Itmenaan Lodges
near Almora, Uttarakhand
A 100-year-old Kumaoni village house, restored and refitted to snug standards, this property is certainly worth the effort to get there. Throw in vistas of terraced rice paddies – best viewed to the soundtrack of birdsong – and you’ll know why Itmenann (‘calm’ and ‘peace’ in Urdu) is perfectly named.
The property includes 2 cottages: a lavishly refurbished, traditional Kumaoni stone cottage and, a short walk down hill, a newly built, private cottage.
The main cottage has a quaint lounge-cum-library at ground level that doubles up as a dining room; quite fitting – in its original avatar it must have been either a storeroom or a stable. Outside, the courtyard overlooks the valley and has terraced fields right below where the management is in the process of planting an orchard. Talk about sweetening the view!
Itmenaan is perfect for enjoying being in a real jungle and forgetting the concrete ones we’re more accustomed to. There are a range of treks in the area and if you’re both reasonably fit and enthusiastic, we recommend you take one.
The temples of Jaageshwar and Golu Devta are a short drive away and the distractions of Almora a bit further down. But we strongly recommend you spend a lot of time just here, and discover how much better chirping birds sound to honking horns.
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Unlike other websites, we stay at every property we review. So ask us anything! Our expert staff will help you find the perfect room.
Plus points
- Modern comfort meets traditional culture.
- Local, friendly staff.
- The food is gobsmackingly gourmet.
- In-house naturalist, birdwatching and photography walks included!
- 10% of profits used for development of the local community.
Good to know…
- Park in Chalnichhina village and walk 1.7km on to the lodge – make sure you’re up to it!
- The outside of the property is romantically lit at night, which means it can be a bit dim. Do ask for more lanterns – yes, that’s what they use!
- Strictly for those who want to relax in nature and probably do some long walks – so not an ideal place for the very young or old.
- You’re living in nature, so know that the birds come with the bees.