Kangra District · Himachal Pradesh
Bir
The paragliding valley and the Tibetan settlement
A valley with more than one reason to come
Bir is the kind of place that gets undersold on itineraries. It shows up as “the paragliding stop” — and the paragliding is genuinely exceptional, with Billing (the launch site 14km up the hill) consistently ranked among the best in the world and host to multiple World Paragliding Championships. But the valley itself is quieter and more layered than that single line suggests. Tibetan monasteries, tea gardens stretching across the lower slopes, a cycling circuit that most visitors never discover, a café culture that has been building slowly for twenty years. Bir rewards people who stay long enough to notice it.
The Tibetan settlement here dates from the 1960s, when refugees established a community in the valley following the events in Tibet. Chokling Monastery and Sherabling Monastery — both significant centres of Tibetan Buddhist practice — are set against the forested ridge above the settlement. The streets of the settlement itself mix Tibetan homes, small restaurants serving momos and thukpa, and monastery guesthouses. Walking through it in the morning, when the prayer flags are catching the early light and monks are moving between buildings, is one of the better things Bir has to offer and one of the things most visitors miss.
The town is also refreshingly un-touristy by Himachal standards. There are good cafés and a small international community — mostly paragliders on extended training trips — but the infrastructure is modest and the pace is genuinely slow. It’s the right choice for guests who find McLeodganj too busy or who want a mountain experience that isn’t built entirely around the visitor economy.
What brings people to Bir
Paragliding
The launch site at Billing (2,430m) is one of the longest paragliding runs in the world — a 14km descent to the valley landing zone. Conditions are consistent from October to May. Training courses run year-round. Both beginners and licensed pilots come here for weeks at a time.
Tibetan culture
Chokling Monastery and Sherabling Monastery are both active teaching centres. The Tibetan settlement has some of the best momos in Himachal. Walking through the settlement in the morning, before the day gets going, is one of the quieter pleasures of a Bir stay.
Cycling and the valley
The valley floor has a gentle cycling circuit through tea gardens and village roads that most visitors never discover. Bikes are available to hire in Bir. The route takes 2–3 hours at an easy pace and gives you a completely different perspective on the landscape.
Places worth knowing about
- Billing — The paragliding launch site, 14km uphill by jeep. Book a tandem or enrol in a pilot course.
- Chokling Monastery — Active teaching monastery with a beautiful courtyard. Open to visitors in the mornings.
- Sherabling Monastery — Larger monastery complex in the upper settlement. Worth an afternoon visit.
- Tea gardens — The Kangra valley produces some of the most distinctive tea in India. The gardens are a short cycle or walk from Bir.
- Bir Bunglow area — The backpacker and café hub of Bir. Small, manageable, a good evening walk.
- Cycling circuit — Hire a bike in town and do the valley loop through the villages and tea estates.
- Barot Valley — A half-day or full-day trip by taxi to a quieter, greener valley about 40km away.
Our property in Bir
Getting here
- Nearest airport: Kangra (Gaggal) — approx. 1.5 hrs by taxi
- Nearest railway station: Pathankot — approx. 3 hrs by taxi
- From Chandigarh: approx. 4.5 hrs by road (well-maintained highway)
- From McLeodganj / Dharamkot: approx. 2 hrs by taxi
- From Delhi: Fly to Kangra, or take the overnight bus to Mandi and connect to Bir (total 12–14 hrs). Direct buses from Delhi to Bir are available from ISBT Kashmere Gate.
- By car: Bir is easily accessible by road. The property has parking.
Best time to visit
October – November
Peak paragliding season. Clear skies, cool temperatures, excellent visibility. The valley is at its best and Billing conditions are ideal. Book early — this is when the property fills up.
March – May
Second paragliding window. Warmer, with longer flying days. Spring colour in the valley. Less crowded than October.
December – February
Cold but clear. Paragliding continues on good days. The valley is quiet, rates are low, and the mountain views on cloudless mornings are exceptional.
July – August
Monsoon. Paragliding pauses. The valley is lush and green. Not the most popular season but perfectly comfortable for non-flying guests who enjoy the rain.
Questions about Bir
Do I need experience to paraglide at Billing?
Not for a tandem flight — tandem runs are suitable for anyone with no prior experience. For solo flying, you’ll need a licence. Bir has several reputable paragliding schools that run 8–14 day certified pilot courses. Our property can recommend operators we trust.
Is Bir worth visiting if I’m not interested in paragliding?
Yes. The Tibetan settlement, the monasteries, the tea gardens, and the general pace of the valley make it a good destination in its own right. It’s also less crowded than Dharamkot or McLeodganj, which is worth something. Guests who come for paragliding often find themselves extending their stay because they like the town.
How do I get from Bir to Dharamkot or McLeodganj?
By taxi, the drive is about 2 hours. There are also state buses that connect Bir to Dharamsala (from where you can take a local taxi to Dharamkot or McLeodganj), though these take longer. If you’re combining both destinations in one trip, we can help arrange a taxi for the leg between properties.
What’s the food situation in Bir?
Good for a small town. The Tibetan settlement has excellent momos and thukpa. The Bunglow area has several cafés serving decent coffee and international food. Our property has a café and library on the ground floor. You won’t struggle to eat well, but the options are more limited than McLeodganj.