At first sight, Bir might just seem like another mountain town. On closer look, you will discover the hidden gems this beautiful place is home to! 

This paragliding capital of India offers a mix of adventure and calm, magic and mystery, and something for everyone. Whether you are seeking an adventurous experience or a more relaxed trip to the mountains, this place offers it all. 

Being extremely fond of the mountains, Bir has been on my list for a while. I finally made the trip happen in May. The trip was fantastic, and I am still not over it. But since the time I have been back, people keep asking me questions like, ‘What was the best part about your trip?’.

Now this is where the conundrum begins. It’s really difficult for me to choose an answer because each experience was so different and unique. It almost feels like I am being unfair to the experience that didn’t make the cut. So here is my compromise, I have made a list of all of the ‘best parts of my trip’ to share with you. Read on!

Sunset at the Landing Site

The sunset at the Landing site is one of the first recommendations that will pop up for you when planning a trip to Bir. This paragliding landing site offers the most beautiful sunset you will ever see. The warm hues of the sky along with the backdrop of the paragliders is a sight that you don’t want to miss. 

We went to the landing site every day while we were in Bir. It is surrounded by cute little cafes to dine in as well as a variety of stalls to grab a bite from. We stuck to the staples and munched on a hot plate of masala Maggi and delicious momos while watching the gorgeous sunset. And, the bonus part — we even met the cutest dog!

While I love my planned, adventure-filled days on a trip, I experience a different kind of peace and joy by just lying in the grass with my friends, laughing, and watching the paragliders look like tiny birds in the sky. It’s one of those picturesque moments that you capture in your head and carry with you as beautiful memories.

Towards the end of our trip, it started raining, and we saw the most amazing lightning from here. It lit up the entire sky in shades of blue and purple. Stormy skies are mysterious and beautiful in their own way — don’t you think?

Paragliding 

Have you ever wanted to fly as a kid? Flapped your arms as if they were wings, hoping for a magical takeoff? I think I just found out what comes closest to experiencing that!

Bir and paragliding are synonymous with each other. If you live in India and Google the word paragliding, Bir is bound to pop up. Bir is the second-highest paragliding site in the world and the highest in Asia. This adventure sport is what mostly draws people to Bir, and trust me, this is not an experience you want to miss out on.

I had paragliding on my list when I was planning my trip to Bir. I had heard and read so much about it that I knew the trip would have felt incomplete if I didn’t cross this off my list. 

You know how, when you watch people participating in adventure sports, you think how exciting it must be and how you can’t wait to do it yourself? Then you get so excited that it doesn’t even cross your mind that it could actually be scary. 

Let me paint the real picture for you — I remember feeling a mix of emotions while I was strapped into gear. I was scared and anxious, which, looking back now, is so much more natural than blind excitement. But as I took my flight and was in the air, I felt like I was on top of the world. The view was breathtaking—the lush green forests, the mountain peaks, and just me soaring above everything with the sun setting behind me. It was exhilarating and has now become one of my most treasured memories.

We paid INR 3000 per person for paragliding. However, be sure to book through a good agency. Spend some time and do your research well, as the pilots can truly make or break your experience, and for this, trust me, you want to get the best that you can. Also, book your slot during the sunset, it’s BEAUTIFUL!

Rajgundha 

I think everyone has a unique travelling style based on the kind of people they are and the places they find themselves drawn to. I like to believe that my travelling style is a mix of covering the popular tourist spots to see what the hype is all about but also exploring off-beat places that people might skip. So while the landing side was the popular tourist spot that everyone visits in Bir, Rajgundha was an off-beat discovery, which I was super excited about. 

There are two ways to reach Rajgundha from Bir. You can either trek to Rajgundha or go there by car. We chose a car, or, well, their car chose us. We had already booked our stay with ‘Lazy Monk Rajgundha’ and were figuring out how to go there when we found out that they had rented a camper to transport some of their stuff from Bir to Rajgundha. They asked if we were comfortable travelling in the camper, and we agreed. It’s a one-and-a-half-hour ride between the two places. The journey is scenic and beautiful, but the roads are quite narrow and not as smooth.

Our stay with the Lazy Monk was wonderful. It was a super cute house setup, where we chose to stay in the attic. We paid 600 rupees per day for a dorm-style room, and the hosts were absolutely delightful. The view from our room was spectacular; waking up to the lush green valley and looking at the clear blue sky made me feel like I was still dreaming. And as if that were not enough, the night sky was scattered with tiny twinkling stars, which you could gaze at all night. The food here was good too. I wouldn’t call it a must-try, but I am not complaining. Our initial plan was to stay here for two days, but we ended up staying here for five!

