making meaningful connections
The Complete Himalayan.
14 Nights, 6 Days Walking
Awe-inspiring views of the majestic Himalayan peaks.
Holiday Highlights
An extraordinary walking journey, from the secret wooded hills of the Binsar Sanctuary up into the Saryu and Pindar valleys with their awe-inspiring views of the majestic Himalayan peaks. With your own guide, you discover amazing places, and welcoming communities.
- Good walking combined with village exploration.
- Breath-taking Himalayan views.
- Wealth of wildlife, secluded villages.
Itinerary | Day by Day
DAY 1 | Outward Journey
Welcome at Delhi airport, transfer to Delhi guesthouse for overnight stay.
DAY 2
Transfer to New Delhi station for early morning train to Kathgodam. A road transfer takes you from Kathgodam to Khali Estate, for a relaxing stay in, a double room garden bungalow.
Day 3 - Day 7 | Walking the Binsar Hills
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.
Day 8 | Exploring the Saryu & Pindar Valleys
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.
Day 9 - Day 11
Spend the next six days walking between and staying in the Pindar villages of Kati and Dhurr and the Saryu villages of Jhuni, Khal Jhuni and Supi. You will spend two nights in two of the villages and enjoy a night under the stars at the tented camp of Jakuni Bhugiyal.
Your walks will take you through alpine pastures and rhododendron forest, with stunning open views of the high Himalayan peaks. The walking here is slightly more demanding than in Binsar, but on good terrain with spectacular scenery. Discover the wonderful Path of a Thousand Steps and marvel as you cross from Saryu to Pindar and feel that you are up close to the high peaks; the views from Dhurr are particularly special.
Day 13 | Homeward Journey
Return by road to Khali Estate for another night’s stay.
Day 14
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.
Day 15
Transfer to Delhi airport for homeward flight.
Hills and valleys of Binsar
Spend five days in the wonderful Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, walking from village to village and experiencing at first hand the rhythm of village life in the sanctuary. Each day brings fresh surprises and delights. You walk on ancient paths through valleys clad in pine forest and terraced fields, passing women carrying head loads of grass or tending to their flocks of goats, with glimpses of the magnificant Himalayas as you walk.
Wonderful wildlife and abundant birds
Binsar is a wonderful place to discover wildlife. The valleys are alive with birdsong and as you walk you hear the tinkle of goat bells or the cry of the barking deer, alerting to a leopard. Your guide helps you to spot deer, langur monkeys and a variety of birdlife, as well as looking for signs of wild boar, porcupine, pine martens and the elusive leopard.
The high hills
From Binsar you are transferred north to spend seven days in the charming villages of the Saryu and Pindar Valleys, closer still to the Himalayas, with sensational views stretching beyond wide meadows and forested hills. The walks between the villages of Saryu and Pindar are quite extraordinary. The forests abound with birds, including soaring serpent eagles and you may even see wild boar, foxes and bear. You also have time to relax and enjoy the bustle of village life, get to know the communities and admire the awesome mountain views.
A night under the stars
A night under the stars at the tented camp at Jaikuni is a real highlight of our trips to the Himalaya. Perched on the ridge separating the Saryu and Pindar valleys, Jaikuni provides a stunning balcony view on to the range of the Indian Himalayas. Waking up to the sunrise over the mountains – which feel so close you want to touch them – is a really special experience.
Stretch your legs
You are privately guided throughout your stay in the hills. In Binsar, the walking is along small, well-used paths through forest and across terraced fields, with steep sections at times but manageable. In Saryu and Pindar the walks are more leg-stretching, with some long and steep gradients but incredibly rewarding open views across the alpine meadows to the great Himalayan peaks.
The village of the Binsar Wildlife Sanctury
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.
Dalar (1835m)
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.
Risal (1650m)
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 (1584m)
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.
Kathdhara (1900m)
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.
Gonap (1900m)
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.
Khali Estate
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.
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
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.
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.
The Complete Himalayan.
14 Nights-
All meals at Khali Estate and in the villages
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B&B in Delhi Guest house
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Guide and Porter services
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Picnic lunches
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GST
HOLIDAY PRICES per person
SEASONS
PARTY 2-3
PARTY 4-6
01/10/2023-30/11/2023
£1,480
£1,275
01/12/2023-28/02/2024
£1,385
£1,195
15/03/2024-30/04/2024
£1,525
£1,290
01/05/2024-15/06/2024
£1,410
£1,195
01/10/2024-30/11/2024
£1,605
£1,400