Private Tour
Kumaon/Binsar Sanctuary Walking Holiday
Overview
Available languages
120 hours
Mobile ticket
This walking holiday in Binsar wildlife sanctuary in Kumaon in Uttarakhand, India is a great option for those looking for an easy trek in the Himalayas. While it is a simple one that any reasonably-fit person can undertake, it lets one sample a slice of local culture (village life, places of archaelogical importance etc.) and learn about the flora and fauna of the lower Himalayas besides enjoying breathtaking views of snow-clad mountains.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
Porter charges for personal luggage
Forest entry fee for vehicle
Transportation of personal luggage
Air-conditioned vehicle
Guide charges
Personal expenses - room service, bottled water etc.
Tips
Forest entry fee
What To Expect
Kathgodam - Gaunap Village, Binsar
Accommodations
Overnight at Idyllic Haven homestay in Gaunap, a comfortable place with all basic amenities and clean western toilets.
Food and Drinks
DINNER
Dinner
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
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.
Hikes in and around Gaunap Village
Accommodations
Overnight in Idyllic Haven homestay in Gaunap village, Binsar
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
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.
Gaunap - Dhaulchhina
Accommodations
You will stay at Anandamayee guesthouse, a lovely, clean place with lovely view of the Sivalik mountain ranges.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
The 8.5 km trail from Gaunap to Dhaulchhina at the edge of the sanctuary passes through stands of pine and mixed forests. 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.
Dhaulchhina - Shaukyathal
Accommodations
Overnight at a guesthouse/homestay with great views of the Siwalik ranges
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Jageshwar Dham
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).
Shaukyathal - Jageshwar - Kathgodam
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Jageshwar Dham
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.
Options
Kumaon/Binsar Sanctuary Walking Holiday
Reviews
32 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Best
617nehalt,
Jun 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was best experience and hospitality, and we personally thankful to Mr. Rupesh Mehra. And we would like to visit again.
Fabulous scenery and some steady climbs
GrandTour295999,
May 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I did this walk with three friends from Australia in March 2025 and we joined two locals. It was a wonderful experience: very comfortable accommodation and delicious food but the highlights were the walks to temples with amazing views of the Himalaya and the knowledgeable guides who showed us the flora and fauna and introduced us to local farmers.
A fantastic unique Indian experience
U6907EAmichellek,
Apr 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Outdoers Kumaon Walking Holiday was a fantastic experience full of breathtakingly beautiful moments of joy. It was well organised, the accommodation was comfortable, the food delicious and the guides were both helpful and knowledgeable. We were four older women from Australia visiting India, and this component of our trip was definitely one of the highlights.
Surreal experience
NorthStar03429640746,
Apr 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Stays , hospitality, food couldn’t be any better . The guide (Pawan) was very friendly and took care of every need . The whole trip was planned seamlessly and the views after the trekking up the mountain cannot be expressed in words . I was extremely impressed by the home stays and the effort they take to make your experience the best one u ever had .
Wonderful trip
Navigate361747,
Mar 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thank u Shyam, what a trip! Your homestays at Hartola, Gaunap and Ganghet are amazing! Luxurious bedding, western toilets, great fittings in the bathrooms, geysers and running hot water, unbelievable for these remote village homes where the road is not close by! Congratulations on your achievement. Sunder Singh was a great host at Hartola, the food and rooms were superb too. The emphasis on local food and drinks is such a great idea. Khim Singh ji was as amazing nature enthusiast and his knowledge of birds and the forest and its trees left us impressed. Enjoyed birding sessions with him. Seen some of the best birds here. The serene views of the mighty himalayas were the icing on the cake! All in all, A+++++++ experience! Also Pavan Gusain, besides being our tour guide and great photographer, was a wonderful cook, at Gaunap.!
Unforgetable tour in north India
NorthStar24072139705,
Mar 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked a private tour for just myself and my wife. From the outset Shyam was responsive through either email or WhatsApp to answer questions and cater for some particular requirements of ours. The tour itself was well organized, interesting and really enjoyable. Pawan was our "on the site" person, and did everything he could to make us comfortable. We stayed 2 nights in Guanap, 2 nights in Jageshwar and the last night in Hartola. We would use this company again if we ever decided to do another tour in India.
My unforgettable experience
FarAway02011844227,
Jan 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were a group of 4 friends visiting India and were looking for an offbeat walking tour. We registered for this trek with Outdoers after coming across excellent online reviews. They did not disappoint! Binsar walking holiday was nothing short of magical! Every moment was special—from the serene beauty of Uttarakhand to charming homestays to amazing sunrises and sunsets on the Himalayan peaks, interactions with the villagers etc. The homestays were not only comfortable but radiated warmth and hospitality. The hosts made sure we were well taken care of, serving us yummy, hot meals. The local guide, Khim Singh, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared fascinating insights about the local flora, fauna, and the region’s rich culture. Kudos to the entire Outdoers team. We are going back with lovely memories from this trip.
Unforgettable Walking Holiday with Outdoers: Nature, Culture, and Comfort Combined
Mahesh Singh B,
Dec 23, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our family has done several walking holidays with Outdoers. As always this too exceeded all expectations. We were fortunate that Sunder was the trip leader. We explored amazing forests, hills, and villages while enjoying splendid views of the Kuamon peaks. The village walks were insightful. So were the nature walks. The birding was exceptional too All the stays were in homestays that balanced comfort and eco-sensitivity. Add to this, the mouthwatering local Kumaoni cuisine, and the warm, attentive staff made it an unforgettable experience.
Beautiful Kumaon Binsar trip
Sherpa02485905754,
Oct 26, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Most amazing walking trip i ever had in life. Himalayas was my first trip and i was lucky enough to have it with the outdoers team who made sure that i enjoy every bit of it. Be it the experience, home grown veggies food experience, bird watching, forest trails, well maintained heritage homestays. Everything was an experience.
Not just a trip, but an experience!!
O1560XEnp,
Oct 26, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is my second trip with Outdoers, and they outdid themselves. We were lucky to have Sunderji lead the trip, who took us through forests, hills and villages. He showed us glorious sunrises and sunsets, golden sunrise views of Hathi parbat and nearby range, Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Panchhuli, from mesmerisingly close distance, with Nepal's Fishtail and Annapurna thrown in for good measure. The village walks were so informative and engrossing. We participated in an extended family event at Gaunap...a twice a year Bhog that the entire village becomes a part of. We saw more sensational birds during this trip than I have in any birding trip. Sunderji showed us how a woodpecker had created homes for insects in a tree, just to gobble them up later. We even observed a Mountain Hawk eagle during its hunting session! It was spell binding. Everything about this trip was well thought out and perfectly executed. Sunderji even made minor adjustments to the itinerary based on our interests, and paid attention to each and every participant individually. The homestays have been lovingly renovated to ensure not just comfort in the midst of a jungle, but provide thoughtful features through attention to minor details. All this while being eco sensitive. From the bamboo wastebaskets to skylights above the washroom sink, to full size windows to let in the light. The rooms were really spacious , with most properties providing a large sitting area in addition to a spacious bedroom. The local Kumaoni food was lip smacking! With locally grown freshest ingredients (many of them coming from their own gardens/farms), and a combination of traditional recipes, and Sunderji's personal take on some others, it was varied yet uniformly delicious. Sunderji himself cooked for us in some of the places, and took care of our preferences and individual querks at all times. Each tea session had multiple kinds of teas brewing for us. The staff was warm, courteous and very efficient. Making us happy seemed to be everyone's moto...from top to bottom :) I am definitely going back for more!!
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Operated by Outdoers India