Most of us yearn to get away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan cities. Some of us, at some point, make up our minds to tuck all of our frustrations and stress in a bag, and walk toward the unknown pathways. However, only few of us ever try to venture down those untrodden roads, and when I was searching for a quiet, solitary place to spend two weeks, I came across a small village, situated within the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Reaching Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary isn't as easy. The most convenient route is to reach Haldwani bus station from New Delhi via bus (public or private), take a cab (shared, if you are looking to keep the costs down) to Almora, and then hire a taxi to reach Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Once you reach Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, it is about a 90 minute - 2 hour trek downhill. There are porters who will guide you and help you with your luggage (for an additional cost), and the trek downhill is a little challenging, but rewarding at the same time.
I booked the place through Airbnb, which is located amidst the mountain terrains, with lush green fields out in the front. The village only has about 10-15 people, and you feel rejuvenated after having a sip of local tea. Considering you want to disconnect yourself from the world, you would also enjoy the fact that you do not get network coverage, unless you want to trek up hill, or trek deep inside the forest.
To be honest, I did not want to come back from Binsar, but the entire trip gave me some much needed time away from the daily mundanity and problems that come with responsibilities. I cannot wait to go back to Gaunap again soon.
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If interested, you can also trek to a nearby village, which is around 5 kilometers away, and roughly takes you 90 minutes to reach. However, to buy any supplies (even as common as spices or soap), you have to walk all the way to Dhaulchhina, which is about 10-12 kilometers away from Gaunap, and can take around 3-4 hours to reach. While the trek itself is challenging, you get to walk through pristine, unspoiled lands and forest reserves, while gazing at the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
The views along the way are breathtaking, and you cannot help but stop, take in its magnificence, and continue on your journey. The 22 kilometer odd trek certainly was punishing; however, it was worth it, as you feel nature cradling your soul, unburdening you from world's worries and its weight. For those 10 days, nothing in the world could bring me down.
I went to Dhaulchhina twice during those 10 days, just to get more fresh air, and walk amidst the most serene, tranquil setting one can imagine. Your thoughts are no longer clouded, and you get the second wind you've always been hoping for. However, one also has to remember that they have to be in good physical shape to take on such challenging treks/walks.
You can just as well walk for 30 minutes from the village to the nearby village temple, and spend a few hours reading a book, or typing away on your laptop if inspiration strikes.
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