Bir Billing travel blog: A complete solo backpacking guide

For most people, Bir Billing is synonymous with paragliding. But the hill station has more to it than just being the paragliding capital of India. 

In this Bir Billing travel blog, I will share all the details that you need to know for a perfect trip to Bir Billing and what should be the range of budget that you should expect.

ON YOUR MAPS… GET SET… GO!!

Bir Billing travel blog

From happening cafes to meditation centres, Bir Billing has no dearth of fascinating places to enchant its visitors. I will cover all of it in detail in this Bir Billing travel blog.

I think it will be good idea to start this travel blog with some basic but interesting information that you should know about Bir Billing–

“LEARNING THE HISTORY OF DESTINATIONS TURNS YOU INTO A BETTER TRAVELER“

-Anonymous

Bir is a village located in the west of Joginder Nagar Valley in the Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district.

In the 1960s, the refugees from Tibet arrived in the village of Chaugan adjacent to Bir and they set up the Bir Tibetan Colony. This area is locally called Lower Bir, while the original Bir village is known as Upper Bir.

Understanding the geography of Bir Billing

It is the lower Bir or Chaugan village (the home to Tibetan Refugee Colony) that has developed into the famous tourist hill station that we now know as Bir Billing.

Few kilometres north of the Tibetan colony – Upper Bir – still remains a quaint Himalayan village.

Billing is the takeoff site for paragliding here and Bir is where the paragliders land. Collectively, the place has come to be known as “Bir Billing”.

A brief history of Bir Billing

As per my readings, there were two landmark events in the history of Bir Billing that are crucial to its current prominence. 

First, the influx of Tibetan refugees in Chowgan during the 1960s. This transformed Chowgan, which was once just another village, into the current Tibetan Colony.

Second, in 1984, Bir Billing was chosen as the venue for the hang gliding world cup. Since then, aero sports have gained popularity in the region.

Then, the paragliding world cup held here in 2015 added to Bir Billing’s stature and the rest is history for this tiny hamlet in the Dhauladhars.

Once just another village, the influx of Tibetan refugees and advent of paragliding has transformed Bir into a centre of Tibetan studies and a hub of adventure tourists.

Welcoming locals and peace-loving Tibetans has given Bir a good reputation among tourists.

Who should go to Bir Billing

Bir Billing is an ideal destination to visit for anyone in search of a peaceful getaway. 

One could steam off their fatigue from everyday mundanity in the solace of the lovely setting of this place. 

This tiny Himalayan town can also fit the bill for someone looking for an outing merely to travel without purpose. 

And, needless to say, if you are an adventure lover, Bir is one of the most sought after destinations in the country for you.

Best (and worst) time to visit Bir Billing

I visited Bir in October and that is when I will suggest you to visit. Mid-September to November is the best time to visit Bir Billing as the weather generally remains pleasant in that period.

If you visit later in December and January, you might also get to witness snowfall. 

The weather returns to pleasant in February and March.

Why you shouldn’t visit Bir Billing in summers?

The temperature here then touches a blazing 38 degree celsius, making it a not-so-ideal place to go during summer vacations.

And hill stations anyway tend to become too crowded during the summers, which will likely spoil your experience.

Why you shouldn’t visit Bir Billing in monsoon?

All the paragliding activities shut down during the rainy seasons between June to August. Though there are ample of things to do in Bir besides paragliding, Bir loses its original vibe in the off season.

The closing of paragliding puts a dull look in the town which is otherwise quite bustling and happening.

However, if you want to avoid crowds and enjoy a somewhat isolated stay, then Monsoon would be the better season for you. Monsoons also paint the surrounding valley in lush green, which adds beautiful hikes in Bir Billing’s bouquet of offerings. Thick streams of waterfalls also emerge around this time.

Also, if you want to save money, avoid visiting Bir Billing on weekends. All the activities, scooter rentals, hotels, etc inflate their prices during the weekends. 

How many days are enough for Bir Billing

Most people visit Bir Billing during the weekends.

