International pilots compete in cross-country paragliding from Billing takeoff (2,400m).
Why it mattersWorld's best pilots at India's best paragliding site.
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Naksh.iq
ISSUE Nº 47 · MAY 2026
Festival · HIMACHAL PRADESH
Paragliding World Cup.
October / November · Bir Billing
Going for this? Bir Billing in October
NakshIQ score
5/10
Go
October is Bir-Billing's second paragliding peak. Post-monsoon air clarity means flights offer Dhauladhar range views that hazy May doesn't deliver. Thermals are reliable. The Billing World Cup site (the 2015 Paragliding World Cup was held here) operates at full capacity. Autumn colours appear in the oak forests. The colony's cafes are busy but not overwhelmed. This is arguably the best month to visit.
Getting there
Elevation
1525 m
Nearest airport
Gaggal (Kangra) — 60km
Nearest railway
Pathankot
Live in Bir Billing
Where to stay in Bir Billing
The Bunker
₹200/day or ₹3000/monthcafe · Bir ColonyCo-working space disguised as a cafe. Dedicated desks, reliable WiFi (20mbps), power backup, and good coffee. Monthly passes available for digital nomads. Kiran Thakur built this because she needed it herself — it shows.
Park Homestay Bir
Rs 1200-2500/nighthomestay · Near Billing paragliding site, BirStunning mountain views just a short distance from Billing paragliding site and Tibetan monastery
The Social Stays Bir
Rs 700-1800/nighthostel · Near paragliding landing site, BirMinutes from paragliding landing site and Tibetan monasteries with rooftop cafe and Dhauladhar range views
Where to eat
The 4 Tables Cafe & Gallery
LegendaryGunehr · ₹₹₹Signaturewood-fired clay-oven pizza
Reservations only — call ahead, don't walk up. Cabs are needed; it's a kilometre off Bir Road through Gunehr's lanes.
Gliders Pizzeria
Bir Village · ₹₹Signaturethin-crust margherita
Take-away comes in a flatter box and reheats fine on a tava — useful if you're flying Billing-to-Bir and want to eat at the landing site.
Mafia Cafe Bir
Suja · ₹₹SignatureMexican pan pizza
The terrace fills first — book ahead on weekends. Stick to the pan pizzas; the white-sauce pasta gets mixed reviews.
June16Cafe
Bir Road · ₹₹Signatureall-day breakfast plate
Not pet-friendly, so leave the dog at the homestay. Power points are on the wall side — grab those tables first.
What else to see in Bir Billing
Bir Tea Garden & Factory
Organic tea gardens where you can see tea processing and buy fresh Kangra tea directly.
market1 hourSherabling Monastery
One of the most important Kagyu monasteries in India. Peaceful campus with resident monks.
monastery1-2 hoursChokling Monastery
Beautiful Tibetan Buddhist monastery with ornate architecture and a meditation center.
monastery1 hourBilling Takeoff Site
World's second-highest paragliding site at 8,000 ft. Used for Paragliding World Cup events.
viewpoint2-3 hours
Other festivals in October, elsewhere
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