Many of those who have already fallen in love with Bir don’t really need many insights on exploring Bir beyond Paragliding. But those who are planning to visit Bir and yet to go weak on their knees must know much more about it than they are already aware of. I am one of those who has fallen in love with Bir not once, but thrice. Yes, this small town nestled in the Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh has a charm of its own. And let me tell you, I am a very choosy person and if I like something, that’s special for sure. Bir, to me, is a home away from home. It’s the first place where I travelled with my partner, where I discovered I have a knack for photography and a place which brings out the hidden artist inside me.
Earlier, I had only known this place as famous for its paragliding opportunities. It is the second-best spot in the world for experiencing paragliding. Here you can turn your wildest dream into a beautiful reality flying up and above. Fascinating isn’t it? Sounded quite enthralling to me too. However, my fear of height was always more than the fascination of taking a flight. So, unfortunately even after visiting the place thrice, I never tried my hand at paragliding in Bir. But hey, I am not complaining because there was so much more I was smitten about. And probably which is why I am writing down this article.
In case, you have a phobia of heights just like me and probably thinking about what’s good about visiting the town if not paragliding. My personal insights below will surely help you change your mind and give you enough reasons to explore Bir beyond Paragliding.
Catch the most beautiful sunsets
My very first recommendation when it comes to visiting Bir is to head straight to the landing site and witness the most alluring sunsets of your life. This is not an exaggeration but a reality of sunsets in Bir. I remember when I saw my first sundown in Bir, I was amused by how the sky was altering its colours from hues of yellow to orange and red. It was like the sky turned into a canvas filled with warm tones and lovely shades of summer.
So, first things first, go visit the landing site, take a long walk preferably and not a taxi. Sit there for a while before the sun sets, close your eyes and take a deep breath. And when you open your eyes, the view in front will make you appreciate small moments in life.
Try out the lovely cafes
Bir as you must already know boasts of some great cafes offering lip-smacking food options. From Tibetan to North Indian and to Italian, Bir has it all. And the best part? Almost all the good cafes are in close proximity to each other so you can have a gist of all the good places around.
My personal favourites are Masala Dosa at Avva’s cafe, Hot chocolate at Musafir cafe, Tomato cheese omelette and pancake at the Garden cafe, spinach and corn sandwiches at the Silver Linings and waffles from June 16 cafe. Seriously, a true paradise in the hills for foodies, I tell you.
Pro Tip: Visit the Northern cafe in the evening, preferably before the sun sets. You can witness the best view of sunset from this cafe while savouring amazing food.
Go for a Trek
If you seek a little adventure in the hills, you can go for yet another popular activity in Bir which is trekking. The town is home to several hidden and beautiful trekking routes, including the famous Bir-Billing, Gunehar waterfall and Rajgundha Trek. These treks take you through picturesque villages, lush green forests and beautiful meadows. Along the way, you will also get to see some stunning views of the Dhauladhar mountain range.
Though, if you want to try some of the off-beaten treks, do go for a trek to Mata Maheshwari Temple. The hike is for about an hour and takes you through forests dotted with tall pine trees. This is one of the infamous treks with the most stunning sunset point in Bir.
Visit Monasteries:
One of the most popular and peaceful activities in Bir is visiting the many Buddhist monasteries in the area. The town is home to several Tibetan refugee settlements, and as a result, there are many beautiful monasteries to visit. The most famous of these is the Chokling Monastery, which is a replica of the original in Tibet and is home to some of the most respected lamas in the area. You can also explore the Dharmsala Monastery, which is a traditional Tibetan monastery and houses a large statue of the Buddha.
Take a stroll to discover new places
Walking is my love language, and I can go back and forth to places just to take a long walk. It’s beautiful and you also get to burn that extra intake of calories while trying out all the yummy cafe food. So, whenever you get a chance, go out for a walk, a long one. It could be early in the morning trying to find out a local dhaba for a quick breakfast or after you have your dinner at a cafe.
I remember discovering so many new places each time I visited Bir. On my last trip, I discovered a dhaba called Landing dhaba which is right at the end of the landing site. They serve one of the tastiest aloo- parathas with a warm cup of chai and a great sunset view with very less people around. Additionally, I also came across a local shop selling the tastiest momos I had in Bir. See, that’s how walking takes you to places you never even knew existed in the first place! So, ditch the transport, and walk along the road.
Try out authentic Himachali Thali
So, for the last two times I visited Bir, sadly I was unaware of this amazing Himachali Thali served in the lesser-known cafes in Bir, called Ara cafe. I stumbled across this place with the help of two guys I ran into while I was at the Northern cafe. Interestingly, you need to book the thali in advance by calling them or placing your order on WhatsApp. You can choose the option of having veg/non-veg thali. The contact number and location can be easily found on the internet.
Though the cafe is a little distance from all the other cafes, you can reach the cafe by renting a scooty or boarding a local taxi. We took a taxi at a cost of Rs. 200 on one side. This is one of the most beautiful cafe cum homestays that I have visited in Bir. And bonus point? You can catch a mesmerising view of the sunset on the cafe’s rooftop. Authentic Himachali Thali + Stunning sunset = Heaven!
Stay at goSTOPS Bir Landing Site
For my stay, I always count on goSTOPS. Being a backpacker and a solo traveller, I prefer staying in hostels as it gives me an opportunity to meet new people. Additionally, I am always amused by its vibrant and fun environment which helps make the stay more enjoyable.
So, every time I visit Bir, I book goSTOPS Bir which is conveniently located in close proximity to the landing site. It is an idyllic place for travellers to unwind and relax. You can even witness stunning views of paragliders from the rooftop here. It is enclosed by several cafes and shops and is an ideal destination for backpackers. With a huge common area that is vibrant and cool, it lets you connect, vibe and exchange stories. The hostel is known for its lively outdoor garden area with a bonfire, barbeque, swings and much more to call it a night in the hills. And the best part is, the hostel is pet friendly!
Address of the hostel: Khasra No. 658, Village Suja, Tehsil Baijnath, Bir, Himachal Pradesh 176077
Parting Thoughts
Now, I hope my words were enticing enough for you to book a getaway to Bir right away. It is not just your regular hill station, but it is a place filled with love, warmth, colours, hopeful mornings and starry nights. So, don’t keep waiting and plan your next trip to Bir, Himachal Pradesh for an experience like no other.
