Aahana Resort, Jim Corbett: Explore Luxury Living Amidst The Wild

When they say, "Nature is where the magic happens," one of the finest examples of that magic is Aahana Resort, where luxury meets responsibility. This 5-star resort is spread across 13.5 acres of lush green landscape. They are not just nature lovers but also nature preservers. Once barren land with no trees in sight, the property now boasts over 4,500 trees. Even amidst this wild beauty, you won’t be bugged by mosquitoes, thanks to natural barriers of citronella and lemongrass.

Aahana Resort is committed to sustainability, recycling 100% of its wastewater through organic sewage treatment using the Canna plant—without any chemicals or external energy. You can even see a diagram of this Root Zone Treatment displayed near the drainage area.

With 95% of the staff coming from nearby villages, the service is nothing short of impeccable. Every single staff member is calm, collected, well-trained, and incredibly sweet. They’re always ready to assist with genuine smiles and prompt solutions.

From the moment you step into this paradise, you’re treated like royalty. A bagpipe player announces your arrival, a lady in traditional garb puts a tikka on your forehead, wet towels and welcome drinks are offered, and the entire staff greets you with heartfelt namastes. 

On the luxury front, Aahana Resort offers a range of accommodations at varied prices, including Club Rooms, Ranger Suites, Den’s Suites, Retreat Rooms, Jungle Lore Suites, Villas, and Pool Villas. I stayed at the Pool Villa, complete with a temperature-controlled private pool, hydrotherapy lounger, and jacuzzi. Perfect for groups, each villa has four rooms accommodating 10-12 people, with a dedicated heritage host to handle pool maintenance and personalized experiences. Aahana’s ClearPro filtration ensures water clarity six times better than conventional filters.

Stepping into the room, you will see beautiful rattan and cane furniture, botanical frames, a vintage-inspired bed and rugs, and huge lamps. While the backside has a pool, the front side has a cute garden area where you can sit and have a cup of chai. During the day, there is a good chance you will be greeted by a bunch of monkeys and many kinds of birds since Aahana is home to around 200 different kinds of species. The room comes stocked with a fruit basket, snacks, and Bili Hu coffee to delight your taste buds.

The bathroom is equally luxurious, with natural toiletries, soft towels, and a spacious bathtub with a Jacuzzi switch, a perfect spot to unwind (disclaimer: difficult to get out of it, you'd want to be there all day long) before diving into the resort’s many activities.

Starting with food, we indulged in authentic Kumaoni Thalis—mine was vegetarian, while my partner opted for the non-veg thali. Packed with authentic pahadi flavours straight from a Kumaoni village, the thali featured delicacies like aloo ke gutke, vadi uddad ki dal sabzi, moong dal dubka, and palak ka kappa. It was perfectly complemented by tangy raita, bhang ki chatni, laal bhatt (red rice), and ragi roti.

The traditional thali was so delicious that I could eat it for the rest of my life. But even the buffet food at the resort’s grand restaurant—be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner—was an absolute treat. The dessert counter? Let’s just say I completely forgot about counting calories! With options for indoor, outdoor, and poolside seating, the dining experience was super-amazing. Dinnertime was made even more memorable with live music by the pool. Visiting during winter, we enjoyed the warmth of bonfires as well, making the evenings even cosier.

For entertainment, high tea really did a number on my heart as I still can't get over it. With steaming chai and delectable Kumaoni snacks, they hosted joyful cultural performances that made the visit so fun. The best part is you could join the dancers and learn a pahadi step or two to show off later!

Aahana Resort has you covered through and through, whether you’re a nature lover or an adventure seeker. Start with a nature walk and birdwatching session led by their Naturalist, Romesh Barlow. A sweet person and a knowledgeable storyteller with decades of experience, Romesh Sir ensures you learn all the details about nature and wildlife without a dull moment.

For adventure enthusiasts, the Shivalik Mountain Drive offers a chance to explore the forest and spot wildlife like deer, elephants, leopards, and—if you’re lucky—a Himalayan Black Bear. The resort also organizes a scenic Marchula Riverside Picnic by the Ramganga River, perfect for unwinding amidst nature. To add a royal touch, you can hop on a buggy ride, or unleash your wild side with the ever-popular Jeep Safari.

When it’s time to wind down, Aahana’s in-house spa is the ultimate retreat. They blend both Western and Ayurvedic spa therapies to make you feel at ease and massage all the stress and tiredness off your body. If you’re up for sporty stuff, the resort offers plenty of options, including a kids' playground, basketball and badminton courts, and cycles to keep your fitness in check. 

Writing this and reliving the memories I packed from Aahana Resort makes me want to go back right away. The unmatched luxury, the warmest staff, and the lush greenery—everything about Aahana is a beautiful reflection of a better, more sustainable Earth.