honeymoon in kumaon

shail_v

Hi!
I am planning to go for my honeymoon to these places some time in Feb. Earlier I thought I would visit all these places but after reading other posts I think I can limit myself to 3 places.

Here is my info:

1. Duration : 8-10 days
2. Starting from Delhi ( I don't stay in Delhi but it's very close to my place, about 6 hrs )
3. Budget - 50 K
4. Time : Mid Feb

Could you please tell me about the following?
1. Should I go for a tour operator like Thomas Cook? Though I think they are costly but I don't want to spend time in running for taxi or hotel room.

2. In case I go on my own should I choose KMVN guest houses? I have read reviews on this forum and it seems they are good if one is NOT going for a honeymoon.

3. I am planning to stay in cottages. Would it be a good idea? Which hotels/resorts would be good?

4. Should I include some other place? I have not finalised about the places I have mentioned above. If there is some other place I should go I can do so.

5. Other things which I would have surely missed .

TIA
Shail

Nick-H

Congratulations on the [forthcoming] marriage, and welcome to IndiaMike

Most (though certainly not all) of the people here would be in favour of a do-it-yourself tour; some would even work to a rough plan and make up each day as they go along.

Your trip to India is very short and it sounds like you may not have experienced the country before. On top of which you probably have your hands full planning a wedding, without having to worry about every detail of the tour. So I'd say, yes it is a very good idea, for you, to go for a package.

I'm not so sure about going for one of the big national/multinational companies, though. I've never tried them, but I would expect them to be pretty-much off-the-shelf itineraries. I suspect you would do better with a smaller agency that give you a tailor-made trip, and actually talk to you about what you want, what level of hotel you want in each place, how you want to get about and so on.

So far as the itinerary is concerned, I can't comment, my horizons being rather limited to Chennai and a bit of Kerala.

Someone will be along. Maybe they can recommend an agent too...

capt_mahajan

1. I would do it myself and not through a tour operator. Private Car from Kathgodam to Binsar or Kausani will be easily available even last minute at the station for about 750/800 rupees. Much lower for Nainital.
2. KMVN guest houses are good value for money. However, you have a budget of 50k for a 10 day trip in off peak season, so I would think you can afford better places on your honeymoon. Club Mahindra at Binsar is good, though there are many good resorts/hotels in the places you are going to. Land up and spend an hour looking around if you are unsure beforehand. Feb shouldnt be a problem.
3.4 places in 10 days should be enough. I would have spent less time in Nainital or skipped it altogether. Too crowded, though Feb will be better. One alternatives not far off your route is Mukhteshwar. It is also connected by an interesting 'jeep road' to almora/binsar.

__________________
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Outside the machine

shail_v

Thanks for the wishes and replies
I have never been to Nainital so would like to spend some time there.
Can I get a taxi at Kathgodam which would be there with us for the whole trip? Or should I hire it wherever I go?
Thanx again
Shail

SANJAY_DEL

You can take a taxi from Kathgodam to Naintal.
Then in Naintal you can hire a cab when you need to go for sight seeing.

rishabh6296

Hi Shail,
you can hire a cab from kathgodam for the whole trip,or better hire it from delhi itself.Binsar is a perfect place for honeymoon and you can stay in either khali estate or club mahindra resort which would cost you around 3000-4000 per day in off-season.KMVN guest house is at a better location and its quite comfortable but not luxurious and there is no electricity.Nainital is quite good for honeymoon,as a matter of fact its a favoured destination for honeymoon among indian couples.Kausani and ranikhet are quite ok,their USP being the view of great himalayas but you can get the same view from a closer range from binsar itself,since you have 10 days in hand try including chaukori and munsiyari,amazingly beautiful places.
Rishabh

shail_v

Thanks for the suggestion
I wanted to take a taxi wherever I go since in that case I need not pay for the night/waiting charges. True its good to have a vehicle at your disposal all the time, but I think the hotel/resort people would also arrange for the one.
Do you have an idea if the charges differ much?
Also any suggestions for hotels/resorts/guest houses in chaukori and munsiyari?

SANJAY_DEL

There are a few hotels at Berinag, 8 km from Chaukori.

UA Tourism Accommodation

* Panchchuli Tourist Rest House (KMVN).

jyotirmoy

Go to Sitlakhet.

rishabh6296

Hi,
as far as i know,taxis arranged by hotels/resorts are a lot more expensive and you just need to pay around rs. 150 for driver's night stay even if that is included it would be cheaper.You can stay in the KMVN cottages in chaukori and munsiyari has a kmvn guest house and another good option would be zara resorts and wayfarer cottages.
Rishabh

shail_v

Nice to have so much info. I have made up my mind to go on my own i.e. get a taxi from Delhi and book cottages/hotels.
Since I cannot go to so many places, what should be the itinery for 8 days?
Nainital is a must ( my would be is insisting on that and cant say no to her ). So I am thinking of spending 2 days at Nainital. From there what should be my route if I want to go to Binsar,Kausani,chaukori and munsiyari?

rishabh6296

Hi Shail,
here's your itinerary for 10 days(including travel from delhi)
day 1 - leave early morning from delhi and reach nainital around 1 P.M do some sightseeing after checking in a hotel.
day 2-local sightseeing in nainital
day 3-leave early morning from nainital and visit 4 nearby lakes(khurpa taal,naukuchhia taal,bhim taal and saat taal),it would take approx half a day after doing these leave for Binsar approx 3 hours and reach there by evening.
day 4-Enjoy nature in Binsar forest,go to zero point,dhaulachhina,kasar devi etc.
day 5-leave for chaukori via bageshwar(3 hours) and reach there by about 11 a.m and enjoy the sights of chaukori.
day 6-stay in chaukori till noon and then leave for munsiyari(4 hrs. journey)
day 7-enjoy munsiyari
day 8-enjoy munsiyari
day 9- leave from munsiyari early in the morning and reach kausani in approx 7 hours at about 2 P.M in afternoon.
day 10 -leave kausani at around 10 a.m and reach delhi by 6-7 p.m
Rishabh

capt_mahajan

rishabh, decent schedule.

shail_v, do keep in mind

-day 3 and day 10 may be tiring.
-binsar kmvn has no electricity, awesome views, though
-don't count on kausani views in just one overnight stay. chaukori and munisiyari should make up for it though.

shail_v

WOW!!
This forum would make lazy fellows like me more lazy as I keep getting everything tailor made .
Thanx a ton all!



Last Q about safety.
As some of the places like Binsar KMVN guest house are not close to cities , would it be safe to go with my wife?

capt_mahajan

Generally, yes. Off season and if you are all alone there, you can decide there and seek alternatives. The Kumaon area lets you keep a slightly flexible schedule if you are mobile and have a car.

Kumaon used to be safer, but I would take the usual precautions nowadays.