1 Binsar UTTARAKHAND
If leisurely strolls and spirited hikes in Kumaon Himalayas are what your mountain dreams are made of, Binsar will easily find its way to your heart. A scenic four-hour drive from Nainital, northwest of Almora in Uttarakhand, this dreamy hamlet is slowly gaining popularity for its eponymous wildlife sanctuary that boasts over 200 species of birds in a dense forest of oaks, rhododendrons, and pines. Gorgeous sunsets, 60 kilometres of hiking trails, leopard sightings, ancient temples, panoramic mountain views, and the sky putting up a celestial odyssey every night make it the perfect relaxing getaway.
GETTING THERE: Binsar is 125 km from Kathgodam, the nearest railway station. The closest airport is in Pantnagar which is a half-hour drive from Kathgodam but the connectivity can be erratic at times. It is a nine-hour drive from Delhi.
STAY: The Kumaon is a 40-minute drive from Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary and offers different trails that stretch through oak and rhododendron forests. Doubles from ₹