Kumaon in Sep: Kausani or Munsiyari

shubha_r · Jul 13th, 2008, 01:04

Any info on how good is the Binsar Retreat? I know about the KMVN place inside the sanctuary but how good is the Binsar Retreat in terms of location and views? Has anyone stayed there?

shubha_r · Jul 13th, 2008, 11:49

EOS, just read the full details of your trip with all the masala and I have to say:
AMAZING!!! REALLY, KUDOS!!

Truly, I don’t know how you people do it. Reading your day-by-day account (with full suspense-effects!) was awesome. And quite heart-warming too.

Have finally decided to drop Jilling and go to Binsar & Kausani over some 7 days so I have enough time in both places.

SO here's how it goes. Seeking guidance from Kumaon exerts on the time estimations.

Day
1. Morning (after landing from Ranikhet Exp): Kathgodam-Kausani (6 hours?)
2. Kausani
3. Kausani
4. Post-lunch: Kausani - Binsar (4 hours??)
5. Binsar
6. Binsar
7. Binsar
8. Late morning 11-ish: Binsar - Kathgodam (5 hours?) - Ranikhet Exp

This gives us:
3 full days in Binsar and
2 full days, 2 half days in Kausani

Will also do Baijnath and Jageshwar while in Kausani and Binsar respectively. How does it look, experts?

Planning to stay in KMVNs. Was just wondering in Binsar if the Binsar Retreat - which is supposedly inside the sanctuary - is good? Personally, feel the KMVN would be safe, comfortable, and in a good location but wanted to check about the Retreat since it is also inside sanctuary. Did not come across any mention of it in any of the threads - only read about Club Mahindra and Kalmatia Sangam.

Please suggest.
This forum rocks!

to all of you there!

Piyush · Jul 13th, 2008, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by shubha_r

Not sure if I can afford it. Also, I kind of enjoy local transport...
What would it cost to have a driver for this stretch over about 6 days?

Jilling - Kausani
Kausani - Binsar
Binsar - Kathgodam

where is this place Jilling???

Sadanand Kamath · Jul 13th, 2008, 15:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by shubha_r

.....SO here's how it goes. Seeking guidance from Kumaon exerts on the time estimations.

Day
1. Morning (after landing from Ranikhet Exp): Kathgodam-Kausani (6 hours?)
2. Kausani
3. Kausani
4. Post-lunch: Kausani - Binsar (4 hours??)
5. Binsar
6. Binsar
7. Binsar
8. Late morning 11-ish: Binsar - Kathgodam (5 hours?) - Ranikhet Exp

This gives us:
3 full days in Binsar and
2 full days, 2 half days in Kausani

Will also do Baijnath and Jageshwar while in Kausani and Binsar respectively. How does it look, experts?

My comments are :
1. Kathgodam-Kausani is 145 kms. Share Jeep/Hired cab should be able to cover the distance in about 5 hours.

2. Start Binsar early morning on the last day in Binsar for Jageshwar( about 55 kms) and come direct to Kathgodam ( about 100 kms via Almora) in time to take the Ranikhet Express.

Sadanand

shubha_r · Jul 13th, 2008, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sadanand Kamath

My comments are :
1. Kathgodam-Kausani is 145 kms. Share Jeep/Hired cab should be able to cover the distance in about 5 hours.

2. Start Binsar early morning on the last day in Binsar for Jageshwar( about 55 kms) and come direct to Kathgodam ( about 100 kms via Almora) in time to take the Ranikhet Express.

Sadanand

I see: Binsar - Jageshwar is 55 kms. How long should that take?

Thanks for the suggestion. Will keep in mind.

Sadanand Kamath · Jul 13th, 2008, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by shubha_r

I see: Binsar - Jageshwar is 55 kms. How long should that take?

Thanks for the suggestion. Will keep in mind.

Binsar- Jageshwar via Kapad Khan-Gairad bend : 1 hour 30 minutes.

Jageshwar-Almora : 45 minutes.

Almora-Kathgodam : 2 hours 30 minutes.

Sadanand

shubha_r · Jul 13th, 2008, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sadanand Kamath

Binsar- Jageshwar via Kapad Khan-Gairad bend : 1 hour 30 minutes.

Jageshwar-Almora : 45 minutes.

Almora-Kathgodam : 2 hours 30 minutes.

