Small group holiday (maximum 6 people), 12 nights

Hills, valleys and temples

Your stay starts and ends with nights at Khali Estate, steeped in the rich history of modern India. From Khali head through the pine-forest to experience the individual character and warm hospitality of the Binsar villages, with plenty of time to relax and immerse yourself in village life. You also have the opportunity to visit the vast and impressive Shiva complex of temples at Jageshwar before returning to Khali.

Accessible walking

On average, you walk for four hours a day, however the walking in the Binsar Sanctuary is flexible and your experienced guide will tailor the walking routes to suit your needs. Choose whether to stretch your legs and take in the ridges and high points of the Sanctuary or to take the winding footpaths at a gentler pace.

Staying and playing

On the days you spend in the villages, you have the opportunity to join in and learn about the local customs and the work of the communities. Many of our guests have told us this participation has been a highlight of their Indian experience. Each village of Binsar gives its own special welcome, and each has its own personality – but all are the home of mountain people, hardworking, stalwart, warmly hospitable.

Authentic village life

At the villages you may wish to watch or help harvest the fruit, tend the buffalo or work in the fields, or relax on the terrace with a cup of hot chai. Enjoy helping to prepare traditional dishes using the day’s harvest if you wish. There is a wonderful diversity of produce; from coriander, buck wheat and rice, to cocoa yams, sweet lemons and pomegranates. After dinner you may be invited to join in the village games of gooli-dandia or cricket.

At Khali Estate

Double bedded rooms with attached bath cum toilet facilities. Rooms without Air conditioning, as these are not required in the area. Fans available on request. Blowers and hot water bottles are provided during winters. Meals included- Breakfast, Lunch and dinner. Meals served are vegetarian, eggs are served for breakfast.

In the village Guest houses

The village guesthouses are comfortable but simple in keeping with life in the host villages. Rooms are twin bedded, each fitted with a mosquito net. Rooms clean, with basic facilties and comfortable mattresses. Bath and toilet facilities are common and not attached to the rooms. WCs and shower facilities available. Hot water bottles are provided during winters. 

Most of the guest houses are run on solar power. 

Meals included – All meals and tiffins. Meals served are vegetarian, eggs are served. 

Toll at the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary gate,Porter Services, Guide Services

Inclusions as mentioned in the itinerary

1.Stay with all the meals in Khali estate and Villages.

2.Stay with breakfast in Delhi,Ranikhet and Bhimtal

3.Naturalist guides and porters.

4.All the train tickets and transfers by car as mentioned.

Exclusions

Enroute meals and any additional transfers apart from the mentioned in the itinerary and no Air tickets.

Tailor-made

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.

Flights

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.

Stay in Delhi

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.

From Delhi to the hills

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 during your holiday

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.

Agra

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.

Jaipur

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.