Himachal Pradesh Adventure: Paragliding, Biking & Trekking — A Local-ish trip that kinda changed me#

I’ve done the hill station run more times than I can count, but Himachal hits different, yaar. Pines, apple orchards, chai that tastes better because of the cold air, and roads that make you talk to your bike like it’s your best friend. I took a random leave window and hopped on an overnight HRTC Volvo from Delhi to Kangra side, then dawdled my way around Bir, Dharamkot, Manali, Jibhi… this wasn’t a tight itinerary, more like vibes plus a bit of planning so I don’t get stuck behind a landslide. Which happens. Every monsoon. Trust me.

Paragliding at Bir Billing — the flight that shut me up for once#

Bir Billing isn’t just Insta-fancy, it’s actually world-class. Billing (the take-off) sits around 2,400 m, and you float down to Bir after 15–20 mins of pure madness. I booked a morning slot because winds are calmer and less queue drama. Prices right now hover roughly between ₹2,500–₹3,500 for a normal tandem and ₹5,000+ if you want longer cross-country flights when weather allows. Operators are easy to find along the Bir market strip and Tibetan colony side — but don’t just pick the cheapest guy. Ask for pilot license, insurance, and if they follow Himachal Tourism’s adventure safety rules. There’s a proper signboard at the landing site with safety info, not just marketing fluff.

  • Best months: March–June and Oct–Nov. Monsoon (Jul–Aug) is mostly shut — winds and rain make it dodgy.
  • Weight limits are real. Most operators keep it ~30–90 kg for tandem. Be honest, they’ll balance the glider accordingly.
  • Carry a windcheater + sunglasses. It’s cold up there. Also don’t wear loose scarf that flies into the carabiners. Seen it. Not fun.
  • Taxi from Bir to Billing launch is shared. Expect ₹500–₹800 per person depending on group and mood of the day.

I went up in one of those old-school Boleros, bumps for days, then the cliff opened up — colorful wings catching thermals, pilots teasing the ridge like they own the sky. We did some gentle spirals and I scream-laughed like a kid. Landing at the huge grass strip was buttery. Later, over momos and butter tea at a Tibetan cafe, pilots were talking about the accuracy meets they do around Oct–Nov. Not guaranteed every year, but Bir’s scene is alive. If you hang there long enough, you’ll hear gossip about the “big days” when thermals are perfect and folks go big XC towards Baijnath. Anyway, even a short tandem feels like a mini pilgrimage.

Biking the hills — Jalori Pass curves and the Atal Tunnel magic#

I rented a Royal Enfield Classic from Manali (originally wanted a Himalayan but it was booked out), paid around ₹1,200–₹1,800 per day depending on season and my haggling skills, plus a refundable deposit and copies of ID + license. Helmets are mandatory, and you should be wearing proper shoes. Those canvas slip-ons don’t grip when it rains, and Manali cops do random checks. That morning run through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu — wow. The tunnel saves a ton of time and keeps the pass accessible in winter too. You pop out into Lahaul, and the scenery just changes… wider valleys, browner textures, the vibe feels calmer. Sissu chai at the lake side was silly expensive for a paper cup but worth it in the moment.

  • Road safety updates: monsoon hits Himachal hard. Landslides, sudden river swelling. Don’t ride during heavy rainfall, and follow HP Traffic Police updates on X (Twitter) or local WhatsApp groups.
  • Rohtang Top usually opens late May–Oct depending on snow. If you want to go specifically to Rohtang, you still need a permit from the Manali SDM portal. The tunnel doesn’t remove that.
  • Always carry offline maps. Network drops around higher stretches. Airtel and Jio do okay in towns, BSNL holds up in some remote pockets.

Another ride I loved — Jibhi to Jalori Pass. Steep switchbacks, pine-smell, tiny dhabas selling rajma-chawal and siddu with ghee dripping like it’s a religion. I stopped at Shoja for a break, and honestly that view of the valley slaps you. From Jalori, the short forest trek to Serolsar Lake isn’t hard, about 5 km, please don’t litter and yeah, bring back your wrappers. The breeze, the hush around the lake… I just sat there questioning life and then got hungry again. Typical.

Trekking that didn’t break me completely: Triund, Kareri, and Hampta vibes#

Dharamkot is my soft spot. Triund is the popular kid — a 3–4 hour hike if you keep moving with tea shack breaks. Overnight camping at the top has been restricted for a while now, so day-trek is the way to go. Go early, beat the crowd, and wear real shoes. From Triund you can push a bit towards Snowline if weather looks friendly, but don’t play hero during fog or rain. Kareri Lake (near Dharamshala) is a chilled trek with river crossings, a bit longer, but the alpine lake sits there all photo-ready. In Kullu side, Hampta Pass is a proper multi-day thing — most folks do it with an operator June–Sept, costs vary ₹6,000–₹10,000+ depending on gear, porters, meals. If you’ve never camped at altitude, having a guide is smart. Me and him went with a small group, and I didn’t regret not carrying a massive rucksack. Knees said thank you.

  • Trek basics: check the forecast the night before. Post-monsoon landslides can close trails. Locals know best — ask the chai uncle.
  • Permits matter in protected areas like Great Himalayan National Park (Tirthan side). Entry fees are affordable but keep cash.
  • No plastic at high camps. Pack in, pack out. And don’t blast music — birds and shepherds didn’t ask for your playlist.
  • Light layers. Even in May–June nights get cold. Those fancy mesh running shoes? They’ll soak instantly on wet trails.

