By Nitin Kanish · 23 October 2026
Manali to Bir Billing by bike is about 170 to 190 km, a 6 to 7 hour ride with stops, going down the Beas valley to Mandi and then west on the Mandi to Pathankot highway through Ghatasani and Jogindernagar to Bir. It is too far for a comfortable same-day return, so plan three days: ride to Bir on day one, fly from Billing on day two, ride back on day three. Leave Manali by 8 am so the whole ride is in daylight; the sun sets at about 5:40 pm in Bir this week.
Paragliding is in season again, but every flight depends on the weather. Below: the route, current road works, this week's Kullu traffic and forecast, flight costs, and which bike and how many days to rent. Current as of 23 October 2026.
Starting in Manali? See the bikes available on Hire N Ride in Manali and check the included kilometres before you choose the number of days.
Key takeaways
- Distance: about 170 to 180 km via the Bajaura to Kataula road, or about 190 km if you stay on the NH3 through Aut and Pandoh. Billing, the take-off point, is another 13 to 14 km uphill from Bir.
- Time: 6 to 7 hours one way with a meal and fuel stop. Map apps show less, but they do not count the slow sections around Mandi, Ghatasani and Jogindernagar.
- Plan three days at least, four if you want a spare morning in case your flight is held back by wind or cloud.
- Season: flying at Bir Billing resumed on 20 September 2026 after the 15 July to 15 September monsoon ban, with about 200 flights a day reported on 1 October.
- Flight cost: the operators' body said in January 2026 that it would follow the government-notified fare of Rs 3,000 per tandem flight. Confirm the current price and what it includes when you book.
- This week: Kullu Dussehra traffic orders apply until 8 November, and IMD Shimla expects isolated light rain in the middle hills on 24 and 25 October, then dry days.
- Kilometres: Hire N Ride bike listings in Manali include 120 km a day. A round trip of about 360 to 400 km fits three or four days.
The Manali to Bir route, stretch by stretch
You ride down the Beas valley past Kullu to Mandi, then north-west on the Mandi to Pathankot highway (NH154) through Ghatasani and Jogindernagar to the turn for Bir. The only real choice is how you get from Kullu to Mandi.
- Option A, the highway: stay on the NH3 through Bhuntar, the Aut tunnel and Pandoh. It is wider and busier, with the most traffic and the most help if something goes wrong.
- Option B, the Kataula road: leave the highway at Bajaura, after Bhuntar, and cross the hills via Kataula to Mandi. Map apps often choose this line because it is shorter, but it is a narrower district road with steep bends. Ride it only in dry weather and good light.
The distances below come from OpenStreetMap routing from Mall Road, Manali, and are rounded. Your figure will vary with your start point and any diversions on the day.
| Stretch | Approx. distance | Running total | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manali to Kullu | 41 km | 41 km | Easy valley road along the Beas. Festival traffic around Kullu this week. |
| Kullu to Mandi via NH3, Aut and Pandoh | about 80 km | about 122 km | The slow part of the day: gorge sections, tunnels, protection works and heavy vehicles. |
| or Kullu to Mandi via Bajaura and Kataula | about 70 km | about 111 km | Shorter but narrow and twisty. Dry weather and daylight only. |
| Mandi to Ghatasani | 41 km | about 152 to 163 km | The highway climbs out of Mandi. Repair and resurfacing work in places. |
| Ghatasani to Jogindernagar | 14 km | about 166 to 176 km | Patchwork on the road surface. Watch for potholes in shaded corners. |
| Jogindernagar to Bir | 15 km | about 180 to 191 km | Turn off the highway for Bir. Narrow, busy village roads near the landing site. |
| Bir to Billing (optional) | 13 to 14 km | Steep, narrow climb to the take-off point at about 8,000 ft. |
The first 41 km to Kullu is the same road as our Manali to Kasol ride, which also covers the Bhuntar junction and the riverside works in more detail.
How long the ride really takes
Routing engines show about four hours. Here is a more realistic split for a rider leaving Mall Road at 8 am:
- Manali to Kullu, about 1 hour. Slower than usual during Dussehra week.
- Kullu to Mandi, 2 to 2.5 hours. On the NH3 the gorge between Aut and Pandoh has single-lane sections and slow trucks. On the Kataula road the bends keep your speed down.
- Mandi to Bir, about 2 hours. Around 68 km on the Pathankot highway, with work zones near Ghatasani and the climb towards Jogindernagar.
- Stops, about 1 hour. Lunch in Mandi, which is the natural halfway point, plus fuel and a tea break.
That puts you in Bir at about 2 to 3 pm, with time to check in, find the landing site and speak to a flight operator before sunset at about 5:40 pm. If you leave Manali after noon, stop the night in Mandi and finish the ride the next morning instead of riding the Ghatasani climb in the dark.
