Partha_Chowdhury
BINSAR
This is the Binsar Zero Point Watch Tower for viewing excellent Himalayan Mountainscape. This is the highest point in Kumaon region.
---------------------------------------------------------
Settings etc.:
---------------------------------------------------------
Canon Rebel xti
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 240 mm
1/50 second exposure at F 13
ISO 100
RAW files processed with Aperture
Tripod - Targus from Target Store.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Story
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the highest position on Kumaon. It is around 1.5 kms from the KMVN Resort, Binsar. The road goes through the high altitude jungle and passes through the winding hills. There are quite a few short routes in between but some are scary for some people. The Zero Point now has a concrete shaded watch tower. Earlier there used to be a tall metal watch tower which used to rise above the trees. It has been destroyed in 2007 as i heard from the local people. The new tower has obstructed views of the Gangotri peaks and your have to move to the location of old tower to catch a glimpse.
I went to Binsar, Uttarakhand for the Christmas vacation. Binsar is a protected wildlife sancuatry around 32 km from Almora and is the highest point in the Kumaon region. Binsar Hills known and Jhandi Dhar, rise to a height of 2412 m and offer an excellent view of Almora town, Kumaon hills and the greater Himalayan Valley. The surroundings abound in alpine flora, ferns, hanging moss and species of wild flowers. The chief attraction of Binsar is the majestic view of the Himalayas - a 300 km, stretch on famous peaks which includes Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and Panchachuli in India to Api, Saipal and Jethi Bahirani peaks in Nepal Himalaya.
I stayed at he KMVN Resort at the top of the hill facing the Himalayas. There are a couple of other resorts which are at lower elevation and also does not have Himalayan View. Entry fee to the sanctuary is Rs 150 per person valid for 3 days and Rs 250 for the car. KMVN Resort boasts a terrace at the edge of the cliff which gives the panoramic view. This place is a must visit. What are the things to do for me in Binsar? Well, i went there, checked in, went out to the terrace, sat on the chair and basked the sun, sipped hot tea and enjoyed the view. And believe me i did this continuously for three days and I can do it for my life. It is an amazing feeling. Also take a walk up to the Zero point for seeing the Gangotri peaks on the other side of the hill. I will soon post pictures from my trip where these will be clear. Also do not miss out the sky view before moonrise. You can clearly see the milky way galaxy and innumerable stars and you will feel like you are out of this world. Go there to feel it.
Binsar haas wildlife all around ranging from monkeys, to jungle squirrels to leopard. There is a big variety of bird life also in the jungle.
The map shows the exact location of the shot. (29.707391 N, 79.753683 E) Here you can see the watch tower.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Helpful Resources
---------------------------------------------------------------------
KMVN Resort: The best views, excellent food, sunny terrace for laid back vacation, walking distance from Zero Point, out of the world environment. But you do not get electricity in the room except for 3 hours in evening, 2 buckets of hot water in the morning and no entertainment of modern world. Go there for laid back life.
BINSAR
This is the Binsar Zero Point Watch Tower for viewing excellent Himalayan Mountainscape. This is the highest point in Kumaon region.
---------------------------------------------------------
Settings etc.:
---------------------------------------------------------
Canon Rebel xti
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 240 mm
1/50 second exposure at F 13
ISO 100
RAW files processed with Aperture
Tripod - Targus from Target Store.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Story
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the highest position on Kumaon. It is around 1.5 kms from the KMVN Resort, Binsar. The road goes through the high altitude jungle and passes through the winding hills. There are quite a few short routes in between but some are scary for some people. The Zero Point now has a concrete shaded watch tower. Earlier there used to be a tall metal watch tower which used to rise above the trees. It has been destroyed in 2007 as i heard from the local people. The new tower has obstructed views of the Gangotri peaks and your have to move to the location of old tower to catch a glimpse.
I went to Binsar, Uttarakhand for the Christmas vacation. Binsar is a protected wildlife sancuatry around 32 km from Almora and is the highest point in the Kumaon region. Binsar Hills known and Jhandi Dhar, rise to a height of 2412 m and offer an excellent view of Almora town, Kumaon hills and the greater Himalayan Valley. The surroundings abound in alpine flora, ferns, hanging moss and species of wild flowers. The chief attraction of Binsar is the majestic view of the Himalayas - a 300 km, stretch on famous peaks which includes Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and Panchachuli in India to Api, Saipal and Jethi Bahirani peaks in Nepal Himalaya.
I stayed at he KMVN Resort at the top of the hill facing the Himalayas. There are a couple of other resorts which are at lower elevation and also does not have Himalayan View. Entry fee to the sanctuary is Rs 150 per person valid for 3 days and Rs 250 for the car. KMVN Resort boasts a terrace at the edge of the cliff which gives the panoramic view. This place is a must visit. What are the things to do for me in Binsar? Well, i went there, checked in, went out to the terrace, sat on the chair and basked the sun, sipped hot tea and enjoyed the view. And believe me i did this continuously for three days and I can do it for my life. It is an amazing feeling. Also take a walk up to the Zero point for seeing the Gangotri peaks on the other side of the hill. I will soon post pictures from my trip where these will be clear. Also do not miss out the sky view before moonrise. You can clearly see the milky way galaxy and innumerable stars and you will feel like you are out of this world. Go there to feel it.
Binsar haas wildlife all around ranging from monkeys, to jungle squirrels to leopard. There is a big variety of bird life also in the jungle.
The map shows the exact location of the shot. (29.707391 N, 79.753683 E) Here you can see the watch tower.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Helpful Resources
---------------------------------------------------------------------
KMVN Resort: The best views, excellent food, sunny terrace for laid back vacation, walking distance from Zero Point, out of the world environment. But you do not get electricity in the room except for 3 hours in evening, 2 buckets of hot water in the morning and no entertainment of modern world. Go there for laid back life.