Bir is a village in Joginder Nagar valley, Dhauladhar Range of the foothills of the Indian Himalayas. It is known for its scenic views, paragliding, Meditations, and Tibetan colonies.
It is situated approximately 50 km southeast of Dharamshala at a distance of approximately three hours by road. Or via Pathankot to Ahju through the train.
You can also reach Bir by hopping into a bus to Baijnath and then taking another bus from Baijnath to Bir.
The views will keep you engaged and in no time you’ll be in Bir.
Bir Billing is Famous for – Paragliding, sightseeing, Tibetan colonies.
Why Bir – Billing??
1) Paragliding – Bir is worldwide known for paragliding. It is said to be the second best paragliding site in the world and the best in Asia. So, if you want to test your guts, jump off from Bir, this season. The paragliding season is said to be between September to November but you’ll see people paragliding all over the year.
The price is a bit high in the offseason but it’s more crowded in the on the season so you can choose accordingly.
Approx charge for paragliding 2000INR.
2) Apart from the drone-like the view from the above, you can boost your soul and fuel it with nature by some nearby hikes. There are amazing treks that start near Bir. The two that I’d recommend you are Rajgundha trek and Phuladhar trek. These treks are not very known but are absolutely worth going on. Rajgundha trek starts near a village called Badagran. It is good to book for the trek in advance either online or when in Bir to keep it more sorted.
Talking about the Rajgundha trek, it is one of the lesser known but worth a shot treks in Himachal. It covers the beauty of Barot valley leading to the Rajgundha valley. The mesmerizing views during the trek will add power to your connection towards nature. The Phuladhar trek is another stunning offbeat trek in Himachal. It is an easy go trek for any inexperienced trekker to do it.
3)Tibetan colonies – Bir is famous for it’s Tibetan monasteries and colonies too. You can find monks walking around just as normal. Connect with them. Ask them their stories and get to know how a monk lives by visiting monasteries in Bir, near the landing site. Get enchanted by the beautiful garden and breathtaking Tibetan architecture. Bir is one such place, no matter where you turn, you’ll find the scenic view and natural beauty all around.
Where to stay- There are various options for you to stay in Bir depending upon your choice. From hostels to camps.
My favourite is Connect – I’d recommend you to stay in @connect_bir which offers you to stay and experience nature to its fullest. It is located away from the hustle-bustle into the hills. From waking up to the scenic view of the landing site surrounded by hills to the peaceful nights in woods.
Connect has so much to offer, along with the natural beauty, the minimal but unique decoration leaves another great soothing impact on the visitors.
You’ll always be welcomed with a broad smile and fresh tea.
Connect has a whole “Homelike” feel to it. Stay in cosy camps. Hike around the campsite for an amazing view of the sunset and connect with locals and burst out in laughter hearing their stories. You get to eat homemade food in the hills which is super delicious and super pocket-friendly, also, you’ll be asked to wash the utensils on your own. Relax back, play the guitar if you want or play games with fellow visitors. Even the host there is an amazing guitarist, request him to sing a song. The bathroom toilet is clean and spacious enough. Please, do not spill around if you’re there. And how can I forget Jeeva? This little pup will cheer you up and hop around you until you leave. It will never make you feel left out. Your experience at Connect is going to be different and you’re going to love it.
A place to eat at –
Avva’s Cafe – Can you imagine having South Indian food in the Himalayas? Quite an irony! This cafe right here is run by a South Indian family. Their story is quite intriguing. The word “AVVA” means Mother in Telugu. They serve freshly home-made south Indian cuisine that the owner (mom) of Avva’s Cafe makes herself. The hosts are so warm and welcoming that you’d want to sip your filter coffee with them hearing their stories. Another very important thing about this cafe is its location. Located at the landing site, you get to watch paragliding activities on one side and fresh green land with scenic Himalayan ranges on the other. The food is so fresh and delicious that you’ll want to go back throughout your stay in Bir.
– written by: Zoha Jalal Khan