The majority of people visit Bir Billing from Delhi. They leave from Delhi on a Friday night, reach Bir on a Saturday morning, do paragliding, chill a bit and depart from the evening bus on a Sunday. Honestly, this Delhi to Bir plan is not bad.

But if you do not like to rush, you can stay here longer, maybe for an extended weekend. Because, as I mentioned earlier in this travel blog – there is no dearth of interesting things to do in Bir Billing.

Another downside of the weekend trip is that you will have to pay more than usual for things ranging from paragliding to hotel rents, as prices go up on weekends due to high inflow of tourists.

I arrived in Bir Billing on a Friday morning and left on a Monday evening. A good four days – which was a perfect duration according to me.

Besides, I saw people in my hostel who had stayed in Bir for over a week. Most of them were on ‘workations’ or ‘working from mountains’. 

Bottomline being, you can plan your Bir Billing trip depending on the time at your disposal. Bir Billing is as ideal for a weekend trip, as it is for a workation.

All done with the preplanning? Let’s get into the actual travel guide.

How to reach Bir Billing

How to reach Bir Billing by air

There is no direct air connectivity to Bir Billing. Gaggal airport, near Dharamshala, is the nearest airport from Bir Billing, which is located at a distance of only 80 km. This airport, however, does not have regular flights from major Indian cities, except for Delhi.

The closest major airport to Bir Billing is in Chandigarh, about 290 kilometres away.

How to reach Bir Billing by train

Ahju railway station is just 3 kilometres away from Bir Billing. But it is a narrow gauge station and its connectivity is limited to only a few places in and around Kangra.

You may not want to reach Bir via this narrow gauge train, but once you are in Bir, you may want to take a ride in these tiny trains, just for the sake of experience.

The nearest mainstream railway station, connecting with rest of India, is the Pathankot Junction, which is about 150 kilometres far from Bir Billing.

How to reach Bir Billing by road

The best and most hassle-free way to reach Bir Billing is by bus

Daily Volvo buses ply from Delhi and Chandigarh. These overnight buses are direct and land you at the doorsteps of Tibetan Refugee Colony in Bir Billing.

Buses are the most preferred mode of transport to reach Bir Billing.

Here’s a tip to get cheap bus tickets from Delhi to Bir Billing

Like the majority of travellers, I also booked my bus to Bir through popular portals like RedBus, MakeMyTrip, GoIbibo etc. A single Volvo bus ticket from Delhi to Bir costs somewhere around Rs 1200 to Rs 1500 (price as of 2021).

But when you directly contact the bus company, they can give you a cheaper deal on tickets. Just call their office and book.

Because I was travelling solo, I got my ticket booked at Rs 1000. If you are travelling in a bigger group, you will have a better bargain and can get one ticket for as low as Rs 900.

If you prefer to reach Bir Billing by car, then private cabs are very easily available from Dharamshala (50 kms), Manali (180 Kms), Shimla (200 kms).

After setting your foot there, the first thing that you would want to figure out is…

Where to stay in Bir Billing

Of course you can choose the accommodation of your choice – hotel, hostel, homestay, camp, etc. (There is no dearth of any of these)

I will just help you make a better choice here, in terms of the location of your accommodation.

As I noted earlier in this travel blog, the Tibetan Colony is the heart of Bir Billing. Shops, cafes, bike rentals, bus stops and everything else are located in the Tibetan Colony.

So if you prefer to have easy access and walking distance to all major businesses, you can choose an accommodation in the Tibetan Colony.

Further from Tibetan Colony, accommodations are scattered all around Bir Billing, from across the landing site to all the way up to Upper Bir and between the nearby tea-farms. 

If you want to stay amid tea farms, that is a little far from Bir’s Tibetan Colony, then you may choose a distant hotel / hostel / homestay / camp.

(Full disclosure: I stayed in The Hosteller, which I found unimpressive, mostly because my standards have risen due to my experiences at Zostel. I always prefer Zostel over any other place. Unfortunately, Zostel was full, that’s why I had to settle for this other hostel.)

