Overview
McLeod Ganj to Bir is roughly 65–80 km, usually 2 to 2½ hours by taxi: down the hill through Dharamshala, then east along the Kangra valley past Palampur and Baijnath to Bir. Bir is India's best-known paragliding site, with pilots launching from Billing, about 14 km up the ridge, and landing in the fields near the Tibetan colony. It's also a calm, café-filled village with monasteries, making it a natural next stop after McLeod Ganj. Many travellers do it as a day trip to fly, and others move on for a few nights. We pick you up from your McLeod Ganj hotel and drop you in Bir, or take you up to Billing.
Usual route: Down through Dharamshala to the NH154, then east via Palampur and Baijnath to Bir
Included
- Fuel and driver allowance
- Tolls and state entry taxes
- Pickup anywhere in McLeod Ganj
- Short refreshment stops
Not included
- ×Parking at sightseeing stops
- ×Detours beyond the agreed route (quoted upfront)
- ×Night allowance on trips that need one (quoted upfront)
The climb from McLeod Ganj to Bir
How high you go, and the stops along the way. Useful if anyone in your group gets motion sick or feels the altitude.
Start
2,004 m
McLeod Ganj
Total descent
−479 m
over ~72 km
Finish
1,525 m
Bir
- McLeod Ganj
- Dharamshala
- Norbulingka Institute
- Palampur
- Baijnath
- Bir
Illustrative profile. Start, finish altitudes are approximate; stops are shown in order, not to scale.
McLeod Ganj to Bir taxi fare and cab rates
Starting prices for a one-way trip (~72 km), per vehicle, with fuel, driver, tolls and HP entry tax included. Your exact price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book; it can vary with dates, vehicle model and extra stops. All Himachal taxi fares
₹3,300
starting · one way
₹4,200
starting · one way
₹4,600
starting · one way
₹7,500
starting · one way
Your quote
McLeod Ganj → Bir
Sedan · one way · ~72 km
- FuelIncluded
- Driver & driver allowanceIncluded
- Highway tollsIncluded
- Himachal state entry taxIncluded
- Pickup anywhere in McLeod GanjIncluded
Total you pay
starting price
₹3,300
Only ever extra: parking at sightseeing stops you choose (paid at cost), and detours you add on the day (quoted before you go).
Driving tips for this route
- 1For a paragliding day trip, leave McLeod Ganj by 7–8 am; flights usually run from late morning when conditions allow.
- 2The road down from McLeod Ganj to Dharamshala is steep; the NH154 through the Kangra valley is easier.
- 3Billing is about 14 km above Bir on a narrow road; operators usually take flyers up in their own vehicles.
- 4Paragliding stops each year from about 15 July to 15 September under a district ban.
- 5Combine with Baijnath temple or the Palampur tea gardens on the way.
Worthwhile stops on the way
McLeod Ganj
Pickup
Dharamshala
Lower town on the way down.
Norbulingka Institute
Tibetan arts centre near Sidhbari, just off the route.
Palampur
Tea gardens and a good breakfast stop.
Baijnath
Old stone Shiva temple by the highway, about 15 km before Bir.
Bir
Drop at your hotel
Paragliding at Bir Billing
Tandem flights take off from Billing, at roughly 2,400 m, and land near Bir, about 1,525 m. Flights are booked through licensed operators, who drive you up to Billing and arrange the pilot. Flight length depends on the wind and package. Weather decides everything: on cloudy or windy days, flights may wait or be cancelled, so keep your plans flexible and don't book it for your last day.
Paragliding stops each year from about 15 July to 15 September under a district ban. Check the current notice before planning a late-summer trip.
Day trip or a few nights?
A day trip from McLeod Ganj works well if you only want to fly: about two hours each way, plus time for the flight and lunch. But Bir rewards a longer stay. The Tibetan colony has monasteries, including Chokling and the larger Sherab Ling nearby; there are cafés and short walks; and the light over the Kangra valley at sunset is a big part of its appeal. Two or three nights in Bir is a good balance.
- Chokling monastery
- Sherab Ling monastery
- Tibetan colony cafés
- Sunset at the landing site
Going on from Bir
Bir sits midway between McLeod Ganj and Manali, so it's a natural stop on a longer trip. From Bir, Manali is about five to six hours east through Mandi and Kullu, and Palampur is under an hour away. If you're moving on, book a one-way transfer from McLeod Ganj to Bir, then another from Bir to your next stop, or keep the same car for the whole trip.
Getting dropped in Bir
Bir has two main parts: the Tibetan colony, where most guesthouses and cafés are, and the older village and market near the highway. Some guesthouses are on narrow lanes, so share your stay when you book. If you're flying on the day, we can drop you at the operator's office or the landing site, and wait if you're going back to McLeod Ganj.
Weather & road conditions
When to go to Bir
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January: Fine, check weather | February: Fine, check weather | March: Best time | April: Best time | May: Best time | June: Fine, check weather | July: Monsoon, landslide risk | August: Monsoon, landslide risk | September: Fine, check weather | October: Best time | November: Best time | December: Fine, check weather |
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
Pickup options
- • McLeod Ganj hotels (main square, Temple Road, Jogiwara Road)
- • Bhagsu and Dharamkot (nearest road point)
- • Lower Dharamshala and Kangra airport (Gaggal)
Other ways to travel
Local buses run from Dharamshala to Baijnath and Bir, with changes. The narrow-gauge Kangra valley railway stops at Ahju, near Bir, but services are slow and limited.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a McLeod Ganj to Bir cab cost?+
Starting one-way fares are Sedan ₹3,300, SUV ₹4,200, Toyota Innova Crysta ₹4,600, Tempo Traveller ₹7,500, all-inclusive with fuel, driver, tolls and Himachal entry tax. Your exact taxi price is confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you book.
How far is Bir from McLeod Ganj?+
Roughly 65–80 km, usually 2 to 2½ hours by taxi (approximate; verification pending).
Can we do Bir as a day trip from McLeod Ganj?+
Yes. Leave early, fly from late morning, and you're back by evening.
Can the taxi take us up to Billing?+
Usually the paragliding operator takes you up. If you're not flying, we can drive you up to see the launch site.
When is paragliding closed?+
Every year from about 15 July to 15 September under a district ban.
Can we stop at Norbulingka or Baijnath?+
Yes, both are on or close to the way.
Which car is best?+
A sedan for two to four; an SUV in winter or for the Billing road.
Can we go on to Manali from Bir instead of returning?+
Yes. Book a one-way trip to Bir and an onward transfer, or keep the car; Manali is about five to six hours from Bir.
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