Nestled in the lower Himalayan region of Kumaon, Binsar wildlife sanctuary is a haven for nature lovers. The panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks, the bio-diversity of the place, the local culture and history of the place are sure to enthrall you. This exciting walking holiday takes you through the dense forests of Binsar, making stops at two tiny villages – Gaunap and Saatri. Accommodation will be in comfortable quaint homestays.
You will stay in homestays in Gaunap and Saatri, giving you an opportunity to get a glimpse of local culture and experience Kumaoni hospitality.
Minimum temperatures are likely to drop to around 10 deg during summer and to 5 deg C during winter. So please come prepared with adequate warm clothing. Also, mountain weather is unpredictable and it can rain sometimes. So simple rain gear is also necessary
Yes, there will be clean, attached western toilets and bathrooms in both places on this walking holiday.
The recommended minimum age for doing this trek is 7. However you are the best judge. If your child is physically active and is used to walking long distances, he or she should be able to do it. Adequate preparation is necessary though.
Brisk walking – at least 5 km, at least 3 or 4 times a week, preferably on hilly terrain.
Stair-climbing – at least 15 minutes of climbing up and down stairs everyday.
Hot water will be available on request at Gaunap. Hot water geysers are available in the bathrooms in Saatri.
No, there are no laundry facilities available anywhere on this trip.
No, you will only need to carry a backpack in order to carry some water, short-eats, personal medicines etc. We will either use porters or mules to move luggage between stops.
While this trek is doable using sports shoes, trekking shoes are highly recommended since they have a better grip and are usually waterproof. It is very important that you break-in new shoes before coming on the trek.
Both the villages are connected to the grid. However, please get torches or headlamps with extra batteries and power banks for mobile phones as electricity supply in these places can be unreliable.
Water is safe to drink. However as a precaution, please carry personal water purifiers (Aquaguard and LifeStraw are two popular brands available online).
All the places have basic mobile connectivity. Expect poor internet speeds in Gaunap. BSNL and Jio SIMs work best during the trek.
We will send you a trek checklist when you register.