Nestled in the lap of Kumaon hills, 33 km north of Almora, the wildered Binsar wildlife sanctuary offers a plethora of rich flora and fauna. Surrounded by the lofty hills and dense forest under the wispy sky, located at an elevation of 2270 m and covering over 47 sq km, the jungle is home to more than 200 species of birds alone. It is an indispensable experience for any adventure enthusiast and offers a placid environment for the peace-loving souls.
The Binsar wildlife sanctuary, located in the thick forest of oak, rhododendron and cheer pine of Bageshwar district, was established in the year of 1988, Comprising of more than 200 species of birds including Forktail, Blackbirds, Laughing Thrush, Pheasant, Nuthatches, Parakeets and Monal and wild animals like leopards, wild cats, flying squirrels, foxes, musk deers, porcupines, etc, it is a quintessential place for wildlife photographers. The dark, dense and wildered forest offers a pristine form of nature that will surely mesmerize your soul.
There is only one gate available for the tourists to enter the Binsar wildlife sanctuary. The road starts from Ayarpani and terminates at the forest rest house. The forest rest house is a small resort available for the tourists for accommodation, but due to restrictions inside the sanctuary, electricity is not available. People have to book this resort in advance as there are very few rooms available compared to the number of tourists. Spending the night in a small resort amidst of dark forest and wild animals surely send a chill down the spine.
Binsar has some of the best treks in Uttarakhand. The highest point of Binsar is the zero point which is a common attraction among tourists. You can reach the zero point after one and a half kilometers long trek inside the wildlife sanctuary. The zero point provides a panorama view of the snow-capped peaks of the magnificent Himalayan ranges. The appealing and overwhelming scenic beauty of the place will make your mind wander around a surreal-like journey. The quintessential location manifests a picturesque sight, compelling for every photographer.
The best time to visit this auspicious destination is in between the months of February to April and October to November. An entry fee of Rs. 150 per day is acquired from the adults and Rs. 75 from the students. Hiring a vehicle will cost around 200 to 800 depending on its size.