Step inside this idyllic Jim Corbett resort that’s a natural haven and just 5 hours from Delhi

Avni and Ayu Tripathi are the heart and vision behind Aahana. They share that the name means “first rays of the morning sun”—a time when the property is at its most magical. They were just five and 11 when their father acquired the barren land in 2005. “At the time, we were confused—there were barely any trees, just two or three along the edges. But we decided we would plant it together,” recalls Avni. Weekend visits soon turned into a shared family mission of planting and nurturing the land. With the help of a horticulturist, native plants and trees gradually transformed the space. “That has always been our guiding philosophy—giving back to nature, giving back to people, and taking as little as we can,” she adds.

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Today, Aahana features 72 rooms spread across the property. Guests can choose from luxurious pool villas with private heated pools, melodious forest villas that sit along the forest’s edge, or charming rooms nestled within the Ashok Vatika, surrounded by bursts of orange blooms.

Beyond the rooms, the beauty continues in every direction. Fairy-tale-like gazebos dot the lush gardens, perfect for intimate dinners or sunrise meditations. The main pool, framed by towering forest trees, shifts character throughout the day as light and shadow play across its surface.

Dining at Aahana is an experience in itself. From the Harvest Lunch to the Kumaoni high tea, every meal is crafted with care. “Most of what we serve comes from our own garden, so you’re eating organic, wholesome food. Even a simple breakfast here is incredibly nourishing,” says Ayu.

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The spa presents a thoughtfully curated menu of therapies centred on regeneration, balance, vitality, and longevity. Among its signature offerings is the Aahana body massage, crafted to relieve stress and restore equilibrium using soothing Aromachologie oils. The re-energizing sun stone massage blends deep-pressure techniques with the warmth of basalt stones to enhance circulation and rebalance energy.

Guests can also indulge in L’OCCITANE’s rituals, including sleep and reset and immortelle facials. Treatments are priced between ₹4,999 and ₹21,999.

“Every morning we do a small session for guests, which is either a nature walk or a forest bathing session. So I would say, start the day with going for a walk under the canopies, do some bird sightings and spotting,” suggested Avni. This can be supplemented by the many rituals that the staff organises daily for its guests. It can be a yoga session or a meditation ritual. “They also do a lot of chakra cleansing rituals for people. And perhaps after that, a wellness breakfast,” she said.

In the evening, take a stroll around the 13.5 acres, and end your day with an easy dinner under the stars of a far clearer sky than what you’ve seen in years in Delhi. Such proximity with Jim Corbett is likely the best part of Aahana and the sisters agree.

Ayu told us, “I think it plays an important role in our lives. It’s incredible, really—on days when you’re constantly moving around the property, rushing from one meeting to another, it can get quite stressful. But then you pause, walk back, and notice something simple—a tree, a tiny bird with its babies. In that moment, you’re transported into a different world. I love how it gently brings you back to the present.”

In a world that rarely slows down, Aahana offers a rare luxury—the chance to pause, breathe, and simply be. Whether it’s the rustle of leaves, the call of birds, or the warmth of the morning sun filtering through the trees, every experience here feels intentional and grounding. Long after you leave, it’s this quiet sense of balance and belonging that stays with you, calling you back to nature—and to yourself.

The author was hosted for a 2-nights stay at Aahana Resort and Spa upon editorial invitation.