Introduction
A little town called Bir is located in the northern Himachal Pradesh region of the Indian Himalayas, with the Dhauladhar range serving as its backdrop. The area is well-known among travellers for its paragliding opportunities.
The launch point is located in the Billing Meadow at a height of 2400 metres, 18 kilometres north of Bir. At Chowgan, on the southern edge of Bir, paragliders land. Thus, Bir Billing is how the names of the two locations are conjugated.
Bir Billing is renowned for its distinctive Tibetan culture and the moving Tibetan monasteries that are nestled in beautiful and serene surroundings.
If you’re considering travelling alone to Bir, you should read this post.
The best activities in Bir-Billing:
First, paragliding
Of course, this is Bir Billing’s top draw for thrill-seeking visitors. Tandem flights are available for novices, while certified pilots may bring their own gliders and fly alone.
Here, a pilot controls the glider as the visitor sits back and takes in the aerial view of the ground below. In Bir Billing, there are numerous paragliding companies, and prices vary according to the length of the flight and special offers.
A 20 to 25-minute flight would cost about INR 2500. In addition, operators rent out their GoPro cameras for a fee. This is a must-do deal if the traveller is not carrying his own. September to November is considered the flying season. The village regularly holds international tournaments and events in addition to providing entertainment.
2. Participate in additional adventure sports
At Temple Run Adventure, Bir Billing also provides bungee jumping, rock climbing, and the Burma Bridge. Bangoru waterfall is a tiny yet lovely waterfall that is located about 5 miles from Bir.
The headquarters of the adventure sports firm are located nearby. Hang-gliding and mountain biking are only occasionally practised by tourists. In Bir Bazar, there are businesses and companies that hire bicycles. The tourists are also accompanied by experienced riders.
Visit the Monasteries:
The monasteries and Shedras (monastic colleges) of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition in Bir Billing, located at an elevation of 1525 metres, never cease to enthral.
Monastic Seat of Palpung Sherabling
One of Bir’s earliest monasteries is Palpung Sherabling. Around 6 miles from the Tibetan Colony Market, the monastery is situated in Bhattu. The monastery, which is situated on 30 acres of land, has six shrine rooms, three shrine halls, and quarters for 250 monks. Its architecture is purely Tibetan in style. It provides both long-term and short-term courses in yoga and meditation.
Temple of Jong Tsering
Within its walls, the Tsering Jong Monastery has a café. The fluttering prayer flags and the synchronised monk chants have a relaxing impact on the mind and spirit of the visitor to this location.
Join the Dharmalaya Institute as a volunteer:
Center for Compassionate Living at Dharmalaya
Dedicated to education, service, and compassionate living, the non-profit Dharmalaya Institute has a strong practical focus on ecotourism, contemplative service-learning, and sustainable village development. The institute hosts meditation and service retreats that provide students and volunteers with the chance to engage in organic farming, teach local villagers green employment skills, work on a tree-planting project, etc. over the long term.
Take up trekking:
For hikers, Tattani and the Hanuman Garh trek are two lovely options.
Hot Spring Tatwani
The natural hot sulphur spring in Tattani (sometimes spelt Tattapani) is renowned for gushing at temperatures of up to 65 degrees Celsius. It should not be confused with Tattapani in Mandi, another Himachal Pradesh location.
The Hanuman Garh
Wide-ranging views of the Dhauladhar range can be found in HanumanGarh. However, the journey commencing in Billing is arduous and most definitely not advised for beginners.
How can I get to Bir?
By Air:
Since there isn’t a flight that goes directly to Bir, you have to go to the airport that connects the nation’s capital with Himachal Pradesh, Kangra-Gaggal.
By Road:
The roads going to Bir are magnificent, with the Dhauladhar peaks towering above. Bir is connected to nearby cities by a number of national highways, making it simple to go here by car from any location in India. From Delhi, Palampur, and Dharamshala, there are more luxurious overnight buses that go to Bir.
Rail:
The Ahju Train station, 3 km from Bir, is the closest railway station, however, it has poor connections to other cities around the nation.
The ideal moment to visit Bir is:
being a mountain town Bir experiences a reasonably cool climate all year long. The summer months of April through June are the finest times to visit the location. Because of the chilly temperature, visiting a hill station in the winter is not advised. Additionally, monsoons must be avoided because heavy rainfall can result in landslides.
A Simple Two-Day Itinerary for Bir Billing
Day 1
Arrive in Bir early, eat breakfast, get ready, and then trek to the Billing Paragliding take-off location. The journey will take 5 hours and cover around 16 kilometres;
Enjoy a 15- to 30-minute paragliding flight to the landing area in Bir;
Reach Bir
Day 2
Explore Bir and its Tibetan colonial neighbourhood, cafes, tea factories, and monasteries. Rentable bicycles are available.
This Bir Billing guide should encourage you to get beyond of your comfort zone. Post images later. Additionally, please let us know if any of your questions were not addressed; we swiftly respond to comments.
