Festival Special: Diwali in Binsar
Festivities in rural India are completely different from everything you might know about Indian celebration. Experience Diwali (the festival of light) in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Festivities in rural India are completely different from everything you might know about Indian celebration. Experience Diwali (the festival of light) in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.
This special small group holiday offers fascinating insights into the way the mountain communities celebrate India’s well-known festivals. Experience the bright colours, music, and dancing as the springtime festival of Holi is celebrated in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, or, in autumn, enjoy the magic of Diwali, the festival of light. Stay in charming mountain villages, enjoy wonderful walks and experience the traditional, joyous festival celebrations.
We look after you from the moment of your arrival at Delhi airport. Your holiday includes transfers and rail journeys to the hills, accommodation in the village guesthouses and at Khali Estate with all meals provided and your own guide through the hills. We have devised each of our holidays to provide a good balance between activity and relaxation; please feel free to tailor your holiday to your exact requirements.
We welcome you at noon in our Delhi guesthouse. The afternoon is yours to meet your group or explore the city at your leisure. Spend the night in Delhi.
An early morning train takes you to Kathgodam, from where you have a road transfer (4 hrs) to Khali Estate for dinner and an overnight stay in your twin-room garden bungalow.
From Khali enjoy a trip to the nearby town of Almora to explore the markets, alive with colour on both Holi and Diwali. Spend a second night at Khali after having your fill of Almora’s delectable festival snacks and sweets.
Meet your guide who accompanies you for the rest of your stay. From Khali, head through the pine-forest to experience the individual character and warm hospitality of the Binsar villages. You stay in four of five villages and in one of them for two nights. Enjoy some wonderful walking with splendid views. You stay in simple twin rooms in the village guesthouses with breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner. You walk between villages in the company of your local guide with your luggage carried by village porters. Get to know the communities and experience the traditional festival celebrations.
Walk back to Khali Estate for another night stay and enjoy the warmth of the common room for an evening of entertainment and relaxation.
A road transfer (4 hrs) takes you to Kathgodam to catch the day train to Delhi. Stay overnight at the Delhi guesthouse before flying home the next day.
Dates
Party of 4+
Diwali
5 Nov 2026 – 15 Nov 2026
£1,239
*All prices are per guest. Prices vary by season and reduce with larger group sizes due to shared logistics and accommodation.
Holi
28 Feb 2026 – 10 Mar 2026
Party of 4+: £1,473
Diwali
5 Nov 2026 – 15 Nov 2026
Party of 4+: £1,239
In Delhi, guests will stay in charming boutique accommodations that reflect the city’s mix of heritage and modernity. Nestled in quiet, leafy neighborhoods, these stays offer a peaceful retreat from the capital’s bustle while keeping you close to its historic and cultural landmarks. Each property is thoughtfully designed—with elegant, old-world architecture, warm hospitality, and home-cooked meals that give a taste of Delhi’s rich culinary traditions. Whether in a restored colonial bungalow or a cozy family-run guesthouse, guests will experience the comfort and character of authentic Delhi living.
In Delhi, guests will stay in charming boutique accommodations that reflect the city’s mix of heritage and modernity. Nestled in quiet, leafy neighborhoods, these stays offer a peaceful retreat from the capital’s bustle while keeping you close to its historic and cultural landmarks. Each property is thoughtfully designed—with elegant, old-world architecture, warm hospitality, and home-cooked meals that give a taste of Delhi’s rich culinary traditions. Whether in a restored colonial bungalow or a cozy family-run guesthouse, guests will experience the comfort and character of authentic Delhi living.
Your stay in Binsar commences at Khali Estate, a small family-run hotel steeped in history and an integral part of Village Ways, while through the forested slopes are scattered the villages and farms of Binsar. Your room is in one of the picturesque stone rondavel cabins set amongst the pine trees, clustered around the British Raj style house that was built by General Sir Henry Ramsay. You can truly relax at Khali – it is peaceful (no TV), with good vegetarian food, attentive service and plenty of short walks. In winter there is a warming log fire in the sitting room.
Within the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, you will stay in ‘village homestays’ – owned and managed by the village committee and benefitting the wider community. Connect with your hosts in a special way and enjoy life at the heart of a village, without feeling that you are intruding in anyone’s home.
In Binsar, the guesthouses are simple and comfortable, built in traditional style by the communities of Risal, Dalar, Kathdhara, Gonap, Satri and Matkanya. They have a living/dining room, kitchen, four twin bedrooms and shared shower/WCs. Each village of Binsar will give you its own special welcome.
Within the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, you will stay in ‘village homestays’ – owned and managed by the village committee and benefitting the wider community. Connect with your hosts in a special way and enjoy life at the heart of a village, without feeling that you are intruding in anyone’s home.
In Binsar, the guesthouses are simple and comfortable, built in traditional style by the communities of Risal, Dalar, Kathdhara, Gonap, Satri and Matkanya. They have a living/dining room, kitchen, four twin bedrooms and shared shower/WCs. Each village of Binsar will give you its own special welcome.
