The first ridge of the Himalaya runs unbroken for almost a hundred kilometres, and thermals form on almost every spur. October and November are more stable and smoother, March–May stronger and less predictable — we take groups in the stable window.

Ask about dates Format and price All destinations

Oct–Nov · Mar–Apr

trip window

€1 490

Guiding format, from

1 : 4

one guide per four pilots

50 hours · XC from 30 km

pilot requirements

SkyAtlantida › XC trips worldwide › India

Site

Bir-Billing: numbers, not impressions

Billing launch

2400 m

a green meadow, a short walk up from the car park

Bir landing

1410 m

2 minutes on foot to the village

Cloudbase

4000–6000 m

climbs 2–7 m/s, in October–November up to about 7

Ridge

almost 100 km unbroken

flown along the front or the back ridge

Duration

10 days

Trip window

October–November and March–April

Meeting hub

Bir (Billing) or Panchgani

the country's hub, not a fixed launch — we pick the valley from the forecast about a week before departure

Level

intermediate+ thermal/XC

Why fly here

What this place gives you

Strengths

The main route is Dharamsala and back: a simple, pleasant 100 km out-and-return
Thermals form on almost every spur — the whole line works
The westerly breeze that develops during the day helps you get back to Bir
Retrieve is usually not needed: the plan is to return to the main landing

What is dangerous here

There is no helicopter evacuation.
Poor mobile coverage, no radio monitoring. A live tracker is mandatory
Going over the back here is linked to accidents and missing pilots; behind the back ridge are gorges, long walk-outs and often strong valley wind
Risk of hypoxia and hypothermia at high altitude
The official site regulation recommends not heading north until you are ready to survive in high mountains; carry at least a lighter and a knife

Routes

What people fly here

Dharamsala and back — 100 km. The more serious option is the crossing over the high mountains to Manali, a wild and demanding flight. Camp descriptions mention 150 km open distance and a 75.7 km FAI triangle.

Competitions. XC Paragliding Pre World Cup, Bir, 2023 — five race-to-goal tasks of 59–72 km. In 1992 the out-and-return world record of 132.5 km was set here.

Format

Dates, price and what is included

Guiding

€1 490per pilot, EUR

Guiding + stay

€1 890twin/shared for the whole trip

Group

4–8 pilotsratio 1 guide : 4 pilots; a second guide joins the larger groups

Deposit

30 %non-refundable — except when the group does not form and we cannot run the tour

The Guiding format includes: a guide on site for the whole trip, weather briefing and the task of the day, shuttle to launch, retrieve from the landing, radio guidance and live tracking, track debrief every evening. Accommodation and meals are yours.
Guiding + stay: twin or shared for the whole trip, price in the table above.
Not included: flights, insurance, personal equipment, visa fees, local site fees — cable cars, launch fees, forest and park fees.
Booking and invoicing are handled by the manager. This is a partner site, so the final price and deposit are confirmed by the manager — the price in the table is valid at the time of publication.

Groups of 4–8 pilots; a trip runs from four. Dates inside the window are adjusted to the group that forms — tell us the month and we will schedule the trip. The 30 % deposit per pilot secures your place and is non-refundable, except when the group does not form and we cannot run the tour. What to bring — on the pilot requirements page, full rules — in the XC booking terms.

Preparation

Visa, weather and non-flying days

Visa

Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Georgia — e-visa. For citizens of Russia the 30-day e-Tourist Visa is free. One-year — $40, five-year — $200, for Russia $120. An e-Visa can be obtained no more than twice per calendar year, and you must arrive through designated airports.

Rules change — check the primary source before buying tickets. If you need help with documents, write to us.

Weather in the window

October 23 °C, November 21, December 15. Little rain: 72, 23 and 55 mm — against 710 mm in July.

If we are not flying

Tibetan monasteries in Bir, Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj, the tea plantations of Palampur.

Read before the deposit

Insurance, documents and rules

Insurance that covers paragliding is mandatory — at least €100 000, with search and rescue, helicopter evacuation and repatriation. Before the trip every participant signs the participant document and sends it to us together with a photo of their passport and licence.

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Pilot requirementsLevel, equipment, radio, insurance, emergency procedure

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XC booking termsVersion 1.3 of 21 Aug 2026, 23 sections

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Safety briefing“You are the pilot in command”, weather, radio

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Participant document (RU)PDF · filled in and signed once before the trip

Where else

Other destinations

There is a flying destination in every month of the year. If your dates do not match this window, look at the neighbouring ones.

Georgia Kazakhstan Turkey France Spain Italy Slovenia Alps / Andorra Colombia Brazil Nepal North Macedonia Greece Bulgaria Romania Pakistan All destinations and seasons →

Tell us your hours and the dates you are looking at

We will answer straight: whether you are ready for this destination now or should first take a step down. In Russian and English.

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