Adventure · Bir and Billing, Himachal
Tandem paragliding from Billing to Bir
Drive up to the Billing take-off at about 2,400 m, run a few steps with your pilot and fly for 15–30 minutes over pine forest, tea gardens and the Bir monasteries to land in the fields below. No experience needed.
Photo: Fredi Bach from Switzerland · CC BY 2.0 · CommonsYour operator will collect you in Bir and drive about 14 km up a winding road to the Billing take-off, which takes 45 minutes to an hour. After a short safety briefing you are clipped into a harness in front of a licensed tandem pilot. Take-off is a few running steps down the slope until the wing fills and lifts you off. Most flights last 15–30 minutes, depending on the package and the day's air.
From the air you see the shape of the valley: the dark ridge of the Dhauladhar behind, the forest dropping to Bir's terraces and tea gardens, the white monasteries of the Tibetan colony and, on clear days, the plains of Kangra to the south. Pilots often circle in thermals to gain height. Tell your pilot if you feel unwell; they can keep the flight gentle. Landing is in a large field near the colony.
Flying is weather-dependent. Operators cancel when winds are strong or clouds build, and the season stops during the monsoon, typically from mid-July to mid-September. Choose an operator registered with the state tourism department, ask about insurance, and avoid anyone offering a much cheaper price. People over about 100 kg or with back, heart or pregnancy issues should check with operators and talk to your doctor first.
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Chamba, McLeodganj and Bir by private car
Private car with driver
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Stays in Bir and Billing
Questions
Before you book
How much does paragliding in Bir cost?
A standard tandem flight costs about ₹3,000–4,500 in 2026, with longer flights at the top of that range. GoPro video adds ₹500–1,000. Prices include the drive to Billing. Be wary of much cheaper offers, which may cut corners on equipment or pilots.
Is paragliding in Bir safe?
With a licensed pilot, good equipment and sensible weather calls, tandem flights have a good safety record, but it is an adventure sport with real risk. Use a registered operator, follow the briefing, and accept cancellations when pilots say the air is not safe.
What is the best season for paragliding in Bir?
October and November for stable air and clear views, and March to May for good thermals. December to February is possible on clear days but colder. Flying stops for the monsoon, usually mid-July to mid-September. Check current status before you travel.