On the outskirts of Dehradun, gateway to the lush hills and valleys of India’s Uttarakhand province in the foothills of the Himalaya, Vana is a holistic wellness retreat that has been quietly welcoming travellers in search of physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing since early 2014. This autumn, Vana joins the Six Senses family to become the brand’s second resort in India, following the opening of Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan year. With a mission to integrate traditional practices like Ayurveda, yoga and Tibetan medicine into the daily routines of guests in an environment designed to exist in harmony with the natural world, Vana offers a holistic approach to wellness that has plenty of synergies with Six Senses’ own approach. “Vana comes to us with a strong philosophy and loyal Vanavasi clientele manifested by founder Veer Singh,” says Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses. “The seed was sown in Veer’s mind through his deep interest in and respect for sustainable farming, traditional wisdom, and nature, which we will continue to nurture under the Six Senses brand. This marriage made in the Himalayas allows us to build on what exists with some of our signature experiences.”
Six Senses will augment Vana’s existing organic kitchens and herb garden and incorporate its healthy and mindful Eat With Six Senses menus into the hotel’s offerings, and introduce other Six Senses staples like the Alchemy Bar, where guests can make their own spa products using local natural ingredients, and its Sleep With Six Senses programme. Himalayan Wellness retreat Vana to join Six Senses Vana was built to high sustainability standards with LEED Platinumcertified buildings and advanced energy, water and waste management technology already in place. The Six Senses Earth Lab will allow guests to further explore issues around sustainability and conservation through workshops and wildlife and community-focused activities.