Atlas/uttarakhand/Forest Trek Cottage, Himalayan Views, Uttarakhand

Forest Trek Cottage, Himalayan Views, Uttarakhand

Mukteshwar· 5.0 · 34 stays

“A home inside the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, reached by a 2km walk through the forest. The road ends, the path begins. Hosted by Hem and Kamala, this is a place for quiet, for bird calls, and for sunsets from the balcony. Simple, home-cooked Kumaoni meals are prepared from locally grown ingredients. A true disconnect, with views of the high Himalayas and the deep forest. This home has one bedroom and sleeps up to twelve guests.”

1 bedroomsSleeps 121 beds1 bathsCottage

A look around

What's here

The experience begins where the motorable road ends. You park your car at Vishram Grah, inside the Binsar Sanctuary, and walk the last two kilometres. The path winds through the forest, the air changes, and the sounds of the city fall away. The home is a two-storey structure of stone and wood, with a green corrugated roof and a garden of marigolds lining the stone walls. Balconies with wooden criss-cross railings look out over the valley. Inside, the rooms are simple and clean, with earthy, mud-plastered walls and ceilings panelled with wood. The home has one private bedroom and one bathroom, with arrangements made to sleep up to twelve guests. The focus is not on interiors, but on the world outside the windows - the forest, the sunset, and on clear days, the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Your hosts are Hem and Kamala Joshi. Hem has been a guide in these forests for over two decades and knows the birds and trails intimately. Guests often speak of their warmth and care. As one visitor put it, "The hospitality of the hosts... was exceptional. They made us feel completely at home with their warmth, care, and personal attention." While meals are not included by default, the home has a kitchen you can access. Most guests, however, opt for the simple, home-cooked Kumaoni food prepared by the hosts. Ingredients are often sourced from their own garden. "The peaceful surroundings, home-cooked meals, fresh fruits straight from the trees, and morning bird-watching walks made every day special," a guest wrote after their stay.

What guests wrote

5.0· 34 stays

“Nestled deep within the serene embrace of the jungle, this property offers an experience that feels both rejuvenating and deeply personal. From the moment of arrival, the natural surroundings begin to work their magic—the fresh air, the soothing sounds of the forest, and the uninterrupted views create a sense of calm that is hard to find elsewhere. The locat...”

Kunal Baliyan

“We spent 2 days and 1 night at Joshi Cottage. We took 2 rooms on the 1st floor for our family of 4. Since this property is located within the Binsar wildlife sanctuary, one has to reach during the daytime and enter through the sanctuary gate. Hem Joshi is an excellent host and a guide for Binsar. He responds quickly via phone/WhatsApp. His homestay is basic ...”

Hrusikesh Patra

“Peaceful place ,,you have to do 2.54 km walk to reach through dense binsar forest,,”

vinay chauhan

Where you are

Pin Valley.

A remote side valley off Spiti, protected as a national park — Mud village is the road's end, with Kungri Monastery on the way in.

Best time

Jun–Sep

Nearest airport

Bhuntar/Kullu (KUU), ~230 km via Kaza

Nearby

Kungri Monastery · Mud village · Pin Valley National Park

Approximate location · exact address shared after booking

Around the stay

Things to do nearby.

The main activity is the forest itself. Go for bird-watching walks with Hem in the morning, or simply sit on the balcony and listen to the quiet.

For the more active, there is a trek to Zero Point, about 8 km from the home. From here, you get a panoramic view of the high Himalayan ranges, including peaks like Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Panchachuli.

Jim Corbett National Park, famous for its tigers, is also in the Kumaon region. The main gate at Ramnagar is a few hours' drive away and is best visited between October and June.

Logistics

Getting there.

By Air: The nearest airport for the Kumaon region is Pantnagar Airport (PGH). From there, it is a taxi ride of about 4-5 hours to the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary gate.

By Rail: The closest major railhead is Kathgodam (KGM). Taxis are readily available from outside the station for the drive to Binsar, which takes around 3-4 hours via Almora.

By Road: The home is located deep inside the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. You can drive your own vehicle or a hired taxi to the sanctuary gate, and then to a designated parking spot known as Vishram Grah. The final 2 km to the home must be covered on foot via a forest trail. Your host can arrange for porters to help with luggage.

Seasons

Best time to visit.

The best seasons are from March to June and again from September to November. These months offer clear skies, pleasant weather, and the best chances for uninterrupted views of the Himalayas.

The monsoon months of July and August see heavy rainfall, which can cause landslides and make the forest trail slippery. Winter, from December to February, is cold, and higher reaches of the region may see snowfall, but the sanctuary itself generally remains accessible.

Before you book

The fine print, written plainly.

Frequently asked

The questions travellers ask.

The neighbours

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