Swellegant Stays: Shakti Prana, Kumaon

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High in the Himalayas you will find Shakti Prana, India’s newest and most remarkable mountain lodge. Opening its doors to discerning guests in October 2025, Swanky Retreats was treated to a preview of a property which exists to help guests reconnect with themselves and with the natural world.

In Sanskrit, Shakti Prana means “breath” and it’s certainly an apt description: the hotel’s location in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand will take your breath away. The altitude, too, may leave you a little breathless, but nothing has to happen in a rush, so you will always have time to acclimatize.

There are just seven stone built cabins at Shakti Prana, the natural construction material a firm link to the mountain foundations and the views beyond. One of the cabins is a two-bedroom suite; the others offer quiet and privacy for couples. Full height windows entice you to look out, appreciating the changing light and shadows on the peaks across the course of the day. This is a remote spot and everything in the hotel has been carried here by mule train, following a winding path 2,700 feet up the mountainside. The effort and attention to detail have paid off. In every part of the retreat, there is a sense of cohesion and calm, exactly what you need to relax, refresh, and recover from the stresses of the modern world.

Although yoga and wellness is a big part of Shakti Prana’s draw, the principle attraction is nature itself. Don’t just look at the mountains: become part of them. Rise before dawn for a spectacular Himalayan sunrise, then walk a section of Shakti Himalaya’s walking circuit, which links together traditional villages. rebuild body and soul with hearty meals prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients picked just hours ago in Shakti’s own herb and vegetable gardens. Reflect on the symbiotic relationship we all must have with the natural world, and then, once darkness falls, look up at the myriad of stars so you can feel more at one with the universe.