After zeroing in on a place of stay, you would next want to sort out on…

How to get around in Bir Billing

Bir Billing is not a very big hill station. Rather, it is a tiny town.  All the important stores, hotels, cafes, etc are situated on the main road that cuts through the entire Bir. You can practically walk from one end of Bir (bus stop) to the other end (landing site) in just 10 minutes.

Bicycling in Bir Billing

The cheapest option, of course, is a bicycle. You can rent it for as low as Rs 100 a day on weekdays and as high as Rs 500 a day on weekends.

But if you are planning to go sightseeing on a bicycle, make sure that you have the physical ability to undertake the difficult task of bicycling around a hill station.

Bicycling down the hill sure seems very exciting, but it can become an excruciating exercise when you have to pedal uphill, especially if your body is not acclimatised to such physical activity at that altitude.

Renting scooter / bike in Bir Billing

The other option, expensive but convenient, is a scooter or a motorcycle. Cost of renting a scooter starts from Rs 800 per day (after you negotiate) on a weekday (prices as of 2021).

If you are comfortable riding a motorcycle then I would suggest you rent a motorbike over a scooter. Bikes are more efficient in the hills when compared to scooters. Their powerful engines help when you are passing through steeper slopes.

Small tip: I saved a lot of fuel on my scooter by turning off the engine when riding it downhill. This is important because if you run out of petrol somewhere midway then you will be in a serious crisis as there are very few petrol pumps in the area.

However, there might be places where it is not feasible to go on a two-wheeler. So you will have to rent a cab. Like all other hill stations, there are no rickshaws available here and cabs or taxis are the only mode of transportation.

What’s the scene with ATMs in Bir Billing

Unfortunately, Bir Billing does not have sufficient ATMs to cater to its large number of visitors.

I only saw one ATM in the Tibetan colony, that was in the middle of the market near a monastery. It was a local bank’s ATM. And by the look of it, it seemed that it was not functioning properly.

The good news is that almost all the shops and other businesses accept UPI payments. But it is always safe to bring enough cash, depending on the duration of your stay.

You will have to run down to Ahju or Baijnath for withdrawals, in case you run out of cash.

Can you expect good mobile network connectivity in Bir Billing

When it comes to cellular networks, I can’t recall if I ever ran out of 4G network in Bir Billing. I possess an Airtel SIM. But other major networks also have equally good connectivity.

The only time that you might want to be doubtful about network connectivity is when you plan to venture out to nearby hiking trails or treks.

After sorting out the above things, you would want to look up for…

Things to do and places to visit in Bir Billing

Paragliding in Bir Billing

The moment you set your foot out of the bus after arriving in Bir Billing, you will encounter a bunch of local agents offering you deals for paragliding.

They know that people come to Bir mostly for paragliding and that is why they catch hold of the people, as soon as they arrive. But do not give in to the first person who offers you paragliding.

Here’s a small guide on how to get a good paragliding deal in Bir Billing-

One benefit of Bir being a paragliding hub is that the market pertaining to it is saturated. Meaning, there are too many service providers in the paragliding business.

You can spot a paragliding booking office at every nook and corner of Bir Billing. This also means that tourists can bargain due to competitive pricing.

How much does paragliding cost in Bir Billing

The standard cost of a paragliding ride in Bir Billing is Rs 2000 (price as of 2021). This includes transportation from your hotel to the take off site in Billing, 15-20 minute paragliding ride, and a GoPro recording of the whole experience (the GoPro camera has to be held by you, with a selfie stick, throughout the ride). If you do not opt for GoPro, then they will deduct Rs 500 from their fees.

But there’s a small catch here. Just before you take off or just after taking off, in mid-air, your pilot will tell you that, “I have an add-on service where I will do stunts in the air with you.” The price that they usually quote for these stunts is Rs 500.

I, as well as any other person who has done paragliding here, highly recommend these stunts. If your pilot doesn’t do stunts, then your paragliding experience would not be as fun. So don’t miss it.

Therefore, you sort out the stunt part beforehand only. So that your whole paragliding experience does not suffer if you get into an argument with the pilot before the take off or in mid-air.

