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Everybody dreams of touching the sky, talking to the stars and feel connected to the cosmos. Who doesn’t like a serene environment where Mother Nature herself talks to one’s soul? Binsar Valley, a collection of sleepy hamlet which would give you a medieval era hangover with its quaint villas and misty mountains all around is the perfect place for rekindling the bonds within the family as you enjoy the beauty of nature up close and personal in all the nakedness of wet foliage from a fresh shower.
The mesmerizing views of Chaukhamba, Nanda Kot, Trishul, Kedarnath, etc. would provide for ethereal imagery for one to enjoy a morning cup of tea with their loved ones. The acres of virgin forest all around would enable one to light a bonfire at the heart of the night to enjoy the beauty of the magnificent, starry night sky and reminisce about memories and stories of a past which are forgotten in the rush of daily life.
The best time to go to Binsar is the monsoon season when the light drizzle and windy weather would surely sweep you into unsolicited bouts of déjà vu of maybe some hallowed past experience. Also, the monsoon season presents a reasonable stable weather condition in comparison to the summer and winter which makes it the perfect time to visit the place.
The nearest railhead from Binsar is situated around 120 km away in Kathgodam. Share cabs, cabs and buses are available just outside the station which would take you directly through a meandering course past the likes of Bhimtal and Nainital. If you are looking to fly, Panthnagar Airport is your destination. Taxis are available in abundance from outside the airport which would take you straight to Binsar.
When your cab would roll onto the narrow, serpentine roads of Binsar a wave of fragrant air would inform you of the same. The exquisite rhododendrons and a plethora of wildflowers would welcome you into the cluster of sleepy hamlets which would instantly transport you to a magical reality where time itself stops to admire the alluring beauty of the enchanting mountains, azure valleys and a diverse palette of flora adorning every nook and cranny of the place.
One can take a stroll along the wet mud roads through orchards and meadows lined with silver ferns and wild orchids, or one can go on a small hike under the canopy of vast oaks and company of rhododendrons along the way. There are places where one can sit down and have a family picnic amidst the lush greenery of the valley. The cool breeze which is characteristic of the mountainous valleys is ever-present all over the valley. The gentle caress of the soft and chilly breeze is a great catalyst in rekindling the love which you share with your close ones.
Situated inside the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, the Zero Point is right at the top of a short trek through wilderness. Once at the top you would be engulfed on all sides with a panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges including the eminent peaks near and far like Nanda Devi, Kedarnath et al. The sheer magnanimity of the view at the top is enough to leave one speechless, and to top that the adjacent wilderness provide the perfect essence of calm and silence to take in the majestic view.
With a relatively smaller expanse with respect to other national parks and sanctuaries, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary boasts of a flora and fauna diversity which is denser than any other sanctuary India. Hence one can easily spot the likes of leopard, jungle cat, Himalayan bear etc. which makes this a very promising tour for the ones out there who just love to catch a glimpse of the wild. This sanctuary is also heaven for any bird watcher as it takes pride in providing shelter to more than 200 different species of birds. The jungle safari through Binsar is the perfect activity to go on to with your family as you rummage through nature to find its gems together.
This shrine was built by King Kalyan of the Chand dynasty who used this hamlet as their summer capital. The temple was built in the 13th century and has paintings and carvings depicting the culture of the period. If you want a spot of quiet and peace to enjoy with your family, this temple provides the perfect place and opportunity to do so along with brushing up on the culture and heritage of the time.
The shrine, dedicated to the local deity Kasar Devi gained popularity in the nineteenth century when Swami Vivekananda sat to meditate on his way to attain the spiritual realms. Since then the temple has turned into a major crowd puller in lieu of the beautiful architecture and the aesthetic ambience supplied by the pine forest all around.
Situated around 5 kms away from the main gate of the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary the Golu Devta Temple is a unique shrine devoted to Golu Devta, the deity of Kumaon, where the devotees, instead of the usual offerings of sweets and incense offer brass bells on which their wishes tied after being written on a piece of paper. This temple is a must visit if you are on a holiday because of the feel good ambience and the rich cultural heritage of the place.
Home to the former commissioner of Kumaon, Henry Ramsay, the estate is filled with lush green lawns and sparkling pine canopy which makes it an ideal picnic spot or to just sit and relax. One can also go on short treks nearby to add a little bit of adventure to a relaxing day.
Binsar is a trip worth remembering for a lifetime. The sleepy hamlets and timeless greenery would soothe your eyes and freshen up your body and soul for the arduous daily life that awaits you back home.
And who doesn’t want a good vacation before delving into work? So this monsoon pack your bags and give yourself the vacation you deserve. Give yourself a trip to Binsar. Trust us, it’ll be well worth it!
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April 15, 2024 
