Tree of Life Grand Oak Manor Binsar

Quiet, remote, peaceful, old style Manor House with remnants of British artefacts and service. Very helpful and attentive staff. You can expect a good breakfast of eggs, bread and maybe paranthas. They can make some local kumaoni dishes too. Do try their chilli eggs for snacks.

Great hospitality! Amazing staff that hosted us. Food was really nice, we had amazing dining experience

The old house serves as a constant amongst the ever-changing hills, providing a perennial home amid such transformation. Our journey from Delhi to Kathgodam via the Shatabdi train was a delight. The subsequent journey from Kathgodam railway station to the Grand Oak Manor was nothing short of thrilling. Despite encountering a forest fire and a thunderstorm on the day of our arrival, which resulted in prolonged driving for five hours, our family pressed on, aided by a forest ranger and with reassurances from Mr. Rajan. On reaching our destination, we were greeted by Kailash who took us in the I Suzu for bumpy ride of 600 meters toward the Manor. We found ourselves instantly charmed by the warm welcome and generous hospitality. After receiving a warm reception, which included drinks, we were shown to our rooms. We opted for the Mountain View room, which offered a breathtaking depiction of the Nanda Devi mountain range. The Grand Oak Manor is an unforgettable destination lying within the Binsar Forest Reserve in Uttarakhand. This historical colonial residence, once the home of Sir Henry Ramsay, Commissioner of Kumaon, has been restored to embrace its original grandeur. During our three-night stay, we utilized two rooms. In total, there are four rooms on the first floor, strategically situated near the inviting restaurant and sunset lounge. Additionally, there are another seven or eight rooms on the ground floor. Interestingly, the manor operates on solar power. Consequently, hot water supply is only available from 7pm to 11am. Despite this limitation, we understood and respected the constraints associated with this remote location. Even meal requests need to be placed at least two to three hours in advance, to ensure the food is prepared fresh as per our preferences. The cuisine was simple, homely and gastronomically delightful. The daily high tea ritual was always a treat, complete with a homemade cake and delicious plum jam. Our early morning bird-watching sessions, led by an experienced and humble naturalist, Mr. Ram Singh, were informative and entertaining. We were fortunate to spot a plethora of birds and even heard a leopard's call. On the subsequent day, we embarked on an adventurous 6.5 km trek to Zero Point saw yellow-throated marten , barking deer birds, adhering to the adage, no pain, no gain. Every evening, we were provided with a hot bag and hot water in a flask. We were particularly impressed with the well-trained staff, specifically Pankaj, Ganesh, and Kailash who went above and beyond to accommodate my family. Without a doubt, we are looking forward to our next visit.

Overall excellent stay. The hospitality was really good. The property is beautiful and very tastefully done - retaining the vintage charm. The stay offers an excellent sunset and sunrise view. The last 600 m of the road is pretty bad and the hotel provides free pick up and drop in their 4x4 vehicle. The last 3 kms in the national park is slightly bad too and would need a car with good clearance - however the property is in constant touch and provides guidance and support as needed. Overall a great stay and would love to go again.

Located in the middle of nowhere this place is a hidden gem. The location, views, sunrise and sunset views, hiking trails everything is breathtaking! The staff is super courteous and efficient. We felt so well looked after. Highly recommend this place, must visit.

Going on a vacation everyone plans their trip carefully. With this property you will have to be extra Perks of the property 1. The location of the property is good. From the property grounds you can view mountains in a panoramic 270 deg. At times when there are no clouds you can even see the snow peaks. 2. The property is inside the sanctuary so it’s serene and pleasant. It’s difficult to get from the main road as Google doesn’t show the right way on maps but you can call the staff and they will guide you. Remember you have to take the entry gate of the sanctuary so don’t miss it when Google tells you to go forward. Pitfalls 1. Food is the biggest disappointment. 2. Rats at the property and there are these big garden lizards in the garden. These reptiles are stunning to look at but beware if you sit by the stone fence or stone chairs they may just creep out of the cracks in between the blocks. 3. The property is not well maintained as it could be with just some investment. Other points to ponder 1. Carry your own water. 2. Take some games else you may get bored. 3. There is a trek to point zero but go there after checking the weather conditions. Snow peaks will only be visible when the sky is clear. 4. A 2 night trip is enough for Binsar.