Sadanand

Perfect!! Thanks a ton!

shubha_r · Jul 13th, 2008, 16:14

Padampuri, about 2.5 hours from Kathgodam (1.5 hours to Matial plus 1 hour walk up to Jilling Estate)

But now Jilling has been dropped off in favour of Binsar & Kausani. :-)
Here's what the plan is like now:

Day
1. Morning (after landing from Ranikhet Exp): Kathgodam-Kausani (6 hours?)
2. Kausani
3. Kausani
4. Post-lunch: Kausani - Binsar (4 hours??)
5. Binsar
6. Binsar
7. Binsar
8. Late morning 11-ish: Binsar - Kathgodam (5 hours?) - Ranikhet Exp

This gives us:
3 full days in Binsar and
2 full days, 2 half days in Kausani

Will also do Baijnath and Jageshwar while in Kausani and Binsar respectively.

Looks ok?

Piyush · Jul 13th, 2008, 17:20

Ok..Padampuri I know..
haldwani--kathgodam--Khutani--Padampuri--dhanachuli bend-->towards Shaharphatak,Lohaghat
Never knew there is Jilling estate also...

Shyamal Mukherjee · Jul 14th, 2008, 00:38

Just went through the whole thread Subha R. I consider you to be a nature lover consisting of enjoying Himalayan peaks, birds activities, solitude and walking down the roads in the midst of pines etc.
The weather in those region is highly volatile and un predictable from enjoying Himalaya point of view. It will depends on your luck. Kausani, Binsar, Chaukori --- all will give your eye a great pleasure (specially Chaukori) if the sky happened to be clear on that day.
Now regarding Binsar, the KMVN has the excellent location(just forget others of Binsar accommodation) with solar lights in the evening and candle lights thereafter but accessibility of KMVN Binsar with public transport is extremely difficult to make it possible. Enjoy the zero point and walk around the road nearby with the Himalayan peaks (if you are lucky) will give you immense pleasure. Still three days stay at Binsar looks to be slightly wondering for me. Rather you can do a cut and go to Chaukori as rightly pointed out by Dilliwala. Chaukori is a serene place of your desire and you can enjoy the peaks at a short distance if sky is clear.
At kausani you may enjoy the Gandhi Ashram(Anashakti Ashram) and just participate at the evening prayer which lasts for max one hour.
You can make Jageshwar enroute while coming back as pointed out by Capt.
The thread title Kausani or Munsyari—my vote will go for Munsyari where the Panchachulis are within a handshaking distance .
Shyamal

shubha_r · Jul 14th, 2008, 01:04

Is the Ranikhet Express a seasonal train or something? Can we book it beforehand and how many months before? I am checking for availability but I get a message of "train cancelled" or something like that.

Any clue about this????
If Ranikhet Exp doesn't work out, what other trains from Delhi?

EOS · Jul 14th, 2008, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by shubha_r

EOS, just read the full details of your trip with all the masala and I have to say:
AMAZING!!! REALLY, KUDOS!!

Have finally decided to drop Jilling and go to Binsar & Kausani over some 7 days so I have enough time in both places.

SO here's how it goes. Seeking guidance from Kumaon exerts on the time estimations.

This gives us:
3 full days in Binsar and
2 full days, 2 half days in Kausani

Will also do Baijnath and Jageshwar while in Kausani and Binsar respectively. How does it look, experts?

Planning to stay in KMVNs. Was just wondering in Binsar if the Binsar Retreat - which is supposedly inside the sanctuary - is good? Personally, feel the KMVN would be safe, comfortable, and in a good location but wanted to check about the Retreat since it is also inside sanctuary. Did not come across any mention of it in any of the threads - only read about Club Mahindra and Kalmatia Sangam.

Please suggest.
This forum rocks!

to all of you there!

Quote:

Originally Posted by shubha_r

Is the Ranikhet Express a seasonal train or something? Can we book it beforehand and how many months before? I am checking for availability but I get a message of "train cancelled" or something like that.

Any clue about this????
If Ranikhet Exp doesn't work out, what other trains from Delhi?

Thanks Shubha..

Good that you have knocked off Jilling. It would have been letdown after Binsar. Your itinary looks good and i'm sure you are going have a superb time...

Ranikhet express is NOT a seasonal train. Runs daily. I checked up accomodation availability at the time of your visit. End september. The train is running and showing availability in both sleeper and 3AC. However seats are few. Book asap.

There is another train Uttaranchal sampark kranti which runs from Delhi (which station not sure) to Kathgodam/Haldwani at 3 in the afternoon and reaches at around 10:30 in night. But then you will have to spend one night at Haldwani/Kathgodam.

As for Binsar acco.. KMVN gets the most votes here...best location and value for money. Club Mahindra is not in Binsar. Our Kumaon expert Dilliwala has pointed this many times..

