Indian Himalayas walking vacation

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION:
We’re committed to responsible travel, which is why we’ve developed a pioneering carbon scoring system—the first of its kind. This innovative tool calculates the environmental impact of every bespoke trip we design. By partnering closely with our suppliers through a thorough carbon-scoring survey, we gain clear insight into what’s working well and where there’s room to improve.

Walking has little impact on the environment.

Itmenaan Estate grows their own food products or sources them locally to reduce the food miles.
In Thikalnam the traditional village house you stay in is sustainable through it’s lack of electricity – after dark, the property runs completely on the use of lanterns.

ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE:
Itmenaan Estate educates village communities in order to tackle land degradation and the associated problems that arise from this issue. They also plant native trees on both the estate land and common land. Here, you can partake in sustainable small-scale farming and gardening activities, or hike to the other side of the estate and identify bird and animal species along the way. They have also eliminated chemicals from the Estate’s orchards and gardens, and only use natural products in the farming process.
In the ancient town of Almora, you can explore the bazaar and buy local goods, as well as viewing the unique Chitai temple and the brass bells that devotees leave in offering to Golu Devta. You will walk through a forest of oak and rhododendron on your way to your stay in a traditional village house in Thikalna. The house is sustainable through it’s lack of electricity – after dark, the property runs completely on the use of lanterns.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY:
Through the Itmenaan Estate, you can walk to the local market of Chalnichhina, where you can directly support individual artisans. The furniture at Itmenaan Estate is also made by local artisans. At the closing of each fiscal year, Itmenaan allocates 10% of profits to good causes within the local community, with an emphasis on health and education. By choosing to stay here, guests play a direct role in sustaining traditional crafts and strengthening the local economy. This approach ensures that tourism benefits are shared widely, helping communities thrive while preserving their cultural heritage.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY & DIVERSITY:
The Itmenaan Estate offers employment to local people in this Kumaon region of the Himalayas. It employs workers from nearby villages such as Naugaon, for hospitality, agricultural, and horticultural roles. There is an emphasis on developing long term employable skills. Training programmes and mentorship opportunities are provided to help staff progress into leadership positions. This inclusive approach fosters a diverse workforce and encourages sustainable economic growth within the local community.