Bir: a tale of wilderness and its beauty!
Travelling around the world, meeting new people, eating new food and surrounding yourself with a portico of awe-inspiring landscapes remains constant if you’re a backpacker. If by any chance you’re not, then maybe you’re tired of your desk job and looking to embark on an adventure or just a holiday to relax. You might need a place, you can’t complain at all. WELCOME TO BIR! And yes you’ll be surprised by some of the unique things to do in Bir.
Here’s what you can get up to in and around Bir. Firstly, what is going to be on your bucket list should be half planned before and the rest is iron-willed once you are at this one-blink town. You’ll be enthralled by the under wrap places/activities of this hamlet, and yes for that you’ll have to do a little bit of research. Credulously, your research is not going to waste, there are places/activities that are really hair-raising. Therefore, planning a trip to this skyland is worthwhile. Additionally, you’ll love the golden hour in this paradise.
We have an inkling that if you include the following in your to do list, you will be thrilled you did so.
Addons To Your Bucket List:
1. Breathe Adventure
2. Visit Places
3. Shop at Bir Market
4. Meditate and Attend Workshops at Institutes
5. Make Sure You Have a Pleasant Stay
6. Eat and Relax at Cafes
7. Take Joy in the Toy Train
8. Experience Spa on Aarya Road
9. A Walk to Remember
10. Camping
1. Breathe Adventure
Bir adventure is something that everyone craves for. It is such a delightful place that everyone inflowing the place will surely fall hard for it. Paragliding, a sport which makes Bir Billing a foremost tourist magnet, is famous worldwide. Maybe, you are here for paragliding but once you’re here you will be friends with other aerial sports like sky cycling and hang gliding that will make you go crazy, on the other hand if cycling on ground is your thing, you can rent a cycle and explore the streets of Bir. If you want to experience the thrill, mountain biking on a tough road will be inch-perfect. Moreover, if you ever dreamt of living in the mountains, you certainly can go trekking, then pitch a tent wherever you feel like, you’ll find a lot of options for the same. Make sure you do prior research for the best time of a particular adventure you’re excited for.
2. Visit Places
Have you visited a new place and felt like coming out on top? One visit to Bir, you’ll feel the same. There are a lot of beautiful places in and around Bir, it’s a bit complicated where to start from. Okay let’s start from the ceaseless beauties, the monasteries, you’ll see one of the most beautiful ones out there. Each monastery has its own charm, some are old while some are the largest. Secondly, Bir is cumulated with tea gardens, you can make a visit to the green lands to see the actual beauty of this town. Next, is the landing site. It is packed in the evening as tourists rush to see the sky turning red, and yes it is the most beautiful thing one can see. Keep exploring and you’ll find what’s best in your interest.
3. Shop at Bir Market
Street shopping is beyond comparison, moreover you shop at lower prices than the malls. Market at Bir is small yet beautiful. Explore the town while shopping for some amazing artwork available in the market. Shop for handicrafts, jewellry, clothes, and more. Tibetian colony should not be missed, if you are looking for natural and organic stuff, paying a visit is a must. Also, you’ll love the stalls having homegrown material, so if you crave to own something cultural and traditional, these will be your perfect picks. Don’t forget to buy the tibetian prayer flags, spinning prayer wheels and hand crafted arts and paintings from here. Carry the essence of the town back home and stamp your memories of Bir.
4. Meditate, Attend workshops and Volunteer at Institutes
If you’re interested in art, culture, philosophy, and meditation you can visit Deer Park or Dharamalya institute. They teach you ancient Indian wisdom traditions to promote a productive and positive living. The workshops and activities on sustainable living continue the whole year, the best part is you can go volunteering which is open for everyone. Speaking of the infrastructure they have meditation halls, bookshops, libraries, and prayer rooms. You can visit their websites and learn more interesting facts about the same.
