Binsar is a tranquil hill station wrapped in dense forests and sweeping Himalayan views, perfect for slow, soulful travel. It offers wildlife, walking trails, and silence far from crowded resorts.
Tourism in Binsar
Tourism in Binsar centres on nature, birding, and peaceful stays inside or around the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. It attracts couples, photographers, trekkers, and offbeat travellers who prefer forest walks, stargazing, and meditation over commercial entertainment.
Location
Binsar lies about 33 km from Almora in Kumaon, Uttarakhand, perched on the Jhandi Dhar hills at roughly 2,420 metres above sea level. From here you get grand 300‑degree views of peaks like Nanda Devi, Panchachuli, Trishul, and Kedarnath.
History
Once the summer capital of the Chand rulers of Kumaon, Binsar was a strategic hilltop overseeing the valleys below. In 1988, the surrounding forest was declared Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary to protect its rich biodiversity, shaping today’s eco‑tourism focus.
Fairs and Festivals
Local villages around Binsar celebrate traditional Kumaoni fairs, with the Nanda Devi festival being a key cultural event in the region. Major Hindu festivals like Dussehra and Diwali are marked with folk music, dance, and rituals that reflect the area’s deep spiritual ties.
How to reach
- By Road: Binsar is connected by motorable roads to Almora, Nainital, Kathgodam, and Delhi; taxis and buses run regularly up to the sanctuary gate.
- By Rail: The nearest railhead is Kathgodam (about 120–130 km), with onward taxis and shared cabs available.
- By Air: Pantnagar Airport, around 150–160 km away, is the closest airport, with road connections via Haldwani and Almora.
Tourist attractions
- Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary: Dense oak–rhododendron forest home to over 200 bird species, barking deer, leopard, and Himalayan black bear.
- Zero Point: A short 2 km forest trek leads to a viewpoint offering 360‑degree Himalayan panoramas at sunrise and sunset.
- Bineshwar Mahadev Temple: 16th‑century Shiva temple giving Binsar its name and an important local pilgrimage spot.
- Pariyadeva Pashan: Megalithic site with ancient stone structures and valley views on the Almora–Binsar road.
- Nearby: Kasar Devi Temple, Jageshwar temple complex, Khali Estate, Simtola Eco Park, and Almora Bazaar are popular excursions.
Cuisine of Binsar
Cuisine in Binsar is simple, farm‑fresh Kumaoni food served in homestays, eco‑lodges, and forest guest houses. Typical dishes include Mandua ki Roti (finger‑millet bread), Bhatt ki Churkani (black soybean curry), Aloo Ke Gutke (spiced potatoes), and seasonal bhang ki chutney, often paired with local vegetables and pahadi dals.
