It's called the paragliding capital of Asia — and for good reason. Bir Billing's combination of geography, thermals, and altitude makes it one of the top five paragliding sites in the world. Here is our complete guide to taking the leap.
Bir vs Billing — understanding the setup
Bir is the take-off village at 1,525m; Billing is the launch site at 2,430m, 14km uphill. You drive up to Billing, launch from there, and land in Bir's landing field — a 25–35 minute flight through thermals that can take you up to 2,800m if conditions are right. The Dhauladhar range fills the horizon the entire time.
Solo vs tandem — what to book
Unless you are a licensed pilot, you'll fly tandem with an instructor. Tandem flights cost ₹2,500–₹3,500 and last 25–45 minutes depending on thermals. For solo flying, Bir has several reputable paragliding schools offering 8-day P1 basic courses (₹18,000–₹22,000). The Paragliding World Cup is held here biennially — watching it is free and extraordinary.
When thermals are best
October and November are the prime months — thermals are predictable, skies are clear, and the mountain views are at their sharpest after the monsoon has washed the air clean. March–May is also excellent. Avoid July–September (monsoon) entirely. Morning flights (8–11am) are smoother; afternoon thermals are stronger but more turbulent.
The Dhauladhar range fills the horizon the entire time you are in the air. Nothing prepares you for the moment the ground drops away and silence replaces everything.
— Imran Sheikh
From the Journey
Watch the Journey
✦ Key Tips Before You Go
Book with operators registered with the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Board
Wear full-length clothes and closed shoes — it gets cold at altitude
GoPro rentals are available at launch — worth the ₹500 for the footage
Morning flights are smoother; book the first slot of the day
Combine with a visit to the Tibetan colony and monastery in Bir village
WRITTEN BY
Imran Sheikh
Imran completed his P1 paragliding certification in Bir in 2022 and has since done over 40 tandem and solo flights in the region.
