Discover one of the most extraordinary aspects of traditional village life in a holiday that runs only in April, when the rhododendrons are blooming and the shepherds are making their way across the Himalayas for their annual journey.
Offered exclusively between 15 April and 15 May 2026
Every April for generations, the Anwals – one of the last remaining transhumance shepherds – move from the lower altitude villages to the lush, green, higher alpine pastures with their flock, returning with the onset of autumn. Sadly, as farming practices change, the transhumance traditions, as elsewhere in the world, are slowly dying out. Our partner communities are delighted to arrange for our guests to travel to meet the shepherds, in the company of our local guides.
Spend two days with the Anwals as they begin their transhumance journey from the Saryu and Pindar Valleys.
Find out more about the amazing life of the Anwals – read the full story told by Tara S Takuli, the local Village Ways field co-ordinator, in Supi.
We welcome you at Delhi airport, before you transfer to our comfortable guesthouse for an overnight stay.
Early morning transfer to Delhi station for a day train into the hills. Arrive at Kathgodam station. We’ll pick you up by car and take you on a 4-hour drive to Khali Estate, a family-run bungalow that’s over 150 years old. Spend the night in a cosy rondavel cabin that gives you your first look at the Eastern Himalayan range.
After breakfast, continue your journey to your starting point in the Saryu Valley – a 5-hour journey by road, lunch en route. Walk from the road-head to Supit village. Relax and have a Kumaoni dinner, and meet your guide to discuss the days ahead. Stay overnight in the guesthouse.
Walk with your guide to your next village homestay. Walking in Saryu and Pinder can involve some long and steep gradients. You will be walking at higher altitudes, but the terrain is good and the views are incredibly rewarding. You walk an average of 4-5 hours per day.
Walk to Patlakhod, where you join the Anwals as they prepare their flocks for the months ahead. Stay in standard dome tents, set up by local porters. This is a chance to interact with the shepherds and learn about their fascinating way of life.
From Patalkhod, many Anwals move to the open meadows near Jaikuni, where the local communities have set up a splendid tented camp with walk-in tents. Choose to walk with the Anwals, or for good walkers, take a detour via Pakhua Top, where you will have extensive mountain views on a clear day, re-joining the Anwals at Jaikuni. Stay overnight at Jaikuni camp and wake up to out-of-this-world panoramic mountain views.
(For guests who wish to spend more time with the shepherds, we recommend adding a second night at Jaikuni in order to enjoy the views and take a walk to the nearby Chilta Temple.)
It is worth waking up early at Jaikuni to catch a surreal sunrise. From Jaikuni, you leave the Anwals and walk with your guide into the Pindar Valley, to the village of Dhurr. Stay overnight at the village guesthouse.
Your final day’s walk takes you from Dhurr to the village of Karmi and back to Dhurr for the final night in the villages.
After breakfast, walk to the road-head and return by car to Khali Estate for another night’s stay.
Transfer to Kathgodam to catch the day train to Delhi. We’ll meet you at New Delhi station to take you to your guesthouse for your final night.
The next morning, head to Delhi airport for your homeward flight.
Dates
Party of 2/3
Party of 4+
Spring/
Summer
15 April 2026 – 15 May 2026
£1,635
£1,254
*All prices are per guest. Prices vary by season and reduce with larger group sizes due to shared logistics and accommodation.
Spring
15 Apr 2026 – 15 May 2026
Party of 2–3: £1,635
Party of 4+: £1,254
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.
In the Saryu–Pindar region, stay in community-run guesthouses: one in Supi and one in Dhurr. High in the Saryu Valley, the Supi guesthouse is a converted traditional berklay longhouse set amid broad terraced fields, with simple, en-suite rooms, shared spaces for lingering conversations, and a sunny terrace that looks out over farms, forests, and distant ridgelines. Across the watershed in the Pindar Valley, the Dhurr guesthouse sits above the river, surrounded by terraced slopes, waterfalls and rhododendron forests, with sweeping views of Trisul, Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot glowing at sunset. Together, these homes allow you to move gently between valleys, experiencing different landscapes and village rhythms.
In the Saryu–Pindar region, stay in community-run guesthouses: one in Supi and one in Dhurr. High in the Saryu Valley, the Supi guesthouse is a converted traditional berklay longhouse set amid broad terraced fields, with simple, en-suite rooms, shared spaces for lingering conversations, and a sunny terrace that looks out over farms, forests, and distant ridgelines. Across the watershed in the Pindar Valley, the Dhurr guesthouse sits above the river, surrounded by terraced slopes, waterfalls and rhododendron forests, with sweeping views of Trisul, Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot glowing at sunset. Together, these homes allow you to move gently between valleys, experiencing different landscapes and village rhythms.