This special small group holiday offers fascinating insights into life in the foothills together with the opportunity to join in with traditional celebrations. Experience the bright colours, music and dancing as the springtime festival of Holi is celebrated in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, or, in autumn, enjoy the magic of Diwali, the festival of light. Stay in charming mountain villages, enjoy some wonderful walks and experience the traditional, joyous festival celebrations.
Please note, this holiday has fixed departure date: For Diwali from 18th October 2025 to 28th October 2025.
We look after you from the moment of your arrival at Delhi airport. Your holiday includes transfers and rail
journeys to the hills, accommodation in the village guesthouses and at Khali Estate with all meals provided and
your own guide through the hills. We have devised each of our holidays to provide a good balance between
activity and relaxation; please feel free to tailor your holiday to your exact requirements.
Meet and welcome at 12pm at Delhi guesthouse. The afternoon is yours to meet the group or explore the city at your leisure. Night in Delhi hotel.
An early morning train takes you to Kathgodam, from where you have a road transfer (4 hrs) to Khali Estate for dinner and overnight stay in twin room garden bungalow.
From Khali enjoy a trip to the nearby town of Almora to explore the markets, alive with colour for the festival. Spend a second night at Khali
Meet your guide who accompanies you for the rest of your stay. From Khali head through the pine-forest to experience the individual character and warm hospitality of the Binsar villages. You stay in four of the five villages and in one of them for two nights, and enjoy some wonderful walking with splendid views. You stay in simple twin rooms in the village guesthouses with breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner. You walk between villages in the company of your local guide with your luggage carried by village porters. Get to know the communities and experience the traditional festival celebrations.
Walk back to Khali Estate for another night stay.
A road transfer (4 hrs) takes you to Kathgodam to catch the day train to Delhi. Overnight Delhi guesthouse.
Experience the thrilling celebrations of the Holi and Diwali festivals in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Your stay starts at Khali Estate, a wonderful old residence, where your rooms are in stone ’round houses’ amidst the surrounding trees. From Khali head through the pine-forest to experience the individual character and warm hospitality of the Binsar villages. Enjoy some wonderful guided walking through pine forest and teraced field, nestled in against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayas.
On 10th March, the Hindu festival Holi marks the beginning of spring – a season of hope, joy and new life. This Festival of Colours is celebrated across India with bonfires, singing, dancing and bright colours to signify the end of Winter and to welcome the new season. Holi is one of the most colourful and joyous festivals of India, when our rural communities in the warm foothills of the Himalayas are at their most hospitable. Immerse yourself in the spirit of festivity and fun, as you stay in beautiful guesthouses hosted by the local communities.
Holi bridges the social gap as caste, class and gender rules are abandoned. It is a time for great excitement and celebration as people gather together in the spirit of the festival. People throw colourful powders and perfumes on each other, exchange sweets and celebrate together. Bring an old white shirt with you and we will provide a special hat to enable you to enter into the spirit of the day.
Our next special Diwali group holiday departs in November 2020, to coincide with the wonderful festival of light. The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness or good over evil, and is a time of hope. You can be sure of a very special welcome as you experience being at the heart of traditional village celebrations for the festival, with homes decorated with rangoli and alight with lamps. This is a perfect time to visit the Binsar Sanctuary for many reasons – crystal-clear views of the Himalayan mountains, pleasant temperatures and abundant wild flowers!
You meet the rest of your party in Delhi and travel up to the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary together. Your holiday includes rail journeys to the hills, accommodation in Delhi, the village guesthouses and at Khali Estate with all meals provided and throughout your stay in the hills.
A transfer from the airport to the guesthouse at the start of the holiday is not included- we will be happy to arrange this for you at a supplement. As the guesthouses provide simple twin bedroom accommodation, this holiday is offered to single travellers on a shared-room basis.
As this is a group holiday, it is not possible to add extra nights during your stay in the hills. If you wish to add an extra night in Delhi before or after the itinerary, this can be arranged.
Delhi is a fascinating and vibrant city. It epitomises the huge leaps forward that India is currently undergowing whilst reflecting the country’s great history. A new metro is being built but much is still moved around on overladen cycles and bullock carts. The shopping opportunities are excellent, particularly for textiles. Why not add a night’s stay in the city to your holiday?
Guest-house accommodation We work with some very comfortable and hospitable guest-houses in the heart of Delhi. We can arrange overnight stays for you, or a day-room to freshen up after a night flight. We can also arrange an upgrade from a guesthouse to a hotel if you prefer.
Driver & car One of the best ways to get around and across Delhi is by car. We offer carefully selected drivers to look after you for the day. On call for you, they will be able to take from shops to India Gate to the Red Fort and out to dinner – or wherever you choose.
Included in your holiday to and from the hills is a journey on the overnight Ranikhet Express from Delhi to Kathgodam. Included accommodation is in 2nd class, air-conditioned carriages – 2 tier, open plan with curtains around groups of berths. Trains open for reservation 3 months before departure. As soon as reservations open we will be able to confirm your rail journey to you.
