or cloud builds, and a flexible plan is the difference between flying and not.
- Wear closed shoes, layers and sunglasses; it's colder at Billing than in Bir.
- Eat a light breakfast; take motion-sickness tablets if you're prone.
- Carry ID; operators may ask for it, along with a signed waiver.
- If you're travelling with family who won't fly, the drive up to Billing is worth it for the view alone.
Getting to Bir
The nearest airport is Kangra (Gaggal), about 68 km away: around 2 to 2½ hours by taxi through Palampur and Baijnath. That's usually the quickest route from Delhi when flight times suit.
By road, Chandigarh to Bir is about 265–280 km, 7 to 8 hours. Delhi to Bir is roughly 460–520 km, 11 to 13 hours, which most people split with a night in Palampur or Dharamshala. From McLeod Ganj it's an easy 2-hour drive, and from Manali about 5 to 6 hours via Mandi.
| From | Distance | Taxi time |
|---|---|---|
| Kangra airport (Gaggal) | About 68 km | 2–2.5 hours |
| Dharamshala | About 65 km | About 2 hours |
| Manali | About 175 km | 5–6 hours |
| Chandigarh | About 265–280 km | 7–8 hours |
| Delhi | About 460–520 km | 11–13 hours |
What else to do in Bir
Bir has a large Tibetan settlement with Chokling monastery near the market, and Sherab Ling monastery sits in pine forest a few kilometres away. Baijnath's thirteenth-century Shiva temple is about 12–15 km down the road, and Palampur's tea gardens are about an hour away. Many travellers combine Bir with Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj for a week in the Kangra valley.
Frequently asked questions
When is paragliding closed at Bir Billing?+
Every monsoon, usually from about 15 July to 15 September, under a district ban. Check the current notice before you travel.
What's the nearest airport to Bir?+
Kangra airport at Gaggal, about 68 km away, around 2 to 2½ hours by taxi.
Do I need to book my own transport up to Billing?+
Usually not for a tandem flight; most operators include the drive. If you just want to see the take-off ridge, a taxi goes up and waits.
How many days should I plan for Bir?+
Two or three nights, so you have a spare day if the weather stops flying.
