If you’re searching for destinations for wellness and healing, India will be one of the first to crop up as it is rightly well known for its range of highly sought after options. Wellness retreats are the new big thing being the type of vacations that not just those in older age groups are opting for but also teens and adults are increasingly heading to. The global pandemic has been stressful for everyone and while it may seem clichéd to say, wellness getaways are a great way to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul as you physically and emotionally unwind and learn more about yourself.
In this piece we bring you some of the best wellness retreats in India, from a rustic yoga retreat to a luxurious private island, from spa & beauty treatments to detox and weight loss programme, from Ayurveda therapies to stress management programme, preventive health care, stress management, fitness packages, and detox therapies, the range of spa and wellness retreats is vast.
With an ancient history of traditional healing treatments through Ayurveda, yoga, and naturopathy, India is one of the most popular global destinations for wellness and medical tourists seeking a holistic break at an affordable rate. From the beaches of Goa and the coastal stretches of Kerala and many more. The vibrant India is home to a number of different types of wellness retreats, spas, resorts and holistic healing treatments centres. We’re here to help you discover some of the most famous wellness destinations in India and the services offered by them.
A township spread across Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu, Auroville is a community that was conceptualised by a French visionary Mirra Alfassa known to her followers as The Mother to her followers. Based on The Mother and Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy, Auroville believes in the service of truth, beyond religious conviction and is just the place to live the life you’ve always wanted, even if for a few days. Here your conviction to follow your passion holds more value than societal or monetary standing.
With a number of resorts and homestay options that offer wellness packages, you can choose to check into a yoga retreat or opt for day sessions of art, music, and dance therapy. Auroville has a wide range of holistic offerings for all types of wellness travellers.
Visitors have the option to work with the community during their stay at Auroville and some enterprises welcome guests to become one with nature through helping in the gardens, while other options allow them to participate in other projects involving renewable energy, education, and animal care.
Situated 10 km north of Pondicherry and around 150 km south of Chennai, the township is easily accessible. The nearest railway station is the Puducherry station situated 15 kms from Auroville, which can be easily accessed by auto or taxi. Auroville is a 3 hr drive from Chennai on the scenic East Coast road and about 6 hrs from Bangalore. Visitors may choose to book a taxi using Auroville Taxi Service and the township also has a shared transport service which offers online booking.
Created as a holistic hotel and spa that synergizes Indian traditions, with luxury and great service to offer a health and wellness escape from the daily grind. Set close to Rishikesh, surrounded by forest and tucked away in the Himalayan foothills overlooking the River Ganga, the peace and quiet found at Ananda is positively refreshing. The grounds of the spa facilities at Ananda span a massive 24,000 square kilometres, which includes 24 treatment rooms, a gym with the latest equipment, an outdoor temperature-controlled swimming pool and several hydrotherapy facilities. The spa treatments at the Ananda range from ancient Ayurveda to more modern therapeutic massages. The massages offered here include traditional and modern techniques such as Abhyanga, Sirodhara, Aromatherapy and Deep Tissue. Ananda also offer some more intense and longer term wellness packages such as two to three week weight management programmes, their signature detox programme and others such as their stress management programmes.
The Spa at Ananda offers dozens of types of spa therapies, including a range of Ayurvedic treatments. Their inhouse team of field experts including well respected doctors, nutritionists, yoga instructors, and therapists help customise tailor-made treatment options to address the wellness needs of their guests.
Ananda in the Himalayas is situated on the hill that overlooks the ancient spiritual city of Rishikesh and is easily accesible by road and flight. The closest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun which is a 40 min picturesque drive from Ananda in the Himalayas. The closest train station is Haridwar which is a 90 minute drive to Ananda in the Himalayas. Helicopter transfers from Delhi and other specific locations to Ananda can also be arranged. The journey from Delhi to Ananda’s private helipad which is 5 minutes away takes approximately 2 hours. The drive to Ananda from Delhi takes approximately 4-5 hours depending on traffic conditions.
Situated at the edge of Lake Pichola, in Udaipur the lavishly opulent Leela Palace sits overlooking the Aravalli Hills, the City Palace and the beautiful Lake Palace. The hotel is not just a favourite spa retreat but is also one of the top hotels in India. Every corner of the hotel from the rooms and suites, the spa and Sheesh Mahal, to the open-air fine dining restaurant, enjoying spectacular views of the mountains, or the shimmering Lake Palace or the stunning Maharaja's Palace.
