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Paragliding in Bir BillingIN
Twin villages in Himachal Pradesh: Billing is the 2,400m launch site for the Paragliding World Cup; Bir is the landing zone below, set in a Tibetan refugee settlement with temples and monasteries.
Why here
Billing, at 2,400m in Himachal Pradesh, is where the Paragliding World Cup has been held. The site offers some of the longest cross-country routes in Asia, with pilots regularly flying 60km or more over the Dhauladhar range. This is not a tandem tourist destination. It is a site for pilots who want to fly seriously in Himalayan conditions, with a small resident community that takes the technical side of the sport seriously. The landing zone at Bir is in a Tibetan refugee settlement, which adds an unusual cultural dimension: monasteries, good food, and a slow pace between flights.
Best months
The two windows are pre-monsoon (March to May) and post-monsoon (October to November). October and November are the most stable months for XC flying. March and April bring stronger thermals and more variable conditions that suit experienced pilots chasing distance. The monsoon (June to September) makes the site unworkable. Bir Billing is not a place for casual drop-ins; conditions require local knowledge.
Getting there & around
Fly into Gaggal Airport (DHM) near Dharamshala, then 1.5 hours by road to Bir. Alternatively, take the overnight train from Delhi to Pathankot, then onward by bus or taxi. Bir is small with basic but adequate accommodation. The paragliding community is concentrated around the main market. Gear import rules in India can be complicated for pilots bringing their own wings; check current customs requirements before travel.
Skill levels: intermediate, advanced
Schools & guides (1)
Temple Pilots
SchoolTemple Pilots is one of the most established paragliding schools operating from Bir in Himachal Pradesh, holding APPI (Association of Paragliding Pilots and Instructors) accreditation. Offers beginner-through-advanced pilot training from the Billing site at 2,400m, one of the highest commercial paragliding take-offs in the world, as well as tandem discovery flights over the Kangra Valley.