Days 2 and 3: Sunday, 6 June, 2010 and Monday, June 07, 2010
Location: Binsar
Naukuchiatal to Binsar is a 3 hour (approx 105 km) drive. The majority of the road, although narrow, is in an excellent condition. No toll on the roads, so it means that at least some part of my taxes is being put to good use!
We had booked the ‘Club Mahindra Manipur Villa in Binsar’. There are a couple of misleading claims in the name. Firstly, it’s not a villa. There about 30 cottages/ studio apartments. Secondly, it’s not in Binsar, but 10 kms beyond where the Binsar Wild life Sanctuary begins, on the road to Chaukori. There are 2 parts to the Club Mahindra resort. The one at a lower altitude is true to its name- it is called the Club Mahindra Valley resort, and is right in the valley, very close to the highway. I don’t see much point of coming all the way here only for some very good quality accommodation, but minus a view or serene surroundings. The Manipur villa is approx 500 feet higher than the valley resort. Plus, it’s some way away from the highway. Our room was not on solid ground, but rather supported by bamboos and overlooked the valley. We though the view was quite good, but changed our mind once we went to the Binsar Sanctuary the next day.
We went for the “village and lake” trek in the evening on the first day. There was no lake that we could find; possibly they were referring to a depression in the ground that had evidence of holding water at some point of time in the past. The village was nothing special either. Still it was a fun trek and helped in keeping us amused for a short while.
Post lunch the next day, we headed for the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. The road towards Sunset point and ‘Zero Point’ is about 8 to 10 kms from the entry point to the Santuary (Charges- Rs. 250 for a small car plus Rs. 150 per head). The Kumaon Madal Vikas Ngam (KMVN) resort is located very close to the top, with a break-taking view of the Himalayas. It was cloudy the day we went there, so we couldn’t see much. Whatever we could, though, was still awesome. There wasn’t much of a point going to sunset point, but we went there anyway. ‘Zero Point’ involves a 2 km walk from the KMVN resort; and it is quite worth it for the view it offers. There is a one- storey bamboo structure at the top, which forms a very good observation point.
Although KMVN offers the best view, it’s not exactly the first choice place to stay in. Like all things to do with the government, there is a gross under-utilisation of the available resources and the quality of service is distinctly average. I was told that the allocation of funds for upgrade had happened. Hopefully, things will be better by next summer and KMVN will truly be a place worth staying in!
There are a few other resorts with the Sanctuary as well (Binsar Retreat, which involves staying in Tents; and the Oak ridge (or something to do with Oak) that is a huge bungalow). Although I have not personally seen the service quality there, I’d advice choosing one of these as an ideal blend of facilities+ location. An important thing to keep in mind- there is no electricity inside the sanctuary, for fear of scaring the animals. Everything works only on solar panels, and hence there’s a limited amount of electricity available. If you can’t do without CableTV and heated water from a shower, this place is not for you.
Verdict: Great place; must go. Stay at one of the resorts within the Sanctuary (do read the disclaimer in the above paragraph). KMVN, like at most other places, has the best view. But like at most other places, the quality of service is ordinary. Club Mahindra has great facilities, but it’s quite some way off from actual Binsar.
No comments:
Post a Comment