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BINSAR SANCTUARY - VILLAGE WALK
Village walk at Binsar sanctuary is very different & unforgettable
experience. Walk is around Binsar explore you many things from
village life to forest & forest to wild life (flora & founa) etc. Binsar is a wildlife sanctuary
under the management of Corbett National Park
. Within its boundaries are hamlets whose residents have lived for
centuries in close proximity of the forest and wildlife, and whose
livelihood is interdependent with nature. The development and
progress made in other village of the region has eluded these
hamlets due to stringent laws and remoteness of locations and it
is natural that the people would feel resentment towards the
Sanctuary unless efforts are made to integrate them into
activities which empower them economically and socially. The
concept of our village walks is to introduce nature lovers from
all walks of life and different parts of India and the word to
the forest dwellers of the hamlets within Binsar and vice versa,
creating a sustainable livelihood for the villagers and motivating
them to appreciate and protect the unique biodiversity of Binsar .
it is our aim to bridge the gap between urban visitors and the
rural people residing in Binsar by providing an authentic and
educative experience of life in remote villages and encouraging
social interactions to create bonds of understanding and respect
between the two for this purpose we have also set up the binsar
foundation ,details of which are available on request.
The village walks are hosted by
local professionals and the residents of five of the hamlets in
the Sanctuary: Gaunap, Katdhara, Pataniyanail, Dalar and Rishal
.The walks take visitors through both the upper and lower reaches
of Binsar, through oak and pine forests, up crests with stunning
views of the Himalayas and surrounding areas and down valleys with
streams and thick undergrowth. Starting from the North face of
Binsar the walks go round the south and west faces of the
mountain and return to the top .En route visitors will see
hundreds of varieties of plants and probably ghoral ,barking deer,
langur monkeys, wild boar even a leopard. For birdwatchers there
are 400 species of resident and migratory birds in Binsar
Sanctuary. Combined with the great outdoor and a forest adventure
are the lovely villages with their terraced fields, stone houses ,
and their dignified and hardworking inhabitants. In spite of the
hardships of life and relative backwardness of the area, the
people are proud and exude an inner strength and resolve as well
as gentleness and joy. Visitors are guaranteed to come away
nourished and refreshed by the experience.
For the comfort visitors received
in the village homes, the traditional interiors are clean and
comfortable with modern bathrooms providing hot bucket baths. The
foods is traditional too and cooked with fresh ingredients from
the farmers, fields. Mineral water is provided with meals and in
the rooms. From dawn to dusk, the women are busy attending to
their children who walk for miles to school, tending their cattle
and fields, cooking and cleaning, and visitors will be delighted
to be welcomed as a guest in a home and participate in the daily
routine. In the evenings, legends and stories come alive around a
fire, and visitors can learn more about our culture and
traditions. Evenings of folk songs and dances are also organized
on request.
ITINERARY
Day 1 -
Arrive at the Binsar Retreat
approximately 9 hours drive from Delhi (387 kms) or overnight by
train (Ranikhet Express from Delhi to Kathgodam) and a 4 hours
drive up to Binsar. The Binsar Retreat is situated in the core
area of the Santuary with stunning views of the Himalayas
and the entire region of Kumaon. It has luxury tents and five
rooms which have been designed to blend with the wilderness
surrounding the property. For those arriving late by car, an
evening at leisure and for those arriving early by train/ car
optional jungle walks are available on request.
Day 2 -
After a leisurely breakfast at Binsar Retreat, walk up to Jhandi Peak,
(8000 ft) so named because the British administrators who made
Binsar Their summer headquarters used to fly the Union jack from
there to be seen by villages miles around. Enjoy incredible 360
degree views from Jhandi peak and then walk past the old Forest
Rest house down to the Binsar Mahadev
Temple which was built by the Katyur kings of Kumoun in the
fifteenth century. Visit the shrine of Dana Golu, the local diety
who protects the forest and animals of Binsar, and then down into
pine forests along an ancient route used by traders and nomads for
centuries which passes over the south and west faces of Binsar
and back up to the Binsar retreat after a wholesome picnic lunch
in the forest. Dinner at the Retreat.
Day 3 -
After Breakfast , leave for the
village stay at Gaunap which is a beautiful hamlet situated at
about 7000 ft. in the oak forest on the North face with sweeping
views of the himalays. Lunch at Guanap followed by an afternoon
of getting to know the village people and understanding their ways
of life. Dinner and stay at Gaunap.
Day 4 -
After breakfast at Gaunap, walk
through dense forest to the neighboring village of Katdhara,
also located on the higher reaches of the north face of Binsar,
tea at the house of one of the residents of katdhara followed by
another walk to a ridge where a picnic lunch will be served.
Descent into the pine forest on the South face of the Santuray and
a walk along a level road to the tiny hamlet of Pataniya Nail.
Overnight at a house in the village.
Day 5 -
After Breakfast, a walk to the
revered temple of Golu
at Gairar. This temple is centuries old and the diety is held in
high esteem by the local people. From Gairar, a walk up the ridge
to a small temple lost in the forest and then down to the village
of Dalar.
Overnight stay at Dalar
Village.
Day 6 -
From Dalar, after breakfast walk
to Rishal, another small hamlet tucked away at the base of Binsar
where a traditional lunch will be served. A climb up to the Binsar
retreat after lunch completes the village experience.
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