Paragliding in Bir Billing: everything a first-timer needs to know
Bir Billing is the paragliding capital of India — home to the country's highest take-off and a launch point famous around the world. If you've never flown before, here's everything you need to know before you run off the mountain.
Where you fly from
Flights launch from Billing, at around 2,400 metres (roughly 8,000 ft), and land near Bir village about 800 metres below. The drive up to take-off winds through pine forest and opens onto a grassy ridge with the whole Kangra valley spread out beneath you. On a clear day you can see the snow line of the Dhauladhar range.
How a tandem flight works
You don't need any experience. Every first flight is a tandem — you're clipped into a harness in front of a certified pilot who controls the wing. The launch is a short run down the slope; within a few steps your feet leave the ground and the noise of the mountain falls away. From there it's calm, wide-open gliding, with the pilot working the thermals to keep you up.
How long and how much
There are two common options:
- Classic flight — 15 to 20 minutes of airtime. The standard first-timer experience. ₹3,000.
- Prime flight — 40 to 50 minutes, with more height, more thermals and the option of some gentle acro at the end. ₹4,500.
Most people are surprised by how peaceful it is. If you think you might want more time in the air, book the Prime — nobody regrets the longer flight.
The best season
The skies are most reliable in March to June and September to November. Mornings are usually calmest and clearest; conditions can change through the day, so flights are weather-dependent and occasionally rescheduled for safety. The monsoon (July–August) and deep winter are generally off-season.
A few tips
- Wear closed shoes and a light jacket — it's cooler up top.
- Carry sunglasses; the light is bright at altitude.
- Eat lightly beforehand if you're prone to motion sickness.
- Ask your pilot for a GoPro add-on if you want the video.
The first flight is the one you'll talk about for years. Book it for a clear morning and give yourself the time to enjoy it.
When you stay with us at Bir Camps, we'll get you to the take-off, sort your pilot and have a chai waiting when you land.