A long weekend in Mukteshwar, Kasar, and Binsar: Complete Guide

On a long weekend (4 days), we were looking for a place in Uttarakhand which is not far to reach from Delhi and at the same time non-touristy. Mukteshwar is where our search ended. 

Mukteshwar in Uttarakhand is known for its greenery and vast views of the Himalayas. Nanda Devi, which is India’s second-highest peak is visible from here on a clear day. Set amidst conifer forests and orchards, Mukteshwar used to be a British Inhabitation. Today, it is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

To further add more to the beauty of the trip,

• We chose to stay in a village named Sitla near Mukteshwar,
• Went to and stayed in Kasar which is known for its peaceful ambiance,
• Rode a two-wheeler through the jungles of Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, and
• Spent one day in Nainital after we missed our train back home.

Read this guide to Mukteshwar to know how you can plan a peaceful and soul-satisfying trip to Mukteshwar, Kasar, and Binsar.

Disclaimer: This trip involves a lot of walking as that’s how we feel close to nature.

Also read our Andaman Blog to plan an epic trip to one of the most beautiful place in India.

How to reach Mukteshwar

Mukteshwar can easily be reached from Delhi by train, bus, or taxi.

We reached Mukteshwar by first reaching Kathgodam via train from Delhi and then hiring a taxi from Kathgodam to Mukteshwar (72 km). Shatabdi Train starts around 6:20 AM from Delhi and reach Kathgodam by 11:40 AM (total 5 hours journey).

Then we hired a taxi to Mukteshwar from Kathgodam Railway Station which takes around 2:30 hours to reach Mukteshwar.

How to roam around in Mukteshwar

We found hiring an Activa (two-wheeler) from Mukteshwar, an economical and time-saving way of roaming around in Mukteshwar and also visiting Kasar and Binsar from there. 

We hired Activa (two-wheeler) from Royal Hill Bakers, located a few km before Mukteshwar. It costs around INR 500 – 800 per day depending on the high and low tourist season. For hiring a two wheeler, Royal Hill Bakers can be contacted at +91-9953235352.

You can also hire a taxi from Kathgodam Railway Station for your complete trip which includes visiting Kasar and Binsar too. 

Best time to visit Mukteshwar

Mukteshwar is a round-the-year destination. The summer months (March to May) are pleasant. Winter months (November to February) are so cold that it sometimes snows here but the views of Himalayan ranges are best in the month of November. Mukteshwar looks lush green in Monsoon but the road conditions during that time are not good and it must be avoided.

We visited Mukteshwar in the mid-week of April. Though the sun was harsh in the afternoons, the overall weather was pleasant during this time. Mornings and evenings were cold.

Accommodation for a trip to Mukteshwar and Kasar

Our accommodation in Mukteshwar

From backpackers’ hostels to luxury resorts, there are many stay options in Mukteshwar for every budget.

Rather than staying in Mukteshwar, we stayed in Sitla Village at Ojaswi Himalayan Resort which is around 10 km from the main town of Mukteshwar. Staying in Sitla Village was a completely offbeat experience.

Located in a remote area away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the ambiance, rooms, and views from Ojaswi Himalayan Resort are mesmerizing.

To book a stay with them contact Neelakshay @ +91-7976871855.

Our Accommodation in Kasar

In Kasar, we stayed in Snow View Cottage. Built in traditional Kumaoni Style, amidst long cedar trees, the snow-view cottage is a dream house in the Jungle. To experience the beauty of the place and the serenity of its surroundings, one needs to stay for a long time here. There are trails that start from the cottage and lead deep into the woods. It is a place where one can truly unwind in nature. 

They have two wooden cottages. The one we stayed in had a bedroom, a living room, and a kitchen. The other one had two bedrooms, a living area, and a dining hall with a kitchen. There is also an availability of a cook cum caretaker. You can bring your vegetables and ask him to cook for you at a meager amount. Alternatively, you can cook your meal or have it in nearby cafes. Also, they take bookings for at least 3 or more days. You can book your stay with them through AirBnB.

Our accommodation in Nainital

In Nainital, we stayed in Alka Hotel. It’s the best located hotel in Nainital on the Mall Road, with an amazing view of the lake and valley. Alka hotel welcomes each guest with warmth and has been known from years for the best hospitality in town.

You can book your stay with them here.

Budget for a trip to Mukteshwar, Kasar and Nainital

Accommodation – We stayed for two nights at Ojaswi Himalayan Resort in Sitla Village near Mukteshwar and one night at Snow View Cottage in Kasar.

Ojaswi Himalayan Resort range between INR 8000-10000 per room per day which includes breakfast and dinner and Snow view Cottage at INR 4000 per day per room (excluding meals) for two people.

If you choose to stay in accommodations of this range, expect to spend around INR 20000 – 25000 for 3 Nights.

If you are a couple looking for budget accommodations, you can easily find some in the range of INR 2000-3000 per day per room if you book well in advance.

