Landing ground, Tibetan colony, long lunches
Bir, near Palampur
Bir is two things stacked on each other. It is the landing site for one of the most consistent paragliding runs in the world — pilots take off at Billing, 14 km and close to a thousand metres above, and come down on the green in the middle of the village. It is also a Tibetan settlement established in the 1960s, with Chokling Monastery, the Deer Park Institute and a cafe culture that has grown up around both. Stays run from hostel dorms to quiet homestays in Chowgan.
Busy, young and international from March to June and again from September to November. Genuinely quiet in the monsoon and deep winter.
Good for
- Paragliding
- Solo travellers
- Long stays
- Cafes and co-working
Watch out for
- The landing-ground end of the village is loud until late in season. Chowgan and Ghornala are calmer.
- Flying is weather-dependent. Budget spare days rather than a single afternoon.
Getting to Bir
- From Palampur centre
- 19.3 km
- Kangra (Gaggal) airport
- 45.6 km
- Nearest railway station
- Baijnath Paprola · 8.6 km
- Elevation
- 1400 m
Straight-line distances from map coordinates. Roads in this terrain can run up to twice as far.
Noticeably cooler than Palampur town. Expect frost on winter mornings and occasional snow; ask what kind of heating a room has and whether it is charged extra.
Nearby
Open for listings
Be the first property listed in Bir
We are still building out listings in Bir. If you run a homestay, hotel or guest house here, the first listing is yours — free, and permanent.
Not sure Bir is right?
Tell us what your trip needs — the road, the steps, the heating, the noise — and we will tell you whether Bir suits it, and which neighbouring area might suit it better.
Bir: common questions
Where is Bir?
Bir is in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India, about 19.3 km from the centre of Palampur, at roughly 1400 metres. Landing ground, Tibetan colony, long lunches.
What is Bir like?
Busy, young and international from March to June and again from September to November. Genuinely quiet in the monsoon and deep winter. It suits paragliding, solo travellers, long stays.
Where can I stay in Bir?
No property in Bir has listed with us yet. If you run a homestay, guest house or hotel here, a listing is free and yours would be the first visitors see.
What should I plan around in Bir?
The landing-ground end of the village is loud until late in season. Chowgan and Ghornala are calmer. Flying is weather-dependent. Budget spare days rather than a single afternoon.
How far is Bir from Kangra airport?
Bir is about 45.6 km in a straight line from Kangra (Gaggal) airport, the nearest airport to Palampur. Road distance in this terrain is typically longer — allow 119–146 minutes by taxi.
Which railway station is nearest to Bir?
The nearest station to Bir is Baijnath Paprola, about 8.6 km away, on the Kangra Valley narrow-gauge line from Pathankot to Joginder Nagar. Taxis wait at both Palampur Himachal and Baijnath Paprola; agree the fare before you set off.