What is happening on the road right now
Both halves of the route have post-monsoon work. None of it closes the road, but it adds time.
- Kullu to Mandi: the NH3 between Mandi and Kullu still has slope-protection walls, tunnel work and single-lane sections from the 2025 monsoon damage. We set out the details in our Chandigarh to Manali drive guide, which uses the same stretch. Expect flagmen and short waits.
- Mandi to Padhar: News18 reported on 7 October 2026 that most of the new 19 km highway between Mandi and Padhar is carrying traffic, but traffic is diverted at a few places where NHAI is channelling new water sources and repairing rain damage. NHAI aimed to finish the stretch by the end of October.
- Ghatasani to Jogindernagar: Amar Ujala reported on 15 October 2026 that the monsoon had left deep potholes between Ghatta, Ghatasani, Urla and Padhar, which were especially risky for two-wheelers. NHAI said it would fully resurface Ghatasani to Urla and patch the road from Ghatta to Chauntra and Jogindernagar, with a target of finishing in October.
- Near the Bir landing site: the narrow road from Bir Chowk to the landing site gets crowded. On 21 September 2026 the Kangra district magistrate barred Volvo and multi-axle buses from this road between 7 and 11 am to ease jams, UNI reported. Bikes are not affected, but expect slow traffic and parked taxis in the morning.
Kullu Dussehra traffic this week
The International Kullu Dussehra runs from 21 to 27 October, and the district traffic order for the festival period applies from 17 October to 8 November 2026. In Kullu town, the Kala Kendra road is closed to vehicles, several main roads are no-parking and towing zones, and heavy vehicles are routed along the four-lane road. If you are riding straight through to Mandi, follow the police signs and do not stop in the town centre. If you want to see the festival on the way, use one of the official parking areas and walk in. Our Kullu Dussehra 2026 guide has the dates and parking details.
Paragliding at Bir Billing: what to know before you ride
Season and daily rhythm
Flying at Bir Billing stops every monsoon. In 2026 the authorities suspended all tandem and solo flights from 15 July to 15 September, and flying restarted on 20 September once the weather improved. By 1 October, HimTimes reported an average of about 200 flights a day, with weekend crowds from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Chandigarh and foreign pilots expected from mid-October.
Pilots take off from Billing, at about 8,000 ft, and land on the open ground at Chaugan on the edge of Bir, at about 4,500 ft. Operators usually drive you from Bir up to Billing for the flight, so you do not need to ride the bike up the hill unless you want to see the take-off point.
Cost
In January 2026, when the operators formed the Billing Paragliding Community Organisation, they resolved to follow the government-notified fare of Rs 3,000 per tandem flight and to limit each pilot to three flights a day, The Tribune reported. Longer flights, videos and transfers may cost extra. Ask what is included before you pay, and confirm the price on the day, because operators can change it.
Safety
- Book with a registered operator and ask about the pilot's experience and insurance. After a series of accidents in 2025, the Baijnath administration made GPS trackers compulsory and said it would check pilots' insurance regularly.
- Expect delays. Strong wind, low cloud or rain can stop flights at short notice. Keep a spare morning so you do not have to fly in doubtful weather.
- Do not ride the bike after the flight if you feel unwell or dizzy. Rest first.
Weather and daylight this week
The IMD Shimla bulletin issued at 1 pm on 23 October 2026 says a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from 24 October. It forecasts light rain at isolated places in the low hills on 24 October, light rain at isolated places in the middle hills on 24 and 25 October, light rain or snow in the high hills on the same two days, and dry weather from 26 to 29 October, with no weather warnings for the week. Temperatures are expected to drop by a few degrees after 24 October.
So expect possible wet patches around Mandi on 24 and 25 October, and better flying odds from 26 October. If you can choose, ride to Bir on 25 or 26 October and fly the next morning.
By our calculation sunrise in Bir is at about 6:32 am and sunset at about 5:41 pm on 23 October, moving to about 6:38 am and 5:34 pm by 31 October. The light goes earlier than that in the valleys, so aim to be off the highway by 5 pm.
What the trip costs
Bike rental
On 23 October 2026 the Hire N Ride Manali page lists bikes from Rs 580 a day. The listings we checked were:
- TVS Ntorq 125 scooter: Rs 580 a day
- Royal Enfield Classic 350: Rs 1,214 a day
- Royal Enfield Hunter 350: Rs 1,267 a day
- Royal Enfield Scram 411: Rs 1,499 a day
- Royal Enfield Himalayan 411: Rs 1,650 a day
- Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: Rs 2,099 a day
Each of these listings includes 120 km a day. Fuel is not included, and the bike comes with limited fuel, so fill up early. Prices change with dates and demand, so check the live listing when you book.
