Joshi Cottage is a family-owned and family-operated retreat that is located in Binsar Village of Binsar Bird Sanctuary of the Valley of Flowers in the Uttarakhand State of India.

You will be left speechless when you see the beauty of the region and its splendid isolation from crowded and noisy habitats.

The cottage offers all the facilities for a comfortable stay. Nicely decorated rooms with an attached bathroom, a writing table with a chair and sitting space.

The family stays on the premises and cooks delicious vegetarian food.

Enjoy organically-grown fruit and vegetables; lentils from their farms are used for preparing salads, soups, stews, and curries.

It is a wonderful place for morning meditation and yoga. The place offers a panoramic view of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains and flocks of birds converge early morning. You can feel the clouds floating by you.

The area has an abundance of birds, animals, and butterflies. More than 230 species of birds including  migratory are found here. You may be able to spot the elusive leopard, and also other local wildlife such as barking deer, mountain goats, pine martin, foxes, and porcupines. The wide range of birds includes minivets, eagles, and laughing thrush.

Come! There are few places on Earth such as this place to de-stress and enjoy just being yourself. Walk up 2-km on a gravel path to reach your cottage. The cottage's staff will carry your baggage.

Description

Valley of Flowers National Park is an Indian national park, located in North Chamoli, in the state of Uttarakhand and is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and  variety of flora.

This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox, and blue sheep. Birds found in the park include Himalayan Monal pheasant and other high altitude birds.

At 3352 to 3658 meters above sea level, the gentle landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park to the east.

Together, they encompass a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and the Great Himalaya.

The park stretches over an expanse of 87.50 km and it is about 8 km long and 2 km wide. Both parks are encompassed in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (223,674 ha) which is further surrounded by a buffer zone (5,148.57 km).

Nanda Devi National Park Reserve is in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

Other attractions you will visit during the tour with your guide are

Grand Oak Manor: The Grand Oak Manor is the erstwhile home of Sir Henry Ramsay who used it as his summer home and administrative center as Commissioner of Kumaon. The property later became a heritage hotel.

Khali Estate: The Khali estate was once owned by Sir Henry Ramsay, who was the commissioner of Kumaon from 1856 to 1884 and was called by British authors the King of Kumaon. He built a bungalow at Binsar

Mary Budden Estate: The Mary Budden estate located at 8000 feet is a restored colonial home and has a temple to Shiva in it.

Zero Point, Kasar Devi Temple, Golu Devta Temple and Bhimeshwar Mahadev Temple are other attractions.

Program

Day 1

Arrive a day earlier to New Delhi. Our representative will receive you at the airport and

drive you to our hotel.  Explore the city if you have time. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 2

Our representative will drive you to New Delhi railway station for boarding the superfast

air-conditioned chair car train leaving at 6:22 am. You will be served complimentary

breakfast. Arrive Kathgodam at  11:55 am. You will be received by our representative and

driven to Binsar. Here you will walk  two miles on a gravel path to reach the cottage.

You will enjoy this walk among woods. Your luggage will be carried by the porter of

the Cottage. Enjoy lunch on reaching the cottage. In the evening explore the area,

see the setting sun. Dinner and overnight at the cottage.

Day 3

At 7 am, enjoy sunshine and perform meditation and  yoga and relax while savouring lovely locally grown products for breakfast. After breakfast, around 10 am our knowledgeable guide will take you around  villages to see local life.

Back for lunch at 1:30 pm and in the afternoon read and relax. Early in the evening listen to spiritual music. Enjoy dinner prepared by the family, your hosts, and retire for the night.

Day 4

Early morning is a good time for birds so our well trained bird guide will take you for spotting birds and come back for breakfast around 8:30. After breakfast, you can visit a farm to see its garden and take some cooking lessons. Enjoy lunch and in the afternoon you can talk to the families about Hindu philosophy and the guide will be with you to help you connect.

Day 5

After early breakfast  walk 2 km to the road and a car will take you to KMVN hotel. From here   walk 2 km to 0 point from where on a clear day you can see 180° view of the mighty Himalay.  Return to the Cottage  for lunch at 1:30 pm.

After lunch,  read your favourite book and relax. Later in the evening we will sing and chant some kirtan and bhajan and have dinner at 7:30 pm. After that, retire to your room for overnight.

Day 6

Early  morning, your guide will take you 500 meters to see  sunrise. Perform yoga and meditation at the same point and return for breakfast at around 8:30 am.

After breakfast at 10 am, the guide will take you 3.5 km down to a local school. Interact with its students and teachers. Distribute to them fruits provided by your tour operator. Enjoy packet lunch by the river and then drive back 25 km and walk 25 minutes to the lodge by 4:30 pm. Relax, see the setting sun, enjoy delicious dinner, and retire to your room.

Days  7- 8 -9 :  More exploration of this breath-taking region

In the mornings perform yoga and meditation and then have breakfast at 8 am. After breakfast, walk up to the road and drive 5 km to the Golu Temple (God of Justice). Enjoy these 3 days with more exploration and small treks. In the afternoon of the 8th day your host will organize a small Havan for your happiness and good health. Enjoy a special farewell dinner on the last night of your sojourn. This will be followed by presentation of a gift on behalf of your India tour operator. Retire to your room for overnight.

Day 10

After breakfast check out from Joshi Cottage and reach the road. The porter will carry your luggage. Enjoy lunch. Reach Kathgodam. Here the super fast train will leave at 3:30 PM  with you for New Delhi. Arrive at 9:45 PM.  Our representative will receive you at the station and

drive you to the hotel.