Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is located on top of the Jhandi Dhar hills, 33km north of Almora town in Uttarakhand. Various Himalayan peaks such as Kedarnath, Shivling, Trisul and Nanda Devi can be seen from the Zero Point in Binsar. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 45.59sq km and is situated at a height of 2412 meters. It was set up in 1988 for the conservation of oak forests.
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is a paradise for animal lovers. The park is a reservoir of wildlife, birds and trees. The flora and fauna that can be seen at Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary are:
Fauna
The fauna that can be seen at Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary are the leopard, goral, chital, musk deer, jungle cat, black bear, fox, langur, monkey, porcupine, flying squirrel and barking deer.
Birds
Over 200 species of birds can be seen at Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. The important birds are tits, forktail, nuthatches, blackbirds, parakeets, laughingthrush, magpies, Kalij pheasant, monal, koklas, eagles, woodpeckers, and Eurasian jays
Flora
The sanctuary has pine forest in the lower levels and oak and rhododendron at higher altitudes. The sanctuary was established to conserve the broad leaf oak. The main forests types found in the sanctuary are Oak and moist mixed deciduous forests, temperate moist coniferous forests including deodar and blue pine, sub-alpine, birch, fir and spruce forests and sub-alpine pasture and scrub.
Nearby Attractions
Zero Point
Zero point is located within the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary from where various Himalayan peaks such as Kedarnath, Shivling, Trishul and Nanda Devi can be seen. To reach the Zero Point, one has to walk for about a kilometer inside the Sanctuary.
Binsar Mahadev Temple
Binsar Mahadev Temple is surrounded by thick deodar forests and lies at an altitude of 2480 meters. It was built around 9th-10th century AD in a single day. The temple is known for its architectural finesse and the main idols in the sanctum are Lord Ganesh, Har Gauri and Maheshmardini.
Khali Estate
It was a home to Sir Henry Ramsay, who was the commissioner of Kumaon division from 1856 to 1884. Now, it has been converted into resort - Khali Mountain Resort. The resort is situated on top of the hill surrounded by pine and oak forest.
Mary Budden Estate
The Mary Budden estate, located at 8000 feet, is a restored colonial home with two cottages and a temple to Shiva. The estate is named after Mary Budden, the last inhabitant in the estate in 19th century.
Kasar Devi Temple
Kasar Devi Temple, built in 2nd Century is situated near Kalimath. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali. A large fair known as Kasar Devi Fair is held at the Kasar Devi temple on the occasion of Kartik Poornima.
Best time to Visit
The best season to visit Binsar is during summer months of April to June and during the month of October and November.
How to Reach
Air: Nearest airport is Pant Nagar Airport, around 157km away from Binsar
Rail: Nearest railway station is Kathgodam, around 120km away from Binsar
Road: Binsar is connected by state owned buses to major cities. Bus services are available from Kathgodam and Almora.
Where to Stay
There are many hotels and resorts nearby Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Few are listed below:
-Grand Oak Manor is located at Binsar Estate, Binsar and the room costs 6,900/- Rs per day
-Club Mahindra Binsar Valley is located at Binsar and the room costs around 6,000/- Rs per day
-Binsar Eco Resort is located at Binsar and the room costs around Rs 2,000/- Rs per day
-Binsar Eco Camp is located at Binsar and the room costs around 2,500/- Rs per day
The rates in these hotels and resorts are not fixed and may vary from season to season and also on the facilities provided. It is therefore, advisable to check the rates in advance before booking any hotel.
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is a paradise for animal lovers. The park is a reservoir of wildlife, birds and trees. The flora and fauna that can be seen at Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary are:
Fauna
The fauna that can be seen at Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary are the leopard, goral, chital, musk deer, jungle cat, black bear, fox, langur, monkey, porcupine, flying squirrel and barking deer.
Birds
Over 200 species of birds can be seen at Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. The important birds are tits, forktail, nuthatches, blackbirds, parakeets, laughingthrush, magpies, Kalij pheasant, monal, koklas, eagles, woodpeckers, and Eurasian jays
Flora
The sanctuary has pine forest in the lower levels and oak and rhododendron at higher altitudes. The sanctuary was established to conserve the broad leaf oak. The main forests types found in the sanctuary are Oak and moist mixed deciduous forests, temperate moist coniferous forests including deodar and blue pine, sub-alpine, birch, fir and spruce forests and sub-alpine pasture and scrub.
Nearby Attractions
Zero Point
Zero point is located within the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary from where various Himalayan peaks such as Kedarnath, Shivling, Trishul and Nanda Devi can be seen. To reach the Zero Point, one has to walk for about a kilometer inside the Sanctuary.
Binsar Mahadev Temple
Binsar Mahadev Temple is surrounded by thick deodar forests and lies at an altitude of 2480 meters. It was built around 9th-10th century AD in a single day. The temple is known for its architectural finesse and the main idols in the sanctum are Lord Ganesh, Har Gauri and Maheshmardini.
Khali Estate
It was a home to Sir Henry Ramsay, who was the commissioner of Kumaon division from 1856 to 1884. Now, it has been converted into resort - Khali Mountain Resort. The resort is situated on top of the hill surrounded by pine and oak forest.
Mary Budden Estate
The Mary Budden estate, located at 8000 feet, is a restored colonial home with two cottages and a temple to Shiva. The estate is named after Mary Budden, the last inhabitant in the estate in 19th century.
Kasar Devi Temple
Kasar Devi Temple, built in 2nd Century is situated near Kalimath. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali. A large fair known as Kasar Devi Fair is held at the Kasar Devi temple on the occasion of Kartik Poornima.
Best time to Visit
The best season to visit Binsar is during summer months of April to June and during the month of October and November.
How to Reach
Air: Nearest airport is Pant Nagar Airport, around 157km away from Binsar
Rail: Nearest railway station is Kathgodam, around 120km away from Binsar
Road: Binsar is connected by state owned buses to major cities. Bus services are available from Kathgodam and Almora.
Where to Stay
There are many hotels and resorts nearby Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Few are listed below:
-Grand Oak Manor is located at Binsar Estate, Binsar and the room costs 6,900/- Rs per day
-Club Mahindra Binsar Valley is located at Binsar and the room costs around 6,000/- Rs per day
-Binsar Eco Resort is located at Binsar and the room costs around Rs 2,000/- Rs per day
-Binsar Eco Camp is located at Binsar and the room costs around 2,500/- Rs per day
The rates in these hotels and resorts are not fixed and may vary from season to season and also on the facilities provided. It is therefore, advisable to check the rates in advance before booking any hotel.