Kilometres and days
The round trip is about 360 km on the Kataula road and about 380 km on the highway, before any riding around Bir or up to Billing. Three days give you 360 km included, which is tight. Four days give you 480 km and a spare morning for the weather. Under the Hire N Ride fee policy, kilometres beyond the booking limit are charged at the hourly rental rate divided by 10 per kilometre, never less than Rs 5 and never more than Rs 15 a kilometre. Late return is charged by the hour after a 30-minute grace period.
One more check before you book: the rider terms say you must not take the vehicle outside the permitted territory shown on the booking. Bir is in Kangra district, so confirm on the listing or with Hire N Ride support that the trip is allowed.
Other costs
- Tandem flight: Rs 3,000 per person was the notified fare in January 2026; confirm the current price.
- Fuel: fill up in Manali and again in Mandi or Jogindernagar.
- Stay: two nights in Bir, plus a night in Mandi if you split the ride.
Which bike to rent in Manali for Bir
The route is all tarmac, so pick for comfort and load rather than off-road ability.
- Solo rider, light luggage: a Classic 350 or Hunter 350 is comfortable for a 180 km day and easy to park in Bir.
- With a pillion and bags: the Himalayan 411 or Himalayan 450 has a more upright seat, longer suspension travel and better luggage options, which help over the potholed stretches near Ghatasani.
- Scooter: the Ntorq is fine for short rides around Manali, but a 360 km round trip with long climbs is tiring on a small scooter. Choose a motorcycle for this trip if you can.
Every listing requires a valid two-wheeler driving licence held for at least six months (MCWG for geared bikes), and riders must be 18 or older. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and pillion, and only one pillion is allowed.
A simple three-day plan
- Day 1, Manali to Bir (about 180 km): leave by 8 am, pass Kullu before the festival crowds build, lunch in Mandi, reach Bir by mid-afternoon and book your flight for the next morning.
- Day 2, flight day: fly in the morning if the weather is good, then walk around the Tibetan colony and its monasteries near the landing ground, or ride about 13 km to Baijnath, known for its old stone Shiva temple. If flying is called off, try again in the afternoon or the next morning.
- Day 3, Bir to Manali: leave after breakfast so you clear Mandi by early afternoon and reach Manali before dark.
With four days, keep day 3 as a spare flying morning and ride back on day 4.
Riding tips for this route
- Ride in daylight only. The Hire N Ride rider terms ask you to ride in daylight in the hills wherever possible, and the gorge and the Ghatasani climb are no place to be after dark.
- Use lower gears on descents instead of holding the brakes.
- Switch on your headlight before every tunnel and do not overtake inside.
- Slow down for fresh tar and gravel in the resurfacing zones after Mandi; they are slippery, especially when damp.
- Do a handover check in Manali: photos of the bike, the odometer reading and the fuel level, as the rider terms require.
For more rides from Manali, Kasol and Bhuntar, see our Himachal bike and car rental guide.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Bir Billing from Manali by bike?
About 170 to 190 km to Bir, depending on whether you take the Kataula road or the NH3 between Kullu and Mandi. Billing, the take-off point, is another 13 to 14 km uphill from Bir.
How long does the Manali to Bir ride take?
Plan 6 to 7 hours one way with stops. The slow parts are the Mandi to Kullu stretch and the climb from Mandi to Ghatasani and Jogindernagar.
Can I do Manali to Bir Billing and back in one day?
Not sensibly. It means about 360 to 380 km of mountain riding plus waiting for a flight, with no daylight margin. Stay at least one night in Bir.
Is paragliding open at Bir Billing in October 2026?
Yes. Flying resumed on 20 September 2026 after the monsoon ban, and about 200 flights a day were reported on 1 October. Each flight still depends on the weather on the day.
How much does a tandem flight at Bir Billing cost?
The operators' body said in January 2026 that it would follow the government-notified fare of Rs 3,000 per tandem flight. Longer flights and extras can cost more, so confirm the price when you book.
How many days should I rent a bike in Manali for Bir?
Three days at least, and four if you want a spare morning for the weather. With 120 km included a day, three days cover 360 km, which is about the length of the round trip.
Conclusion
Manali to Bir Billing by bike is a fine three-day trip: about 180 km each way, down the Beas to Mandi and across to the Kangra side, with a tandem flight from Billing in between. In late October 2026 the keys are an 8 am start, patience in the work zones around Mandi and Ghatasani, a quick pass through Kullu, and a spare morning in case wind or rain keeps the gliders down. Rent for three or four days so the kilometres fit, and check that the listing allows the trip to Kangra.
Ready to ride? Book a bike rental in Manali with Hire N Ride and pick the bike that suits your Bir Billing plans.
