Arrival at Pantnagar airport or Kathgodam station and drive (4 hours) to Binsar forest reserve: We leave the last traces of traffic behind and check-in at Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Weather permitting, we soak in views of major Himalayan peaks, including Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kedarnath, and Panchachuli. We spend the evening bird watching or hiking in the hills.

Downhill hike from Binsar to Gaunap village (4 kms, or 2 hours): Our hiking trail is lined with berry trees of ‘Kafal’. We are likely to spot some spotted deer and wild boar on our way to Gaunap. Gaunap is one of the few villages on the slopes of the Binsar reserve, consisting of a handful of families. We stay in a beautiful cottage and explore the village with the local headman. We learn about local farming practices and relish Kumaoni meals.

Short hike around Gaunap: Our day is spent in excursions to other nearby villages and the surrounding dense forests which change from oak-deodar to conifers. We admire fruit orchards of plum, peaches, apples and other delights. We walk along a broad isolated trail, interspersed with streams, hugging the hillside and over the ridge into the next valley. This is an excellent and rarely used trail, and a treat for bird watchers.

Leisurely four-hour hike from Gaunap to Dhaulchina, via Katdhaara, followed by a short drive to Vridh Jageshwar: We walk out of the Binsar reserve and hit the roadhead at Dhaulchina, after a downhill hike through a conifer forest. At Vridh Jageshwar, we settle down in a beautifully restored old stone house in the village. Vriddh Jageshwar is situated approximately 3 km north of the main Jageshwar temple complex and is one of the oldest Shiva temples in the region. Once there, more soaking in the views and staring at heavenly sunsets are on the agenda.

Hike from Vridh Jageshwar to Jageshwar (6 km) and then drive (four to five hours) to Kathgodam or Pant Nagar: We start at Vridh Jageshwar and make our way along a steep downhill trail through a very beautiful forest, to the famous temple complex at Jageshwar. If you are not keen on walking this trail, you can get to Jageshwar by car instead. The Jageshwar temple complex is an enriching experience for the spiritually minded, as well as those fascinated by history and architecture. A walk around the town offers a glimpse of life in a small settlement in the remote hills of India. We have lunch at Jageshwar and then drive to our departure point at Kathgodam or Pant Nagar, if you plan to take the night train or Volvo bus to Delhi. In case your departure is not planned for that night, you can spend the night at another breathtaking camp in Saat Taal - a little over an hour’s drive from Kathgodam railway station and about two hours from the Pant Nagar airport.