Overview
Bir is one of the world's best-known paragliding sites, a small Tibetan settlement where pilots launch from Billing, about 2,400 m up the mountain, and glide down over tea gardens to land in the fields below. This three-day package gives you two nights in Bir with a day set aside for a tandem flight with a licensed operator, plus time for the Chokling and Sherab Ling monasteries, the Deer Park Institute and Bir's cafés. The car brings you from Chandigarh and takes you up to Billing on flying day.
Best for: Friends and couples who want to fly, and travellers who like small, relaxed mountain villages
- A tandem paragliding flight from Billing
- Drive up to the Billing take-off
- Chokling and Sherab Ling monasteries
- Tea gardens and the landing site
- Bir's café scene
- Two nights in Bir
Day by day
- Day1
Chandigarh to Bir
About 260 kmOvernight: Bir
The drive from Chandigarh through Una, Hamirpur and Baijnath to Bir takes about six to seven hours. Arrive by afternoon and walk through the Tibetan colony, where the main road is lined with cafés, guesthouses and shops selling prayer flags and incense.
Road guide: Chandigarh to Bir → - Day2
Paragliding day at Billing
About 30 kmOvernight: Bir
Your driver takes you up the winding road to Billing, where the tandem flights launch, usually in the morning when the air is steady. Flights last about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the conditions and the package you choose. Afternoon at the Chokling monastery and the Deer Park Institute.
- Day3
Sherab Ling and back to Chandigarh
About 270 km
Morning at the Sherab Ling monastery in the pine forest near Bir, one of the most important Kagyu monasteries in India, then the drive back to Chandigarh, arriving in the evening.
Road guide: Bir to Delhi →
About Bir and Billing
Bir has hosted the Paragliding World Cup and draws pilots from around the world. The take-off at Billing sits on a grassy shoulder of the Dhauladhar, and the landing site is in open fields near the Tibetan colony. On a good day you'll see dozens of gliders in the air.
Not just paragliding
Bir has a large Tibetan community, with several monasteries and a meditation and study centre at the Deer Park Institute. Its cafés serve good coffee and Tibetan and Western food, and it's an easy place to slow down for a couple of days.
Choosing an operator
Book with an operator registered with Himachal's tourism department, ask how many years the pilot has flown and whether the equipment is certified, and check that a reserve parachute is carried. Your driver can suggest established operators, but the booking and payment are between you and them.
How the flying day works
Tandem pilots meet their passengers at the take-off at Billing, usually between about 9 am and noon, when the thermals are steady but not yet strong. After a short briefing you're strapped into a harness in front of the pilot, take a few running steps down the slope and lift off. Most flights head out over the valley and circle down to the landing site near Bir, where your driver meets you.
If the weather is poor on flying day, operators often wait for a window later in the day or move flights to the next morning. That's why this package keeps the last morning free before the drive home. You only pay the operator for a flight that actually happens.
Who this suits
This is a short, focused trip for friends, couples and solo travellers who want to fly, and for anyone who likes small Tibetan towns with good cafés. If you have more time, add McLeod Ganj, an hour and a half away, or continue to Manali, about six hours east. Families with young children usually enjoy watching the gliders and the monasteries even if they don't fly.
Route and price at a glance
The Bir Billing Paragliding Weekend trip covers about 560 km by road over 3 days, with overnight stops in Bir. The car is priced on the same basis as our private car tours: 750 billable km (the larger of the real distance and 250 km a day) at the vehicle's per-km rate, plus 2 nights of driver allowance, with fuel, tolls and parking included.
For two travellers on standard hotels, that comes to ₹5,000 for 2 hotel nights with breakfast and dinner, ₹18,050 for the car and driver and a ₹3,458 service fee: ₹26,507 in all, or ₹13,500 each. Larger groups share the car and pay less per person.
- Day 1: Chandigarh to Bir (about 260 km, overnight Bir)
- Day 2: Paragliding day at Billing (about 30 km, overnight Bir)
- Day 3: Sherab Ling and back to Chandigarh (about 270 km)
Bir Billing Paragliding Weekend price
Per person, by hotel tier and group size. Prices last calculated 21 October 2026 from current rate cards and hotel listings.
3-star hotels, standard camps and homestays
| Travellers | Per person | Group total | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ₹13,500 ≈ US$160 | ₹27,000 | Sedan |
| 4 | ₹10,000 ≈ US$120 | ₹40,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹10,500 ≈ US$125 | ₹63,000 | Tempo Traveller |
Per person, twin sharing, all-inclusive of the items listed below. Dollar prices are approximate (₹85 = US$1). Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you book; it depends on dates, hotel availability and group size.
Where the money goes: 2 travellers, standard hotels
- Hotels and camps (breakfast and dinner)₹5,000
- Private car and driver for the whole trip₹18,050
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹3,458
- Total for both₹26,507
Included
- 2 nights in Bir, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with driver for all 3 days (sedan or Innova for two, Innova for four, Tempo Traveller for six), including fuel, tolls, parking, state taxes and the driver's allowances
- Pickup from Chandigarh and drop at Chandigarh
Not included
- ×Train, bus or flights to Chandigarh
- ×Lunches, drinks and snacks
- ×Entry fees, ropeways, activities and snow gear hire
- ×GST on the package, travel insurance and tips
- ×Tandem paragliding flight (paid to the operator)
Good to know: roads, permits and safety
- Tandem flights are paid directly to the operator; choose one registered with the tourism department and ask to see the pilot's licence.
- Flights can be cancelled at short notice for wind or cloud; the plan keeps the second morning as a backup.
- Wear closed shoes and warm layers; it's cold at the take-off.
When to go
Bir: Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov; Monsoon: Jul–Aug
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
- • October and November are the best flying months, with steady air and clear skies.
- • March to June is also good, though afternoons can be bumpy.
- • Flying usually stops from July to mid-September during the monsoon.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Bir Billing Paragliding Weekend package cost?+
About ₹10,500 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, or ₹13,500 per person for a couple, for all 3 days. Comfort hotels cost more; the price table shows every option.
How much is tandem paragliding at Bir?+
Operators charge roughly ₹2,500–₹4,000 for a tandem flight, depending on length and season. It isn't included in the package.
Is paragliding safe?+
With a licensed operator and in good weather, the risk is low, but it's an adventure sport. Follow the pilot's instructions.
Is there an age or weight limit?+
Operators set their own limits; most take adults and teenagers within a weight range. Ask when booking.
Can we add Dharamshala?+
Yes. McLeod Ganj is about 65 km away; add a day or two.
Which car do we get on the Bir Billing Paragliding Weekend trip?+
A sedan for two travellers, an Innova for up to four and a Tempo Traveller for six, with the same driver for the whole trip.
Plan the rest of your trip
Price and route sources: Wikipedia: Bir, Himachal Pradesh · Wikipedia: Billing, Himachal Pradesh · Wikipedia: Sherab Ling · WanderOn: Himachal tour packages
