Experience the astonishing range of our walking holidays in the Indian Himalayas, from the wooded valleys of Binsar to the sweeping, high mountain views from the Saryu and Pindar Valleys. Discover charming hillside communities, unrivalled views of the Himalayan peaks, and superb walks.
December 1, 2025 to June 15, 2026 | October 1 to November 30, 2026
An epic journey on foot – travel from the colourful valleys of Almora into the ancient oak forests of Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary and meet the hamlets that dot these slopes. From there, go further north towards the Kumaon Himalayas and come face to face with the country’s largest peaks (Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, the Panchachulis, and more). Here, you walk through rhododendron woods that open up into expansive meadows in the Saryu and Pindar valleys.
Make friends with the Kumaoni residents who know every bird song, secret pathway, and who can show you the most surreal views of the Himalayas.
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.
This holiday is designed for your own private party of 2 to 6 people and includes a personal guide throughout your stay. Choose any departure date to suit you, and feel free to tailor your holiday to your exact requirements by adding to the suggested itinerary.
Arrive at Delhi airport before being transferred to a comfortable guesthouse for the night.
A transfer and the early morning day train from Delhi into the Himalayan foothills at
Kathgodam. Take a private car to Khali Estate. Spend the evening relaxing on the deck.
Your accommodation is in individual, comfortable stone rondavel cottages set amongst pine trees.
After a short introduction to the following days, it’s time for a lip-smacking Indian dinner.
From Khali, head through the pine forest to spend the next five nights visiting the Binsar villages, walking from village to village and experiencing at first hand the rhythm of village life in the Sanctuary. You will pass through dense oak and rhododendron forests, with temptong glimpses of valleys below. Another day you may descend gently through broad terraced farmland, to the movement and sounds of the villagers at work. You stay in four of the Binsar villages, with two nights spent in one village.
After breakfast continue your journey to the first village in the Saryu or Pindar Valley – 5 hours by road, lunch en route. Walk from the road-head to the village (1.5 hrs). Relax and dinner, meet your guide to discuss the days ahead. Overnight in village guesthouse.
After breakfast continue your journey to the first village in the Saryu or Pindar Valley – by road 5hrs, lunch en route. Walk from the road-head to the village (1.5 hrs). Relax and dinner, meet your guide to discuss the days ahead. Overnight in village guesthouse.
Return by road to Khali Estate for another night’s stay.
Transfer to Kathgodam in time to catch the day train to Delhi. Meet at New Delhi station and transfer to guesthouse for an overnight stay. Transfer to Delhi airport for the homeward flight.
Dates
Party of 2/3
Party of 4+
Winter
1 Dec 2025 – 28 Feb 2026
£1,718
£1,318
Spring
15 Mar 2026 – 30 Apr 2026
£1,865
£1,410
Summer
1 May 2026 – 15 Jun 2026
£1,741
£1,316
Autumn
1 Oct 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
£1,865
£1,452
*All prices are per guest. Prices vary by season and reduce with larger group sizes due to shared logistics and accommodation.
Winter
1 Dec 2025 – 28 Feb 2026
Party of 2–3: £1,718
Party of 4+: £1,318
Spring
15 Mar 2026 – 30 Apr 2026
Party of 2–3: £1,865
Party of 4+: £1,410
Summer
1 May 2026 – 15 Jun 2026
Party of 2–3: £1,741
Party of 4+: £1,316
Autumn
1 Oct 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
Party of 2–3: £1,865
Party of 4+: £1,410
With Village Ways you stay in very special village guesthouses – ‘village homestays’ – owned and managed by the village committee and benefitting the wider community. 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.
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.
From March onwards the temperatures rise steadily from 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.
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.
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.
Our holiday in the foothills of the Himalayas allow you to enjoy the superlative scenery of these magnificent mountains – without having to be super-fit. We have chosen flexible routes among the hills that are suitable for people of all abilities. This way you can admire the scale and grandeur of
the mountains without having to climb them.
In the Binsar Sanctuary (alt 1650 – 2500m), you walk along forest trails, through rhododendron, oak, pine, and cedar woodland, to reach broad cultivated terraces as you near each village.
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.
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, hosting some incredible architecture and seeped in history. Not to be missed are the Jantar Mantar observatory and the renowned Amber Fort. Add a visit here to complete the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.