Major city · India
Bir
Spend 1–2 days in Bir for paragliding and monastery visits; a single day works if you only fly.
Bir is a small Himalayan town in Himachal Pradesh known for paragliding, Tibetan monasteries and volunteer programs. It is reachable by bus, train or taxi from Dharamshala, Pathankot or Delhi. One to two days let you fly, explore the main monasteries and sample local cafés.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (monsoon)
- Airport
- DHM
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bir112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bir, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyBir is generally safe for tourists; stay aware of mountain road conditions, weather‑related flight cancellations, and keep valuables secure.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 Medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDHM Kangra Airport (Gaggal) (≈2 h by taxi from Bir).
- Getting aroundLocal taxis are common; a short ride from Bir Road to the Tibetan Colony costs ₹60–70 (≈ under US$1).
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DHM Kangra Airport (Gaggal) (≈2 h by taxi from Bir)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bir: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
5 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
4 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
15 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local taxis are common; a short ride from Bir Road to the Tibetan Colony costs ₹60–70. Buses run along Bir Road between Upper Bir and the Tibetan Colony. Walking between Upper Bir, Chowgan and Sherab Ling takes 15–70 min.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sherab Ling Monastery
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
15‑min taxi from Chowgan or 50‑70 min walk
Popular for meditation retreats
Ghurnala (Dharmalaya Institute)
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
15‑min taxi from Upper Bir or 1‑h walk
Eco‑camp and volunteer hub
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Shiva Guest House
₹500 per night, basic rooms with hot water
Bhawani Guest House
₹300–700 double rooms, homely atmosphere
Bir Billing Camping
Eco‑camp, tents on bamboo platforms, price varies
Chokling Guesthouse
₹250 double rooms, solar‑heated showers
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹800–1,200 (≈ US$10–14) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹1,200–2,500 (≈ US$14–30) excl. bed
- High
- ₹2,500 (≈ US$30)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Meal in café | ₹20–200 (≈ US$1–3) |
| Taxi within Bir (≈2 km) | ₹50–70 (≈ under US$1) |
| Paragliding flight (single)price varies by season and provider | ₹5,000–7,500 (≈ US$60–90) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required for overnight stays in the Tibetan Colony; arrange in advance.
- Paragliding flights depend on weather; check forecasts before booking.
- Roads can be steep and narrow; use reputable taxi drivers.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Medical
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BirBir
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
कृपया मुझे इस पते पर ले जाएँPlease take me to this address
Emergency
- Police112
- Medical112
Embassy
US Consulate in Chandigarh; other embassies in New Delhi.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Delhi → Pathankot (overnight bus): ≈₹1,200–1,500, 12 h (check)
- Pathankot → Bir (taxi): ≈₹3,000, 4 h
- Bir Road → Tibetan Colony (taxi): ₹60–70 (≈ under US$1)
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello (namaste)
- कितना है? — How much? (kitna hai?)
- बस स्टॉप कहाँ है? — Where is the bus stop? (bas stop kahan hai?)
- मुझे टैक्सी चाहिए — I need a taxi (mujhe taxi chahiye)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bir. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (monsoon) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Bir
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