Kalmatia sangam .. heared that its damn expensive.. not sure about the location...

yes you are very correct...this forum rocks...

Piyush · Jul 14th, 2008, 11:07

Kalmatia Sangam is at Kasaar Devi..nearlly 8kms from Almora..Binsar is still 20 kms from Kalmatia Sangam..

capt_mahajan · Jul 14th, 2008, 11:41

Yep. K Sangam is not Binsar.

Staying at KS is fine if you prefer much higher comfort and ignore the expense (and the sometimes snooty crowd which spoils it for me), but lousier for the experience that KMVN can give.

shubha_r · Jul 14th, 2008, 14:41

A big THANK YOU to all of you.

EOS:
I too am glad about dropping Jilling and can't wait to get to Binsar now!

Re Ranikhet my trip is in mid-Sep (around 10th or 12th) and I am getting a vague message like "train cancelled" or "suspended" or something like that for the dates from around 4th to 14th of Sep approx. I don't know what the hell this means. Thanks a lot for the tip about the Uttaranchal Sampark train. It is a huge help as given the current state of affairs with Ranikhet, might need that.

Oh, Club Mahindra and Kalmatia Sangam are not even considered by me! No way will I stay there - just not worth it. I remember the discussion about the CM guys lying about their location and all. I was asking only about Binsar Retreat. Check out
http://www.nivalink.com/binsarretreat/index.html
http://ritumiles.travellerspoint.com/

Just posting these here as I have not come across any mention of the Retreat in any thread on IndiaMike. General info for you all.

Anyway we have decided to stay in KMVN and enjoy the romantic candlelight evenings

For us, location matters more than anything else.

Captain:
I too cannot stand snooty crowds and fancy places. For me, there is nothing like a rustic, small, simple, but comfortable place which looks after one’s basic needs – normal home food, clean and comfortable bedding, hot water, and decent service. Prime location is the number one criterion. Even electricity is not a must. I think KMVN fits the bill perfectly.

OK, now the new (!) plan is to add about 2 more days to the itinerary and add another place

I am thinking of Choukori - it would be accessible from there right? Would like to go a place which is about 5 hours from Binsar/Kausani base there for 2 days and go to nearby places. Is there something we can see in and around Choukori? Remember the suggestions of Patal Bhuvaneshwar... will read more on IM and get back to you guys for more inputs

Jul 13th, 2008, 01:04	#31
shubha_r Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 38	How is Binsar Retreat? Any info on how good is the Binsar Retreat? I know about the KMVN place inside the sanctuary but how good is the Binsar Retreat in terms of location and views? Has anyone stayed there?

Jul 13th, 2008, 11:49	#32
shubha_r Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 38	Final Kumaon Itenerary! EOS, just read the full details of your trip with all the masala and I have to say: AMAZING!!! REALLY, KUDOS!! Truly, I don’t know how you people do it. Reading your day-by-day account (with full suspense-effects!) was awesome. And quite heart-warming too. Have finally decided to drop Jilling and go to Binsar & Kausani over some 7 days so I have enough time in both places. SO here's how it goes. Seeking guidance from Kumaon exerts on the time estimations. Day 1. Morning (after landing from Ranikhet Exp): Kathgodam-Kausani (6 hours?) 2. Kausani 3. Kausani 4. Post-lunch: Kausani - Binsar (4 hours??) 5. Binsar 6. Binsar 7. Binsar 8. Late morning 11-ish: Binsar - Kathgodam (5 hours?) - Ranikhet Exp This gives us: 3 full days in Binsar and 2 full days, 2 half days in Kausani Will also do Baijnath and Jageshwar while in Kausani and Binsar respectively. How does it look, experts? Planning to stay in KMVNs. Was just wondering in Binsar if the Binsar Retreat - which is supposedly inside the sanctuary - is good? Personally, feel the KMVN would be safe, comfortable, and in a good location but wanted to check about the Retreat since it is also inside sanctuary. Did not come across any mention of it in any of the threads - only read about Club Mahindra and Kalmatia Sangam. Please suggest. This forum rocks! to all of you there!

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Jul 13th, 2008, 16:14	#38
shubha_r Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 38	Padampuri, about 2.5 hours from Kathgodam (1.5 hours to Matial plus 1 hour walk up to Jilling Estate) But now Jilling has been dropped off in favour of Binsar & Kausani. :-) Here's what the plan is like now: Day 1. Morning (after landing from Ranikhet Exp): Kathgodam-Kausani (6 hours?) 2. Kausani 3. Kausani 4. Post-lunch: Kausani - Binsar (4 hours??) 5. Binsar 6. Binsar 7. Binsar 8. Late morning 11-ish: Binsar - Kathgodam (5 hours?) - Ranikhet Exp This gives us: 3 full days in Binsar and 2 full days, 2 half days in Kausani Will also do Baijnath and Jageshwar while in Kausani and Binsar respectively. Looks ok?

