High above the spiritual town of Rishikesh, where the sacred Ganges River flows through the foothills of the Himalayas, lies Ananda in the Himalayas, a world-renowned destination spa and wellness retreat.
Set within a 100-acre palace estate once owned by the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal, Ananda is more than a luxury resort — it is a sanctuary for holistic wellbeing.
Since opening its doors in 2000, Ananda has become synonymous with soulful revival, combining India’s ancient healing traditions of Ayurveda, Yoga, and Vedanta with modern therapeutic practices and luxurious hospitality. The retreat is a benchmark in global wellness, attracting discerning guests seeking balance, transformation, and quietude in a digital age that seldom pauses.
In Short:
Ananda in the Himalayas is a holistic journey where time-honoured wellness is met with world-class medical expertise and discreet, personalised service, making it the ultimate luxury destination for restoration and renewal.
The Location
The 100-acre setting on a Maharaja’s palace estate is nothing short of cinematic. Mornings begin with the soft, golden light illuminating the low-lying clouds which envelop the surroundings. The day is soundtracked by mantra, ritual and meditative peace.
Ananda’s setting on the grounds of a 19th-century Viceregal Palace in Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand, provides sweeping views of the Ganges valley below and the snow-capped Himalayan foothills beyond. The property’s lush sal forests and landscaped gardens enhance the sense of seclusion and serenity. Mornings often unveil ethereal mist rising from the valley, while evenings bring the resonant sounds of temple bells and the distant chanting from Rishikesh, reinforcing the retreat’s spiritual ambience. The estate’s elevation — around 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) above sea level — ensures crisp mountain air, a temperate climate, and panoramic vistas that inspire reflection and renewal.
The Background
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Ananda is an immersive academy of wellbeing rather than just a spa. The programmes draw from a 5,000-year-old legacy of wisdom, combining it with the precision of modern international therapies.
Ananda was conceptualised by Ashok Khanna, the grandson of the legendary hotelier Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi: his vision was to create a destination that honoured India’s centuries old heritage of holistic wellness while incorporating global spa expertise.
Since its inception, Ananda has been repeatedly recognised by the World Spa Awards, Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, and Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards as one of the best spas and destination resorts in the world. Its multidisciplinary programmes — blending Ayurveda, Yoga, Vedanta, and contemporary wellness sciences — have set a new global standard for integrated wellbeing.
The Guests & Ambiance
Ultra-high net worth individuals, including CEOs, entrepreneurs, and royalty from around the globe, seek discreet, transformative wellness retreats here. Its celebrity guests have included Uma Thurman, Oprah Winfrey, King Charles and Queen Camilla, Nicole Kidman and Kate Winslet among others. With a minimum guest age of 14 years old, the resort maintains an environment of quiet contemplation and maturity. Many guests return annually, crediting the retreat with profound transformations in physical health, mental clarity, and emotional balance.
Tranquil and restorative, there is an indescribable air that permeates every corner of this sanctuary. The ambiance of Ananda in the Himalayas is one of deep, ancient peace that seems to halt the rush of the outside world and gently invite the soul to heal and reconnect with nature.
The Rooms
Housed within the restored Viceregal Palace and surrounding estate villas, each of the 75 rooms, suites, and three villas blend Raj-era grandeur with contemporary wellness. Interiors are refined and tranquil, featuring antique furniture, Italian marble bathrooms, and private balconies or terraces.
Ananda features 75 elegant accommodations — including Palace Rooms, Garden Suites, and three private Villas — each designed to evoke calm and understated opulence. The architecture harmonises Raj-era aesthetics with contemporary comfort: polished teak floors, hand-carved furniture, and Italian marble bathrooms contribute to the sense of refined heritage. Most rooms open onto private balconies or terraces overlooking either the palace gardens or the Ganges Valley. The villas, each with a private pool, butler service, and dedicated spa area, are secluded sanctuaries ideal for extended wellness stays or private reflection.
The Dining
At Ananda, dining is an extension of its wellness philosophy. Nutritionists curate personalised menus and guests are offered organic, locally-sourced cuisine from revitalising Ayurvedic preparations to international gourmet dishes. Specific menus designed for your dosha type – Vata, Pitta or Kapha – are accompanied by an extensive a la carte menu.
Wellness & Spa
Imagine beginning your day with a dawn hatha yoga session in an open-air pavilion with a Himalayan breeze, before a personalised abhyanga massage using warm, herb-infused oils that follow the ancient principles of Ayurveda.
The wellness experience at Ananda in the Himalayas is a world-renowned, transformative journey rooted in traditional Indian sciences. The core of the experience revolves around Ayurveda, Yoga, and Vedanta, which are integrated into highly personalised Wellness Programs spanning typically 5 to 21 nights. Upon arrival, guests receive comprehensive consultations with Ayurvedic doctors and wellness experts to create a bespoke itinerary. Programs target specific goals like Ayurvedic Rejuvenation, Detox (including Panchakarma), Stress Management, Weight Management, and Chronic Pain Management.
All wellness programmes are prescribed, reviewed, and supervised by a resident chief medical officer and a team of expert doctors in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as physiotherapy, nutrition, meditation, yoga and emotional healing. Prior to your arrival, Ananda conducts an in-depth pre-consultation, and the Ananda app offers guests a digital platform to manage their daily schedules and maintain their curated practices after departing the Himalayas.
The Staff
Returning visitors praise the ability of the Ananda team to anticipate needs, attributing the retreat’s life-changing impact to their genuine care and connection to guests. You will receive only kindness and consideration from everyone from the cleaners to the servers, therapists, teachers and doctors.
Ananda in the Himalayas, The Palace Estate, Narendra Nagar, Sakalana, Uttarakhand 249175, India
Prices for wellness programmes start from US$1170 per night (inclusive of accommodation, meals and up to two hours of wellness therapies)
Prices can range up to US$6000 per night for a two-bedroom villa with a private pool (with the same inclusions as above)
Note: While shorter stays are possible, a seven- night minimum is strongly advised for guests undertaking any wellness or Ayurvedic programme.