5. Make Sure You Have a Pleasant Stay
Everyone deserves a much-needed break from the demands of everyday life. Coming on a vacay and not staying in a dream house isn’t fair. Even if you don’t enjoy being outside, the sights from the comfortable lodgings are worth seeing. Pleasure seekers can go for swiss cottages or villas, furnished and decorated with local crafts to offer you comfort. If you are a nature enthusiast then stop by some nature camps and feel your atmosphere. Plus this counts as an advantage as it satisfies the penny pincher inside! Hence, making your to do things in Bir a great success.
6. Eat and Relax at Cafes
Having a good time with delicious food in the amazing cafes can be one of the best things to do in Bir. Satisfy yourself with a variety of cuisines and the aura of the place. If you enjoy doing blogs, post your experiences and you’d probably have a chance to produce the bestest content. Some of the well-established cafes like, The Northern Café, June16 Café, Aava’s Café, Silver Linings really serve yum! Moreover, Sasta Café lets you pay according to how you like the food. Isn’t that amazing? You can also find other small establishments in and around Bir that you can check out for a budget meal. Don’t forget to try the Himachali cuisines.
7. Take Joy in the Toy Train
A toy train journey is something that shouldn’t be missed. It is a narrow-gauge train journey that starts from Jogindernagar and goes all the way to Pathankot, covering a distance of almost 160 km. You can check the timetable and take a short ride as well, depending on your time availability. It is worth it. Jogindernagar station is just half an hour away from Bir, but you can catch the train from Ahju station in just 10 minutes. You can also get down to Kangra station for the same. Speaking of the tickets, it will cost you around 15-20 rs, you won’t get a better deal anywhere.
This railway is a masterpiece of British engineering, back then, the men built a route that was in harmony with the beauty, peace, and sublimity of the environment. It is still authentic and in good shape. Additionally, the landscapes take the cake. Pine forests, fields of mustard, tea gardens, shady oak trees all pass by the train with a casualness, as if it expects all of this beauty. It’s not necessary to contribute; simply being a part of it is enough. Take a ride and cherish it for a lifetime.
8. Experience Spa on Aarya Road
If you’re a spiritual hacker, this place is worth visiting. The AryaMarga offers a chance to experience traditional and authentic teachings of yoga, embedded in the context of modern life. It is more like an off-the-mat guidance to knowing yourself better and clarity of connections between mind and soul. Also, it is a well recognized luxury spa and health centre. They believe in holistic treatments for detoxing, de-stressing, stimulating and beautifying the body and mind. Plus, the services are broadly categorised as therapies and treatments, beautifying skin treatments, nature’s connected, express healing and a special event-party-wedding spa. So, for the attractive packages and special offers, pay a visit.
9. A Walk To Remember
If your feet feel itchy, start walking. It’s an ultimate bliss! It is good for your health as well as lightens up your mood. As you keep walking, you’ll uncover something new all the time. On your way, you’ll meet some amazing people who are super friendly. Their traditional homes surely will take your heart away, try engaging with them, you might learn a few pahari words. It’s like going back in a heartbeat! So, if you have time and want to see the beauty of Bir, take up the streets and start wandering. Besides, the mountains, a mesmerizing sunset and the dense forests will keep you tied up. Cheers to a good walk!
10. Camping
The true experience of stargazing has its seat in camping. Imagine sitting near a bonfire, listening to soft music, and looking at the million stars. Yes, it’s time to get away from the busy streets and head back to nature. Camping in Bir is a living dream, it encourages people to spend time in nature with guides, tools and tips. There are many exciting campsites in Bir that you can take on rent. Without being skeptical, choose your tent, put up your feet, sip your coffee, and just relax.
The best places are not easy to reach but we hope we gave you enough spark to unearth Bir. Things to do in Bir is like exploring plenty of things. For adventure freaks, a new adventure is always waiting. If peace is something you thirst for, meditate at monasteries, learn about Buddhism, walk down the streets and explore the scenic views. For the ones who just need to relax, stay at the comfy stays. There is no special time to visit this hill-station as every season has its own charm. You can enjoy the essence throughout the year.
