11. From Deenapani to Binsar: Into the Himalayan Silence (19th Nov 2022).

#roadtrip #kumaon #sleepinginthecar #deenapani #binsar 19th Nov, 2022, Saturday…Day (11) Deenapani-Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary-Deenapani (20 km). Road Trip to Kumaon, Day (11)…Deenapani-Binsar-Deenapani. Woke up before sunrise at Deenapani. A soft pink glow touched the distant Himalayas. Birds began to chirp, villages stirred awake, and another beautiful Kumaoni morning quietly unfolded. Binsar had been on my wish list for years. After two comfortable days at KMVN Deenapani, we decided to extend our stay and make an early morning dash to the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. We were the first at the gate. Permits sorted, the Lalpari carried us deep into the silent forest. Wildlife stayed hidden—except for a lone barking deer and a few colourful birds. From KMVN Binsar, after a quick tea and sandwich, we learnt about the trail to Zero Point, nearly 8,000 feet high. Two kilometres of a gentle, well-paved trail later, we reached the viewpoint. The watchtower stood deserted. Then came the reward. The Himalayas, in all their glory. Snow-capped peaks—Nanda Devi, Trishul, Shivling and Kedarnath—stood proudly against an azure sky. Deep green valleys stretched below, while cotton-like clouds drifted lazily across the mountains. We stayed for over two hours—watching, waiting for wildlife, clicking photographs, filming, resting and simply soaking in the silence. Eventually, a couple of tourists arrived. Time to leave. Two kilometres downhill, back to the Lalpari, and soon we were out of the sanctuary. Five hours in Binsar—five hours beautifully spent. Back at Deenapani came another delight: a sumptuous Kumaoni mutton thali at The Kasar Kitchen—pahadi mutton, gahat ki dal, lai ki sabzi, pahadi chana, Kumaoni raita, mandua roti, bhang ki chutney, red-rice kheer, jaggery, desi ghee and salad. As the day faded, the Himalayas turned golden from our balcony. A light dinner in our room brought the day to a gentle close. Binsar had delivered exactly what I had hoped for—mountains, forests, silence, food and a day to remember. For more videos and travel stories, google "Sunil Azaad".