"The very moment I entered my room, surrounded by the forest, I was mesmerized by the sea of trees. Throughout my stay, it felt like I was living with them, their quietness, their movement, their softness and their strength. The room is designed in such a way that anywhere you are, from the living area to the bedroom and bathroom, the only one piece of art and extensive window to the world you are looking at are those trees and entire ecosystem of birds and light living along with them. You are in Vana, which in Sanskrit means “Forest” and which, day after day, feels like all but an empty word. Vana is a place where all the dots connect, the land, the people, the offering, the healing. The ethos of truth and sustainability, refinement and excellence live throughout every single touchpoint of the retreat. The treatments, the level of care and expertise encountered in every single practitioner (whether they are doctors (all excellent pulse readers!), therapists, instructors) are unparalleled. The food (and drinks!) are one major highlight of your stay at Kare. Rarely you meet such level of understanding of what “food as medicine” is all about. Locally sourced, organic, vibrant, generous, fresh (all is made à la minute, throughout the day), perfectly executed and essentially based on the principles of Ayurveda, the art and science behind the food offerings at Vana, meeting anyone exactly where they are, from their medical conditions to their country of origin are definitively rewriting the present and future of hospitality. The way the Chefs and even the staff at the dining areas refer to their food and whole philosophy of it, with such simplicity, passion and expertise explain why the food at Vana carries such healing energy. Whatever live in the room activates your senses in a very subtle and thoughtful way. Immediately you feel at home. Scents are all natural and delicate, any decorative touches support the art of nature offered through your windows, bathroom amenities are all made in house, entirely organic and tailored to your body constitution, snacks and drinks are homemade, fresh, delicious and entirely healthy (stored in glass jars!), not to mention the uniform every one is invited to wear here, freshly laundered every day. I had no idea how much this could free up the mind! I explored various healing modalities from Ayurveda, acupuncture, reflexology, Tibetan medicine and all felt aligned to what by body needed most at that time. I felt especially touched by the beauty and power of Tibetan medicine. Vana has been blessed by the Dalai Lama in person in 2016 and there still holds his presence and wisdom. My retreat was overseen by Doctor Sopa who is a Tibetan doctor. All my interactions with him felt extremely deep and revelatory. In very few and simple words, he shared aspects of health and self liberation I will probably carry and treasure all my life. I also got to explore Rishikesh and the healing power of the Ganga, pick fresh Rudrash seeds from the holy trees all around, go for a hike up the foothills of the Himalayas, immerse in the soothing effects of Raag therapy and sacred music, leave my phone away (no phone is allowed in most public places of the retreat, which is a medicine in itself). Mainly I am deeply grateful and in awe of all the staff members of Vana. Each in their own way are participating in the healing power of this place. Their professionalism and care, their understanding and resilience, their authenticity and awareness profoundly touched me. From the person welcoming you to the one handling the laundry and in room cleaning (somehow finding out exactly what you need without you even telling them!), to the therapists (the liveliness and wisdom of my two young female therapists made me feel anew each time), every single encounters at Vana feels part of your healing journey. Even the shop, discreet and serene, curates the most thoughtful and locally sourced gifts and treasures for you to take home. It takes a lot to come that that level of care and hospitality. I am grateful to the founder of Vana as well as the current management of Vana for carrying through this mission with such vision and humanity. Vana is a living soul and a profoundly healing one."

"The Ayurvedic doctor wrapped his fingers softly around my wrist, as if he were holding something fragile, something sacred. His eyes closed, and the world seemed to pause with him. In the small, dimly lit room, silence settled like a living presence. Only the quiet hiss of a single candle could be heard, its flame trembling gently, releasing the faint scent of flowers into the warm air. He said nothing at first. He simply felt the pulse. To the rhythm beneath the surface. Then, after a few minutes that felt suspended outside of time, he smiled and spoke. “Your body is tired, your hands are numb, there is pain in your neck, your mind restlessness.” he said calmly. “And your recovery index is borderline. “ Inside of me, something began to tremble and stir — a subtle rattling, like loose pieces finally acknowledging their own noise. I realized how long I had been carrying this invisible turbulence, how skillfully I had learned to move alongside it, to function within it, to call it normal. That moment became a threshold. What followed was deliberate. A quiet unfolding. Herbal remedies prepared with ancient patience. The gentle precision of acupuncture. The grounding rituals of Ayurveda, Yoga Nidra, Asanas and Pranayama. Reflexology that spoke through the soles of my feet to places I could not name. And alongside it all, a carefully written list of do’s and don’ts as invitations. Invitations to listen and to slow down. I had arrived at a sanctuary unlike any I had known — Six Senses Vana, nestled at the foot of the majestic Himalayas. A place where the air itself seemed to breathe differently. Where healing is process of remembering. And somewhere between pulse and silence, between ritual and surrender, the journey inward had begun. Vana has enveloped me in the embrace of nature, wellness, and understated luxury cocooned within inner courtyards, shaded canopies, leaf-covered seating areas, and lush vegetation of every kind. And my beautiful room, a safe place with the most extraordinary housekeeping team! Acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and Raag therapy — along with personalized nutritional consultations during the week provided truly holistic healing, restoring balance and well-being. Despite my fascinating schedule of treatments, I still found time to wander across the stunning property, discovering a small bamboo forest for afternoon prayers and sipping tea beside a shallow water pond. The birdsong is rich and varied, echoing from somewhere hidden within the greenery. I realized that it has always been in nature where I have found my deepest calling and my most powerful feelings of love, purpose, and fulfillment. Here in the Himalayas, embraced by the wisdom of Six Senses Vana, everything comes alive — the questions of the soul, spirituality, illumination, magic, and ultimate healing. One just has to let go and let happen. I left as a new person - painless and with a happy heart. Six Senses Vana saved my life."

"Vana is a beautifully appointed faculty. The staff are friendly and happy to help out where they can with the least distraction. The facilities are well maintained… yoga/ fitness/ all kinds of wellness therapies, swimming, steam and sauna. The food is organic, and prepared with wellness in mind. There’s a large variety of amazing food. It’s the height of wellness luxury. The rooms are all large and beautifully done with plenty light and sound proofed."

"Vana is a gorgeous place and every detail is attended to. The setting, the rooms, the staff— all stunning. The food was also exceptional, and the dining staff memorized all of my preferences. The only reason I gave it four and not five stars is because Vana felt so perfect that it became a little stiff. It lacks a certain heartfelt quality. It’s so professional that it misses a human connection. And the whole time it’s trying to illicit a spiritual experience, they miss a sense of human realness. I came for a respite between long legs of travel and had high hopes for Vana. It delivered in many ways, but I couldn’t settle into to many of the activities that felt repetitive and lacking warmth. The thing I loved most and did daily were the afternoon sessions with Indian flute player and his Raag Therapy. That was such a beautiful and powerful way to encourage deep relaxation. The body work was also quite good. Priya was amazing as was Azuza. I had a completely lackluster foot massage that was an extra charge but all other bodywork was extremely worthwhile. The doctors were good and informative; however, I would not have wanted to do any version of PK for such a short stay. I think if that’s the goal, it’s best to really dive in for a longer stay. And maybe, if your goal is to feel the comforts of a more down-to-earth environment, Vana may not be your place."

"Excellent calming facility with great natural food and wonderful chief. Has an Ayurvedic doctor that helped assess physical alignments and coupled with right food choices, meditation, Ayurvedic massages and acupuncture gave an incredible holistic approach. Even though I am a physician, I found the hole experience restorative. In addition, white kurtas are available everyday for use. I had no idea how freeing it was not to think about what clothes to wear. Highly recommend this facility !!"