7-day Volunteering Itinerary for Bir Billing in October 2023

1. Day 1: Arrival in Bir Billing
   From Gaggal airport, Bir is a 1-hour drive (32 km) away.

   In the morning, check-in at your hotel and get familiarized with Bir. In the afternoon, visit the Chokling Monastery and indulge in volunteering activities such as teaching English to the monks or helping in the kitchen. In the evening, take a stroll around the Bir Bazaar and enjoy local street food.

2. Day 2: Sherab Ling Monastery
   From Bir, it's a 30-minute drive (10.4 km) to Sherab Ling Monastery.

   In the morning, visit the Sherab Ling Monastery and assist in gardening, cleaning or cooking. After lunch, visit the Bir Tea Factory to learn about tea production and taste local tea varieties. In the evening, relax by the Uhl river and watch the sunset.

3. Day 3: Dharamshala
   From Bir, it's a 2-hour drive (68.2 km) to Dharamshala.

   In the morning, visit the Norbulingka Institute and volunteer in the handicrafts department. In the afternoon, visit the Kangra Fort and indulge in birdwatching. In the evening, head to McLeod Ganj and savor some local Tibetan cuisine.

4. Day 4: Deer Park Institute
   From Bir, it's a 1.5-hour drive (52.2 km) to Deer Park Institute.

   In the morning, visit the Deer Park Institute and volunteer in the organic farming department. After lunch, head to the Masroor Rock Cut Temple and explore the archaeological site. In the evening, return to Bir and enjoy a bonfire night at your hotel.

5. Day 5: Bir Tibetan Colony
   From Bir, it's a 20-minute drive (7.4 km) to Bir Tibetan Colony.

   In the morning, visit the Bir Tibetan Colony and volunteer in the community school or health center. In the afternoon, head to the Baijnath Temple and marvel at the intricate architecture. In the evening, attend a cultural program at the Bir Road Institute.

6. Day 6: Paragliding in Billing
   From Bir, it's a 40-minute drive (16.1 km) to Billing.

   In the morning, go for a thrilling paragliding session in Billing and fly like a bird over the Dhauladhar range. After lunch, visit the Bangoru Waterfall and take a dip in the cool waters. In the evening, enjoy a scenic sunset view from the Bir Landing Site.

7. Day 7: Tsering Jong Monastery
   From Bir, it's a 30-minute drive (12.3 km) to Tsering Jong Monastery.

   In the morning, visit the Tsering Jong Monastery and assist in the construction of new buildings or gardening. In the afternoon, head to Andretta Pottery Studio and learn how to make pottery. In the evening, savor a traditional Himachali dinner at the Silver Linings Cafe.

Recommendations

You can also visit the Bir Road Institute for a yoga or meditation session. For day trips, you can visit Palampur, Barot Valley or Baijnath. To maximize your fun, try local adventure sports like trekking, mountain biking or camping.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Chokling Monastery (2 hours, free)
• Sherab Ling Monastery (3 hours, free)
• Bir Tea Factory (1 hour, INR 200)
• Norbulingka Institute (2 hours, INR 500)
• Kangra Fort (2 hours, INR 150)
• Deer Park Institute (3 hours, free)
• Masroor Rock Cut Temple (2 hours, INR 100)
• Baijnath Temple (1 hour, INR 50)
• Bir Tibetan Colony (2 hours, free)
• Bangoru Waterfall (2 hours, free)
• Paragliding in Billing (3 hours, INR 2500)
• Tsering Jong Monastery (2 hours, free)
• Andretta Pottery Studio (2 hours, INR 500)
• Silver Linings Cafe (2 hours, INR 500)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 4500

To check hotel and flight prices, visit https://booking.tp.st/VhZsadPo.