Things to do in Bir-Billing, Himachal Pradesh - destination for ecotourism, spirituality, adventure and serentiy

Bir in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh makes a perfect destination for natural beauty, ecotourism, spirituality and adventure. Bir was my first abode in the Himalayas. I was blessed to get a chance to live in one of the most beautiful villages of Himachal after I quit my job and left the city life for a quieter and healthier life.
Bir was a great choice for me as it still retains its calmness and serenity. I explored Bir on foot, at my own pace. It is the first destination for my slow travels. 

Bir, Himachal Pradesh

​Monasteries in and around Bir

Bir has a very positive and peaceful vibe in the air, possibly because of the many monasteries in and around this place.

​Paplung Sherabling Monastery in Bhattu, near Bir

Paplung Sherabling Monastery is the largest monastery in this area. If you drive from the Palampur side, you would start catching glimpses of this monastery from the road itself. It is in a village called Bhattu, 5kms away from Bir. Situated in the pine forested protected land with the backdrop of the Dhauladhar Himalayan range, it provides a serene ambiance in and around the monastery.

Paplung Sherabling Monastery in Bhattu, near Bir, Himachal Pradesh

​Pema Ewam Chögar Gyurme Ling or Chokling Monastery in Bir

Pema Ewam Chögar Gyurme Ling Monastery​ is also called Chokling Monastery as it was built by the Chokling Rinpoche. Neten Chokling, an incarnate lama of the Nyingma lineage of Tibetan Buddhism migrated to Bir and established a Tibetan settlement. Located in the central part of Tibetan colony, this is the most beautiful monastery in Bir.

Pema Ewam Chögar Gyurme Ling or Chokling Monastery in Bir, Himachal Pradesh

​I would visit the monastery often just to sit on the lawns in front of the monastery and observe the monks performing their rituals, the kid monks playing in the lawns and the paragliders flying over the monastery.

Palyul Chökhorling Monastery or Nyingma Monastery in Bir

Palyul Chökhorling Monastery also know as Nyingma Monastery is on the main road just across the most famous landmark - Hotel Surya Classic. It is hard to keep your eyes away from the colourful paragliding parachutes whenever you get a clear view of the sky. The landing site is quite close to the Tibetan colony. It is quite a delight to observe the pilots glide over the monasteries. 

Palyul Chökhorling Monastery or Nyingma Monastery in Bir, Himachal Pradesh

​Tsering Dzong Monastery in Bir

Tsering Dzong monastery is located near the cross road of Bir Colony Road, right behind the tea gardens of Chougan. This monastery looks very vibrant and artistic with bright colours and sculptures. 

Tsering Dzong Monastery in Bir, Himachal Pradesh

Dirru Samdup Dechen Choekhor Ling or Sakya Dirru Monastery in Bir

I discovered Dirru Samdup Dechen Choekhor Ling also called Sakya Dirru Monastery during one of my morning walks. I randomly took one of the many trails though the fields and ended up walking towards the Tibetan colony when I spotted the bright blue coloured monastery. 

Dirru Samdup Dechen Choekhor Ling or Sakya Dirru Monastery in Bir, Himachal Pradesh

I walked in when the monks were performing their morning prayers. It was a beautiful start to my day.

​Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö Monastery in Chauntra near Bir

Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö Monastery is located in Chauntra, at a distance of 7 kms from Bir, Himachal Pradesh. It is actually in the campus of a shedra (monastic college) known as Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö College of Dialectics. Monks from more than 300 monasteries representing all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism from across the Himalayan region to attend the shedra, where they are taught by highly trained khenpos. This institute is considered one of the leaders in higher Buddhist education. 
I spent one of my evening watching the monk students play basketball and football in the campus.

Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö Monastery in Chauntra near Bir, Himachal Pradesh

Adventure Activities in Bir

Bir is an ecotourism destination of Himachal Pradesh promoting adventure activities like paragliding, camping, trekking, mountain biking.
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Paragliding in Bir-Billing

When I look up in the air from my house, I see colourful parachutes gracefully floating in the sky with few adventurous ones doing interesting acrobatics while landing. Bir is famous as Asia's best paragliding site and had hosted International Paragliding Competition in 2015.

Billing on the top is the take-off site and Bir is the landing site. This site excites paragliders from across the world. ​The landing site is quite a treat to the eyes. One can spend hours here without getting bored. I walked to the landing site road frequently in the evenings and spent time watching the gliders till the sunset.

Paragliding in Bir-Billing

Bir hosts National Institute of Paragaliding, where pilots are trained and given the license to fly. ​

National Institute of Paragliding in Bir, Himachal Pradesh

The tourists can enjoy flying with the trained pilots who hold tandem license.

Best time for Paragliding in Bir

March-May and September-October.
​Paragliding is closed during the rains and and snowfall in winters.

​Trekking in Bir

Bir is located at the foothills of Himalayas. Various trekking and hiking routes start from Bir. A simple walking trail to challenging treks, there's something for everyone.

• Many hiking trails run through the pine forests to mountain tops which give vast views of the Dhauladhar range and bird's eye view of the monastic village Bir.
• The most famous short trekking route is from Billing to Rajgundha. One can camp overnight in the village and either return back to Billing the next day or go further ahead to Barot valley.
• The medium grade and difficult grade treks to Chhota Bangal and Bara Bangal for the more adventurous ones also start from Bir. 
• Parashar Lake is at a distance of 100 km / 3 hours from Bir. Trekking route to Parashar Lake gives rewarding views of the Dhauladhar Himalayan Range.
• Mcleodganj is easily approachable from Bir. Treks like Triund, Kareri Lake, Indrahar PAss that start from Mcleodganj can also be considered while you are in Bir.

