been to Binsar wild life sanctuary along with Mr Bipin Joshi as our guide. After the trek we were taken to his home to have traditional Kumaon home cooked food. The food was very tasty and different from all that we have been eating for all these days in UK. The entire family is involved in hospitality. The home stay rooms are very good and priced well. The ambience is outstanding for those who want peace and be close to nature. It is a great place to visit round the year and specifically for bird watching. It is a good 2KMS walk from the main road but the trek is worth the effort. I strongly recommend not only for food and stay but for overall experience.
This place is heaven for bird watchers and nature lovers. It's in the midst of the most beautiful jungle surrounded by mountains. Amazing hospitality by Santosh ji and his sweet family. Food served was very organic from the farm and taste is beyond par. Thank you for making it memorable. Will definitely recommend to all nature lovers.
Great experience..... Stayed in the lush green deep forest, food was so delicious, was pure kumauni and organic, seen barking dear, himalayan fox, many birds. Santosh Ji's family members are so welcoming, cooperative and polite. If you love to see Himalaya, Jungle, Traditional meal, Wildlife and peace...it's perfect place.
Beautifully located and surrounded by enchanting pine forest and fauna (chirping of birds). So enigmatic environment. Hospitality is superb. Food quality is so delicious. Views from the cottage are just amazing. Path till cottage was full of rhododendron. If you will lucky, you can see the full bloom in April.
We spent three days hiking and bird watching in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary with Santhosh Joshi. It was a wonderful experience - he was very knowledgeable about the birds, patient while we paused for snaps (or a breather) and happy to indulge my son with alternate routes. While we didn't stay at Joshi Cottage, we had breakfast and brunch as part of the trek on two days. Food was excellent, the cottage has excellent views and we had a lovely time chatting with his extended family. The village seems close to the birdwatching spots, and we saw a Verditer flycatcher and Scarlet Minivet from the cottage itself. The cottages seemed clean, with modern bathrooms, and had a small kitchen for long-term guests. Wish we had known about the Cottages before we booked our hotel in Binsar. The trekking with Mr. Joshi gave us a lovely experience with the wildlife sanctuary (pine forests, oak trees, various birds, including nests, and even some animals - barking deer, pine marten, etc) which we would not have got with just a trek to Zero point. My son especially enjoyed the treks and spotting porcupine quills and leopard droppings! Couldn't recommend this more to you all
Our second visit to Joshi Cottage. Set amongst the pine covered hills of the Binsar Reserve this is the ideal escape from the madness and heat of the Indian cities. Perfect for a winter break from the UK, the low to mid 20's temperatures, and reliable sunshine make for perfect trekking weather in the company of the owner Santosh. He is an expert bird guide and can tailor any walk to suit your needs. When not walking you can also relax in the village and just sit back and let the extended Joshi family cater to your every need. With chai available on demand and sumptuous meals, in one of the best bird watching areas we have ever visited in India, your stay here will be an experience never to be forgotten. Very highly recommended.
Joshi cottages is a family run homestay located within the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. We stayed for 6 days at Joshi Cottage. You have to enter in the sanctuary and drive around 3 km to reach the tracking road leading to Joshi Cottage. Then after around 2 km of walking on trail, you can reach Joshi Cottage. This 2 km hike is beautiful, lush green forest area. Once you reach Joshi Cottage, they welcome you with warmth and love. Its run by Joshi family. Santosh ji was our contact person, he is a great bird watcher and nature guide. Brother of Santoshji, Kewal Joshiji,cooks delicious Kumaoni rural meals to satiate your soul. Best thing for us was to have proper Kumaoni meal everyday with organically grown vegetables fresh picked from their vegetable garden. Kewal ji made sure to make our special day more special by making Gulab Jamin on our wedding anniversary. There are two cottages near the building where Joshi family stays. They both have all basic amenities room, well maintained, clean and keeping in mind the low temperature, this place mostly have. Each cottage has mesmerizing view from all the points. Anywhere you see, you will find valley filled with chir pines. The place is so peaceful, you would like to stay there and just enjoy the nature. This place is heaven for bird watchers and nature lovers. From cottage itself we saw Himalayan woodpeckers, Kaleej pheasant, Indian Cuckoo, Eurasian Cuckoo, Indian Paradise Flycatcher and many more. It felt like heaven when you do not hear any other noise but just chirping of birds, calls of barking deer and wind passing through the valley. Joshi family grows lot many fruits and vegetables around this place, using which they make the meals. That makes simple meals taste heavenly. Overall, it was very peaceful stay with greatest level of hospitality. Nature walks and visit to zero point with Santoshji was great experience. we are definitely coming back. A few tips: 1. Trail walking is required, pack proper hiking shoes. 2. Pack light and preferably in back-pack instead of heavy suitcase. If you ask, Joshiji will arrange for porter at reasonable rate. 3. Santoshji is very knowlegeable nature guide, if you are interested, better to speak with him in advance 4. Carry least plastic, and please bring it back. Do not litter mountains. 5. It is better to book taxi through Santoshji in advance, if you need pick-up from Kathgodam Railway Station. He will do it at very reasonable rate.
If you need to experience pure nature, please visit Joshi's place. The place, the travel and mainly the family people and their hospitality - the best. Kewal Joshi's care for the guests and Santosh Joshi's knowledge about the place and the birds are extraordinary. The food cooked and served hot in the cold climate is very much appreciable. If you need good and calm environment in nature, nice food, good hospitality, Joshi's cottage is the one for you.
