Bir Billing Paragliding:2nd Highest In The World!

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Bir Billing paragliding is the world’s second-highest and second-best site for paragliders.
Also recognized as Asia’s highest and best location.
It is also known as the paragliding capital of India.
Notwithstanding our collective use of the name Bir-Billing, they are two distinct locations.
Located at the foothills of the Himalayas, a state known for its scenic mountain beauty, Himachal Pradesh.
The paragliding take-off site is Billing, a popular site, discover the ‘Dhauladhar range’ splendor at an altitude of about 8200 feet above sea level which is called “heaven for paragliders.”

Billing is well-known for its adventure activities; the hamlet gives visitors the chance to go paragliding,
hang gliding, trekking, and camping outdoors. In contrast to Bir, which is well-known for its natural beauty, distinctive Tibetan culture, and immense tea gardens.
Paragliding is possible because of Bir-Billing’s favorable topography.
Once it hosted the Paragliding World Cup in 2015.
Bir-Billing receives roughly 300–400 visitors per day during the peak season and is regarded as one of the “safest” paragliding spots in the country.

✔Which is the best Season to visit Bir-Billing?
No matter in which season you visit the Bir Billing paragliding site, it will give you an incredible experience.
Although the best paragliding season runs from October to June.
The optimum times for long flights are from October & November and March to June.
While December-January is a great month for paragliding, they’re different since Billing also gets
snow during that time, and all the nearby mountains are blanketed with it.
However, because the paraglider is not enticed to fly higher or for a longer period of time due to
the cool air temperature, flying remains low during December-January.
With temperatures falling below zero, the months of December to February are the coldest in Bir.

✔What will be the cost of Tandem Paragliding?
It will cost you approximately ₹3000–₹3500 for each 15-20 minute ride.

“Your life is not intended to settle at one place.

You’re meant to explore outdoors.

Discover Yourself!”

Neha Kaithwas

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STORYLINE-Everything You Need to Know

It was the month of December and one of my friends and I decided to celebrate this
New Year in an adventurous way.
So tell me which Indian state do you think would be the best for adventure?
I hope you guessed it right.
It’s Himachal Pradesh!

Accordingly, we booked one group adventure trip to Himachal Pradesh, which was basically a backpacking trip.
You might be wondering why I decided to go on a group trip. I could have taken just one private trip, instead.
Nonetheless, this is the best method of travel if you want to support sustainable travel and tourism.
By leaving our planet with fewer carbon footprints.
Apart from that you get to socialize more as you meet like-minded people.
The exposure you get from the individuals you meet from different cultures and opinions
rewards you with making many friends on the journey.
Ergo, this broadens your perspective on life.

So my journey went like this…

We had to catch our train from Delhi to Jalandhar at 6 AM.
Five minutes prior to the train’s departure, we arrived at the station.
Wait, what could possibly go wrong this time? I Would say our luck was not right.
We got to the last platform of the station.
The only course of action left to us was to RUN!
Of course, no one would ever want to miss the most anticipated trip experience. Right?
On a chilly morning, we were sprinting while holding our bags.
But hopefully, we caught our train. Mission train was successful!

After 7 Hours of the train journey, we reached Jalandhar.
From there we had to catch our group Traveller bus.
This was the time when we met a few amazing people, introduced each other, and made new happening friends.
Luckily vibes got matched because they were now our family for the next 8 days of the trip.
Our journey started but before leaving for Bir-Billing, we had a halt at Haveli Restaurant in Jalandhar.
We had our meals, we all did the Bhangra(Punjabi Dance) in sandals
and witnessed an incredible glimpse of Punjabi culture.

In the evening we left for Bir-Billing where the actual journey to Himachal Pradesh Begins.
While on the journey we developed strong relationships, danced to impromptu music, laughed at silly jokes, and enjoyed some pakoras and coffee from Tapris(shop).
What else do you do to pass the travel time?
Well, those Journeys felt like home. Where journeys feel like home.
This is what I usually dream about. Travelling, discovering yourself, and learning from the journeys.
Self-discovery is the best gift one could give to themselves.
What do you think?

Again after travelling for 8 Hours, we reached our destination i.e. Bir Billing Paragliding Site.
I checked my mobile phone to see the time and it turned out to be 1:30 AM.
I saw outside the window to check if I could see where I was but I saw complete darkness outside,
not even a single street light.
Then suddenly our guide told us to get outside as we reached our destination.
We all then questioned him, where is our destination? We couldn’t see anything.
Not even a single shelter, Hotel, resort, or anything.
He then asked us to just step outside, it was a surprise.
They gave us a hint by saying, “Don’t forget it’s an adventure trip!

The moment I stepped outside the bus, I started shivering. The temperature showed -1^oC!
It was shivery cold outside, what would you expect at an altitude of 8200 feet above sea level?
But there was one thing that made me forget all the chilling vibes out there, can you guess it?
Well.., as I mentioned above about the complete darkness,
what do you think you would see in complete darkness outside at night?
Of course, Stars!
The stars filled the sky. And sure, I was astonished! I was taken aback by the sky;
it was so enchanted that I forgot the cold for a moment. It’s hard to describe how magical it was.
Never in my life have I witnessed so many stars and shooting stars.
Nature never forgets to show its beauty even in the darkness.
It knows how to shine even in the darkest hour.✨

After gazing at the sky for a few minutes, we got to know that we were camping tonight.
One of the trip guides stated, could you see the single lamp light down the hill?
we have to trek down to that location for camping, he added.
We were amused by the fact of hiking at night!
Yet I was intrigued and delighted by that.