Best time for paragliding in Bir Billing

The best time for paragliding is just before the sunrise in the morning. You get to see the sunrise and feel the cool morning breeze in mid-air. 

Paragliding during the sunset is also a good option, but I feel that the sky becomes more crowded with paragliders in the evening, as tourists are generally too lazy to wake up early for a sunrise paragliding. Often, evening paragliders have to return without the ride because of bad light.

Whatever you choose, sunrise, sunset or afternoon, try not to go paragliding on a weekend. Specifically, from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. Because this is the time when weekend tourist rush is on peak, prices are high, and pilots try to finish the rides in a hurry to cater to more customers.

How I found the best paragliding price in Bir Billing

As I noted earlier, the standard price for paragliding in Bir Billing is Rs 2000 (including transportation, GoPro recording, but excluding stunts). On weekdays, you will get it at around Rs 1700, and on weekends, it goes as high as Rs 2500.

So the first step towards a cheaper deal is that you book a ride on a weekday. I booked my ride on Friday, for a Saturday sunrise paragliding. (It is only from Saturday afternoon that the weekend rush starts to make an influx)

The next step is to inquire about the prices at as many shops as possible. Because there are too many service providers, they offer competitive prices. I first got a quote of Rs 2200, then Rs 2000, then Rs 1700, and then finally Rs 1500.

Though I was lucky to get a deal of Rs 1500 as a single person, you will have more bargaining power if you have a larger group.

I shall note here, that a cheaper deal does not mean that you will get inferior service or bad pilot or unsafe paragliding. As per my observation, most of the pilots there are professionals with several years of experience.

The pilot asking Rs 2200 said he has five years of experience, while the pilot with whom I actually went, had seven years of experience. I paid him Rs 1500 and had a wonderful paragliding ride, my first ever. 

Bottomline, it is all about competitive pricing. They want customers for their business, we want some extra discount.

Overall, my paragliding ride cost me Rs 2000 in total. (Rs 1500 for paragliding, transportation and GoPro; Rs 500 for stunts)

Is paragliding safe in Bir Billing?

It would be wrong of me to answer it from the technical point of view, as I am neither a professional nor an expert. 

I can only answer it from my experience, which was absolutely safe. Neither did I see anyone else face any safety-related issue during my time there.

But please don’t go by my verdict in this travel blog. I should apprise you of tragedies like this.

You should be aware that Bir Billing’s paragliding scene has often faced flak for flouting safety measures. Do take this into account before taking a final decision.

Before booking your paragliding ride, you will need to sign the undertaking of risk that comes with paragliding.

What it basically tells, if I remember correctly, is that the paragliding company will not be responsible for any mishap during the ride.

This is a normal practice for all kinds of adventure sports.

Now that you have ticked off paragliding from your bucket list, you can head towards other cool things to do in Bir Billing, besides paragliding.

Hike to Mata Maheshwari Temple (not to worship, but for the breathtaking view)

I am not a religious person, and I am least interested in visiting temples. But hiking to the Mata Maheshwari temple is one of the best experiences you can have in Bir. 

The hike is not among the popular sites of Bir, hence you will mostly see locals there, not many tourists.

The temple is situated at the top of a hill which is located exactly on the opposite side of the town of Bir. You can witness the panoramic view of Bir Billing and the surrounding valleys from here. The scores of paragliders flying in the air in front of you, adds to the spectacular view.

The hike to the temple at top will take 15-20 minutes. The hiking trail passes through the forests of tall trees, giving a sense of adventure.

Upon reaching the temple, go to the terrace where they have built a view-point for the visitors.

How to reach Mata Maheshwari Temple in Bir Billing

The base of the hill of Mata Maheshwari temple is about 5-10 minutes of drive away from the Tibetan Colony. 

Going there on your rented scooter or bike is not suggested because the place does not have a designated parking space. 

The best way to reach there is by a cab. The cab driver who took us there charged Rs 200, which was costly, but there was no other alternative.