Plachak Trek

Have you heard of the popular poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost? I think I apply that concept while choosing my trek for the trip. While I know the popular treks are popular for a reason and are never short of mesmerising views and scenic beauty, the hidden trails have a charm of their own. The hidden trail for this area is the Plachak Trek.

There are very few people who know about this trek, and hence you will find the trail almost empty. What, or rather, who you can find on this trail is a furry friend. We found Sheru, the cutest black and white bundle of joy, who became our companion for the whole trek. 

We started at around noon and reached our destination in four hours. It usually takes about 2.5–3 hours to complete the trek, but it can vary keeping in mind individual speed and stamina. In our case, it started raining midway through. So, it took us four hours. The path of the trek was stunning, we were surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dark, moody trees. It felt so calm and serene to be right in the midst of nature like we were the only ones there. It felt like we were part of a fantasy movie. The rain, while making the trek slightly difficult, made the route even more beautiful as the raindrops glistened everywhere, turning everything into the most calming shade of green and brown. 

You know how they say, “Safar khoobsurat hai manzil se,” I think I saw that play out on this trek for me. I was excited about completing the trek, but I also just wanted to keep walking, see where the road takes me, and marvel at what I discover at every turn.

We were accompanied by our guides from the Lazy Monk, who shared local stories and experiences associated with this trek and the area. I don’t think I will ever get over this aspect of travelling; it’s truly all about a hundred different people and a hundred different stories. 

As if the whole path wasn’t magical enough, we reached this small wooden bridge that elevated the landscape ten times more. Finally, we reached Plachak. The rain had caused a dip in the temperature, so we took a pit stop in an old couple’s house/shop. They were the loveliest people you will ever meet! 

The initial plan was to set up tents outside; however, the rain and a few leopard sightings made us change our plans. We settled on pitching our tents in an abandoned house, which was a forest department guest house. We were the only ones in the area, with barely any houses in sight. Once the setup was done, we set out exploring and brought back wood for the bonfire, which was very welcome on a cold night. For dinner, we ate dal, rice, paneer, and spicy garlic chutney, which was arranged for us by the old couple. This meal felt like a five-star meal after the day we had had. I remember how we all devoured our food while sitting around the fire, talking and unravelling the great mysteries of life before we decided to call it a night. 

After the rainy day, the sky was very cloudy and unclear. Stars were peeking through, and we might even have been able to see the Milky Way had the sky been clearer. The night was truly enchanting; it almost felt right out of a fairytale. 

We were told that leopards and black bears could be found in the area. We were definitely a little scared about leaving anyone alone, and every movement was a shared activity. Even if anyone had to use the restroom, we would all go together as a group. 

The night was freezing cold, and we were not prepared for this. The temperature was as low as four or five degrees. Grr!

The morning was much better. The sky had cleared out, and the weather was looking up. We ate toast and Maggi and headed back. 

Cafe Hopping

They say that travelling is an experience that engages all our senses in one way or another. Being the foodie that I am, I love trying and tasting the local dishes of the places I visit. 

The cafes in Bir are great; they offer the most scrumptious food with a vibe and view. I am sharing a few of my handpicked favourites below:

June 16 – A small, cosy little cafe on Landing Road, June 16, is the perfect place for brunch. The food here is fantastic- from appetisers to desserts, we loved everything. The place was straight out of Pinterest- so pretty and aesthetic.

Ara Cafe – When in the area, always try the local delicacies! or at least one dish if you are particular about your food. I tried the Himachali Dham at the Ara Cafe, and it was different. I absolutely loved a few things and was unsure about a few. But the experience was flavourful and comforting! 

Avva Cafe –  The mountains are as north as it gets, and to be here and crave South Indian food is indeed an odd choice. But what do you do when you have a craving? Avva Cafe is a must-visit cafe in Bir if you love your dosas and idlis.

Himalayan Pizza – I am instantly on board if you tell me that I can eat pizza with a stunning sunset view. Are you? A great cafe to watch the sunset from while you enjoy your cheesy meal. They serve delicious pizzas, which are a must-try! 

Silver Linings – A popular cafe in Bir that I had heard a lot about and was definitely looking to try. Unfortunately, there was no seating available when we arrived, so we decided to go to another place. I have heard that the desserts here are really good. 

This trip has been everything I have wanted and more, it perfectly captured everything I have dreamed of, transporting me to a fairytale with its scenic views and etching such beautiful places into my memory.

If you have been to Bir, what experiences would you recommend from your trip?