We immediately began our hike, leaving all of our belongings on the bus; I carried no bags whatsoever.
That was the first-night hike I had ever taken in my life, and it was at Billing in bitterly cold weather.
We had to hike for around 15-20 minutes to get to our camping spot named The Sky Village, Billing.

The camping site had all the arrangements. At first, we had a hungry late dinner at 2 AM. (You might be thinking that I mean who does dinner at 2 AM? Well, you’re right, but when you’re on an adventure trip, everything is possible, all we need to do is let go of our comfort zones and create some lifelong experiences.)

After having our meals we had a bonfire night, where we got relief from the cold, sang songs, played a few games, stargaze, and did little chit-chat. Admiring that moment, that was the ideal night.
Out of your comfort zone, you make the ever-lasting memories of your life. Which results in your best decisions.

Next, after sunrise, we hardly slept for 2-3 Hours. But we were blessed with the beautiful view.
Each tent faced a breathtaking panorama of the Bir Billing paragliding site. The site was in a really serene location.
We were at the highest point, where mountain ranges were visible to the horizon and the beautiful sunrise.

When I was a college student, five years ago, I had a dream about paragliding at the Bir Billing paragliding site,
and on that day, I was ready to cross this adventure off my bucket list.
We had our breakfast and prepared our minds for an amazing adventure.

“That Bird-Eye view will give you broader perspectives on life.”

Neha Kaithwas

Before engaging in any adventure activity, we must fill out a declaration form known as the indemnity bond or liability waiver.
While filling out this form I asked one of the instructors how many people
genuinely gave up this activity after reaching the spot?
He said 60%. This information made me anxious at that time.

We then reached the take-off site. It was a hike of 15 minutes from our campsite.
Curiosity, excitement, and anxiety all arose that time after having a glimpse at a few people taking off from the mountains.
During that time I met one guy who was learning paragliding, for a P1+P2 license.
Had a really wonderful conversation with him which literally gave me confidence and changed my perspective to face my fears. Do you wanna know what he said?
Let it be a matter of suspense; I’ll reveal it shortly.

The take-off point seems captivating.
You’ll see paragliders gliding like birds above snow-capped summits and mountain ranges blanketed with greenery. Here, people from all around the world and country unite to experience the thrill and to connect with nature.

Finally, after a few hours of waiting, my turn came.
This time I was super enthusiastic and confident rather than anxious.
Here’s how it went…

My paragliding instructor/pilot guided me with all the necessary precautions about safety and equipment.
We geared up and practiced running.
The instructor arranged the paraglider and called for the final take-off.
In one hand I was holding a GoPro and he asked me to start running.
I began to run down the sloped hill, but it wasn’t a smooth take-off.
When I started running, the instructor realized one of the lines of the paraglider got tangled.
So he had to turn back, untangle it within a second, and then we took off.
Though my take-off was not smooth my flight was super calm.
The moment we took the flight in the sky I screamed out of exhilaration.
At first, the paraglider went down and then up with the flow of air till we got stable at the top flying.

Once we got stable, I looked down and felt like a bird flying.
That bird’s eye showed me mountain ranges covered with green patches of trees and far away I could see the snowy mountains and a village that looked like a miniature toy world.
I moved my feet to realize I was really hanging up in the sky.
I could feel the cool breeze, the relaxing sunlight, and the clear sky.
At that moment I felt authentic tranquility, I forgot all the problems of my life and just felt the presence, felt alive.

A “Parindon ki Nagri” is what Bir Billing Paragliding actually is.
My landing went without a hitch, and I will always cherish those 20 minutes I spent tandem paragliding in Bir Billing.
If I get the opportunity, I’ll go back there again for a longer period of time and learn it for sure.

After landing at Bir, with hearts filled with joy and self-satisfaction we did Cafe Hopping.
There are so many lovely cafes nearby that you can visit and enjoy the sunset or sunrise while glimpsing out at the Bir landing site.
We had an amazing time at the Northern cafe.

So, here I reveal what inspiration that guy gave me,
“Never think twice, Just do it!
And then overthink. Take the risk then only you’ll know.”
And I guess taking risks is the only hack to live your life to the fullest.

More Himachal anecdotes and experiences will be shared in the upcoming blogs soon, to be continued…

Conclusion-Bir Billing Paragliding

Bir Billing is one of the places in India that has my heart.
After Gulmarg, Kashmir this would be the place I would love to visit again and again.
This place offers what I would call “pleasant vibes,” which are special.
The whole experience at Bir Billing will tell you a lot about life, and your self-discovery as a person and gonna boost your self-confidence.

Experience is everything! I think it’s the only way to live your life to the fullest.
See your growth and fill your soul with happiness, not junk!
If you are an adventure and thrill-seeking persona, then this place should be on your bucket list.
A must-visit place in India.
Never think twice, visit here soon!
As you’ve read this blog post all the way to the conclusion, it’s a sign for you to experience the thrill and adventure at Bir Billing Paragliding, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Happy Adventures!
Happy Paragliding!
Have a safe Travel!

Take a moment to share in the comments section below,
Which was the best adventure activity you’ve ever experienced in your life?
I would love to know and experience the same.

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