Short answer: Tandem paragliding at Bir Billing usually costs ₹3,000–₹4,500 for a 15–30 minute flight, launching from Billing (about 2,290 m) and landing at Bir. The best months are October–November and March–May. Flying is closed every monsoon, roughly mid-July to mid-September. No experience is needed; you fly harnessed to a certified pilot.
On a good October day, the sky above Bir is full of colour: dozens of gliders circling in the thermals above the tea gardens, with the snow of the Dhauladhar behind them. It is one of the best paragliding sites in the world, and you do not need any experience to fly there.
How it works
You are driven up a narrow 14 km road from Bir to Billing, a grassy launch site at about 2,290 m. Your pilot straps you into a harness in front of them and gives a short briefing. Then you take a few running steps down the slope, and you are flying.
Flights last 15 to 30 minutes depending on the package and the air. The landing is in the big field at Bir, near the Tibetan colony, usually a gentle slide or a few steps.
When to fly
- October–November: the best season. Stable air, clear skies, long flights.
- March–May: the second season. Good flying, a little hazier.
- December–February: possible on clear days, cold at launch.
- Mid-July to mid-September: closed. Paragliding stops every monsoon by district order.
Even in season, the wind decides. If it is wrong in the morning, pilots wait or call it off. Keep a spare morning in your plan.
What it costs
A standard tandem flight usually costs ₹3,000–₹4,500, more for longer “cross-country” flights. A GoPro video is extra, paid to the pilot. Our Bir Billing tour includes one tandem flight per person.
Is it safe?
Paragliding carries real risk, like any adventure sport. What keeps it safe at Bir is:
- Registered operators and certified tandem pilots. We book only with them.
- Weather calls. Good pilots cancel without hesitation.
- Listening to the briefing. Keep running at take-off until your pilot says stop, and sit back in the harness once you are airborne.
Weight limits are usually around 20–100 kg for passengers. Tell us at booking if you are near either end.
What to wear and bring
- Closed shoes with grip
- Long trousers
- A warm layer or windcheater
- Sunglasses with a strap
- Leave loose items in the car
Beyond the flight
Bir is worth more than one morning. Walk to Chokling Monastery in the Tibetan colony and through the tea gardens, then watch the last gliders land at sunset. On the way, stop at the 13th-century Baijnath temple, 14 km away on the highway.
Getting there
Quick questions
Is there an age limit for paragliding in Bir?
Operators usually accept children from about 8–10 years with a parent's consent and set an upper age based on health. Check with us when you book.
What should I wear for paragliding?
Closed shoes with grip, comfortable trousers and a warm layer, since it is cooler in the air. Avoid loose scarves and sandals.
Can I take my phone while flying?
Most pilots offer a GoPro video for an extra fee, which is safer than holding your own phone. If you carry your phone, keep it on a lanyard.
Written by the team at Ankush Travels, a tour and taxi company in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. We run these routes every week. Spotted something out of date? Tell us on WhatsApp.