Highlights
Binsar Forest Retreat is an environment friendly homestay, which is set inside the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Binsar Forest Retreat is located at a height of 7,600 FT. amidst dense oak forest with breathtaking views of the higher Himalayas to the north and the Kumaoni Hills and the valleys to the south and west. Binsar Forest Retreat is 100 Kms north east of Nainital in the eastern part of the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. The land on which Binsar forest retreat resides was once owned by Major Edin when British used to rule. At that time the place used to known as Edinpur. Now Preetam and Pallavi live here with their cute daughter Aahna.
The Retreat resides about 8Km inside the sanctuary, the forest check-post remains closed from sunset to sunrise. (About 5PM In winter and 7PM In summer) Reach the check-post at-least an hour before sunset because the last 600 meters uphill ride is on a very rough and narrow path and you will do this stretch in The Retreats 4¬-wheel drive pickup. There is parking space for self¬-driven cars where you transfer.
Address: Post Ayarpani, Almora, Uttarakhand 263601
Nearest Airport: Patnagar Airport, 86.4 miles from The Retreat.
Nearest Railway Station: Kathgodam Station
Altitude: 2400 Mtrs ASL approx.
The Retreat has total eight rooms and three swiss cottage tents.
Trishul Rooms: Trishul Rooms are named after the Trishul Peaks which is 7,120 meters higher. You can see these views from anywhere in the room. The Retreats has Two Trishul Room, Both are independent, identical and adjacent to each other. These rooms are on top floor. These Rooms consists wooden floor, wood paneled walls, a covered deck and a large shared veranda with the views of Forest and The Himalayan Peaks.
Room Amenities:
Each of the Trishul rooms has:
A King-size bed (72″ wide x 78″ long) which sleeps 2 people
A Sofa, which converts into a queen size bed (60″ wide x 72″ long) for a maximum of 2 extra people (children / adults)
A single seat sofa
4 outdoor chairs and a stool
Running hot water
Electricity
Reading lights
Bukhari (wood stove)
Covered deck
Uncovered veranda
Sleeps: 1 – 4 people
Chestnut Room:
This room named after the chestnut tree which stands in its veranda. The Retreats has only one room of this category which is on the bottom floor. This has a one large room with wooded floor, mud walls on two sides and glass doors on the other two sides. It has an open veranda in front and when the glass door opens completely the room merges with the forest around. The room has a rock which is left uncut which will be pure joy for kids.
Room Amenities:
The Chestnut room has:
A King-size bed (72″ wide x 78″ long) which sleeps 2 people
A Sofa, which converts into an extra bed (60″ wide x 72″ long), for a maximum of 2 extra people (children / adults)
2 single seat sofas
2 outdoor chairs and stools
Running hot water
Electricity
Reading lights
Bukhari (wood stove)
Uncovered veranda
Sleeps: 1 – 4 people
Nandaghunti Rooms:
Nandaghunti Rooms are named after Nanda Ghunti Peaks (6,309 meters). You can see these views in the rooms. The Retreats has Two Nandaghunti Room, Both are independent, identical and adjacent to each other. These rooms are on middle floor. These Rooms are cozy and have wooden floor, wood paneling stone walls, windows on two sides and a balcony that merges the room with the forest and has outstanding view of The Himalayan Peaks.
Room Amenities:
Each of the Nandaghunti rooms has:
A Queen-size bed (60″ wide x 72″ long) which sleeps 2 people
Sofa, which converts into an extra bed (36″ wide x 72″ long) for a maximum of 1 extra person (child / adult)
2 single seat sofas
2 outdoor chairs and stools
Running hot water
Electricity
Reading lights
Bukhari (wood stove)
Covered balcony
Sleeps: 1 – 3 people
Rhododendron Rooms:
This room named after the Rhododendron tree which paints a vivid red right in front of the room. The Retreats has only two room of this category both are independent, largely identical and adjacent to each other. These rooms are The Retreat’s most traditional rooms with stone floor, mud walls and bamboo mat ceiling. These rooms share a large veranda with outstanding views of south rolling hills and sunset.
Room Amenities:
Each of the Rhododendron rooms has:
A King-size bed (72″ wide x 78″ long) which sleeps 2 people
A Sofa, which converts into a queen size bed (60″ wide x 72″ long) for a maximum of 2 extra people (children / adults)
A single seat sofa
2 outdoor chairs and stools
Running hot water
Electricity
Reading lights
Bukhari (wood stove)
Small covered veranda
Large uncovered veranda
Sleeps: 1 – 4 people
Walnut Cottages:
This cottage is named after Walnut tree which is growing next to the cottage. The Retreat has only one walnut cottage. This is constructed with stones and woods with traditional roof style which is made of long, thin and rough stone tiles called Pataal. This cottage also has deck in front and a wooded veranda which gives plentiful of sunshine and absolute delight in winters.