A return trip will cost Rs 400, therefore, it is best if you go there in a group of 3-4 so that the cost can be split.

Watch the lovely sunset at Bir Billing landing site

One of the highlights of everyone’s trip to Bir Billing is embracing the majestic sunset at the landing site. In fact, your trip would be incomplete if you miss it. 

The sight of paragliders landing in front of the setting sun makes for a picture-perfect moment. You can also go to one of the nearby cafes and enjoy the sunset with some food and drinks.

As the time of sunset approaches, the landing site starts to become the gathering point of all the visitors.

While enjoying the scenic view, it also hurts to see how the visitors have dotted the beautiful ground of the landing site with litters of plastic wrappers and garbage.

I hope we all become more responsible as travellers, tourists, and citizens.

Explore the waterfalls in Bir Billing

On the way up to Billing, there is a diversion that leads towards a patch that is blessed with a number of waterfalls – Bangoru waterfall, Gunehar waterfall, and Hidden waterfall.

Your vehicle can only go up to the point of the first waterfall, and that is where the road ends. 

The Hidden waterfall is literally hidden amid the pockets of the mountain. The trail leading to this hidden gem passes through bushes, steep slopes and tiny water streams. 

The hike to the Hidden waterfall does not come in the category of DIY. You will find guides at the starting point, whose help I think is necessary for you to reach the Hidden waterfall. 

The trip to the Hidden waterfall is definitely one of the ‘must dos’, if you are looking to pump up your adrenaline with the gush of adventure.

There is a snack shop near the Hidden waterfall where you can dip your legs in the passing water stream and enjoy a hot cup of tea and maggi.

Tea factory in Bir Billing

Bir is surrounded by tea farms from all the sides. Before becoming a tourist centre, tea cultivation would have been the primary source of income and employment here, I am guessing.

An old tea factory still functions in Upper Bir. And this factory allows visitors to enter and take a look at their tea processing units. 

You can visit this factory if you are a tea enthusiast or are intrigued to know about its manufacturing process.

The factory also sells their tea, but mind you that the variety of tea for sale here is very limited.

Monasteries and Buddhist institutions in Bir Billing

The sizable presence of Tibetan Buddhists has made Bir a thriving centre of Buddhism studies and institutes. A large number of monasteries house many Buddhist monks, both young and old. 

The monasteries include, Palpung Sherabling Monastery, Chokling Monastery, Nyingyang Monastery, Tsering Jong Monastery, Dzongsar Khyentse Chokyi Lodro Institute.

A visit to these places will also give you a sneak peak into the lives of these Buddhist monks.

Many people visit Bir to learn Buddhism and philosophy in Deer Park Institute, a major centre of learning that organises frequent workshops for those interested in meditation and spirituality.

Unfortunately, when I visited Bir in early October 2021, these places were shut for visitors because they were still following the COVID restrictions.

Trek to Tatwani hot water spring

Bir Billing has been a popular destination among foreign adventurers. They have carved several hiking and trekking trails in and around Bir Billing. One of these trails leads to Tatwani hot water spring.

The trek to Tatwani hot water spring is a full day trip from Bir. It starts from Binwa Hydel Plant, some 10 kilometres far from Baijnath. The trek itself is about two-hours of exhausting climbing and descending in the hill forest.

Don’t miss the Rajgundha trek in Barot valley

The only regret of my Bir trip was that I missed the Rajgundha trek. So I am warning you here to not repeat my mistake of skipping the Rajgundha trek or the 360-degree trek.

The trek to Rajgundha is at least a two-day affair, where you walk through the scenic mountains with a river passing below. Upon reaching the summit, you are rewarded with a campsite where you can gaze at the night sky that is shining with zillions of stars.

I couldn’t do the trek because I had already booked my hostel for three nights. Had I known about this trek then I would have booked it only for two nights and gone for the trek on the remaining night.

Even though I couldn’t manage to go on this trek, I am mentioning this in this travel blog so that you are aware of this in your trip to Bir Billing.

