Paragliding in Bir-Billing (Himachal Pradesh, India)

In October I have decided to go over to India and fly with Himalayan sky safari's for a guided 10 days tour of XC's and Vol Biv's, in the area of Himachal Pradesh. Please click the link for himalayan Sky Safari's www.himalayanskysafaris.com

Paragliding is one of Bir’s biggest draws for outdoors enthusiasts and thrill seekers. Bir is regarded by international paragliding groups as the second best site in the world for paragliding (after Lake Como in Italy).

The launch point is at approximately 2400 metres (7874 feet) in the meadow on the top of a ridge at Billing (14 km north of Bir), and the landing area is in the fields at the western edge of the Tibetan Colony in Chowgan.

While experienced pilots may bring their own gliders and fly solo, beginners can take tandem flights, in which a skilled instructor takes you up in a two-seated glider. This allows the beginner to have the experience with minimal risk thanks to the presence of an experienced pilot.

The original settlement of Bir (established circa 1600 C.E.) sits at the northern edge of the constellation of villages forming the greater Bir area (in what is now called ‘Upper Bir’), perched at the top of the gentle slopes of the Himalayan foothills, just before the earth turns sharply up toward the snow peaks. It is a quiet Indian village with most of its buildings clustered along the main Bir-Billing road. The heart of Bir proper is the Bir bazaar, a quiet market with only a few dozen shops. At the south end of Bir bazar is the bus stand and a large tea processing factory, which offers tours for those interested in a fine orthodox cuppa.

People from Chowgan and the Tibetan Colony may refer to all of Bir proper (including both Lower and Upper Bir) as ‘Upper Bir’ but, according to the residents of Bir proper, ‘Upper Bir’ refers to everything above the bazaar, while ‘Lower Bir’ refers to the area below the bazaar but above Chowgan and the Tibetan Colony.