Almora, Kumaon · Uttarakhand
Binsar
An oak and rhododendron wildlife sanctuary with a 300 km sweep of Himalayan peaks.
Binsar is an easy hill destination in Almora, Kumaon, Uttarakhand, reaching 2,412 m. The best time to go is March and April and October and November. Plan 3 to 4 days on the ground from Kathgodam and about ₹3,500 per person per day.
What to do in Binsar
The one thing not to miss
Zero Point at sunrise
A forest walk of about 2 km from the end of the road to a watchtower with one of the widest Himalayan views in Kumaon.
- 2Forest walks and birdingOak and rhododendron forest inside the sanctuary; go with a local guide.
- 3Bineshwar Mahadev templeThe old Shiva temple inside the sanctuary that gives Binsar its name.
A sample plan: 4 days
Day 1
Kathgodam to Binsar
About 4–4.5 hours on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings.
Day 2
Zero Point at sunrise · Forest walks and birding
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Bineshwar Mahadev temple
The old Shiva temple inside the sanctuary that gives Binsar its name.
Day 4
Binsar to Kathgodam
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
Quiet forest stays, birdwatching and sunrise over Nanda Devi from Zero Point.
Why not
No town life and limited power in the sanctuary — that's the point, but not for everyone.
Before you go
- Permits
- Sanctuary entry fee at the gate.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Wildlife area — stay on trails after dark.
- Phone & internet
- Weak inside the sanctuary.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: Pt. H.G. Pant District Hospital, Almora; District disaster control room, Almora, Almora; Kotwali police station, Almora.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Binsar
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
8 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) Nights drop below freezing in the snow months.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Waterproof gloves You will be touching snow; ordinary woollen gloves get wet.
- Neck gaiter or balaclava Covers nose and neck in wind and on cold mornings.
- Hand warmers A small, cheap comfort at camp and on early starts.
Footwear
2 items
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
- Waterproof snow boots Ordinary shoes soak through in snow. Often rentable on the spot — check before buying.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
5 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsSanctuary entry fee at the gate.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereWeak inside the sanctuary.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Kathgodam.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. The road inside the sanctuary is narrow and steep. Arrive in daylight.
By road
From
Almora
- Distance
- about 30 km
- Drive time
- 1–1.5 hours
- Almora
- Kasar Devi
- Ayarpani (sanctuary gate)
- Binsar
There is an entry fee at the gate, and the gate closes in the evening.
Live directions from AlmoraFrom
Kathgodam
- Distance
- about 115 km
- Drive time
- 4–4.5 hours
- Kathgodam
- Bhowali
- Almora
- Binsar
From
Delhi
- Distance
- about 400 km
- Drive time
- 10–11 hours
- Delhi
- Hapur
- Moradabad
- Rampur
- Rudrapur
- Haldwani
- Kathgodam
- Bhowali
- Almora
- Binsar
Buses and shared taxis. Trains from Delhi reach Kathgodam, the railhead for Kumaon; shared taxis and buses wait outside the station. Overnight and day buses also run from Delhi (Anand Vihar) to Haldwani. There is no bus into the sanctuary; take a taxi from Almora.
Pickups & drivers
From Kathgodam. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Binsar yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Binsar: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Binsar?
The best months for Binsar are March and April and October and November. December to February and May are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in January and February.
How difficult is Binsar?
Binsar is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 2,400 m and reaching 2,412 m.
How many days do you need for Binsar?
Plan 3 to 4 days on the ground, counted from Kathgodam. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Binsar cost?
Expect about ₹3,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹14,000 for 4 days, before the cost of getting to Kathgodam.
How do you reach Binsar?
By road: from Almora it is about 30 km, 1–1.5 hours (Almora → Kasar Devi → Ayarpani (sanctuary gate) → Binsar); from Kathgodam it is about 115 km, 4–4.5 hours (Kathgodam → Bhowali → Almora → Binsar); from Delhi it is about 400 km, 10–11 hours (Delhi → Hapur → Moradabad → Rampur → Rudrapur → Haldwani → Kathgodam → Bhowali → Almora → Binsar). Trains from Delhi reach Kathgodam, the railhead for Kumaon; shared taxis and buses wait outside the station. Overnight and day buses also run from Delhi (Anand Vihar) to Haldwani. There is no bus into the sanctuary; take a taxi from Almora. The nearest gateway is Kathgodam.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Binsar?
Permits: Sanctuary entry fee at the gate. Guide: Not needed.
Is Binsar suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is good; with seniors it is great. It is quiet in season. Wildlife area — stay on trails after dark.
What should you pack for Binsar?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, waterproof gloves, neck gaiter or balaclava, hand warmers, comfortable walking shoes with grip. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Binsar?
Weak inside the sanctuary.
Who should not go to Binsar?
Binsar suits most travellers, including children and senior citizens. The one drawback to know about: No town life and limited power in the sanctuary — that's the point, but not for everyone.
Close to Binsar
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Jageshwar Dhamabout 12 km
- Almoraabout 14 km
- Kausaniabout 21 km
- Mukteshwarabout 27 km
- Ranikhetabout 32 km