Bir Billing — Paragliding Capital of India
Bir Billing is the Paragliding Capital of India, located 24 km from Baijnath. It has hosted multiple FAI Paragliding World Cup rounds. The Billing take-off at 2430m and Bir landing at 1350m create a vertical drop of 1080m over one of Asia’s finest flying sites.
Billing: The Take-Off Site (2430m)
| Flight Type | Price (2026) | Notes |
| Tandem flight (standard) | Rs 2,500 – Rs 3,000 | Includes jeep to Billing take-off (2430m) |
| Tandem flight (extended/high season) | Rs 3,000 – Rs 3,500 | Peak season / longer flight |
| GoPro video recording | Rs 500 – 700 extra | Optional add-on, ask operator |
| Solo paragliding course (7 days) | Rs 12,000 – 15,000 | Includes instruction and certification |
| ✅ INCLUDED | Tandem pilot, harness, helmet, jeep from Bir to Billing take-off (2430m) |
| ❌ NOT INCLUDED | Travel to/from Baijnath, food in Bir, accommodation |
Price note: The Rs 2,500–3,500 range from HPCA-licensed operators has been broadly stable for several years. Be wary of operators quoting significantly less than Rs 2,500 — safety certification costs money.
Billing: The Take-Off Site (2430m)
October to November — Peak Season
Post-monsoon clear skies give the longest visibility and most powerful thermals. The Paragliding World Cup typically runs in late October — check the current year’s calendar as exact dates vary. This is when Bir gets crowded. Book accommodation months in advance for World Cup week.
March to June — Spring Season
Spring thermals are stable and reliable, weather is pleasant, and there are far fewer tourists. April and May are ideal for those who want the full experience without the crowds.
July to August — Closed
Paragliding is completely suspended due to monsoon weather. Plan your visit outside these months.
Minor update: Add the monsoon closure as its own heading (currently buried in body text on the live page) so it is immediately visible to visitors checking dates.
How to Get to Bir Billing from Baijnath
| Option | Cost | Time | Detail |
| 1 – Budget | Rs 100–150/person | 40–50 min | Shared jeep-taxi from Baijnath bus stand to Bir village. Operator arranges onward jeep to Billing. |
| 2 – Convenient | Rs 500–600 | 40–50 min | Private taxi Baijnath → Bir. Book via hotel or taxi stand opposite Baijnath bus stand. |
| 3 – Adventure | Bicycle hire | ~2 hrs | Cycle 24km on NH-20. Relatively flat. Hire a bicycle in Bir the day before if staying overnight. |
Note: Once in Bir village, your paragliding operator arranges the further jeep to Billing take-off (2430m). This is included in the tandem flight price.
What to Wear and Bring
Wear
- Closed shoes (not flip flops — required for the run-off)
- Long trousers recommended
- T-shirt or thin fleece — it is cooler at 2430m than in town
- Avoid loose clothing that can catch wind
Bring
- Phone or camera if you want your own video. The pilot handles all equipment.
- Leave valuables in Bir — your bag stays at the landing zone while you fly
- Do not bring large backpacks — you cannot fly with them
Medical
Paragliding is not recommended if pregnant or with serious heart conditions. Mild motion sickness is possible for some people — take medication if you are prone to it.
The Flight — What Actually Happens
The jeep-taxi takes 45 minutes to climb from Bir (1350m) to Billing (2430m) — the road is narrow and the views increasingly dramatic. At Billing meadow, your pilot does a weather assessment and brief.
The run-off is the moment most people are nervous about: you run together off the hillside with the glider filling with air above you. In 3–5 running steps you are airborne.
The flight typically lasts 15–30 minutes. Your pilot will seek thermals — columns of rising warm air — to extend the flight. The full Kangra Valley spreads 80km below you, with the Dhauladhar peaks rising behind. Landing at the Bir field is gentle and smooth.
After the Flight — What to Do in Bir
- Palpung Sherabling Monastery (free, 30-min visit minimum) — one of the finest Tibetan Buddhist institutions in North India
- Tibetan cafes on the main road for lunch: momos, thukpa, coffee
- Thangka painting workshops if interested in Tibetan art
- Colony market — local honey and Tibetan handicrafts
- Return to Baijnath for evening aarti at the temple