Room Amenities:
The Walnut cottage has:
A King-size bed (72″ wide x 78″ long) which sleeps 2 people
A Sofa, which converts into an extra bed (60″ wide x 72″ long), for a maximum of 2 extra people (children / adults)
1 single seat sofa
2 outdoor chairs and stools
Running hot water
Electricity
Reading lights
Bukhari (wood stove)
Covered deck
Uncovered deck
Sleeps: 1 – 4 people
Swiss Cottage Tents:
These cottage tents are luxury tents with a tin roof and the fitted tents underneath. The Retreats has two swiss cottage tents. These are permanent tents with attached tiled bathroom. It has 2.5 Feet Tall walls on the sides of the cottage. It has four windows in the room and two in the bathroom which can be closed from inside. The cottage’s floor is made of woods and each tent has its own private covered veranda. Every Tent is in different part of property with plenty of private space.
Room Amenities:
Every Swiss cottage tent has:
Queen-size bed (60″ wide x 72″ long) which sleeps 2 people
Sofa, which converts into a queen size bed (36″ wide x 72″ long), for a maximum of 1 extra person (child / adult) in the tent
2 outdoor chairs and a table
Running hot water
Electricity (1 light in the room and 1 light in the bathroom)
Covered veranda
Sleeps: 1 – 3 people
Indoor Activities at Retreat
The Retreat Has large variety of board games which you can play with your family and friends and even with other guests in dining room.
Outdoor Activities at Retreat
Badminton: This is the highest badminton court at 7,600 feet altitude.
Table Tennis: This outdoor table tennis table is made of cement concrete specially painted by Aahna, the owner’s daughter.
Binsar is known for it's views of the snow capped Himalayan mountain ranges, so tourists can sit back and enjoy the panoramic views while. One can also go for trekking with abundant nature trails available at Binsar like a comfortable trek up to the Zero point from where the Himalayan views are spectacular with Kedarnath, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Panchachuli and more standing tall. Binsar also houses a sanctuary covering 45 Sq. Kms with a rich diversity of flora and fauna with forests of oak and rhododendron with a large species of flowers and 200 + birds along with some wild animals like Leopards, Himalayan Black Bears, Wild Boar, Sambhar Deer, Barking Deer and more. The famous temple of Binsar Mahadev is also nearby along with the Kasar Devi Temple and Jageshwar Dham (temples) in the neighbourhood.
State: Uttarakhand
Weather: The winters (November-March) is very cold and it snows Minimum temperature can go to as low as - 6 DegC. Summers (April to Mid-June) are very pleasant, offering majestic views. The temperatures during this period are comfortable with maximums settling around 28°C and minimum’s around 12°C, on an average. Monsoon season is from July to September. The place receives good amounts of rain during the period.
Closest airport: Technically Pantnagar (90 Kms / 3 Hrs) but realistically the only option is Delhi airport (390 Kms / 9 Hrs)
Railway Station: Kathgodam railway station, Haldwani railway station and Lal Kuan railway station. (in order of preference). (4-5 Hrs / 120-150Kms)
Best time to visit: April – June end and October until mid-November. Beyond mid November until March it becomes very cold.
Generally spoken language: Hindi and Kumaoni.
Altitude: 2400 Mtrs ASL approx.
One of India's largest, oldest and the most popular Tiger reserves - The Jim Corbett National Park. Sprawled over 1300+ sq Kms of dense bio-diverse forest with the Ramganga and Kosi rivers flowing through it this is actually several different forests in one, ever changing with the changing seasons. Only designated areas in the 520 sq.Kms., out of the total area, are open to tourists. Thera are five zones named Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Domunda and Sonanandi. This tiger reserve is a haven for wild life enthusiasts. 600+ species of birds, apart from the elephants, tigers, leopards, jackals, sambhar deer, spotted deer, hog deer and more. Travelers visiting the park can enjoy jeep safaris with guides / naturalists. Enjoy your stay at a jungle resort bordering the fenced boundary of the reserve.
State: Uttarakhand
Weather: The weather in the park is temperate compared to most other protected areas of India. The temperature may vary from 5 °C (41 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F) during the winter and some mornings are foggy. Summer temperatures normally do not rise above 42 °C (104 °F). The park receives heavy rainfall during monsoons (July – September end) and remains closed around this period.
Closest airport: Technically Pantnagar (90 Kms / 3 Hrs) but realistically the only option is Delhi airport (270 Kms / 6 Hrs)
Railway Station: Ramnagar railway station
Best time to visit: October – March
Generally spoken language: Hindi, Basic English and Kumaoni.
Altitude: 300 Mtrs ASL approx.