Trekking in Bir

​Mountain Biking in Bir

Bir is a paradise for mountain biking lovers. Bir has a lot of trails with challenging uphill ascends. One can enjoy diverse picturesque landscapes while riding in and around Bir. Clean and serene trails take you through green fields, pine forests, monasteries and mountains.

Mountain Biking in Bir

Cafes and Restaurants in Bir

There aren't many places in Bir for eating out. Very few tourists stay in Bir. Most of them come for a day trip for paragliding from Mcleodganj or Palampur. The locals generally prefer cooking at home.

Garden Cafe in Bir is the most prominent cafe. They serve delicious egg rolls, pancakes, wood-fired pizzas, salads and soups. The egg rolls were wrapped in special Tibetan bread. I used to take the Tibetan bread home from here to have it with hummus I cooked at home. Garden is a favourite hangout joint for the travellers. It was my favourite place for breakfast and evening teas. There's an art gallery in the cafe, selling artistic Tibetan artefacts and designer clothes. 

Garden Cafe in Bir, Himachal Pradesh

There's a fine dining restaurant in Colonel's Resort. It is not open to the outsiders. They serve only to the inmates of the resort.

Colonel's Resort in Bir, Himachal Pradesh

The 4Tables is a cafe in Gunehar, an art village near Bir. This cafe has scenic mountainous views and it is famous for wood-fired pizzas. They cook pizzas only on pre-order of minimum 4 pizzas per order. This cafe also showcases an art gallery. 

The 4Tables Cafe in Gunehar, near Bir

​There is a simple restaurant in Sherabling monastery. This was my favourite cafe for Tibetan Butter Tea. They had a menu consisting of Tibetan and Indian cuisines. The food here is not too tasty, but hygienic.

Restaurant in Sherbaling monastery

There are many food stalls and small cafes in the Tibetan colony providing with Tibetan food. They cook awesome glass noodles, momos, soup and tea. Joy Cafe is the best pick for local Tibetan food.

Joy Cafe, Tibetan colony, Bir

​Quite a few restaurants have come up near the landing site area. These restaurants mainly serve continental and fast food. Milan Cafe surprised me with creative and very good quality freshly baked wood-fired pizzas.
I spent my day in Bir at Garden Cafe for breakfast and Milan Cafe for lunch.

Milan Cafe, landing site, Bir

There used to be only one tea stall at Billing, famous as 'Chachu Chai'. Standing colourful in the blue sky on top of the Billing mountain, it serves tea, maggi and omlette. Lately another tea stall has come up at the take off site at Billing.

Chachu Chai, Billing, Himachal Pradesh

Accommodation in Bir

Although Bir is not frequented by tourists, this place has accommodation facilities for all kind of needs.

Homestay is a good choice for solo travelers and backpackers who prefer budget accommodation and living with local family. There are lot of homestay options on Chougan Road and upper Bir. The homestays with open gates invite you when you walk on the roads.

Homestays in Bir, Himachal Pradesh

Aekant Resort as it is rightly named, is a guest house standing all alone in tranquility of the mountains. This is perfect for people who want to enjoy complete solitude and nature.

Aekant Resort in Bir, Himachal Pradesh

​If you want to feel the positive energy of the monastic village of Bir all day, you have an the opportunity to live in the monastic guest houses. These guest houses are located in the periphery of the monasteries and run by the monastery. Sherabling monastery and Chokling monastery have guest houses.

Guest house in Sherabling Monastery

​Bir also has a yoga and healing retreat called Namlang Himal Resort on Chougan Road. This resort is has independent cottages beautifully surrounded with trees and colourful plants. There's a yoga and massage center in the resort. They have their own organic farm in the backyard. The food in their restaurant is prepared from the organic homegrown.

Namlang Himal Resort, Bir, Himachal Pradesh

The 4Rooms in Gunehar village is a boutique property with 4 mud rooms and a chic bathroom.

The 4Rooms, Gunehar, near Bir

There are luxury properties Colonel's Resort and Tatva Resort for the ones who need extra comfortable stays.

Rooms in Tatva Resort, Bir

For those who love glamping and camping, there's a campsite on Chougan road next to Bir Resort. There are many budget guesthouses in Tibetan colony. Hotel Surya Classic is a famous mid range guest house.

Camping in Bir

​When I lived in Bir, Zostel came up with a their new hostel in Bir. It has 12 bunk beds and 2 private rooms. It's a great place for solo and budget travellers who enjoy the company other travellers in the hostel.

Zostel, Bir

How to travel to Bir

The nearest Airport is the Gagal Airport at Dharamsala, 70 kms away from Bir. 
The most economical and convenient option is to take the overnight HRTC volvo bus from Delhi Kashmere Gate to Upper Bir. Tickets can be booked online from this website - www.hrtchp.com/hrtctickets
A longer option is the toy train that runs from Pathankot to Ahju, 3 kms away from Bir. Even though the journey can get uncomfortable, but the train runs through route with beautiful sceneries.

Toy train from Pathankot to Ahju, near Bir

Best time to travel to Bir-Billing

The best time to travel to Bir is February-May and September-November.
It rains heavily in Bir in the rainy season. Winters can get very cold but it still makes a good time to travel.
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​Related Posts:

Bir - My first abode in the Himalayas

Guide to Mcleodganj