Upgrade to 1st class You can upgrade to 1st class where the berths are in air-conditioned compartments of four or two. There is only one 1st class carriage which can be get booked very early on.
From Delhi to the hills by car You can also choose to travel up from Delhi (or return at the end of you holiday) by private car.
Extra nights at Khali Estate
All holidays to Binsar include at least one night at Khali Estate, a marvelous place to relax and unwind. Many guests have added an extra night here at the beginning or end of their stay in the hills. If your journey here has been by night flight followed by overnight train it could be good idea to catch you breath with a quiet day here.
Extra nights in the Village Guest-houses
You may wish to prolong your exploration of the wonderful hill villages in Binsar. There is so much to learn and appreciate about village life and the host communities would love to keep you for a day longer.
For many guests, a visit to India would not be complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal, regarded by many as one of the wonders of the world. Whether you wish to make a day trip or enjoy an overnight stay with time to explore more of Agra, we can arrange a visit to suit you.
With Village Ways you stay in very special village guesthouses – ‘village homestays’ – owned and managed by the village committee and benefitting the wider community. Connect with your hosts in a special way and enjoy life at the heart of a village, without feeling that you are intruding in anyone’s home.
In Binsar, the guesthouses are simple and comfortable, built in traditional style by the communities of Risal, Dalar, Kathdhara, Gonap, Satri and Matkanya. They have a living/dining room, kitchen, four twin bedrooms and shared shower/WCs. Each village of Binsar will give you its own special welcome.
Surrounded by pine forest and affording beautiful views of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Kamet and Trishul peaks from the upper parts of the village, Dalar is divided into two hamlets: Valli (“This Side”) Dalar and Palli (“That Side”) Dalar. It is a relatively thriving village with a school and temple. It is a little more accustomed to visitors than other villages, but you’ll be as welcome here as in the most remote corner of Binsar Sanctuary. The village homestay, Minivet House, looks out over the valley, with views of high Himalayan peaks in the distance.
The secluded village is set on the slopes above a deep valley and is surrounded by beautiful mixed forest of oak, pine and rhododendron. Its little paths afford glimpses of wooded hills and green pastures. The villagers produce vegetables and other crops but many have been damaged by wildlife from the adjacent Sanctuary. The Forest department have since established a fence to protect the crops. Bulbul House homestay is neatly located on a terrace near the main village.
Satri village is remote and secluded, located on a high ridge surrounded by a glorious mountain landscapes, with uninterrupted views to the peaks. The village houses form a beautiful series of dwellings, although some are empty. Just four families now live in Satri. In 2003 the villagers believed that they would have to abandon their village, to let their homes and fields be overtaken by the forest. The arrival of Village Ways was, for them, “the big dream come true” – a dream that has helped Satri to sustain its remaining families. You’ll be given a very special welcome here in Pipit House.
Myna House guesthouse nestles amidst terraced fields in the lower part of Kathdara. Enjoy the rhythms of traditional rural life in the foothills in this vibrant farming community. With a name meaning wood (kath) and stream (dhara), this beautiful village boasts extensive terraced fields, orchards and well maintained farms, with views over hills and a wide valley, and glimpses of the awe-inspiring Panchachulli range beyond. The villagers are keen to show guests their farms and let them help with field activities. They have also created a small farming museum.
The farmhouses of Gonap are set on a hillside among terraced fields and vegetable gardens, with wonderful open views backed by richly forested slopes. Its people joined the Village Ways project with great enthusiasm, led by Prem Singh, starting with the building of a retaining wall for the Barbet House guesthouse site – to become known as “The great wall of Gonap”! Although it is a poor village, it has a primary school: the teacher, children and villagers are eager to meet and get to know their visitors, to show them round and invite them in.
The weather varies markedly by season, so you need to choose the time that suits your preferences.
December to February
During the real winter daytime maximum temperatures are still a comfortable 10 – 15°C but night temperatures sink to around 0 – 5°C. Some small amounts of rain can be expected, and even a little snow, but the days are warm and sunny, with good views.
March to May
From March onwards the temperatures rise steadily from maxima of 15°C to around 30°C in May, but the nights remain comfortable (10-15°C). This is the dry, hot season when villagers start to prepare the land for the monsoon crops. The air can become hazy, due to local forest fires and views of the Himalayan peaks are usually limited to the early mornings and evenings.
June to September
The SW Monsoon rains clothe the hills in cloud. The air is humid but delightfully fresh. Temperatures are around 20°C during the day but fall back to 15°C at night. The rains clear the dust, allowing crisp views over the hills and glimpses of brilliant green rice crops in the fields.
October to November
This the best time for views of the Himalayan snow-capped peaks. The landscape is still green after the rains. The days are warm and sunny but the air temperatures start to drop as the winter progresses, with maxima of 20 degrees and minima of 5°C.