National park · India
Binsar Wildlife SanctuaryBinsar Sanctuary
Enter Binsar for a short forest walk (≈2 km (1.2 mi)) for ₹150 – ₹300 per person, or a full‑day guided jungle trek (≈8 km (5 mi)) for ₹800 – ₹1500; go in spring‑autumn, avoid monsoon.Enter Binsar for a short forest walk (≈1.2 mi (2 km)) for ₹150 – ₹300 per person, or a full‑day guided jungle trek (≈5 mi (8 km)) for ₹800 – ₹1500; go in spring‑autumn, avoid monsoon.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
30 km² (12 sq mi)12 sq mi (30 km²)
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 30 km² (12 sq mi)12 sq mi (30 km²)
- Approximately 30 km² of forested hills (check).
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Almora
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary protects oak and rhododendron forests on the Kumaon hills, offering panoramic Himalayan views, bird‑watching and occasional wildlife sightings. The sanctuary is accessed via Binsar village and features short forest loops and longer guided jungle treks.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1980.
Size and age
30 km² (12 sq mi)12 sq mi (30 km²) · national park since 1980
Approximately 30 km² of forested hills (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Almora.
Why go
- Oak‑and‑rh rhododendron forest with panoramic Himalayan views.
- Bird‑watching and occasional wildlife sightings.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCold but clear; short walks fine.
- FebCool, dry.
- MarSpring bloom of rhododendrons.
- AprPleasant weather, good trekking.
- MayWarm, still dry.
- JunStart of monsoon; trails may be slippery.
- JulHeavy rain, landslides possible.
- AugMonsoon peak.
- SepRain recedes, but occasional showers.
- OctPost‑monsoon, clear views.
- NovCool, dry.
- DecCold, clear skies.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (e.g., Himalayan white‑browed rosefinch)Mar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Deer and occasional leopard tracksOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kathgodam railway station
Cab (≈1 h) or shared taxi to Binsar village.
check
From Almora town
Local bus or taxi (≈30 min) to Binsar.
0.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Binsar village gate | Entry point, information desk, basic facilities. | Open daily; ticket required. |
| Oak‑rh forest trails | Network of short and long walking routes. | Self‑guided or guided. |
| Viewpoint ridge | Panoramic outlook over the Kumaon hills. | Open, reachable via short trail. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata for Binsar; nearby points approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary entry (self‑guided walk) | INR 150–300 (≈ US$2–4) | person | check |
| Guided jungle trek (full day) | INR 800–1,500 (≈ US$10–18) | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Sanctuary entry permit or guide
Guided trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹150–300≈ US$2–4
- ₹800–1,500≈ US$10–18
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the short walk.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the sanctuary; stay in Binsar village accommodations.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated stoves only.
Where to stay
In the park
KMVN Tourist Rest House
Simple rooms, ₹2400 per night (2026 estimate).
Near the park
Village homestays
Local families, basic amenities.
Safety
Slippery trails during monsoon medium
Wildlife encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The sanctuary gate and the short viewpoint trail are reachable by car with a short walk on packed dirt.
- The full-day jungle trek involves uneven, steep sections and is not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support local homestays and KMVN facilities.
- Do not collect firewood; use provided stoves.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Binsar?
Entry fee is around ₹150–₹300 per person for a short walk; a full‑day guided trek costs roughly ₹800–₹1500.
What are the best hikes in Binsar?
A short forest loop to the viewpoint (easy) and a longer jungle trek with a guide (moderate) are popular.
When is the best time to visit Binsar?
Spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Oct–Nov) give clear weather and blooming rhododendrons.
How do I get to Binsar from Delhi?
Take an overnight train to Kathgodam, then a cab to Binsar (travel time varies).
Where can I stay near the sanctuary?
KMVN Tourist Rest House (₹2400/night) or local village homestays.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
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