McLeod Ganj, Triund & Bir Billing: A Complete 6-Day Itinerary

Introduction to This Himachal Combo

McLeod Ganj, the Triund ridge trek, and Bir Billing form one of the most well-rounded short getaways from Delhi, combining Tibetan culture, an accessible Himalayan trek, and the world's second-highest paragliding site into a single trip. This route works especially well because the three destinations sit within a compact geographic triangle in Kangra district, connected by good roads and short drives, unlike itineraries that require covering vast distances across Himachal. Below is a complete 6-day itinerary that balances travel, trekking, and downtime, suitable for both first-time Himalayan travellers and repeat visitors looking for a fresh combination.

Day 1: Delhi to McLeod Ganj

The journey typically begins with an overnight Volvo bus from Delhi (departing around 8-9pm) reaching McLeod Ganj by early the next morning, roughly a 12-hour journey. Travellers preferring not to travel overnight can instead read our Delhi to Dharamshala road trip guide for a self-drive alternative broken into a more comfortable two-day journey. On arrival, check into your hotel and use the first day to rest and explore McLeod Ganj's main bazaar, the Tsuglagkhang Complex (residence of the Dalai Lama), and the Bhagsu waterfall a short walk from the town centre.

Day 2: McLeod Ganj Sightseeing and Acclimatization

Spend Day 2 exploring McLeod Ganj more thoroughly before tackling the Triund trek. Visit the Tibetan Museum, Dal Lake (a small forest lake 3km from town, not to be confused with Srinagar's), and the Church of St. John in the Wilderness, a Gothic-style stone church dating to 1852, tucked into deodar forest. This gentler day also helps with acclimatization since McLeod Ganj sits at 2,082m, notably higher than Dharamshala town below it. For a deeper dive into the town's cafe and monastery circuit, see our Dharamshala cafes and monasteries guide.

Day 3: Triund Trek — McLeod Ganj to Triund

Day 3 is dedicated to the Triund trek, a 9-kilometre, roughly 5-hour ascent from McLeod Ganj (2,082m) to the Triund ridge (2,875m), gaining nearly 800 metres through oak and rhododendron forest before opening onto grassy meadows with the Dhauladhar range rising dramatically just across the valley. The trail passes through Galu Devi temple and Magic View Café, popular rest points roughly a third and two-thirds of the way up. Camp overnight at Triund — the sunset over the Kangra valley and sunrise directly onto the snow-capped Dhauladhar peaks are the trek's signature rewards. Trekkers wanting the exact distance and time breakdown should check our dedicated Triund trek distance guide.

Day 4: Triund to McLeod Ganj, Onward to Bir Billing

Descend from Triund back to McLeod Ganj in the morning (roughly 3-3.5 hours downhill), then take a shared cab or taxi to Bir Billing, about a 2.5-3 hour drive (65km) south through the Kangra valley. Bir sits at a much lower altitude (1,500m) than McLeod Ganj, and the temperature difference is noticeable — expect warmer days here. Check into a guesthouse in Bir village or the Tibetan Colony area, and spend the evening exploring the colony's monasteries and cafes at a relaxed pace after the previous day's trek.

Day 5: Paragliding at Bir Billing

Bir Billing is recognized as one of the world's premier paragliding destinations, hosting the Paragliding World Cup in past years. Billing, the launch site at 2,400m above Bir, offers tandem paragliding flights that descend to the landing ground in Bir village, covering distances of 15-30 minutes depending on wind conditions and package chosen. This is best scheduled for the morning, when thermal conditions are most stable. Full cost breakdowns and package options are covered in our Bir Billing paragliding cost guide. Spend the rest of the day exploring Bir's growing cafe scene or visiting the Chokling Monastery, one of the largest Nyingma monasteries in India.

Day 6: Bir Billing to Delhi

Return to Delhi via an overnight Volvo bus from Bir (or nearby Baijnath, which has more frequent connections), typically departing in the evening and reaching Delhi the next morning. Alternatively, travellers with more flexible schedules can extend the trip by combining it with the neighbouring Kangra valley circuit or continuing toward Kasol and Kheerganga in the Parvati valley for a longer Himachal loop.

Budget Estimate for the 6-Day Trip

A comfortable budget trip covering this itinerary costs approximately INR 8,000-14,000 per person, excluding the Volvo bus fare (roughly INR 1,200-1,800 each way from Delhi). This includes 4 nights of accommodation (2 in McLeod Ganj, 1 camping at Triund, 1-2 in Bir), local transport between McLeod Ganj and Bir, meals, and a standard tandem paragliding flight (INR 2,500-3,500). Trekking gear rental in McLeod Ganj (sleeping bags, jackets) adds roughly INR 300-500 per day if you don't own your own equipment.

Best Time for This Combined Itinerary

March to June and September to November are the best windows for this combination. Summer (March-June) offers warm, clear days ideal for both trekking and paragliding, though May-June can get hot in Bir's lower altitude. Post-monsoon (September-November) brings the clearest mountain views of the Dhauladhar range and stable paragliding conditions. Avoid July-August, when monsoon rains make the Triund trail slippery and frequently ground paragliding flights due to poor visibility and unstable winds. Winter (December-February) is possible for McLeod Ganj and even a snow-trek to Triund, but paragliding at Bir often pauses during the coldest weeks.

Tips for Combining Trek and Paragliding

Sequencing the Triund trek before the Bir Billing leg, as in this itinerary, works better than the reverse — trekking first means your legs handle the descent from Triund before the more relaxed, lower-exertion paragliding day, rather than trying to trek immediately after an adrenaline-heavy flight. Pack layered clothing since you'll experience a significant altitude and temperature swing between McLeod Ganj/Triund and the warmer Bir valley. Booking your paragliding slot a day in advance during peak season (October-November) is wise, as weather-dependent flight schedules can shift and slots fill quickly.

Conclusion

This 6-day McLeod Ganj, Triund, and Bir Billing itinerary packs Tibetan culture, a genuinely rewarding Himalayan trek, and one of the world's best paragliding experiences into a single well-paced trip from Delhi. The compact geography of Kangra district makes it far easier to combine these three experiences than most other Himachal circuits, making this one of the most efficient short Himalayan getaways available.