- Jageshwar’s 125 big
and small temples were built
in wood between the 17th
and 18th centuries by the Katyuri
rulers and then restored in stone
by the Chand Dynasty
2 & 3. An adventure-filled day
at the Club Mahindra Binsar
Valley Resort is best ended
with delicious Kumaoni fare
4 & 5. At the Binsar Wildlife
Sanctuary, keep your eyes
peeled – there are over 200-
odd bird species to spot! - The views on offer
from Kasar Devi Temple
courtyard are stunning
Himalayas when you raise your head from your book. If you
have kids in tow, they’ll love the activity centre that’s generously
stocked with board and video games. While the Valley Resort
is perfect for families, the Club Mahindra Binsar Villa Resort,
a 10-minute drive away, nestled higher up among the pine
trees, is better suited to travellers seeking some quiet downtime.
No matter which of the two resorts you put up at, head
to Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, to kickstart your day with an easy
trek up to Zero Point. Take Jack, the resort’s in-house naturalist,
along and he’ll help you identify by sight (and sound!) the
200-odd bird species that call the sanctuary home, including
Eurasian jays, white-tailed macaques and oriental turtle doves.
When you do get to Zero Point, drink in the view – if the skies
are clear, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of Kedarnath, Shivling,
Trishul and the group of Nanda Devi peaks.
While the entire district of Almora is blessed with stunning
natural beauty, it isn’t the only thing that it has built a reputation
for. Case in point: the tiny hamlet of Kasar Devi. While the
Kasar Devi Temple that dates back to the 2nd century is the star
attraction, the region’s mystic appeal has attracted many
spiritual and creative thinkers through the ages, including
Swami Vivekananda, Bob Dylan and American poet Allen
Ginsberg. If you’re seeking more spiritual experiences,
drive to Jageshwar. The gorgeous stone-stacked temples,
counted as one of the 12 jyotirlings of Lord Shiva, might
not look extraordinary but lend a sense of otherworldiness,
with the towering deodar trees serving as the perfect backdrop.
Being out and about in Uttarakhand implies long, exhausting
drives along winding roads and plenty of hiking, so it makes
sense then that you arrive at the resort back in time for dinner
and call for some sumptuous local fare. The traditional thali
is an absolute winner if you want to taste all things Kumaoni,
but, if you’re a serious non-vegetarian, the bhang chicken is
a must-eat. A resort specialty, the dish includes a whole chicken
generously coated with a marinade of bhang (hemp seeds)
and char cooked, and serves as the perfect end to days spent
in thepursuitof all therusticjoysthatBinsarhasto offer.STAY:ClubMahindraBinsarValleyResort(www.clubmahindra.
com;from`6,000);ClubMahindraBinsarVillaResort(onlyfor
members;checkwebsitefor membershipdetails)EXPLORE:WEEKENDPLANNER1 2 3456