Trip to Nainital,Ranikhet,Kasauni & Binsar

Hi,

I am planning for a trip to Nainital,Ranikhet,Kasauni and Binsar in the first week of September. Below is my plan for the trip.

1.Day1 reach Kathgodam by 4Pm. Night stay at Nainital.
2.Day2 visit Nainital and start for Ranikhet night stay at ranikhet.
3.Day3 sight seeing at Ranikhet.
4.Day4 start for Kasauni and night stay.
5.Day5 sight seeing at Kasauni.
6.Day6 start for Almora, visit the place and night stay at Binsar.
7.Day7 sight seeing at Binsar.
8.Day8 start for Kathgodam for return Journey.

My Questions.

1.Please tell me the feasibility of the above plan.

2.I would like to know the distance of each places as per my plan.

3.Please suggest some good budget hotels for stay in Nainital,Ranikhet,Kasauni and Binsar and their Tariffs.

4.Also the mode of communication? I mean how to travel from one place to another and for sight seeing also.

5.How much the Taxi will charge If I will book one taxi for my entire tour. Or is it cheap to book taxi at each place? Also I would like to know the frequency of bus service from one place to another.

6.If possible Can I get the Taxi fare for each trip starting from Kathgodam.

Kathgodam->Nainital
Nainital->Ranikhet
Ranikhet->Kasauni
Kasauni->Binsar
Binsar->Kathgodam

Thanks in advance for ur replies.

Regards,
Sidhartha

The plan if OK. Catch the shared taxis that you get easily except in case of Binsar for which you may have to hire an independent taxi. Binsar is all about natural sightseeing with no other option so consider this as you plan to spend two nights there.

Jitu,
Thanks a lot for ur reply. Any idea how will be the weather during the first week of september. We will be travelling two persons. I need some info regarding my accommodation. Any budget hotels available in the range of 600-1000? Or any paying guest facility is there?

Thanks.
Sidhartha

Weather at that time will be nice & crisp.

For budget stays, you may consider:

Nainital - Home away from home
Ranikhet - Hotel Prashant or Rajdeep
kausani - Anasakti Ashram or Hotel Jeetu
Binsar - KMVN

The weather will be as good as it can get so enjoy. And for 1000 Rs you can get good accommodation at all places...better than so called budget for sure.

Hi,
Thanks for reply. Regarding Anasakti ashram, have u stayed at this ashram? do their rooms r neat and clean with attached baths ?

Regards,
Sidhartha

You will definitely need a taxi for Binsar. The KMVN and the views Binsar is famous for are inside the sanctuary. The sanctuary gate is at least 5 km (maybe 8, I am forgetting) away from the main road - and these 5 km are mostly uphill!

aNASAKTI JOG ASHRAM is ok, not very good, just beside that building there is Jila PARISAD , you can stay there.
For car you can contact the following person , he also arranges for hotel.
Name-- Anand Goswami ---- (0)9719639279
You can give my reference

Distances would be

Kathgodam->Nainital 35 Kms
Nainital->Ranikhet 60 Kms
Ranikhet->Kasauni 70 Kms
Kasauni->Binsar 90 Kms
Binsar->Kathgodam 100 Kms

I would suggest the following option

Day 1 - Night stay at Mukteshwar. Opt for KMVN. Rate would be around 1500 on MAP. Its at the best location in Mukteshwar. Distance from Kathgodam will be around 70 Kms
Day 2 - After site seeing at Muktehswar Move to Binsar and Night stay (KMVN 1500/- on MAP). Distance 70 Kms. You have to hire a taxi in this case as less number of vehicle would be going to Binsar from Mukteshwar. You can bargain to include Jageshwar also on the same day which is 80 Kms from Mukteshar and another 70 Kms to Binsar.
Day 3 - Stay at Binsar and visit Almora which is 30 Kms away. You can stay at Almora also after visiting binsar as Kausani is at a shorter distance from Almora. Stay at Almora KMVN which is around 800/- on CP.
Day 4 - Move to Kausani which is around 60 Kms from Almora. Site seeing at Kausani. You can visit to Baijnath which is 18 Kms from Kausani.
Day 5 - No need to stay for long at Kausani and move to Ranikhet which is 70 Kms from Kausani. Site seeing at Ranikhet and night stay.
Day 6-7 - Move to Nainital which is 60 Kms from Ranikhet and spend the last 2 days there. You can skip stay at Ranikhet on day 5 and move to Nainital from kausani and have a brief halt at Ranikhet. This way you will get more time at Nainital.
Day 8 - Move to KDM to catch the train which is 35 Kms from Nainital.

Note that the rates of KMVN hotel are off season rate and the off season is till 14th Sep.

Hi Sriprakash,

The option you suggested seems good. But I am bit confused now. As most of the members suggest not to spend much time at Nainital. I am going there for the first time so no idea at all.

How about the share vehicle/ public bus service for moving one place to another or do I need to book taxi?

Regards,
Sidhartha

Hi Sriprakash,

The option you suggested seems good. But I am bit confused now. As most of the members suggest not to spend much time at Nainital. I am going there for the first time so no idea at all.

How about the share vehicle/ public bus service for moving one place to another or do I need to book taxi?

Regards,
Sidhartha

2 days at Nainital are fine !

Nainital used to be prime attraction for tourists as there is much to do and see compared to other places in Kumaun. As you are travelling for the first time to Nainital its better to have a good view of the area. If you are interested only in leisure then avoid Nainital and spend time in Mukteshwar/Binsar, otherwise spend some time in Nainital. There is much to see and do in Nainital apart from the Lake.

I have kept nainital in the last keeping in view that you might like some shopping also and will get good options in Nainital. Doing it during first leg of your visit might make your luggage heavier. Its also nearer to KDM and you will find more options to come down to KDM.

Shared Jeeps are available to all places in Kumaun and are preferred than bus, but I am not sure about Binsar. You might have to book taxi for Binsar. Keep your luggage to minimum if you want to travel in public transport. Taxi has its own advantage but you might have to spend around 2k per day.

You will not necessarily need a transport to move around in the city.

Hi,

What are the travel options for local sight seeing?

Regards,
Sidhartha

Local - Walk or Horse

Excursion - Taxi