Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort is a stunning wellness resort located at the beautiful Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh. Journalist Shashi Sunny visits the resort for Luxe Point India to give you a review of how you can enjoy the spa with its multiple healing treatments and the regional and international cuisine it offers 

I was wondering if there is any place where I can find myself surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of Nature but yet not be without a degree of pampering luxury, good food, and some activity to keep oneself happily occupied to prevent boredom from setting in. A tall order because most resorts pall after the first day or two when you begin to feel sylvan surroundings notwithstanding, its time to head back to the madding crowd. What’s more, like most of us, I didn’t want to travel far and long to find my utopia. Well, I didn’t have to. A friend who had had a memorable break suggested that I check in at Moksha, The Himalaya Spa Resort, just a five-hour drive from Delhi, a little over an hour from Chandigarh, and an hour from Mohali airport to find myself at a tranquil yet opulent wellness retreat set atop the Shivalik mountain range.

Post a comfortable drive and leaving the heat and dust of Delhi, I found myself at in the cool climes of Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh, where at the well-known Timber Trail Resort (both have the same owners), I could transport myself to Moksha by cable car which took me from 2000ft to 5000 ft just a nine-minute truly scenic ride up to the mountain top which housed Moksha.

Everything at Moksha Himalaya spa resort was liberating. Every moment of my two-night stay at this scenic, 5-star retreat is a treat I will treasure. The lovely deluxe room with a stunning view, the special Ayurvedic spa treatment suggested after an in-depth consultation with the spa doctor which I thoroughly enjoyed in the tranquil surroundings, the dip in the infinity pool surrounded by lush green vistas, and then a dusk dip in the outdoor hot tub that is a warm therapy under the bright starlit sky of a chilly evening.

I was informed that the Moksha spa has an array of signature holistic treatments that embrace the philosophy of “Release “and “Rebirth “to reach an experience of perfect peace. The focus on promoting a life force by combining life-affirming mental attitudes and purification complemented by the curative elements of locally grown herbs is vital to all their therapies. I was also offered curative sessions of Yoga Aromatherapy and Acupuncture but alas did not have the time to indulge in these holistic techniques.

 Moksha also offers the traditions of the Turkish hammams. The hammam has evolved and taken on a luxurious avatar in this stylish and tranquil sanctuary where one comes to cleanse the body through a series of rituals while purifying the body and relaxing the mind. With traditions dating back two thousand years ago, the hammam bath rituals help to stimulate the immune system with a cooling effect. At the beautifully set up hammam room in the spa, the aura of serenity and calmness is palpable. The session is a profoundly relaxing treatment that uses hot steam to give your skin a deep cleanse. Special soaps are also used to encourage exfoliation and skin regeneration. The hammam experience at Moksha is one of the best and certainly a perfect way to spend a couple of leisurely hours. Once the hour-long experience is complete, one has the option to leave the hammam or stay and continue with relaxation in the bath. Drink the herbal tea the gracious spa staff provides to help return the body to its average temperature and sit in the lounge and read books, and magazines for a wonderful totally relaxing experience.

Other than the amazing spa, there is the gourmet cuisine cooked by the head chef … who spares no effort to please your tastebuds. A must-try is the slow-cooked Himachali Thali with delicious khatta mutton, the chef’s special take on the local food.

The next day had plenty more to experience, energizing Yoga in the beautiful early morning hours, a sporty hike along the mountain trails post a leisurely breakfast, and an invigorating Swedish massage at the spa in the late afternoon. Post a dinner that included a flavoursome biryani and a yummy halwa, I slept like a baby.

Moksha Himalaya spa resort is truly a holiday destination I will savour for a long time to come. The stunning visuals of the alluring Himalayan range and the wonderful memories of a holiday that pampered all my senses will continue to make me smile whenever I think of it!