Kumaon/Binsar Sanctuary Walking Holiday

You will be picked up from Kathgodam railways station at around 9 am, after breakfast. The scenic drive from there to Binsar Tourist Rest House takes around 5 hours including a stop for lunch en route. From Binsar TRH, it is a 1.5 hour easy, downhill trek (3 km) to Gaunap village. Binsar wildlife sanctuary, spread over 47 sq km, is one of the smaller sanctuaries in India. While it is popular for commanding, panoramic views of the Greater Himalayas and its bird diversity (200+ species of birds have been spotted here), mammals such as leopard, four species of deer, flying squirrel, pine martens are also found here.

The morning begins with a sunrise walk to the village temple which also serves as a vantage point to view the mermerizing 270 km panorama of Uttarakhand Himalayas. Post breakfast, you will go on a guided walk of the village which is home to all of 8 families! Also included in the walk is a bird watching session during which you get to spot a few of the 200+ species of birds found in Binsar. The activity for the afternoon is a nature walk led by a local nature guide. Get a broad idea of the flora and fauna of Binsar wildlife sanctuary.

It's an easy hike that offers great views of snow-clad peaks and terraced fields, and should take around 4 to 5 hours. Towards evening, you can trek up to Anandamayee ashram, a serene spot from where you can catch great views of Nanda Devi if the weather is clear.

You will set off on a 9.5 km, flattish walk to Shaukyathal after breakfast. The trail passes through pretty villages and pine forests. Shaukyathal is on a ridge leading to Vriddh Jageshwar, a temple of religious importance to Hindus. One side of the ridge offers a panoramic view of the high peaks of Uttarakhand Himalayas and the other side, great views of the Sivaliks (lesser Himalayas).

After breakfast, set off on the route to Jageshwar - walk up to Vridhh Jageshwar (1.5 km on a metal road) and then take the downhill trail to Jageshwar that passes through lovely chir pine and cedar forests. At Jageshwar stop to visit an interesting cluster of 200-odd temples (many of them dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva) built from 7th to 12th century AD by rulers belonging to Katyuri and Chand dynasties.