Ananda in the Himalayas
Uttarakhand, India
Immersive, holistic wellness and ayurveda retreat in the Himalayan foothills
Set around an original maharaja’s palace in Uttarakhand with majestic views and peaceful gardens, this renowned hilltop holistic retreat offers a range of brilliant wellness programmes for health and wellbeing that draw on ayurveda, yoga, meditation, traditional Chinese medicine and vedanta (the art of living). You are treated like royalty by warm, highly experienced staff, and there is a vast spa and menu of nurturing treatments.
our Reviewer Rosie Walford says:
‘The ripples of heat on the most sensitive seat of my spinal cord restored me to absolute peace in both body and mind’
our Reviewer Lulu Townsend says:
‘Ananda is a place to integrate and absorb all the ancient wisdom that India has to offer, rather than simply a place to lose weight or get better’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘The twice-daily, complimentary talks from a vedanta master on how to live well will benefit even the most world-weary person. Floating around in the complimentary crisp white pyjamas feels both filmic and comfortable. Before your treatments, your therapists sing a lengthy prayer for you, full voice, whilst they wash your feet, and there’s classical instrumental music at dinner’
Experiences
Year-round and beautifully tailored private wellbeing programmes led by ayurvedic experts are dedicated to stress, pain and sleep management, emotional healing and hormonal health, meditation, cleansing through ayurveda, detoxing through yoga and weight management.
There’s a vast menu of treatments to choose from, from deep ayurvedic massages, meditation, reflexology, aromatherapy, rituals, body wraps and facials to traditional Chinese medicine, physiotherapy, sports massage and oodles of holistic therapies.
Rest by the large swimming pool, use the lovely spa facilities, keep up your fitness routine in the gym, and attend cooking classes and brilliant daily talks.
Digitally detox and spend time out in nature. There are spacious grounds to wander, early morning walks, treks in the Himalayas or you can raft on the Ganges if you are feeling adventurous.
Cultural experiences include guided walks through local villages of Uttarakhand and visits to Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga, famous for its temples and the restored Chaurasi Kutia ashram, where the Beatles practised Transcendental Meditation. At sunset, immerse in the sounds of prayers and offerings to the holy River Ganges at the 'Ganga Aarti'.
Spaces
The fragrant, serene and well-managed 24,000 sq ft spa is the heart of Ananda, with 24 harmonious treatment rooms, a luxurious sauna and steam room, a reflexology pool and spacious relaxation areas.
There’s a state-of-the-art physiotherapy section, and a spacious, fully equipped gym.
The outdoor pavilions make lovely and unusual relaxation and meditation areas in lush natural surroundings and landscaped gardens.
For quiet time, seek out the cosy library or the warm and romantic Tea Lounge in the palace, which is adorned with portraits of the Maharaja and the other dignitaries who have stayed here.
The 78 en-suite rooms, suites and newly renovated villas offer quietly opulent décor, armchairs, dressing rooms and excellent bedding, and many have glass-walled bathrooms and bathtubs. The hot water bottle popped into your bed at night is a welcome daily treat.
Five suites have a lounge area, powder room and secluded private gardens, while further up the hill there are three spacious private villas with large, private plunge pools.
Sustenance
Menus are specially tailored to your ayurvedic dosha (body type) and there are weekly ayurvedic cooking demonstrations. The chefs achieve wonderful flavour, textures and balance for all menus, which focus on weight loss, cleansing, raw, oriental, Indian and European dishes.
The emphasis is on fresh natural foods, low in fat and calories, that use whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins like chicken and fish, low-fat dairy products and no artificial salts, colours, flavours or preservatives.
Breakfast might include homemade Bircher muesli, kombuchas, smoothies, yoghurt pots, gluten-free breads and muffins, fresh fruits and freshly made juices such as papaya, pomegranate, pineapple and combinations such as kidney detox or liver cleanse to boost your system and set you up for the day.
Lunch starts with a selection of colourful and nutritious salads, with the focus on cooked vegetables, before your specific menu is served, which includes lentil pancakes, congees, dosas and kichri. Supper is usually three courses of warming and grounding food including soups and light fish dishes.
There’s a signature ginger-honey-lemon tea delivered to your room every morning, infusions tailored to your dosa served after supper, and plenty of other health elixirs available, including The Immunity Elixir, a turmeric and ginger-based drink that aids liver detox.
