Inspiration
Ananda Mental Health & Spiritual Balance
Perched high in the Himalayan foothills overlooking the sacred Ganges River valley, Ananda is a world-renowned wellness retreat rooted in India’s ancient healing traditions. This peaceful sanctuary offers space to reset, realign and rediscover a deeper sense of balance, whether you're seeking calm from a busy mind, deeper emotional resilience or a better night’s sleep.
Stillness in the Himalayan light
Ananda’s expert-led programmes combine Ayurvedic wisdom, yogic practice, traditional Chinese medicine and modern diagnostics to address your specific needs with compassion and precision.
Whether you follow the Dhyana Meditation path to inner clarity or the Sleep Enhancement programme to restore deep rest, every moment is guided by intention, healing and stillness. With panoramic views, nourishing cuisine and personalised care, this is a truly immersive experience for the mind, body and spirit.
- Ananda
Pauline Duffin
Pauline specialises in designing highly-personalised adventures, guided by her decades of travel expertise. With a focus on India, South East Asia and South America and a deep love of African safaris, she's renowned for her finely-tuned ability to create experiences that reflect your unique interests.
Your daily rhythm at Ananda
Each day at Ananda unfolds at a gentle, nourishing pace, designed to support healing from the inside out. Mornings typically begin with herbal tea and an energising yoga session on an open-air pavilion, as the mist rises over the valley below. After a light, tailored breakfast, you’ll ease into your personalised programme: this might include Ayurvedic therapies, holistic consultations, guided meditation or emotional healing sessions.
Afternoons offer space to rest, journal, or relax by the spa’s tranquil pool before continuing with curated treatments, gentle movement practices or restorative therapies. You’ll also have the chance to join expert-led workshops in areas like stress management, mindful living or traditional Indian cooking.
Evenings wind down with calming rituals, from Yoga Nidra to sunset walks, before enjoying a seasonal, anti-inflammatory dinner prepared according to your bespoke nutrition plan.
Awaken Inner Calm with Dhyana Meditation
High in the Himalayan foothills, surrounded by birdsong and drifting mist, begin a journey inward with the Dhyana Meditation Programme: a structured yet deeply intuitive path rooted in the ancient teachings of Raja Yoga. Under the guidance of experienced practitioners, you’ll move gently through each of the meditative stages, from breath-led awareness to focused concentration and inner stillness. Sessions unfold in open-air pavilions or serene indoor spaces, supported by Ayurvedic therapies, emotional healing and tailored nutrition. It’s a rare opportunity to retreat from the noise and reconnect with the quiet wisdom within, supported every step of the way by the rhythms of nature and Ananda’s compassionate, world-class care.
Programme overview
At the heart of Ananda’s wellness philosophy are two transformative programmes: Dhyana Meditation and Sleep Enhancement. Both are tailored to support emotional wellbeing, inner peace and long-term vitality, for those both new to holistic healing or looking to deepen an existing practice.
The Dhyana Meditation Programme draws on the classical Raja Yoga tradition to quiet the mind and nurture spiritual awareness. Through a guided journey of sensory withdrawal, focused concentration and deep meditation, this programme offers a structured path toward mental clarity and inner stillness. It’s ideal for those seeking to manage stress, reset focus and reconnect with their higher self.
The Sleep Enhancement Programme takes a holistic, multi-layered approach to improving sleep quality. Combining Ayurvedic treatments, emotional healing, yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine, it gently rebalances the body and nervous system, helping you release mental overstimulation and establish a more restful, restorative sleep cycle. This programme is especially suited to those experiencing disrupted sleep, fatigue or a sense of emotional imbalance.
Both programmes include personal consultations, daily therapies, movement practices and a tailored nutrition plan, all designed to meet you exactly where you are, and guide you toward where you want to be.
Activities & experiences
While each day at Ananda is carefully shaped around your personalised wellness programme, you’ll also have time to enjoy the serene surroundings and optional experiences that elevate your stay.
Wander through the lush Himalayan foothills on guided nature walks, enjoy mindful tea ceremonies or take a sunrise yoga session overlooking the Ganges valley. Between treatments, you might relax in the spa’s hydrotherapy suites, join a philosophy talk with a resident scholar or find a quiet corner to journal or reflect.
Cooking demonstrations and wellness workshops offer insight into conscious living, while visits to nearby temples or the spiritual town of Rishikesh can add a deeper layer of meaning to your time here.
Travelwise touches
At Travelwise, we know that a wellness retreat is as much about ease as it is about intention. We’ll take care of every detail of your journey to Ananda, from arranging flights and transfers to tailoring your itinerary length and selecting the right programme for your goals.
Whether you’re travelling solo, with a partner, or as part of a longer sabbatical, we’ll ensure your experience feels effortless from start to finish – so you can focus on what truly matters: your wellbeing.
Talk to our specialists to start planning your trip
