When it opens in January, India’s most anticipated wellness retreat of recent years will be nothing like an ashram, save for perhaps its awe-inspiring backdrop: the foothills of Garhwal Himalayas. Set on an eight-hectare estate in Dehradun and surrounded by mango and lychee orchards, Vana, Malsi Estate (91-11/4060-0000) will house guests in bright, earth-toned rooms and villas crafted by Mallorca-based design firm Esteva i Esteva Arquitectura, and serve seasonal organic cuisine in its two restaurants. But make no mistake: well-being is the key focus here, with multiday retreats (the minimum stay is three nights) ranging across Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, and Tibetan healing, with the latter involving kun ye medicinal massages and dhugs, an age-old treatment using herbal compresses. –David Tse

This article originally appeared in the December 2013/January 2014 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Higher Calling”)