Try other adventure sports in Bir Billing

If paragliding, cycling and trekking has still not satisfied the adventurist in you, then you can also go bungee jumping and sky cycling in Bir. Both these activities are set up by a private entity called Tiger Team Adventures and their facility is located near the waterfalls.

The bungee jumping here is about 150 feet high and the sky cycling is 250 metres long.

Since these adventure activities are provided by a single operator, he has the monopoly over the market. As a result, the prices for these are very high.

I saw paragliding operators also providing hang gliding services. Although, I didn’t see anyone doing hang gliding myself. You will have to inquire about it, if you are interested.

AND NOW IT IS TIME TO TALK ABOUT ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO IN BIR… (DRUM ROLLS) …. CAFE HOPPING!!

After all the nice things I heard about the cafe culture of Bir, I was really looking forward to taste the delicious food in the chill ambience of Bir’s scenic cafes.

Food in Bir Billing

I was amazed by the sheer variety of food cuisines available in Bir. It was delightful, but a bit surprising at the same time, to see a small hill station have a food-scene on par with metro cities.

I am guessing, the emergence of Bir Billing as a paragliding hub was the tipping point. 

The adventure activities here attract the urban youth. The food and the cafes here evolved to cater to the taste of these young visitors. That’s my logical deduction.

It is because of this emergent cafe-culture that this mountain town is filled with oozing chill vibes and millennials flock here repeatedly.

What kind of food you can expect in Bir Billing

In the fancy cafes that have sprouted in Bir Billing, you can find western and continental cuisine with lots of fusion food to try. From pizzerias to patisseries, you can almost get anything here.

No need to be disappointed if you are not a fan of the above food and prefer Indian food instead. There are quite a few small hotels that offer delicious and fulfilling Himachali food.

Home to a large Tibetan population, many of them run small food outlets from their home and serve some really good authentic Tibetan food.

Before this travel blog go on to list all the good places to eat in Bir Billing, let me tell you that there are enough eating joints with good food that you would want to try a new one for every meal. 

At least this is the mantra that I abided by – to not repeat a restaurant and eat at a new place every time.

Cafes to try in Bir Billing

Avva’s

The morning I arrived in Bir Billing, I instinctively headed towards Avva’s Cafe. I had read so much about Avva’s good food that I knew this is where I will be having my first meal in Bir.

So there I was, at Avva’s for breakfast, carrying the fatigue from an overnight bus journey. 

Located a few metres ahead of the landing site, the cafe has three beautiful settings to sit – rooftop, in the shades surrounding farms, and indoors.

Avva’s is a South-Indian restaurant. I think it is the only place in Bir Billing that offers South-Indian food.

They welcome every visitor with complimentary rasam and chana. Sipping rasam with the beautiful sight of paragliders in the sky above vanished my exhaustion.

I had a breakfast of Upma and Dosa, both of them were very good. I am sure that other offerings on their menu would be equally good. 

To give you an idea about the rates here – a plate of Upma and Dosa cost me Rs 270.

The Northern Cafe

With a clear panoramic view of the landing site along with the surrounding valleys, The Northern Cafe is the cafe with arguably the best view in Bir.

Situated away from the main road amidst the step-farms, the cafe is a cosy one-storey woodhouse, with an option of open seating. The property also has two adopted dogs roaming around and playing with the customers.

When it comes to food, its menu includes continental dishes as well as Indian main course.

The price is slightly towards the higher end. A glass of milkshake brought me a check of Rs 170. But, really, I was there more for the view than for the food.

Cho Cho’s Cafe

Looking for a good and freshly-cooked North Indian breakfast? Cho Cho’s is the place.

We had a plate of delicious poori-sabji, which was freshly prepared by the owner, a warm host.

Other breakfast items there are – poha, chhole bhature, aloo parathas. The price is very pocket friendly, as all the items cost Rs 80 flat.

June 16

Located on the main road between the Tibetan Colony and the landing site, June 16 is best known for its desserts. 

I made a mistake and ordered a burger there, which was not their strength.

So, if you are looking to fulfil the cravings of your sweet tooth, then June 16 is the place. The list of desserts here include cakes, brownies, pastries, etc. 