Stay in comfortable tented camps in Jaikuni Bugyal and Pakhua Top that are simple, low-impact stays in some of the region’s most open high-altitude landscapes. In Jaikuni, stay in safari-style tents with comfortable bedding. The other tented camp is simpler, but both open to absolutely majestic views in the morning. Set in wide alpine meadows and on airy ridgelines, these seasonal camps are designed for minimal footprint and maximum immersion.
Discover one of the most extraordinary aspects of traditional village life in the high valleys of the Indian Himalayas, as you enjoy a unique opportunity to witness the inspirational life of the ‘’Anwals.’’ These are the last remaining transhumance shepherds, who, in April each year, move from the lower altitude villages to the lush, green, higher alpine pastures with their flock, returning with the onset of autumn. Anwals have been making these journeys for many generations, and it is a tough life up on the mountains, but one that carries much prestige. Sadly, as farming practices change, the transhumance traditions, as elsewhere in the world, are slowly dying out. Our partner communities are delighted to arrange for our guests to travel to meet the shepherds, in the company of our local guides.
Spend two days with the Anwals as they begin their transhumance journey from the Saryu and Pindar Valleys. Enjoy wonderful walking in beautiful surroundings and get to know the local stories of the shepherds.
Find out more about the amazing life of the Anwals – read the full story told by Tara S Takuli, the local Village Ways field co-ordinator, in Supi.
Welcome at Delhi airport, transfer to guesthouse for overnight stay.
Early morning transfer to Delhi station for a day train into the hills. Arrive at Kathgodam station and road transfer (4hrs) to Khali Estate, a family-run hotel. Overnight stay at Khali Estate, double room garden bungalow.
After breakfast continue your journey to your starting point in the Saryu Valley – by road 5hrs, lunch en route. Walk from the road-head to Supit village. Relax and dinner, meet your guide to discuss the days ahead. Overnight in the guesthouse.
Spend a full day in Supi, with local village walk if you wish. Get to know the local traditions and relax in the comfortable guesthouse.
Walk with your guide to your next village homestay. Walking in Saryu and Pinder can involve some long and steep gradients, and remember you are at altitude, but the terrain is good and the views are incredibly rewarding. You walk on averge 4-5 hours per day.
Today you walk to Patlakhod, where you join the Anwals as they prepare their flocks for the months ahead. Stay in standard dome tents, set up by local porters. Get to know the shepherds and learn about their journey through the hills.
From Patalkhod, many Anwals move to the open meadows near Jaikuni, where the local communities have set up a splendid tented camp with walk-in tents. Choose to walk with the Anwals, or for good walkers, take a detour via Pakhwa Top, where you will have extensive mountain views on a clear day, re-joining the Anwals at Jaikuni. Overnight at Jaikuni camp, with panoramic mountain views.
(For guests who wish to spend more time with the shepherds, we recommend adding a second night at Jaikuni in order to enjoy the views and take a walk to the nearby Chilta Temple.)
It is worth waking early at Jaikuni to see the sun rise over the hills. From Jaikuni, you leave the Anwals and walk with your guide into the Pindar Valley, to the village of Dhurr. Overnight village guesthouse.
Your final day’s walk takes from Dhurr to the village of Karmi and back to Dhurr for the final night in the villages.
After breakfast walk to the road-head and return to Khali Estate for another night’s stay.
Transfer to Kathgodam to catch the day train to Delhi. Meet at New Delhi station, transfer to Delhi guesthouse for overnight stay.
Transfer to Delhi airport for homeward flight.
Visit the hospitable mountain villages of the Saryu and Pindar Valleys, walking from village to village across wide meadows and through forested paths, with spectacular Himalayan views. Stay in village-owned guesthouses and explore this dramatic landscape with your own guide.
Spend two nights camping beneath the stars and meet the Anwals as they prepare for their epic journey. Walk with them between the bhugiyals (meadows) at Patalkhod and Jaikuni and listen to their local tales. Choose to add an extra walk up to Pakhwa Top for wonderful views of the peaks of Nanda Devi and the Pindari glacier.
This holiday runs for a limited period between April and May, when the Anwals are stationed in the meadows around Patalkhod and Jaikuni before moving even higher towards the highest mountains. This is a wonderful time to visit the Himalayas, as the hillsides are covered in bright rhododendron and villages are buzzing with activity at harvest time. Early morning is the ideal time for glimpsing the high Himalayan peaks towering above the meadows and forests, and days are warm and pleasant – ideal for walking. Alternatively, visit during October and November, when the shepherds are returning from the higher ground.
The suggested itinerary can be extended if you wish to spend more time exploring the Himalayan foothills, or shortened if your time in India is limited. Our knowledgeable staff will be delighted to help fashion the holiday to suit you.
We ask our guests to make their own arrangements for international travel to India. For Village Ways holidays in the foothills, the nearest airport is Delhi. Travel information for India, including visa requirements, can be found here.
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.
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.
15/04/2025-15/05/2025
£1,498
£1,153