[genesis]

Tell me about it arindam. Moved back to Mumbai after 7 years of using Delhi as a base for exploring Uttaranchal and Himachal and enjoying the mountains. Now I sit and look at the pictures on my laptop living vicariously through others eyes

To complement the awesome pictures posted earlier, here is a golden glow from Majkhakli between Almora and Ranikhet

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by arindamray

It's nice to see the range of Himalaya there, really awesome photographs.

Hmm, I should seriously think of relocating to NCR, after covering the few places left to visit in South India.

Originally Posted by genesis

Tell me about it arindam. Moved back to Mumbai after 7 years of using Delhi as a base for exploring Uttaranchal and Himachal and enjoying the mountains. Now I sit and look at the pictures on my laptop living vicariously through others eyes

To complement the awesome pictures posted earlier, here is a golden glow from Majkhakli between Almora and Ranikhet

Attachment 129005

Wow fellows, you sound like coupla real wanderers!

Here're two more to entice you some more.

[rex_varghese]

Hi,

I'll be in Binsar with my family for couple of days. Would like to get details about few day trips we can make during our stay.

I know there are quite a few places around this area. Wanted to pick the best few to visit. We'll be having a hired cab with us for our local trips. An approx. distance and cab charges (if possible) will be very helpful (at least, to have a reference point for negotiation)

So, any nearby destination which we can visit and return in a day would be great.

Regards
Rex

[phamilyman]

You can go here for the views:
APAD 090912 – Binsar @ My Daily Photo (some of them there).

you dont need much to do there:
a. forest walks (guide from forest deptt)
b. night views and morning views - its by far one of the most brilliant views.

Nothing other than KMVN will do. Choose the 1500 Rs wala room. The view doesn't matter - its awesome only from the viewing terrace! (or pay 1600 for rooms 101-105)

EDIT: Its about 430km from delhi via kathgodam or 460 via kaladungi-haldwani-bhimtal-bhowali

You have almora, nainital and all the tals on the way. Stop where you will

[lordofgondor]

Hey Rex, if you're gonna be in Binsar just for coupla days, then I'd recommend that you spend time in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary only. There are exciting forest hikes and amazing views all around you.

As phamilyman has rightly said, "Nothing other than KMVN will do", its the best place to stay in terms of views. You'll also find guides in there who could take you for hikes and show the wildlife to you.

Be sure that you carry warm clothing as it gets chilly in the evening/night.


@phamilyman: How about the Kaladhungi-Nainital route? I find it better as one avoids passing through the city of Haldwani and the associated traffic.

[Indizen08]

Some wonderful views of the mountain peaks.

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by Indizen08

Some wonderful views of the mountain peaks.

Thanks mate! Revisiting this thread had rekindled my memories of Breathtaking Binsar. Can't let go of the feeling that used to creep in watching the towering Nanda Devi peaks. *sigh* Feel like heading back there, maybe sometime soon.

Need a real big & strong catapult



Purple Haze



Clouds float by



Just a Herculean stone's throw



When will we be that tall



Never, so stop wishing



Cloudy Streaks



Gonna be dark soon



Nearby Almora

[Sli_ce]

Beautiful Breathtaking pictures Abhinav! so refreshing and pleasing to the eyes! i remember seeing these mighty peaks on my way to Ranikhet in Jan09, you've done a splendid job in capturing them!

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by Sli_ce

Beautiful Breathtaking pictures Abhinav! so refreshing and pleasing to the eyes! i remember seeing these mighty peaks on my way to Ranikhet in Jan09, you've done a splendid job in capturing them!

Hey thanks for the compliment buddy.

[sidd25]

Amazing photographs. The snow covered mountains are just too good.

[phamilyman]

@Abhinav - the kaladhungi nainital route is WAY better - take it without a thought. The regular NH24 is impossible

[ampere]

Mind blowing snaps! I had planned Naini, Kausani and Jim Corbett national park in Oct, but cancelled at the last minute due to the swine flu scare and as there was 14 month baby involved. Will definitely go some time in future.

Binsar added to the list.

[shanmugamprakas]

[quote=lordofgondor;1488704]Hey Rex, if you're gonna be in Binsar just for coupla days, then I'd recommend that you spend time in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary only. There are exciting forest hikes and amazing views all around you.

Excellent photos. They really drive me to push for an immediate trip to Binsar. Which part of the year will be the best one for clear views. Will 2N/3D be enough for Binsar stay so that i will not miss the clear views?. How Binsar will be different from Ranikhet which is another worth visiting place in kumaon.

[canonguy]

Superb pics lordofgondor! This reminds me of my trip to Almora, Choukori and Binsar during the winter of 2004. When I checked into KMVN TRH, Binsar, the guy at the reception handed me three candles and a match box. They didn't have electricity back then. The rooms were pretty good. All wooden, the ceiling, floor and the walls. Through the windows you had a breath taking 180 degree view of Nandakot, Trishul and a couple of other Himalayan peaks which I now forget. I was told one could even see as far as the Pindari glacier on a clear day.

How is it now? Have they got electricity?

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

@Abhinav - the kaladhungi nainital route is WAY better - take it without a thought. The regular NH24 is impossible

Sarkar that's the only way I take while heading to those areas of UA. Driving through the Corbett area is superb.

Originally Posted by sidd25

Amazing photographs. The snow covered mountains are just too good.

Thanks buddy! I spend so much time continuously gazing at them be it day or night. They absolutely mesmerize you!

Originally Posted by ampere

Mind blowing snaps! I had planned Naini, Kausani and Jim Corbett national park in Oct, but cancelled at the last minute due to the swine flu scare and as there was 14 month baby involved. Will definitely go some time in future.

Binsar added to the list.

Thanks buddy! When one's headed to UA, Binsar's not to be missed for sure. Just make sure not to go there in & around monsoons. And make sure to carry flashlight(s).

Originally Posted by shanmugamprakas

Excellent photos. They really drive me to push for an immediate trip to Binsar. Which part of the year will be the best one for clear views. Will 2N/3D be enough for Binsar stay so that i will not miss the clear views?. How Binsar will be different from Ranikhet which is another worth visiting place in kumaon.

Thanks buddy! I'd say March would be a good time for less cloud cover. 2N/3D sounds good to absorb in the views, but frankly I can stay in there for a week without getting bored. There are plenty of forest hikes in there too. I'd recommend the KMVN hotel for the views that it's terrace offers. Amazing!

Ranikhet is like a regular touristy place in the area, with hotels/shops around, whereas Binsar wild life sanctuary is devoid of those. So I think it's more tranquil.

Originally Posted by canonguy

Superb pics lordofgondor!

When I checked into KMVN TRH, Binsar, the guy at the reception handed me three candles and a match box. They didn't have electricity back then. The rooms were pretty good. All wooden, the ceiling, floor and the walls. Through the windows you had a breath taking 180 degree view of Nandakot, Trishul and a couple of other Himalayan peaks which I now forget. I was told one could even see as far as the Pindari glacier on a clear day.

How is it now? Have they got electricity?

Thanks buddy! Yup they did have electricity, though it's through a genset which was turned on for very short periods. Essentially during the late evening/dinner time.

Now they leave the candles & matchbox in the room instead of giving them at the reception. Rest was all the same.

Other noticable peaks that I can recollect are Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti, Chaukhumba, Panchauli Peaks & Neelkanth. I tried catching the Pindari galcier using my 300mm telephoto lens pointed to the direction a guide suggested, but wasn't sure what I was seeing!