Chasing the Sky in Bir Billing

Bir has always held a little piece of my heart. Maybe it is the way the sun melts into the mountains at dusk, the quiet monasteries tucked into the hills, or the little cafes where time seems to slow down. There is something about Bir that makes you want to stay a little longer—and then there are the adventures that make you want to step outside your comfort zone.

That was one of the reasons I had come to Bir. I wanted to fly.

Standing at the take-off point, strapped into my harness, I was a strange mix of excitement and nerves. I looked down once, took a breath, and before I had enough time to overthink it, we started running.

And then, just like that, the ground disappeared.

For the first few seconds, I was too stunned to process what had happened. Then the wind rushed against my face, my hair flew behind me, and everything suddenly became wonderfully clear. The evening sky was painted in warm shades of gold, the mountains stretched endlessly around us, and other paragliders floated quietly through the air.

I finally understood what people mean when they say a bird's-eye view.

Far below, tiny houses looked like little toys, sheep moved like white dots across green fields, and people appeared no bigger than ants. In the distance, snow-capped mountains stood quietly against the horizon. Even the monasteries, which felt so significant from the ground, looked almost miniature from up there.

But the most beautiful part wasn't the view.

It was the silence.

As we climbed higher, there was nothing but me. All the worries, deadlines and racing thoughts were left behind on the ground. I was in complete bliss.

For those few minutes, I wasn't watching someone else live an adventure through a screen. I was living it.

And somewhere above the hills of Bir, with the sun slowly setting around me, I realised that sometimes you don't need to escape the world—you just need to rise above it for a while.

That is what Bir gave me.

A memory of what it feels like to fly. 🪂

Before You Book Your Flight

Choose Your Pilot, Not Just Your Package

Don't simply walk into the first paragliding counter you see because the price looks attractive.

Ask who your pilot will be, whether the operator is authorised, what is included in the price, what happens if the weather turns bad, and whether insurance or other required coverage is included. Under Himachal Pradesh's adventure-activity rules, operators are required to maintain documentation including pilot certifications, insurance, inspection records, flight logs and safety procedures. The rules also require a pre-flight briefing covering the activity, safety instructions, weather and relevant restrictions.

And honestly, this is one experience where I wouldn't try to save a few hundred rupees by choosing the cheapest operator.

It is also worth asking to see the equipment before you take off. Your harness should fit properly, your helmet should be secure and the operator should be able to explain the safety equipment being used. Experienced local guidance also recommends checking that the pilot carries a reserve parachute.

Don't be embarrassed to ask questions. A professional pilot won't find your questions irritating—they should expect them.