Bir-Billing Paragliding Itinerary – 4-Day Travel Guide for Adventure Seekers

Bir-Billing Paragliding Adventure Itinerary (4 Days / 3 Nights)

🧭 Day 1: Arrival in Bir

Activities:

• Arrive in Bir (via Delhi or Chandigarh, by bus/train/taxi).

• Check-in at hotel/homestay.

• Explore Bir Tibetan Colony and Chokling Monastery.

• Walk around the Bir Market and try local Himachali and Tibetan food.

• Sunset view at Landing Site (great photo spot).

Overnight Stay: Bir
Meals: Dinner at local café (try Garden Café or June16 Café)

🧭 Day 2: Paragliding at Billing

Activities:

• Morning Schedule: Travel to Billing takeoff site—18 km uphill journey by jeep.

• Paragliding Session: Enjoy a tandem flight lasting between 15 to 30 minutes, based on weather conditions.

• Return to Bir via flight and land at the Landing Site.

• Certificate & video collection (many operators provide GoPro footage).

• Post-flight rest.

• Optional: Mountain biking or Ziplining (available at extra cost).

Evening:

• Bonfire (check with hostels or resorts offering group stays).

Overnight Stay: Bir
Meals: Breakfast + light lunch/snack + dinner

🧭 Day 3: Explore Around Bir

Activities:

• Visit Deer Park Institute (meditation, philosophy, and workshops).

• Trek or short hike to Gunehar Waterfall.

• Café hopping: Enjoy organic food at Silver Linings or Musafir Café.

• Optional: Visit Baijnath Temple (13 km drive) – one of the oldest Shiva temples.

• Explore local monasteries, like Nyingyang Monastery or Tsering Jong.

Overnight Stay: Bir
Meals: Breakfast + dinner

🧭 Day 4: Departure

Activities:

• Morning walk at Bir Tea Gardens.

• Breakfast and check-out.

• Depart for Delhi/Chandigarh.

Optional: Buy souvenirs from Tibetan shops.

🧳 Things to Carry

• Valid Government ID (for paragliding)

• Warm clothes (weather can be unpredictable)

• Sports shoes

• Sunglasses, sunscreen, and cap

• Power bank and camera

💰 Approximate Budget (Per Person)

• Travel: ₹1,000–₹2,000 (Delhi to Bir by bus)

• Stay: ₹800–₹2,000/night (hostel to resort range)

• Paragliding: ₹3,000–₹3,500 (includes jeep ride to Billing)

• Food & Misc: ₹1,000/day
  Total: ₹8,000–₹12,000 approx.

Tourism Picks Up But Paragliding Yet to Soar in Himachal – A Closer Look

Himachal Pradesh, a popular destination for adventure tourism, especially during the summer season from mid-May to June, is experiencing a partial revival in tourist activity. However, paragliding operations at Bir-Billing, the world’s second-highest paragliding site, are still far from returning to normal levels.

Tourist Footfall Affected by Geopolitical Tensions

In May 2025, tourist numbers sharply declined due to rising geopolitical tensions and increased hostilities between India and Pakistan. Safety concerns and travel hesitations during that period caused a noticeable dip in tourism-related activities, especially those involving outdoor adventure sports like paragliding.

While June has seen some improvement in tourist footfall, the paragliding industry hasn't yet recovered. Normally, over 1,000 flights per day are operated during this peak time in Bir-Billing. However, only 300-400 flights are currently being conducted, which is less than half of the usual daily average.

Financial Struggles for Paragliding Operators

This slowdown has deep financial implications for paragliding businesses. Many pilots and glider owners operate seasonally and depend heavily on these two peak months for the majority of their yearly income.

According to Anurag Sharma, president of the Billing Paragliding Association (BPA), business is down by nearly 50%. This has created severe challenges for many operators, especially those who have taken loans to purchase gliders or invest in training and licensing.

"Those who have taken loans for buying gliders will find it difficult to manage repayments this year," said Sharma.

Short-Lived Spikes, But No Sustained Recovery

There have been occasional weekend spikes in tourists, but these are short-lived. As Raj Kumar Sippy, a senior pilot with BPA, points out:

“We saw a slight increase over the weekend, but by Monday, the numbers were down again.”

This inconsistency makes it hard for pilots and operators to maintain flight schedules, staffing, and financial planning.

Monsoon Pause Looming

What heightens the concern is the upcoming monsoon season, typically starting in mid-July. During this time, paragliding activities are suspended for nearly two months due to weather risks, leaving operators with a narrow and shrinking window to recover financially.

Conclusion

While tourism in Himachal is slowly rebounding, paragliding—one of its star attractions—is still struggling to take off. The combined effect of geopolitical tensions, travel hesitancy, and economic stress on local pilots and operators paints a challenging picture. Unless there's a rapid increase in tourist numbers before monsoon sets in, 2025 could turn out to be one of the toughest years for Himachal’s paragliding industry in recent memory.

Unlock Your Savings Today!

Get the best deals with unbeatable service and exclusive offers.

Grab 30% Off Now +91 7982069569 WhatsApp