The costs are expensive though. I got a bill of Rs 230 for a burger with french fries 

Musafir Cafe

This cafe is just a few steps ahead of Avva’s Cafe. Built on a slightly higher altitude, its height gives it an unhindered view of the valley and its isolated location provides it a peaceful setting.

To me and to most others, Musafir Cafe is known for its out-of-the-world jamun shake. That’s what others recommended me and it is what I am recommending you to have there. 

I didn’t try anything else so can’t really comment on the rest of the items.

Himachali food in Bir Billing

If you are in Bir for a long halt, then it is obvious that you can’t have cafe-type food everyday. To take a break from burgers, pizzas, pastas, etc, you can simply go and eat at small family-run bhojnalayas.

Simple yet tasty Himachali food like dal, sabji, chawal and kadhi would fill your stomach to satisfaction. 

The hot and homely meal here would give some solace to your digestive system that would have turned bad due to the fast foods from cafes.

You can spot several of these outlets in Bir. Just like their food, their prices are also very modest.

Cafe Ilaka

I wanted to go to the Himalayan Pizza, but that place was so loud and crowded that I ended up going to Cafe Ilaka, which is just across the road. 

At Ilaka, I had soup and pasta, both of which were quite okay, hence don’t take this as a recommendation. It is just a remark.

I will consider it costly as just two items cost me Rs 360.

Pani puri / gol gappe in Bir Billing

Did you think that you can’t find gol-gappas in Bir Billing? Well I have some good news if your tongue is prone to pani-puri cravings anytime and anywhere.

Where will you get it? Just after Himalayan Pizza and just before the landing site, there is a street vendor selling pani-puri and chaat items.

Tibetan food in Bir Billing

It would be odd if you return from Bir without trying out some Tibetan food. 

While there are some big Tibetan restaurants, many Tibetans also run small food joints from their home in the Tibetan Colony. 

I decided to ignore the bigger ones and ate at a smaller place called Friend’s Cafe, which was unsurprisingly very good and cheap. A plate of very tasty laphing cost just Rs 30.

Talking of Tibetan food, how can I miss momos? Everyone I asked told me to have momos at Ram Bahadur Cafe. Honestly, the momos there were not impressive.

Silver Linings Cafe

Just across the road from Avva Cafe is Silver Linings Cafe. This cafe is set in a mud house, surrounded by a very very beautiful garden. Just grab a corner of the garden and enjoy your meal. 

The marquee dishes in the menu here are their lentil burger, pancakes and smoothies. The price is reasonable. A lentil burger and a smoothie got me a bill of Rs 270, which was fine because the taste and ambience of this place was totally worth it.

Some other cool places to eat in Bir Billing include- Garden Cafe and Restaurant, Sher-e-Punjab Dhaba, Nyingma Kitchen, Vairagi Cafe, Glider’s Pizzeria.

Apart from the things I shared in this travel blog, if you find any other hidden gems in Bir Billing, do share in the comments below.

My budget for a four-day Bir Billing trip

I would like to conclude this travel blog by highlighting that Bir Billing is a suitable place for those who want to visit a hill station without burning a big hole in their pockets.

I did my four-day solo trip to Bir Billing in about Rs 9,000 (this, I admit, is above than my regular standard).

Here’s the breakdown of my expenses in Bir Billing-

Two-way bus ticket from Delhi to Bir Billing: Rs 2400 (Delhi to Bir in Rs 1400 + Bir to Delhi in Rs 1000)

Hostel dorm for three nights: Rs 1347 (Rs 449 per night)

Paragliding: Rs 2000

Food across different restaurants: Rs 2000 (in all four days)

Scooter rent + fuel + sightseeing: Rs 1000

If you are travelling in a larger group, a lot of your costs will be split and you may get more discounts. Therefore, you may do in much less budget than me.

Weekend trip to Bir Billing will also cost much less than my above trip as I spent four days whereas a weekend trip can be done in just two days, thereby cutting a lot of cost.