Luxury holidays in Binsar

The historic hill station of Binsar, up in the peak-punctuated Indian Himalayas, once acted as the summer capital of Chand rajas, who ruled the surrounding Kumaon region between the 11th and 18th centuries. It’s now home to the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, so rise early for dawn leopard spotting or head in to spot Himalayan black bears, along with 200 bird species. Nearby, the hamlet of Kasar Devi and its fuschia-hued temple, once attracted bohemian types like DH Lawrence and Bob Dylan during the Hippie Trail heyday of the Sixties and Seventies. To find your own highs, trek to Zero Point, for the 360-degree Himalayan views.
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When to go

The best time to visit is summer, from late February to May. The monsoons arrive from June until September, bringing heavy daily downpours, but also lush greenery; winter can get cold between late October until February.

Getting there

  • Planes

    The nearest airport to Binsar is Pantnagar, which is connected to Mumbai and Delhi via Jet Airways, Air India and SpiceJet.

  • Trains

    Daily trains from Delhi take around six hours to reach Kathgodam, your nearest station to Binsar.

  • Automobiles

    Only the brave would take on Himalayan roads: far better to arrange a transfer from either Pantnagar airport (four hours), Kathgodam station (three hours) or Delhi directly (four hours) which can be tailored to include scenic stops (call Smith24).