In this modern ashram, recently managed under the Six Senses brand, health is made tangible. Holistic programmes, pristine, fantastic nature, and a modern, ecologically oriented retreat help manifest your magic and energy. "The foundation of our existence is reverence for nature. Nature is invincible. It is not outside of us; we are part of it."
The Six Senses Vana (Vana means forest) is nestled in a dense Sal forest spanning 21 hectares near Dehradun, with the foothills of the Himalayas in Mussoorie to the north, offering a sanctuary where you can be yourself and connect freely with yourself and nature.
The luxury retreat, recently rebranded as Six Senses, stands for holistic therapies aimed at physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance, as well as sustainable transformation. The strong philosophy and loyal clientele of the establishment, which has been operated under the name Vana since 2014, were shaped by founder Veer Singh through his deep interest in and respect for sustainable agriculture, traditional wisdom, and nature. The unique concept – which continues to be conscientiously maintained under the Six Senses brand – offers guests (affectionately called "Vanavasis") the opportunity to draw the best from a variety of naturopathic and traditional healing methods to meet their individual needs. Achievable goals are set and measurable results are achieved, with holistic treatments and regenerative prevention making wellness tangible.
The therapeutic aspect of the stay is framed by the luxurious and meticulously designed ambience and the proximity to nature. With an innovative energy concept down to the smallest detail, an ideal space for your well-being has been created.
Food has always been considered a gift to the Divine in India, and here too, the Vana chefs regard their dishes as a gift to their Vanavasis. 2 restaurants ensure your well-being with delicate, beautifully presented "Eat With Six Senses" cuisine: natural ingredients, local and sustainable, and less is more. Indian culinary art is combined with Ayurvedic principles by masters of their craft; buffet at lunch, à la carte in the evening. The dishes are prepared from local, fresh, and organic ingredients, some from their own cultivation. The menus include nutritional information, allowing you to make your personal choice in the spirit of enjoying food. No rules are made unless they are essential for a specific goal of the retreat. Also available are allergy-friendly, vegetarian, and vegan options, as well as meat, fish, and poultry from careful sources.
"Reset your intentions and manifest the magic."
Every stay at Six Senses Vana includes accommodation with full board, personalised nutrition, a wellness screening and consultation, a daily retreat programme (sleep, detox, yoga, weight management, Ayurveda or Ayurveda Panchakarma) with private treatments, access to group activities (see PDF below for a sample weekly schedule) and clothing (including accessories). Based on your arrival consultation and wellness screening, the doctors will plan additional treatments during your stay from leading practitioners in Ayurveda, yoga, Tibetan medicine, and naturopathy. Over 50 treatment and examination rooms are spread across the modern Ayurveda Center, a Wellness Center, a Spa, Tibetan Healing Center, and Watsu Pool. Treatments and therapies using proprietary products are conducted by a dedicated team of professional and experienced specialists and therapists from various disciplines. On the doctors' instructions and based on the principles of Ayurveda, Sowa Rigpa, and naturopathy, the in-house pharmacy produces decoctions, infusions, herbal blends, and topical applications that are indigenous and consciously applied.
Traditional Tibetan medicine is a healing system rooted in Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and Buddhism. It is based on the five elements: earth, water, fire, wood, and metal. The focus is on the harmonious balance of the elements. If they are in a state of deficiency, excess, or disturbance, they interfere with each other, leading to the onset of diseases. When the elements work in harmony, the person is healthy.
Diagnosis includes detailed conversations with the patient, as well as pulse and tongue diagnosis. Tibetan medicine consists of various components that aim to restore the person to a healthy balance. These include nutrition, herbal medicine, and external treatments such as massages. A correct mindset is crucial, as healing is impossible with hatred, envy, or greed in the heart.
At Six Senses Vana, sustainability is a way of life. This is reflected in many areas, such as:
Heated indoor and outdoor pools, 4 yoga studios and pavilions, a fitness room equipped with the latest equipment support individual pursuits of well-being. Walking path through the 8 ha estate. Lobby/lounge with library and bar area for teas and fresh juices.
66 contemporary aesthetic rooms, meticulously designed with wood and attention to detail, serve as personal sanctuaries true to the Vana philosophy, blending warmth with exceptional comfort and luxury in harmony with nature. Guests receive a fresh set of loose-fitting kurtas (Indian garments) made from organic cotton daily, along with a selection of beautiful, colourful silk scarves. The light-filled rooms, featuring terraces or balconies, offer comfortable amenities and views of the gardens or the salt forest.