Where I stayed, what I paid, and a couple small mistakes#

Himachal has gone heavy on hostels and homestays. In Bir, a bed in a decent hostel was ₹600–₹1,000. Private rooms in guesthouses range ₹1,500–₹3,000, boutique stays and view properties can be ₹4,000–₹7,000+. In Dharamkot and McLeod, the cafe scene means places get booked earlier on weekends. Manali Old Town has cute wooden stays where the heater is chargeable — don’t get surprised, ask upfront. Wi-Fi is fine for work calls most days, except when it rains like crazy. Then everything slows down. I once picked a place just for the rooftop, only to realize the room’s windows didn’t shut properly and I froze. Learn from my dumbness — check heating, hot water timings, and whether they have backup power for occassional cuts.

Food was a joy. Siddu with walnut paste, sepu badi in gravy, chha gosht if you do meat, trout by rivers in Tirthan and Naggar, thukpa and momos across Bir and Dharamshala. Dham meals on festival days are community feasts, vegetarian and full of flavors — ask locals where it’s happening. Apple season is Sept–Oct, everything apple shows up — juice, cider (non-alcoholic too), pies. There’s been a small trend of millet and local grain menus popping up in newer cafes, which honestly feels good and homely. Pro tip, don’t be scared of butter tea, try it once at least, could be your thing. Or not. No one’s judging.

Lesser-known corners I loved… or got lost in a bit#

  • Barot Valley — clean river, trout farms, tiny bridges. Sweet for a quiet 1–2 day reset.
  • Prashar Lake — the temple by the lake, snow in winter, a gorgeous drive from Mandi if roads are clear.
  • Pangi Valley — rougher roads, big landscapes. Not for a quick weekend. Feels untouristy, come prepared.
  • Karsog — farms, temples, old-style himachali homes. Chill rural vibe.
  • Tirthan/GHNP — gentle villages, solid trekking, river hum that you fall asleep to.

With folks here, keep it simple and respectful. A lot of people are Gaddi shepherd community, also Kinnauris and locals with deep ties to land and temples. Remove shoes at entry, cover up a bit, photography isn’t always okay inside. Small donations for temple upkeep are welcome. Conversations over chai turn into invitations to homestays sometimes. Don’t be shy but don’t be nosy. Common sense.

Getting there, getting around, and current updates you’ll actually use#

HRTC remains the backbone. Their green Volvos run Delhi–Dharamshala/Manali/Shimla routes and are genuinely dependable. Kalka–Shimla toy train is slow but iconic if you’re feeling old-school. There’s also the Vande Bharat connecting Delhi to Una (Amb Andaura station), handy if you’re targeting Kangra side and then bus up. Local taxis in towns are available, but for budget riders, shared cabs and local buses are king. If you’re renting bikes, do a small test ride. Brakes, chain, lights — don’t assume they’re fine. Carry cash for remote stretches and save emergency contacts offline. EV charging is not super common yet in remote valleys, so plan accordingly if you drive an electric. And after the heavy rains last year and even this year, Himachal issues advisories quickly — check district Twitter handles the night before you move. 2025 season hopefully stays kinder, but mountain rules don’t change.

If you let the mountains set the pace, the trip improves. Every.single.time.

Costs, safety, and little things that make a big diff#

Daily budget can be super flexible. Backpacker style with hostel beds and bus travel? ₹1,500–₹2,500/day. Comfort mode with private rooms, taxi hops, a couple splurges? ₹3,500–₹6,000+. Adventure extras like paragliding or multi-day treks add up, obviously. For safety — don’t stand near overflowing rivers for a selfie, people still do this and it’s scary. In monsoon, rains upstream can swell water down here suddenly. Keep your ID handy, don’t drink and ride, and respect road closures. Operators cancel paragliding if winds exceed safe limits — it’s not them being lazy, it’s protocol. You’ll recieve a refund or reschedule, chill. Also, I carry a tiny first-aid pouch: ORS, band-aids, pain spray, altitude tab if you’re prone. Been useful twice already.

My kind-of itinerary suggestion (no rules, just vibes)#

Day 1–2 Bir: fly tandem, cafe hop at Tibetan colony, sunset at landing site, small cycle rent if you wanna roll around. Day 3–4 Dharamkot/McLeod: Triund day hike, Kareri if you’re keen, coffee places that make you plan life changes. Day 5–6 Manali/Lahaul: Atal Tunnel to Sissu, waterfalls, ride to Keylong if roads are calm. Day 7–8 Jibhi/Shoja/Jalori: ride + Serolsar Lake trek, slow evenings, bonfire if allowed. Swap days based on weather. Don’t cram. Sneak in Tirthan if you can. And always keep one buffer day for the mountain gods’ mood.

Final thoughts#

Himachal felt familiar and new at the same time. Like home but taller. The paragliding stripped away my overthinking for 20 minutes. The biking made me talk to my machine like an old friend. The treks reminded me you don’t need to conquer anything, you just need to walk and look. I’ll go back, obviously. Maybe with fewer bags and stronger legs. If you want more travel stories or solid guides that don’t sound like brochures, check out AllBlogs.in — I poke around there whenever I’m plotting the next escape.