Bir Travel Guide 2026: Beyond Paragliding, Monasteries, Billing & Where to Stay

Bir is a small Tibetan and Himachali village at roughly 1,400 m in the Kangra district, about 65 to 70 km (2 to 2.5 hours) east of Dharamshala, world-famous as the landing site for paragliders launching from Billing, 14 km uphill. But people who stay a few days find a second Bir: a peaceful Tibetan colony with several monasteries, the Deer Park Institute for study and meditation, slow cafes, tea gardens and trails up to Rajgundha and beyond.

This guide covers Bir beyond the tandem flight: what to see, where to eat and stay, how to reach from Dharamshala, the best seasons and what to skip. Prices are approx. as of 2026. For flying, read our dedicated Bir Billing paragliding guide.

Quick facts

How Bir is laid out

Bir is spread out, so it helps to know the main areas:

• The Tibetan colony (Chowgan): the heart of Bir for most visitors, with Chokling monastery, cafes, guesthouses and Deer Park Institute nearby.
• The landing site area: an open field near the colony where paragliders land; cafes and paragliding offices cluster around it.
• Bir village and market: the older Himachali village with the main bazaar and bus stop.
• Billing: the take-off meadow 14 km up a winding road, with simple camps and a few dhabas.

Most places in Bir are within a 10 to 30 minute walk of each other, though some monasteries need a short drive.

Monasteries in and around Bir

Chokling Monastery (Pema Ewam Chögar Gyurme Ling)

The most visible monastery in the colony, with its tall stupa and colourful main hall, it belongs to the Nyingma tradition. Visitors are generally welcome to walk around the grounds and stupa during the day. Dress modestly, walk clockwise around the stupa and ask before photographing monks.

Palpung Sherab Ling Monastery

Sherab Ling is the seat of Tai Situ Rinpoche in the Karma Kagyu tradition, in a forested setting near Bhattu, roughly 8 to 10 km from Bir. It is one of the largest and most beautiful monasteries in the region, with a grand main temple and peaceful grounds. You will need a taxi or scooter to get there. Visiting hours and access rules can change, especially during ceremonies and retreats, so check locally before you go.

Other gompas in the colony

Bir has several smaller monasteries and nunneries within walking distance. A slow afternoon wandering between them, spinning prayer wheels and stopping for butter tea is one of the best things to do here. Our Tibetan culture and etiquette guide explains how to visit respectfully.

Deer Park Institute

Deer Park Institute is a centre for the study of classical Indian wisdom traditions, founded by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. It runs talks, meditation retreats and courses covering Buddhist philosophy, yoga, Sanskrit, arts and more, often on a donation or low-fee basis.

• Programmes are scheduled, not continuous. Check the institute's official website for the current calendar.
• Some programmes require registration in advance; accommodation on site may be available during courses.
• Even without a course, the quiet atmosphere and library make it worth knowing about if you are staying a while.

Bir cafes and food

Bir's cafe scene is small but excellent, aimed at pilots, long-stay travellers and digital nomads. Expect:

Cafes cluster around the landing site and the Tibetan colony. Many are seasonal and change between years; ask your guesthouse what is open. For Tibetan dishes and what to order, see our Tibetan food guide.

Billing: the take-off and beyond

Billing is the meadow at about 2,400 m where paragliders launch. Even if you are not flying, it is worth going up for the views over the Kangra valley and to watch pilots take off.

• Getting there: a 14 km road that takes 40 to 60 minutes by taxi or jeep. Shared jeeps run in season.
• Facilities: a few simple dhabas and seasonal camps. It is cold at night; bring layers.
• Book flights through registered operators; see our paragliding page.

Rajgundha and treks from Billing

From Billing, trails lead deeper into the Dhauladhar to Rajgundha, a remote valley village with meadows and simple homestays, and on to Barot. The route is popular for a 2 to 3 day trek and is far quieter than Triund. Details, distances and difficulty are in our Bir Billing to Rajgundha trek guide. For a longer trip, the Barot valley guide covers the far side.

Bir tea gardens and walks

Bir has its own small tea gardens, part of the wider Kangra tea tradition. Walks through the tea estates and fields around the colony are flat, quiet and lovely in the evening light. For the bigger estates and a working tea factory, head to Palampur: see our Palampur travel guide.

How to reach Bir from Dharamshala

The route runs via Palampur and Baijnath, which makes it easy to combine with sightseeing. Book a transfer through our taxi service. For flying in from Delhi, the Gaggal airport is the closest airport, and our Kangra toy train guide covers rail options.

Where to stay in Bir

Approx. rates (as of 2026): hostel dorms ₹400 to ₹900, guesthouses ₹1,000 to ₹2,500, boutique stays and cottages ₹3,000 to ₹7,000. Prices rise in October to November and around the paragliding events. Browse options on our hotels page.

Getting around Bir

Bir is spread over a few kilometres but mostly flat, so walking works well between the colony, the landing site and Bir village. For anything further:

• Taxis wait near the landing site and in Bir village. Fix the fare before you set off; ask your guesthouse for the going rate.
• Scooter rental is available in season for travellers with a valid licence and helmet. The road to Billing is steep and winding, so only ride it if you are experienced.
• Shared jeeps to Billing run in flying season, mainly for pilots and passengers in the morning.

A two-day plan for Bir

Day 1

1. Morning tandem flight from Billing (book a day ahead in peak season).
2. Late breakfast at a cafe near the landing site.
3. Afternoon walk around the Tibetan colony: Chokling monastery, the stupa and smaller gompas.
4. Sunset over the tea gardens and fields.

Day 2

1. Taxi or scooter to Palpung Sherab Ling in the morning, when it is quiet.
2. Lunch back in the colony.
3. Visit Deer Park Institute or browse the small shops in the colony.
4. Evening drive up to Billing for the view, or an early night if you start the Rajgundha trek next morning.

With a third day, add Baijnath temple (about 15 km) or Palampur's tea estates on the way back to Dharamshala.

Best time to visit Bir

Insider tips

1. Stay at least two nights. A day trip from Dharamshala is mostly driving.
2. Fly in the morning. Conditions are often smoother before midday; your operator will advise.
3. Hire a scooter or taxi for Sherab Ling. It is too far to walk comfortably.
4. Carry cash. ATMs in Bir can run dry in peak season.
5. Respect the monasteries. Keep voices low, ask before photos, and do not enter prayer halls during ceremonies unless invited.

What to skip

• Treating Bir as a 2-hour stop. You will miss what makes it special.
• Unregistered paragliding operators offering cut prices.
• Rajgundha in the monsoon or deep winter without local advice.
• Billing at midday in summer if you hate crowds and dust.

Plan the rest of your trip

Bir fits naturally into a five-day Kangra Valley itinerary or a longer Himachal circuit to Manali. Questions on bookings? See our FAQ.