Travelling to Binsar

We ask our guests to make their own arrangements for international travel to India. We offer some general advice and useful links regarding travel, visas, insurance, health requirements.

Your Village Ways holiday includes return transfer from Delhi: taxi transfer to Old Delhi station; overnight train to Kathgodam and onward road transfer to Khali Estate. We can arrange to meet you at Delhi Airport, to fit in with your flight arrival and departure times, or if you are already in India we can arrange for you to be met in Delhi, at the place of your choosing, to start on your journey to the mountains.

You can relax on the overnight sleeper train - the Ranikhet Express - to Kathgodam, Gateway to the Hills. There, you will arrive refreshed for the scenic road journey through the Himalayan foothills, via the hill town of Almora, to Khali Estate in the Binsar Sanctuary. We include an overnight stay at Khali Estate.

We do offer an option for road travel from Delhi (supplementary cost).

"Smart casual" clothes are best in Delhi, with comfortable shoes if you're planning to fit in some tourism. In the winter months it can get really quite cold at night and, although often sunny, days are fresh, so you'll need layers, including sweaters and warm jackets. Spring and autumn require medium/lightweight clothes with a light jacket or wrap, while the heat of summer demands cool cottons - although air-conditioning means a lightweight extra layer may be called for.

The hygiene in Khali and our villages and our favoured guesthouses in Delhi is good and all food is vegetarian. However, on your way through Delhi, please be aware of the risks of Delhi Belly. In our experience the larger hotels pose the greatest risks: we particularly suggest avoiding meat and seafood in Delhi restaurants.

It's best to travel in loose comfortable garments, suitable to the season, and to have a sweater/shawl with you. On the sleeper train, it's a matter of choice whether to change into pyjamas/nightie – mostly, people sleep in what they're wearing. Sheets and blankets are provided by Indian Railways.
We shall send you Guidance Notes on train travel when you book.

Khali Estate lies in the Binsar Sanctuary, so you must pass through the Forest Department gate: your driver will sort out the entry requirements. After a further ten minutes drive you will reach Khali Estate, where you will receive a warm greeting from representatives of Village Ways and Mountain Resort. Your booking includes one night at Mountain Resort but you are welcome to book an extra night to relax.

Whichever form of travel you choose, your journey can take you through the bustling hill-top town of Almora, where there are banks, shopping facilities and an ATM. If you wish to visit Almora, please ask the driver to go through the town, or he may take the by-pass.
The old bazaar is especially interesting.

For international guests, it is best to change Travellers Cheques on arrival in Delhi Airport or a debit/credit card at an ATM while in Delhi. There is an ATM in Almora (next to Shikkar Hotel) that dispenses cash against Visa & Mastercard or you can cash trevellers' cheques at the State Bank of India in Almora.