My trip to Six Senses Vana didn’t begin amidst its tranquil surroundings but within the vibrant pulse of India's Golden Triangle. Before settling into the retreat, I took a 3-night cultural tour through Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Each city presented a rich tapestry of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Seeing the majestic beauty of the Taj Mahal was a personal highlight and truly stood out for me. This tour perfectly set the stage for the serenity that followed and is highly recommended if time allows.

Six Senses Vana Arrival and First Impressions

A welcoming team member met me at Dehradun airport. After a short drive, we arrived, and I was greeted with a calm and warm reception, complete with a traditional blessing ceremony, where my forehead was marked with a crimson dot, I was gifted a bracelet, and served warm tea, a gentle introduction to what lay ahead.

Exploring Six Senses Vana, I was struck by how the design brought the outside in, with natural artwork, big windows, and calm colours set against the forest backdrop from which Vana gets its name. It was an instant dose of peace.

Seasonal Rhythms and Personal Wellness

Soon I was dressed in the soft kurta pajamas and my retreat program began with a consultation with Dr. Tenzin Sopa, a Sowa Rigpa specialist, wellness consultant, and practitioner at Vana since the significant year of 2016, marked by the Dalai Lama's visit. Dr. Sopa crafted a personalised wellness plan for me, blending Ayurvedic and Tibetan therapies to address my health concerns comprehensively. From Ku Nye massage and Watsu sessions to acupuncture, personal training, and natural alignment sessions, each treatment was carefully chosen to balance my dosha and alleviate my back pain.

For guests planning extended stays, the retreat offers programs with specific intentions, such as weight management, stress reduction, improved sleep, and assistance in breaking unhealthy habits. One of the highlights is the 21-night Ayurveda Panchakarma program, a detailed five-step process designed to restore balance and rejuvenate energy.

Culinary Delights and Mindful Eating

At Six Senses Vana, dining celebrates the blend of traditional Indian tastes with a fresh twist, all rooted in the SLOW food philosophy—seasonal, local, organic, and wholesome. Each meal showcasing the vibrant flavours of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

Guests can choose between two dining venues, Anaya and Salana. Anaya focuses on meals that align with your wellness needs and Ayurvedic doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, offering personalised culinary experiences. Salana, meanwhile, offers a modern approach to Indian cuisine along with international dishes, in a setting that encourages communal dining, an opportunity to connect with other wellness travellers at the end of the day.

Meals are prepared with minimal oil and salt, free from refined and processed ingredients, ensuring you enjoy natural tastes that are as satisfying as they are healthy. Whether you're looking for vegetarian, vegan, or responsibly-sourced fish and meat options, you're covered. And for those moments of indulgence, healthier dessert options prove that nutritious can also be delicious.

Sustainable Harmony

The retreat’s dedication to sustainability shines through its LEED Platinum certification — the first in India, symbolising the highest environmental standards. From interiors promoting natural ventilation to the organic aesthetic of its exteriors, and from optimised LED lighting to comprehensive recycling programs, Six Senses Vana exemplifies eco-conscious living in-house and they also support multiple community, conservation and wildlife projects. Notably, their own bottling plant eliminates the need for single-use plastic bottles, which allows the retreat to reduce the use of an incredible 100,000 plastic bottles a year. Daily classes offer practical insights into sustainable practices, empowering guests to extend their eco-friendly habits beyond their stay.

Group Activities & Wellness Facilities

Each day there is a variety of group activities on offer, more active options in the morning including hikes, two classes of yoga for different levels of experience and a fitness session through to more creative sessions around lunch from pottery and cooking classes that lead into more relaxing activities in the afternoon aimed at helping you ease into the quiet evening such as lectures and films.

Six Senses Vana offers a comprehensive wellness experience with four dedicated centers for Wellness, Ayurveda, Tibetan practices, and Natural therapies. Guests can explore holistic health through three yoga studios and an outdoor pavilion, enjoy relaxation and fitness with both indoor and outdoor heated pools, a hot tub, and a Watsu pool, and rejuvenate with a steam room and ice fountain. For the active, there's a well-equipped gymnasium, tennis and padel courts, badminton facilities, and a serene meditation cave for quiet reflection.

In Conclusion: The Gentle Embrace of Six Senses Vana

Six Senses Vana is a sanctuary. Through its nurturing environment, personalised wellness programs, and deep commitment to sustainability, the retreat offers a holistic journey of self-discovery and reconnection. It’s a place where the serene detachment encouraged by a phone-free policy and the gentle pace of life make resting, reflecting, and being not only effortless but deeply fulfilling.

For those in search of a tranquil haven that marries the richness of traditional healing practices with the serenity of modern luxury, Six Senses Vana offers an enlightening, enriching escape. It invites not just wellness enthusiasts but anyone looking for peace, a moment to breathe, and a closer harmony with themselves and the natural world.