Also, both Mukteshwar and Kasar are famous among backpackers, so a lot of hostels (Zostel, GoStops, etc.) and homestays in the range of 700-1500 per person are also available.

If you are also planning for staying in Nainital, Alka hotel starts from INR 3500 per day per room.

Transport – After reaching Kathgodam from Delhi by train, if you rent a taxi up to Mukteshwar, it cost around INR 2000-2500. 

Renting a two-wheeler costs around INR 500-700 per day plus the fuel cost. For 3 days it costs around INR 2000 (including fuel).

So, for 3 days expect to spend around INR 4000 – 5000 on transport if you opt for options as we did.

Food – Our breakfast and dinner were included in the package of Ojaswi Himalayan Resort.

If you are on a budget, you can easily get some nice local food for INR 150-250 (roti Sabzi/ Pratha/ Rajma/Kadi/Dal Rice) per person. 

Also, there are some nice cafes with mesmerizing views of the Himalayas, both in Mukteshwar and Kasar. Expect to spend around INR 500-700 per meal (for two people).

Day-wise breakdown of our trip

Day 1 Reaching Mukteshwar

• Reached Mukteshwar. Rented an Activa from Royal Hills Bakers (a few km before Mukteshwar). Reached Sitla Village on Activa and checked in at Ojaswi Himalayan Resort. 
• Watched the Sunset from the premises of Ojaswi Himalayan Resort. The iconic location in Mukteshwar for watching the sunset is Chauli ki Jali.
• Rest for the day.

Day 2 Explore Mukteshwar

• We went for Sitla Jungle Hike in the morning. The hike leads to Chauli ki Jali and Mukteshwar Dham through Jungle. If you are not up for a hike, you can take your vehicle to reach Chauli ki Jali and from there walk for around 200-300 meters through Jungle to reach Mukteshwar Dham. Chauli ki jali offers splendid views of the Kumaon Valley and Himalayan Peaks like Nanda Devi. Mukteshwar Dham is a 350-year-old Shiv Temple.
• After breakfast at Ojaswi Himalayan Resort, we left for Kasar(around 1:30 hrs from Sitla) and checked in our stay at Snow-view Cottage in Kasar.
• Went on a hiking trail that started from near our stay in Kasar. It was a nice walk amidst the pine trees. 
• We went to Kasar Devi Temple which is the highest point in the region. The sunset from here is a no-miss. We sat here for an hour and a half watching the sunset against a gorgeous landscape.
• Dinner at Snow View Cottage.

Day 3 Reaching Kasar

• Watched a beautiful sunrise from Snow View cottage in Kasar.
• Left for Binsar(15 kms from Kasar).
• Reached Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, and went up to Binsar guesthouse (9 km from the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary entry gate) on Activa. From there, hiked for around 2-3 km to reach the zero point. Zero point is the highest vantage point of the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, from where one can have a 360-degree view of the Himalayan peaks like Kedarnath, Trishul, Shivling and Nanda devi.
• Lunch at Mohan’s Café in Kasar. The ambiance of the café, the food, and the view from here is nice to spend some time with.
• Left for Sitla Village from Kasar and visited the Pine Power plant along the way (which was a 1.5-2 km trek from the main road to Sitla). They use a unique way to generate electricity using dried and fallen pine needles from the Pine trees. It is a great initiative started by Rajneesh, the owner of Snow view Cottage in Kasar. 
• Reached Ojaswi Himalayan Resort in Sitla Village and watched the sunset.

Day 4  We missed our train/ One day in Nainital

• If time allows you can visit Ballugarh waterfall in Mukteshwar. We did not because as per locals there was not much water during that time of the year.
• Though the plan was to reach back home to Delhi, we missed our train and decided to spend a day in Nainital. From Mukteshwar, we boarded a roadways bus from Royal Hill Bakery. The bus dropped us at a junction between Nainital and Kathgodam from where we took a taxi to Nainital (INR 1500). Alternatively, you can hire a direct taxi from Mukteshwar to Nainital.
• Checked in at Alka Hotel.
• Dinner at Lakeside View Café. We found it to be one of the best cafes in Nainital owing to its location, lake view sitting, and the food. Their mocktails are a must-try. 
• Strolled on the Mall Road of Nainital and visited Naina Devi Temple.
• Dinner at Giani Restaurant. It is a multi-cuisine restaurant. We had their Kumaoni Raita and Dosa.

Day 5 Explore Nainital

• Early in the morning, we went cycling on Mall Road in Nainital.
• Nainital is famous for its Naini Lake. So, we did boating in the Lake after cycling.
• Breakfast at Alka Restaurant. We had their amazing Parathas.
• Journey back home.

Virtual Tour to Mukteshwar

We have a YouTube Channel where we post our travel videos. We have posted video from Mukteshwar on our channel to help you plan your trip better.

Do watch these videos and let us know how you think of them. Also, if you like our videos, do subscribe to our channel. It really motivates us to create more such content.

Hope this article helped you in planning an amazing weekend in the serene mountains. Do let us know in the comments.