Budget Government tourist bungalow · Binsar
KMVN Tourist Rest House, Binsar
The government rest house inside Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, run by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, sits high on the ridge close to the Zero Point trail. Rooms are simple and power is limited, but no other budget stay puts you this close to Binsar's sunrise.
Photo: SudiptoDutta · CC BY-SA 3.0 · CommonsKMVN, the Kumaon state tourism corporation, runs a chain of tourist rest houses across the hills, and the Binsar property is one of its best placed. It lies inside the sanctuary near the top of the ridge, about 12 km from the gate on the Almora–Bageshwar road, and a 2 km walk from the watchtower at Zero Point. Around it is mature oak and rhododendron forest.
Expect a government rest house: plain rooms, a dining hall serving simple Indian meals, and staff who know the forest. Electricity inside the sanctuary is limited, so lighting and hot water may run only at certain hours; carry a torch and power bank. Book through the official KMVN website or office, pay the sanctuary gate fee separately, and arrive before dark.
Why we use it
- Inside the sanctuary, a short walk from Zero Point
- Government prices for one of Kumaon's best locations
- Forest silence, stars and birds at the door
Best for
The photo shows Binsar, not the property itself.
Trips that stay here
Sleep here on a trip
Photo: Krishan09 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Comfort
Kumaon birding: Sattal and Binsar
Private car with driver
Photo: Travelling Slacker · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Saver
Almora, Binsar and Jageshwar on a budget
Shared taxis and jeeps, with two shared private-cab legs
Around the stay
Binsar
Binsar is a 45.6 sq km wildlife sanctuary of banj oak and rhododendron about 30 km north of Almora, rising to about 2,400 m at Zero Point. Come for the dawn view of the high Himalaya, birding in old oak forest and nights without traffic. Stay inside at the KMVN rest house or Mary Budden Estate for one to three nights.
Photo: SudiptoDutta · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Sunrise walk to Zero Point
Walk 2 km through dark oak forest to the watchtower at Zero Point, about 2,400 m, and watch the sun light the snow peak…
Photo: solarshakti · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Birding in Binsar's oak forest
Binsar's old oak forest is one of the best places in Kumaon to see Himalayan forest birds and pheasants. A slow dawn wa…
Photo: Rajborah123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Village trails on the edge of Binsar
Walk from the sanctuary edge down old paths to the terraced villages below, past naulas, stone houses with slate roofs …
Questions
About KMVN Tourist Rest House, Binsar
How do I book the KMVN rest house at Binsar?
Book through the official KMVN website or a KMVN office. Rooms fill on long weekends and in October, so book early. The sanctuary entry fee is paid separately at the gate.
Is there electricity at KMVN Binsar?
Power inside Binsar is limited. The rest house may use solar power and run a generator for a few hours in the evening. Carry a torch and power bank.
Does KMVN Binsar serve food?
Yes, the rest house has a dining hall serving simple Indian meals. There are no shops inside the sanctuary, so bring snacks and any special food you need.
More in Kumaon
Other places to stay
Photo: Abhijit Kar Gupta from Kolkata, India · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Budget
KMVN Tourist Rest House, Kausani
Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam's rest house on the Kausani ridge is one of the cheapest ways to wake up facing Trishul …
Photo: ParthaPratimNath · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Budget
Zostel Mukteshwar
Zostel's Mukteshwar hostel is a favourite of students, solo travellers and remote workers, with dorm beds and priv…
Photo: Utkarshsingh.1992 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Mid
The Naini Retreat
A heritage hotel on the Ayarpata slopes above Naini lake, once a residence of the Maharaja of Pilibhit, run by Lei…