Rajgundha Valley Trek: The Complete Guide from Bir Billing
Updated: Oct 9
Updated October 2026
Rajgundha is a small high valley at about 2,700 m in the Chhota Bhangal area of Kangra district, over the ridge from the Billing paragliding take-off. The classic way in is on foot: 12–14 km from Billing, about 5–6 hours, through forest and meadow.
You stay the night in a camp or simple homestay under some of the darkest skies near Bir, then walk back to Billing the next day. If conditions allow, you can fly back down to Bir.
Rajgundha at a glance
Altitude | about 2,700–2,770 m |
Start point | Billing (14 km by road above Bir) |
Trek distance | 12–14 km one way |
Time | 5–6 hours one way |
Difficulty | moderate; steady climbs, some steep and slippery sections |
By road | possible with a 4×4: narrow mountain road plus an off-road stretch, about 1.5–2 hours |
Stay | camps and basic homestays |
Best months | March–June and September–October |
Network | patchy to none |
Where is Rajgundha?
Rajgundha sits in the upper Uhl river area, between Billing on one side and the Barot valley on the other. Two small hamlets, Rajgundha and Kukkar Gundha, sit in a wide bowl of meadow and forest, with the Dhauladhar peaks above. Many families here farm the land only in the warmer months and move down before winter.
Trek Route & Experience (Bir ➝ Billing ➝ Rajgundha ➝ Billing)
You walk through forests, meadows, rivers, and bridges so charming that you'd expect a 90's Bollywood crew to jump out.
On a typical 2–3 day trek:
Drive from Bir to Billing (paragliding launch site)
Begin hiking through pine forests, crossing streams and meadows
Reach Rajgundha by evening in time for a glowing sunset
Camp under a sky full of stars
The next morning, trek back to Billing
Take a tandem paragliding flight back to Bir
Yes —you literally fly back from your trek.
No crowded queues.Just wind, wings, and the valley beneath you.
Other ways in:
Via Hanumangarh: a longer, higher ridge route from Billing over the Hanumangarh top. It's a full day, with bigger views and more effort. We run it as a [guided Hanumangarh–Rajgundha day trek].
From Barot: drive to Barot, cross towards Badagran, and walk or drive up. Some travellers do Bir → Billing → Rajgundha → Badagran → Barot as a loop.
By 4×4 from the Billing side: there's an off-road track for vehicles, but it's rough, often blocked after rain and closed by snow in winter.
Ending the trek with a paragliding flight
This is what makes Rajgundha special: you can walk back to Billing and fly down to Bir instead of driving. Tandem flights take off from the same meadow you walked out of. Two caveats: flights depend on wind and weather on the day, and all paragliding in Bir stops for the monsoon from July to mid-September.
If flying is the plan, it's best to keep a flexible half-day.
Camping and night skies
With no town lights for miles, Rajgundha has some of the clearest night skies within reach of Bir. On a moonless night between April and October, the Milky Way is easy to see without binoculars. For the best chance:
Go close to a new moon
Avoid the monsoon, when clouds hang low
Bring a warm layer to sit outside after dark
Camps are simple: tents, sleeping bags, hot food. If you want to go deeper, carry on to the meadows at Plachak, a day further on. You can also join our four-day Rajgundha, Jhordi waterfall and Plachak camp.
Best time to visit Rajgundha
March–June: good trekking weather. Snow lingers on the high ridges early in the season.
July–mid-September: monsoon. Green, but trails are slippery, there's a landslide risk on the road, and there's no paragliding.
Late September–October: the clearest views and skies of the year.
November: cold nights, quiet trails.
December–March: heavy snow. The road is closed and the trek is only for experienced winter groups with a guide.
Distances to Rajgundha
From | How | Approx. |
Bir | road to Billing, then trek | 14 km drive + 12–14 km trek |
Billing | trek | 12–14 km, 5–6 hours |
Billing | 4×4 road and off-road track | about 1.5–2 hours |
Barot | via Badagran | |
Delhi | to Bir by road | about 500 km, 10–12 hours |
What to pack
Trekking shoes with good grip (not sneakers)
A warm jacket and a hat: nights are cold at 2,700 m, even in summer
A headlamp
A rain layer, and a light layer for the climb
Cash: there are no ATMs or card machines
Offline maps, and a power bank
Planning the Rajgundha trek with Moonshine Villa
We're at the bottom of the hill in Bir, so we organise Rajgundha trips every season. That includes transport to Billing, guides we've walked with ourselves, camps, and a tandem flight to finish when the weather allows.
Tell us your dates on WhatsApp and we'll suggest the right route for your group's fitness. You can also rest your legs at our villa afterwards. A hot tub after a two-day trek is very welcome.
Final Thought
Rajgundha is not for everyone.
It’s for those who choose:
Stars over streetlights
Silence over scenes
Meadows over markets
Frequently asked questions
Can you do Rajgundha in a day?It's possible but tiring: 24–28 km round trip from Billing, mostly at altitude. Staying a night is far more enjoyable, and it's the only way to see the night sky.
Do you need a guide for the Rajgundha trek?
For most people, yes. Trails branch in the forest, and weather on the ridge can change quickly. A local guide also knows where the camps and water points are. Experienced trekkers in clear weather sometimes go without.
Is Rajgundha in Barot valley?
It's between the two. Rajgundha is in the Chhota Bhangal area of Kangra district, over the ridge from Billing, and the Barot valley is on the far side. You can reach it from either direction.
Is altitude sickness a risk at Rajgundha?
At about 2,700 m, serious altitude sickness is uncommon, but some people get a headache or feel breathless on the climb. Walk slowly, drink water, and come down if symptoms get worse.
Is there mobile network in Rajgundha?
Very little. Some spots on the trail pick up a weak signal, but in the valley you should expect to be offline. Let someone know your plans before you set off.
Where should I stay before and after the trek?
Bir is the natural base, since it's 30–40 minutes from the trailhead at Billing. Our guide to where everything is in Bir can help you pick an area.
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