Paragliding from Dharamkot: A Bir Billing Day Trip
Dharamkot itself isn't a flying site, but Bir Billing — one of the best paragliding spots on earth — is an easy day trip away. Here's how to do it.
1 min read · Updated June 2026
Want to add a shot of adrenaline to your Dharamkot trip? Bir Billing — widely rated among the best paragliding destinations in the world — is close enough to do as a day trip.
The basics
- Where: Billing is the take-off (around 2,400 m); Bir is the landing. It's about 2.5–3 hours by road from the Dharamkot/Dharamshala area.
- What: Tandem flights with a certified pilot — no experience needed. You run a few steps off the ridge and soar over green valleys and villages.
- How long: Standard flights are 15–30 minutes airborne; longer "cross-country" experiences exist for the same trip.
Bir Billing
Paragliding take-off & landing
≈2.5–3 hrs from Dharamkot
One of the world's top paragliding sites. Billing is the take-off (~2,400 m), Bir the landing. Tandem flights need no experience; best in Oct–Nov and Mar–May.
Hand-researched details · live ratings & hours when Maps API is enabled
How to do it from Dharamkot
You have two options:
- Day trip — leave early, fly, and return to Dharamkot by evening. Long day on the road but doable.
- Overnight — stay in Bir (a chilled-out village with great cafes and a Tibetan colony) and fly across two mornings for the best odds of good weather.
Arrange a taxi from McLeod Ganj/Dharamkot, or ask your guesthouse — many can connect you with operators and transport.
Heads up
Choose your operator carefully. Use established companies with certified pilots, proper equipment and insurance — ask before you pay. Flights are weather-dependent and can be cancelled at short notice, so keep your plans flexible.
For Israeli travellers
Bir Billing is a hugely popular stop on the Israeli travel trail too, so you'll likely meet familiar faces and find operators used to international flyers.
Pair it with your other day trips from Dharamkot, or balance the adrenaline with a quiet meditation retreat back in the village. More in the trekking & nature section or back to things to do in Dharamkot.
Frequently asked questions
Can you paraglide in Dharamkot itself?
Not really — Dharamkot is a trekking and wellness village, not a launch site. The famous paragliding is at Bir Billing, about 2.5–3 hours away by road, usually done as a day or overnight trip.
How much does paragliding at Bir Billing cost?
A standard tandem flight typically runs ₹2,000–₹3,500 depending on flight length and season. Add transport from the Dharamkot area. Always confirm the operator includes insurance and a certified pilot.
What is the best season for Bir Billing paragliding?
October–November and March–May offer the most reliable flying conditions. The monsoon and deep winter see many days grounded due to weather.
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