Jul 13th, 2008, 17:20	#39
Piyush Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 456	Ok..Padampuri I know.. haldwani--kathgodam--Khutani--Padampuri--dhanachuli bend-->towards Shaharphatak,Lohaghat Never knew there is Jilling estate also...

Jul 14th, 2008, 00:38	#40
Shyamal Mukherjee shyamal Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rawatbhata, Rajasthan Posts: 276	Just went through the whole thread Subha R. I consider you to be a nature lover consisting of enjoying Himalayan peaks, birds activities, solitude and walking down the roads in the midst of pines etc. The weather in those region is highly volatile and un predictable from enjoying Himalaya point of view. It will depends on your luck. Kausani, Binsar, Chaukori --- all will give your eye a great pleasure (specially Chaukori) if the sky happened to be clear on that day. Now regarding Binsar, the KMVN has the excellent location(just forget others of Binsar accommodation) with solar lights in the evening and candle lights thereafter but accessibility of KMVN Binsar with public transport is extremely difficult to make it possible. Enjoy the zero point and walk around the road nearby with the Himalayan peaks (if you are lucky) will give you immense pleasure. Still three days stay at Binsar looks to be slightly wondering for me. Rather you can do a cut and go to Chaukori as rightly pointed out by Dilliwala. Chaukori is a serene place of your desire and you can enjoy the peaks at a short distance if sky is clear. At kausani you may enjoy the Gandhi Ashram(Anashakti Ashram) and just participate at the evening prayer which lasts for max one hour. You can make Jageshwar enroute while coming back as pointed out by Capt. The thread title Kausani or Munsyari—my vote will go for Munsyari where the Panchachulis are within a handshaking distance . Shyamal

Jul 14th, 2008, 01:04	#41
shubha_r Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 38	Is the Ranikhet Express a seasonal train or something? Can we book it beforehand and how many months before? I am checking for availability but I get a message of "train cancelled" or something like that. Any clue about this???? If Ranikhet Exp doesn't work out, what other trains from Delhi?

Jul 14th, 2008, 11:07	#43
Piyush Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 456	Kalmatia Sangam is at Kasaar Devi..nearlly 8kms from Almora..Binsar is still 20 kms from Kalmatia Sangam..

Jul 14th, 2008, 11:41	#44
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,509	Yep. K Sangam is not Binsar. Staying at KS is fine if you prefer much higher comfort and ignore the expense (and the sometimes snooty crowd which spoils it for me), but lousier for the experience that KMVN can give.

Jul 14th, 2008, 14:41	#45
shubha_r Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 38	A big THANK YOU to all of you. EOS: I too am glad about dropping Jilling and can't wait to get to Binsar now! Re Ranikhet my trip is in mid-Sep (around 10th or 12th) and I am getting a vague message like "train cancelled" or "suspended" or something like that for the dates from around 4th to 14th of Sep approx. I don't know what the hell this means. Thanks a lot for the tip about the Uttaranchal Sampark train. It is a huge help as given the current state of affairs with Ranikhet, might need that. Oh, Club Mahindra and Kalmatia Sangam are not even considered by me! No way will I stay there - just not worth it. I remember the discussion about the CM guys lying about their location and all. I was asking only about Binsar Retreat. Check out http://www.nivalink.com/binsarretreat/index.html http://ritumiles.travellerspoint.com/ Just posting these here as I have not come across any mention of the Retreat in any thread on IndiaMike. General info for you all. Anyway we have decided to stay in KMVN and enjoy the romantic candlelight evenings For us, location matters more than anything else. Captain: I too cannot stand snooty crowds and fancy places. For me, there is nothing like a rustic, small, simple, but comfortable place which looks after one’s basic needs – normal home food, clean and comfortable bedding, hot water, and decent service. Prime location is the number one criterion. Even electricity is not a must. I think KMVN fits the bill perfectly. OK, now the new (!) plan is to add about 2 more days to the itinerary and add another place I am thinking of Choukori - it would be accessible from there right? Would like to go a place which is about 5 hours from Binsar/Kausani base there for 2 days and go to nearby places. Is there something we can see in and around Choukori? Remember the suggestions of Patal Bhuvaneshwar... will read more on IM and get back to you guys for more inputs

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