vanika
Vanika Sumbly has graduated from Delhi University with a major in English Literature. She believes traveling is truly the best way of passively exploring oneself. And writing about it is active exploration.
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Situated in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, Bir Billing is a picturesque destination that offers a wide range of thrilling adventure activities. Renowned as the “Paragliding capital of India,” Bir is a popular choice for numerous tourists all year round.Bir is located within Billing Valley. Paragliders take off from Billing and descend to the beautiful site in Bir, covering a distance of approximately 18 km. The scenery in Bir Billing includes breathtaking elements such as deep gorges, majestic snow-capped peaks, mist-filled forests, colorful meadows, vibrant green valleys, sparkling lakes, rushing waterfalls, and captivating lakes.
The fusion of diverse cultures
In the beautiful and calm surroundings, there are impressive temples, peaceful monasteries, and stupas that reflect a harmonious mix of Himachali and Tibetan traditions. Besides the local residents of Himachal Pradesh, there is also a significant community of Tibetan refugees living in the village. The Bir Tibetan Colony is home to numerous monasteries and local eateries, where visitors can savor delicious food infused with the warm culture of Bir. Observing bhikkhus and Tibetan monks engaged in prayer at the monasteries is a spiritually uplifting experience.
Many-splendoured Tea Gardens
The Bir Tea Factory is well-known for its organic tea farms and is a highly sought-after attraction for tourists in Bir. Visitors, including families with children, can explore the factory and learn about the cultivation techniques used to produce India’s beloved hot beverage. The hilly terrain of the region provides an ideal environment for tea production, resulting in a variety of teas that are grown in the garden and processed at the factory.
The factory is situated near Bir Bazaar, where a variety of dried fruits, aromatic tea, and handmade items can be purchased. In the tea garden, photographers can capture a mesmerizing scene of men and women workers dressed in traditional clothing, carrying beautiful baskets on their backs.
Bir Billing offers a wide range of activities including paragliding, hand-gliding, motorbiking, river rafting, trekking, and camping.
- Soaring High: Tandem Paragliding
One of Paragliding is the main attraction in Bir Billing. It is an exhilarating experience to fly in the sky and witness a completely new world below. Bir is renowned as the second-best paragliding site globally, only behind Lake Como in Italy. The paragliders take off from the beautiful valley of Billing, located at an altitude of approximately 2400 meters. They safely land in the grasslands at the western end of the Bir Tibetan Colony in Chowgan.
Landing at Bir Billing grounds Keeping the protection in mind, beginners get a chance to enjoy an adventure-packed ride in a two-seater glider with a skilled trainer. Bir witnesses a huge crowd in October as it hosts the event of ‘paragliding pre-world cup’ every year.
- Trek To The Top
Bir Billing provides various trekking choices for those who love adventure and nature. This activity allows you to discover the unique plant and animal life of the Himalayas, as well as breathtaking rivers, flowing streams, and waterfalls. There are treks of different difficulty levels, ranging from one day to one week, in the vicinity of Bir Billing. Some popular trekking destinations include Sach Pass to Pangi Kareri Lake, Manimahesh Lake, and Chamba via Jalsu Pass. - Camping in Bir
Sometimes, staying in a hotel can become boring, especially when you are surrounded by mountains and beautiful green landscapes. To truly have an amazing experience in nature, it is recommended to avoid booking a hotel and instead consider staying in Bir. Bir offers the opportunity to spend a night under the sparkling sky in stunning locations. By staying in tents, you can fully enjoy the breathtaking views of nature.
Plan a weekend in Bir
If you have been on a long vacation and have already explored Bir Billing extensively, you have the option to choose any destination from the list of fantastic weekend getaways near Bir Billing.
There is no dearth of amazing weekend getaways from Bir Billing. Getaways like Manali, Leh, Ladakh, Kullu, Shimla, Dharamshala and McLeodganj offer peaceful surroundings that revitalize your mind and body with exciting activities. Other nearby attractions include:
- Deer Park Institute
- Chokling Monastery
- Dharmalaya Institute
- Sherab Ling Monastery
- Baijnath Temple
- Drukpa Kagyu Monastery
- Chowgan Tea Gardens
- Tashi Jong Village
- Chauntra Bazaar
If you’re looking for accommodation options at Bir Billing
- Tatva Bir Camp
- Siddhartha Greens Bir Billing
- Hotel Paul Manor
- Big Mountain Camps
- Bir Resort
- Camp Oak View
If you’re searching for places to eat…
- Norgay Kitchen
- Sterling Restaurant
- Glider’s Pizzeria
- Bruce House
- Cafe Cloud Door
How can one reach this incredible vacation spot?
Bir Billing is very well connected to other Indian states. As it is situated away from the hustle-bustle of city amidst the snow-capped mountains, one has to put an extra effort to reach there as there is no direct flight or train available from the major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. However, the travel journey to Bir is joyful and a one of its kind experience.
Flight:The Kangra Airport is located 68 km away from Bir Billing. It is situated in Dharamshala and has good connectivity with Delhi and Mumbai. However, there are non-stop flights available from Delhi to Dharamshala, while flights from Mumbai require a connection. It is important to note that the air route is often closed during winter due to poor weather conditions. Upon arrival at the airport, travelers can either hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Bir.
Train: Currently, it is possible to obtain a toy train ride to Bir Billing. The Kangra Valley Railway operates a toy train service from Pathankot, which completes the journey in 7 hours, passing through Ahju. The approximate distance separating Pathankot and Bir is approximately 143 kilometers.
Taxi or Bus:If you love breathtaking views and enjoy long drives, then I recommend visiting Bir. You have the option of taking a taxi or a bus to get there. The bus departs from the Inter-state Bus Terminal (ISBT) and the journey takes approximately 12-14 hours. It’s worth noting that the distance between Delhi and Bir is approximately 520 km.
If you have chosen to travel to Bir Billing by car, you can take the following routes.
Route 1: Delhi>Ambala>Banur via Chandigarh bypass>Kiratpur>Anandpur Sahib>Nagal>Una>Kangra>Palampur>Baijnath>Bir
Route 2: Delhi>Ambala> Banur via Chandigarh bypass>Kharad>Kiratpur>Bilaspur>Mandi>Jogindernagar>Bir
Can Bir Billing be accessed all year round?
The entire summer season is an ideal time to beat the heat of hot cities like Delhi and Chandigarh. Here, the weather remains pleasant and the temperature ranges between 10°C and 22°C. Notably, the monsoon season receives moderate to heavy rainfall and the region might become prone to landslides causing blockage of roads. So, this is not an advisable season for a visit.
Despite the unforgiving and frigid winter climate, Bir continues to attract a significant number of tourists. Additionally, the ideal months for paragliding are October and November, with average temperatures ranging from 4°C to 12°C. During December and January, temperatures plummet below freezing point during nighttime.
Why wait? Start planning a trip to Himachal Pradesh, one of the most stunning tourist destinations, and experience a level of fun like never before!
