Binsar Travel Guide
An oak-forest sanctuary above Almora whose Zero Point opens a 300 km Himalayan arc.
- Altitude
- 2,420 m
- Best season
- Year round
- From Dehradun
- ~370 km
- Category
- Wildlife
Why visit Binsar
- Zero Point viewpoint delivers a 300 km arc of the central Himalaya — from Kedarnath in the west to Nanda Devi and Panchachuli in the east — without a single step of trekking
- The 47 sq km wildlife sanctuary is dense oak-rhododendron-deodar forest with resident leopard, Himalayan black bear and pine marten
- Over 200 bird species recorded in the sanctuary including Khalij pheasant, various laughingthrush, woodpeckers and raptors
- The absence of motor vehicles inside the sanctuary (walking only beyond the entry gate) creates a silence that Kumaon's other viewpoints cannot match
- Only 25 km from Almora but sufficiently different in character — forest, wildlife and panoramic elevation — to warrant a separate night
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary protects old oak and rhododendron forest on a hilltop above Almora — leopards, martens and some 200 bird species live in it.
Zero Point, a short walk from the KMVN rest house, looks across a roughly 300 km arc from Kedarnath peak to Nanda Devi and Panchachuli.
Explore around
Places near Binsar
The panoramic viewpoint at the sanctuary's highest clearing; the 300 km Himalayan arc is the reason to come to Binsar
Kumaon's cultural capital; bazaar, Nanda Devi temple, Jageshwar (34 km from Almora)
Kasar Devi33 kmThe bohemian ridge above Almora; Crank's Ridge viewpoint; calm afternoon destination
Bell-covered petition temple; 8 km from Almora on the Kasar Devi road
Medieval temple complex in a deodar gorge; 124 temples from the 9th–12th century
What to do
Activities at Binsar
Zero Point sunrise walk
From the KMVN property inside the sanctuary, a 5 km forest walk (or short drive to the road-head + 1 km walk) leads to Zero Point at 2,420 m. The clearing faces the full Himalayan arc. October mornings produce the clearest and most vivid light on the peaks, typically between 6:15 and 8 am. No motor vehicles beyond the sanctuary gate.
Wildlife and bird walks
The sanctuary trails from the KMVN property are the most productive for wildlife. Leopard sightings near the rest house are occasional but real — the big cat population in the Binsar sanctuary is among the densest in Kumaon. Himalayan black bear, marten and various flying squirrels are more reliably seen at dawn and dusk.
Forest trail exploration
Several marked trails radiate from the KMVN property through oak and rhododendron stands. The rhododendron bloom in March–April turns sections of the forest vivid red and pink. Birdwatching along these trails (laughingthrush, Khalij pheasant, Himalayan barbet) is excellent year-round.
Photography
Binsar is one of the premier Himalayan panorama photography locations in Uttarakhand. The Zero Point clearing has an unobstructed north-facing view from ground level. The forest interior has excellent early-morning light for wildlife and macro photography.
Before you go
Binsar travel tips
- Private vehicles are not permitted inside the sanctuary beyond the gate — you walk or use the KMVN jeep service
- The KMVN Rest House is the only accommodation inside the sanctuary; book it directly through KMVN Almora office, ideally 2–3 months ahead for October
- Carry warm layers even in May — temperatures at 2,400 m drop sharply after sunset year-round
- The 25 km road from Almora to the sanctuary gate is paved; the final stretch inside the sanctuary is a 4WD track
- October–November is the best season for the Himalayan panorama; March–April for rhododendron bloom
- Leopard activity is highest at dawn and dusk — stay alert on forest paths at those hours and do not walk alone at night
- No shops inside the sanctuary — carry all food, water and supplies from Almora
Getting there
How to reach Binsar
Pantnagar Airport (127 km via Almora, ~3.5 hrs). Jolly Grant, Dehradun (350 km via Almora) for more flight options.
Kathgodam station (110 km, ~3 hrs via Almora). Ranikhet Express from Delhi arrives at Kathgodam. Taxi or shared jeep to Almora (90 km, 2.5 hrs), then onward to Binsar (25 km).
Delhi → Haldwani → Almora → Binsar sanctuary gate (approx. 390 km from Delhi, 9–10 hrs). From Almora town, the road to Binsar is 25 km and takes 1 hour on a winding forest road. Almora is the last point to buy supplies.
Where to stay in Binsar
- KMVN Rest House inside the sanctuary is the only accommodation within the forest; basic but well-placed for Zero Point
- Rhododendron Lodge and The Binsar Retreat (at the sanctuary edge near the gate) are private options with better amenities
- Almora (25 km) has a range of mid-range hotels if sanctuary accommodation is full
- Advance booking is critical for the October window — sanctuary accommodation books out weeks in advance
Food & dining
- KMVN property serves home-style vegetarian meals; inform on arrival and pay for meals in advance
- Private lodges near the sanctuary gate have better food quality and slightly more variety
- No shops or dhabas inside the sanctuary — carry dry snacks and lunch for Zero Point walks
- Almora (25 km) has the nearest proper restaurants; stock up before entering the sanctuary
Background
History of Binsar
Binsar was the summer capital of the Chand dynasty kings of Kumaon, who maintained a court on the forested ridge above what is now the sanctuary. The Binsar Mahadev temple, 20 km from the sanctuary and closer to Ranikhet, preserves 11th-century stone carvings associated with this period of Kumaoni royal patronage. The ridge itself served as a cool-season retreat for the court before Almora was established as the permanent capital in the 16th century.
The British established a hill station at Binsar in the 19th century, and a cluster of colonial bungalows was built in the forest for administrative and recreational purposes. Most were abandoned after independence; the KMVN Rest House is the reconstituted successor to the main British rest house. The colonial-era stone walls and garden structures are still visible in the forest around the property.
The Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1988, notified over 47 sq km of forest that had been a reserve since the colonial period. The combination of three forest types — oak, rhododendron and deodar — at varying altitudes within the sanctuary creates the habitat diversity that supports both the high bird species count and the resident leopard population. No commercial activity has been permitted inside the sanctuary since its notification.
Plan your trip
Suggested Binsar itinerary
- Day 1Drive from Almora (25 km). Enter sanctuary, check into KMVN. Afternoon forest walk from the rest house. Dusk birdwatching on the trail. Night at Binsar.
- Day 2Pre-dawn start for Zero Point (5 km walk or jeep + walk). Sunrise on the Himalayan panorama. Return for breakfast. Morning wildlife trail. Afternoon rest or second forest walk. Second dawn session at dusk.
- Day 3Last morning walk. Checkout. Drive to Almora (25 km) for Jageshwar (34 km further) or depart for Kathgodam.
Common questions
Binsar FAQ
- What is Zero Point at Binsar?
- The main clearing and viewpoint at the highest part of the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary at 2,420 m. The name refers to the survey marker placed by British triangulators in the 19th century. The clearing has an unobstructed view of the 300 km Himalayan arc.
- Are there leopards at Binsar?
- Yes — the sanctuary has a resident leopard population and sightings near the rest house are regularly reported, especially at dawn and dusk. Standard wildlife precautions apply: do not walk alone at night, make noise on forest paths.
- Can I visit Zero Point as a day trip from Almora?
- Yes — it is 25 km and the entrance fee covers the day visit. However, staying overnight inside the sanctuary positions you at Zero Point for sunrise, which is the principal reason to come. Day visits are possible but miss the best light.
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