Officially welcoming guests this fall, is a secret getaway to the Himalayas – Amaya. For the thoughtful traveller, mindful of the fragility of the Himalayas linked to climate change and human pressure, pristine Amaya with its small footprint and an undertaking to restore and preserve its 25 acre private forest is revolutionary for India. The word Amaya has its origins in Sanskrit and means ‘simplicity’. The resort’s minimalist yet elegant appeal is at the heart of every thoughtfully designed structure and curated experience.
An impressive vision of respect and responsibility towards materials, people and the environment are visible in Amaya’s landscape and design. Deepak Gupta, founder of Amaya, shares, “I had always envisioned building a sustainable sanctuary in the Himalayas where one could escape to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the mountains and their crisp clean air. Amaya is the result of this yearning and a 7-year journey of discovery, innovation and collaboration. It is also proof that a habitat can be traditional and contemporary, a modern mountain village of sorts which embraces nature and its glorious beauty instead of displacing it.”
Bijoy Jain is the principal architect for Amaya, the founder of globally renowned Studio Mumbai. He and his team studied the forested site over multiple visits and minimally used a section of its panoramic terraces, once farmed generations ago, to nestle a set of unique villas seamlessly into the hillside. Deepening and reviving a connection to this pastoral heritage, each eco-sensitive modern structure created was built meticulously by hand using local materials – wood, lime, and stone. They provide guests a rich cultural landscape that deepens their sense of place while offering a quiet haven to reconnect with loved ones and even more, with themselves. Amaya comprises an interesting combination of chalets, suites and villas. Each of the five villas has a study or artist studio, dining and living spaces, a fully equipped kitchen and three independent ensuite bedrooms that centre around wrap-around porches that hug each structure and the angled terraces.
With much private space to purposefully get lost in, the heart of the communal experience is at the top of the private ridge that includes the restaurant and dining area, aesthetically designed Finnish saunas for adults, a gorgeous library and a jaw dropping, teardrop shaped swimming pool that perfectly satisfies one’s longing for rest and relaxation on a vacation. With Amaya’s commitment to minimise the carbon footprint and reforest much of the remaining terraces, expect impeccable service and inspired haute cuisine at the elegantly styled, panoramic farm to table restaurant. Amaya has associated with celebrated Chef Prateek Sadhu and his team to push boundaries with bright and innovative flavours centred around seasonal and regional produce. Travellers to Amaya can also enjoy a range of curated experiences, a heritage walk to the adjacent Darwa village, private meals on secluded mountain top, local produce foraging and horticulture tours, riverside picnics and mountain treks.
The resort is located just under two hours from Chandigarh airport which is easily accessible from all major cities in the country. The low traffic, pastoral road over rolling hills is a charming, scenic 64 km drive with forest cover that shades your car windows as the urban world recedes and you decompress and relax deeply. A restorative sojourn awaits guests who seek endless experiences to explore from design to cuisine, nature to culture, and beyond.
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