Binsar is a small hill town situated in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand at a height of 2,420 meters above sea level. A vacation in Binsar equals an experience of staying in the middle of a forest with the luxury of uninterrupted wilderness. It’s an unspoiled destination with thick forest cover and picturesque views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. Binsar is a relatively less explored mountain destination so let’s take you over how you can plan your holiday here with our Binsar travel guide –
How To Reach Binsar
Location-wise, Binsar is not exactly close to tourist hotspots in Uttarakhand like Dehradun, Haridwar or Rishikesh. Binsar is a 10-to-11 hour drive away from these spots in the quieter and isolated parts of Uttarakhand. You can get to Binsar in the following ways –
By Air
The domestic airport closest to the Kumaon division goes by the name of Pantnagar Airport. If you fly into this airport, the drive to Binsar will take you roughly 4 to 5 hours. Flights from Delhi and Dehradun fly directly into Pantnagar airport. If you’re starting your trip from other cities, we recommend flying into Delhi Or Dehradun first if it’s feasible for you.
By Rail
If you’re going to take a train, you have to make sure you get off at Kathgodam station. This is the station closest to Binsar. From this station, it will take you 4 to 5 hours to reach Binsar by road.
By Road
Many visitors opt to keep Delhi or Dehradun as their base city and drive to Binsar since the drive is extremely pleasant. It takes about 10 to 11 hours to drive to Binsar in a private vehicle from these cities, so we recommend making a couple of stops en route to rest.
Best Time To Visit Binsar
The weather in Binsar is usually pleasant year-round but the best time to visit Binsar is anytime between October and March. During the winter months (November to February), the temperature in Binsar drops to 15°C and can drop to as low as 0°C. Make sure you pack gloves, a beanie, and a winter jacket to keep you warm if you plan to come in the winter.
Summers in Binsar are mild, and you can expect day temperatures to be in the range of 20°C to 30°C. The heat is pretty bearable in comparison to what summer temperatures get like elsewhere in India. During monsoons, Binsar turns into a romantic getaway because the dense evergreen forest is in full bloom.
Places To Explore In Binsar
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
There’s no Binsar travel guide that will leave out this oasis of nature. The main tourist attraction in Binsar is the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary where you can spend hours walking under the shade of giant oak and pine trees. This site is especially famous for spotting a wide variety of birds and you’ll definitely hear them chirping. You can get some majestic views of Himalayan peaks like Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Panchachuli, and Kedarnath from the sanctuary. Overall, it’s a great place to switch off and hike in the midst of a forest.
Zero Point
Zero Point is a trekking site you can hike to within Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s a short 2 km hike that’s very easy to attempt even if you don’t see yourself as an active person. The trail is well marked and you can complete it by just following the signs left on the trail. From Zero Point, you can get a picturesque view of the entire Kumaon range. Between January and April is considered to be the best time to take this trek. If you love trekking, there are other treks in the Almora district that you can attempt.
Kasar Devi Temple
Binsar has a presence of several temples, and one of the most prominent temples to visit here is the Kasar Devi Temple. The temple is known for its calming vibes and positive energy. Personalities like Swami Vivekananda, Bob Dylan, and writer D.H Lawrence have also visited this temple for its peaceful aura. It’s a great spot for writers, singers and artists to find inspiration whilst gazing into the beautiful scenery. You can also try meditating here when you’re in Binsar.
Almora
Almora is a hilly town an hour away from Binsar that you must visit to try Kumaoni cuisine. There are several tempting reasons to stroll around Almora since it does have its own essence that’s slightly different from Binsar. Make sure you roam around Lala Bazaar which is the main marketplace in Almora. This is where you can try some snacks and get a taste of what the food of the Kumaoni region really is like. It’s also less of a sleepy town in comparison to Binsar, so if you want to turn up the pace of your holiday, then do visit Almora.
Other Attractions Near Binsar
One thing you should know about Binsar is that the region is dotted with a number of temples. You can head to each of these to offer prayers or just sit here in meditation and take in the views. The temples in Binsar are fascinating to see because they date back centuries, and yet still continue to create an atmosphere of peace. Considering how iconic yet unknown they are, we had to include these temples in our Binsar travel guide.
Jageshwar Dham
At Jageshwar Dham, you’ll find a cluster of 124 Hindu temples that date back between the 7th and 14th centuries. Even though ancient, the temples at this pilgrimage site are very well preserved. It should take you around 2 hours or so to reach here from Binsar but it’s worth visiting because the views that unravel en route are stunning.
Katarmal Surya Temple, Adheli Sunar
Katarmal is a sun temple that was built in the 9th century. The architecture of the temple is rich to the eye and the views of the Kumaon region from here are unbelievable. This temple set among the hills sits perched silently as the river Kosi flows by, making it the perfect place to sit in prayer. It should take roughly 1.5 hours to get here from Binsar.
Chitai Golu Devta Temple
This temple is home to Golu, the God of Justice, and pilgrims from all over India visit the temple to place their petitions to the deity here. Interestingly, the petitions are written on pieces of cloth and then tied to a temple bell that can be purchased at the temple itself. The result of this is that the temple is filled with countless bells and petitions tied to them. You must see this for yourself and put down your own petition if you feel like it.
Some Tips To Help You Make The Most In Binsar
- Keep in mind that Binsar is a sleepy town and isn’t that touristy. It won’t be that easy to find markets full of shopkeepers trying to sell you something (which is a pro for many). If you wish to shop souvenirs or food items to take home, you’d have to head to Almora market, an hour away from Binsar.
- Remember that it’s a hill station so there’s bound to be plenty of trekking up at an altitude while sightseeing. To avoid hurting your feet, make sure you’re wearing a proper pair of hiking shoes.
- Like we said earlier, Binsar is not commercialized but is a quaint hill station where you won’t easily see plenty of ATMs. This is why we suggest that you carry enough cash to pay local restaurants or your cab driver.
- Ideally, it’s best to explore Binsar in your own private vehicle. Not every attraction is in close proximity to another. Having your own car will help you make the most of Binsar and the Kumaon region.
Conclusion
Exploring Binsar is about spending your downtime by surrounding yourself in an atmosphere that screams peaceful. There are ample places where you can go for a walk in the woods, have a picnic in the great outdoors, or challenge yourself to a hike. It’s close to tourist destinations like Nainital but location-wise the whole Kumaon region is much quieter and less touristy.
If this Binsar travel guide has inspired you to head to Binsar, you’ll probably need a budget-friendly stay among all the high-end resorts here. One that’s comfy, quirky, and homely. Don’t worry, because goSTOPS is near. We have properties in Almora and Binsar in the Kumaon region. Do check both of the properties out as they’re respectively at great locations that allow you to check out all the attractions in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand.
FAQs
Which Is Better Binsar Or Mukteshwar?
Both Binsar and Mukteshwar are interesting hill stations from where you can get stunning views of the Kumaon hills. But Binsar is even quieter and lacks many tourists. On the other hand, Mukteshwar is more accessible and offers more adventure activities.
What Is The Height Of Binsar?
Binsar sits at a height of 2,420 meters above sea level. From Binsar you can capture views of several snow-capped peaks. The Himalayan peaks that you’d be able to see are namely – Nanda Devi, Shivling, and Panchachuli.
Where Is Binsar Valley?
Binsar is a small little hill station located among the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand.
What Is Famous In Binsar?
Binsar is famous for being an unspoiled hill station in Uttarakhand that is sparsely populated with tourists in comparison to Nainital, Ranikhet, or Kausani. The Binsar Wildlife sanctuary is one place where you can witness the surreal scenery of Binsar.