The palace-like design was built to exemplify classic Rajasthani palace architecture and evoking the grandeur of Udaipur’s rich and royal heritage and the furnishing reflect that.
The luxurious award winning ESPA spa is conveniently close to the centre of the hotel and is set beside the pristine lake facing swimming pool, complete with beautiful Art Deco detailing. Guests must visit the individually set up luxurious tented treatment pavilions, arranged around a plunge pool to treat themself to a unique spa experience. Visitors have the choice of Ayurvedic therapies, international treatments by ESPA, a steam room and a sauna. The numerous ‘Spa & Spiritual Journeys’ packages are a must for wellness enthusiasts as these include specially created wellness programmes with sessions of yoga and meditation, interspersed with options such as healthy spa cuisine, visits to spiritual abodes, and traditional temple rituals at the 150-year-old Hindu shrine, all of which are aimed to balance, nurture and rejuvenate both the mind and body.
The Leela Palace Udaipur is conveniently located 4 kilometres from the city centre, and just 26 kilometres or a 45-minute drive from the airport and some 15 mins away from Udaipur City Railway Station.
Situated away from the crowds on the outskirts of Bengaluru city, Jindal Naturecure Institute is a vast institute spread across 100 acres of land. It is a naturopathy treatment centre whose aim it is to help it’s guests prevent and manage chronic diseases through a holistic approach which includes detoxification of the body and lifestyle modifications. While Jindal Naturecure Institute has more austere vibes than most others on this list, it is focused on tackling health issues like cholesterol, obesity, skin problems, arthritis, and addictions.
They usually suggest three-week treatments to see the best results, however the institute also offers shorter programmes.The facility is staffed by 12 trained alternate therapists and practitioners who create a personalised diet and treatment schedule based on every individual visitor’s requirements. The treatments are non-invasive and drug-free, with a focus on combining natural medicines with yoga, diet therapy, physiotherapy, and acupuncture.
17 km from the city centre the Jindal Naturecure Institute is an hour's drive from the closest airport and about half an hour away from the nearest railway station.
This tranquil wellness retreat offering spectacular views of the Arabian Seais is set near Chowara Beach, and along with it’s three adjacent properties the complex may be better described as the Somatheeram Ayurveda village.
Set across 15 acres right on the Beach the resort has a range of ayurvedic treatments for ailments and boasts of an Ayurveda hospital and training centre. The lush green environs with a backdrop of sound of waves here foster a soothing and almost therapeutic ambience that calms the mind. The calming fragrance of medicinal herbs emanating from the Ayurveda centre only adds to the feeling of wellbeing.
This wellness retreat offer a range of treatment but specialises in Ayurveda and Panchakarma treatments, supplemented by yoga, meditation, diet, and Ayurvedic medication. The resort sources herbs locally to manufacture its range of herbal supplements and to this end they have their own Ayurvedic Medicine manufacturing unit, along with a team of 42 Ayurvedic Doctors and 200 therapists, who are engaged in providing traditional Ayurvedic treatment to visitors.
Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort is located about 27 kilometres away from the major city of Thiruvananthapuram and the closest airport Thiruvananthapuram International Airport lies some 21 kilometres away.
Vana, which means 'forest', is an luxury wellness getaway, focused on offering physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing practices. Designed with the intention of remaining in harmony with nature this sophisticated retreat spread over 21 acres with 66 rooms, 16 suites and 4 villas is set by a lush green forested area. Vana Retreat has attempted to create a holistic atmosphere and treatment centre where on is in sync with nature and supports it with using sustainable eco-friendly systems for water harvesting and waste management. The retreat specialises in offering treatments that include Ayurveda, Sowa Rigpa (Tibetan traditional medicine), and daily yoga sessions.
Sowa-Rigpa is Tibet’s centuries-old traditional system of medicine and Vana is one of the few places in the world where this system is implemented in its complete avatar.
Boasting a signature Holistic Yoga Therapy, which combines traditional Yoga therapy with modern lifestyle assessment, Ashiyana, located along Goa’s Mandrem beach is a popular choice for those looking to study yoga and kickstart a more healthy lifestyle. This yoga resort allows visitors to enjoy some sun and sand as they opt for the various treatments on offer.
Alongside tailor-made yoga sessions, Ayurvedic treatments and massages, Ashiyana also hosts a variety of creative activities and workshops, including AcroYoga, inversions, Yoga Nidra, karma yoga, painting, essential oils, and creative writing.
Talk to our travel advisors at (+968) 24400822 or contact@zaharaholidays.com to find the best options for your needs.