McLeod Ganj and Bir: Tibetan culture and paragliding

Day 1: Arrive in Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj

Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj

• Bhagsunag temple and waterfall · 2 h
• Tibetan cooking class (momos and thukpa) · 2 h

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj

Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj

• Tsuglagkhang complex and Tibet Museum · 2 h. The Dalai Lama's temple and residence complex; walk the kora path around it clockwise. Bags are checked at the gate, and phones may be restricted during teachings.
• Norbulingka Institute · 2 h. Tibetan thangka painters, woodcarvers and tailors at work in Japanese-style gardens; closed on Sundays.
• HPCA cricket stadium and the war memorial · 1.5 h
• Naddi sunset and Dal Lake walk · 2 h

Local tip: The Dalai Lama's temple and residence complex; walk the kora path around it clockwise. Bags are checked at the gate, and phones may be restricted during teachings.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Triund trek

Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj

• Triund trek · 7 h. About 9 km each way from McLeod Ganj via Galu Devi temple, climbing to 2,850 m for views of the Dhauladhar range. Overnight camping needs a forest permit and the rules change, so check before you go.

Local tip: About 9 km each way from McLeod Ganj via Galu Devi temple, climbing to 2,850 m for views of the Dhauladhar range. Overnight camping needs a forest permit and the rules change, so check before you go.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj → Bir Billing

Bir Billing · Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj to Bir Billing, Car ~2h

• Tandem paragliding from Billing to Bir · 2 h. Flights of 15–30 min from the 2,400 m Billing launch to the Bir landing site. Choose a registered operator with insured pilots; flights stop in the monsoon (roughly mid-July to mid-September) and in strong wind.
• Chokling and Sherab Ling monasteries · 2.5 h

Local tip: Flights of 15–30 min from the 2,400 m Billing launch to the Bir landing site. Choose a registered operator with insured pilots; flights stop in the monsoon (roughly mid-July to mid-September) and in strong wind.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Explore Bir Billing

Bir Billing

• Billing ridge sunset drive · 2.5 h
• Baijnath Shiva temple · 1.5 h. A 13th-century stone temple about 30 min from Bir.
• Bir colony cafés and Deer Park Institute · 2 h
• Bir tea garden walk · 1.5 h

Local tip: A 13th-century stone temple about 30 min from Bir.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Depart from Bir Billing

Bir Billing

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.