Welcome to Aranyam River Retreat
Discover Sustainable Luxury
‘Aranyam’, in Sanskrit, refers to wilderness, serenity, and pure natural surroundings – a name that beautifully captures the spirit of our retreat.
Tucked away in the most exotic and exclusive corner of the region, Aranyam Rishikesh is nestled in the Himalayan foothills, set against the lush backdrop of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve and along the serene, meditative banks of the River Hyule – a pristine tributary of the sacred Ganges.
Just a short drive (less than 18 kms) from the main town of Rishikesh, India’s renowned Spiritual and Adventure Capital, Aranyam located in a peaceful hamlet called Mohanchatti, offers a tranquil yet immersive experience for wellness seekers, nature lovers, and adventure enthusiasts alike.
Surrounded by dense forests, majestic hills, and the soothing meditative sounds of cascading perennial stream, our resort is your sanctuary to disconnect from the chaos and reconnect with what truly matters.
Whether you are here to:
Aranyam leaves little to be desired. Here, you will discover a harmonious blend of eco-conscious luxury, holistic wellness, and adrenaline experiences – all designed to help you rediscover your connection to nature, peace, and yourself.
Our Tenets
Aranyam is based on the principals of reverence towards our guests, the Hindustani philosophy of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ backed by the warmth of famous Pahari hospitality and genuine stewardship of the environment.
Our Story
Led by Passion. Backed by Experience
Aranyam Rishikesh has been envisioned and developed by a team of highly qualified, passionate professionals, primarily alumni of NMIMS Mumbai, with over 23 years of experience in the fields of hospitality, eco-tourism, adventure travel and experiential learning.
Our roots lie in our sister concern, Treks ‘n Rapids – one of the most respected adventure tourism companies in the Indian subcontinent. Recognised as India’s No. 1 Adventure Sports Company in six separate independent market researches, Treks ‘n Rapids holds a prestigious certification from Dun & Bradstreet and is a proud member of both the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI). Treks ‘n Rapids is also the first and only adventure tourism brand in Asia to be published as a case study in business management by the prestigious Harvard Business Review (HBR).
In addition to Aranyam, the team has been successfully operating Whispering Pines Himalayan Retreat in Kanatal since 2002. Located at an altitude of over 8,000 feet above sea level, Whispering Pines is the oldest and most cherished active lifestyle resort in the Kanatal region, known for its stunning night skies, year-round views of the snow-capped peaks, excellent connectivity from most major towns of India, and its tranquil yet adrenaline rich mountain glamping experience.
Aranyam in its latest avatar has taken shape after over a decade of caring, observing and indulging in dialogues with our guests. Designed and developed passionately and painstakingly by our founder Mr. Pranav Kukreti, through intimate study of local architecture, complete focus on sustainability, deep knowhow of native flora-fauna and ecological landscaping.
In addition to our core team of hospitality, wellness, birding and adventure professionals many associates of ours have contributed to the form and growth of the property and we maintain highest levels of gratitude towards them. Mr. Mayank Tiwari (currently with Accenture) who as a bright, young, summer intern from FORE School of Management came up with the name ‘Aranyam’ while working with our marketing team; Mr. Sandeep Dhania of Shaurya Buildwell for being our trusted civil contractors; Mr. Sachin Dua of FourS Interiors for creating masterpieces in wood for our resort; Ms. Ankita Gupta of iDesign Spaces for their impeccable creative services and designing our lobby and rooms; Ms. Snehal Bhute of B&B Associates for their artistic acumen and technical skills invested in the creation of Café Forktale; and Shaurya Nursery for helping us curate, source and nurture hundreds and thousands of sustainable trees, shrubs and plants over the years, that support healthy ecosystem and habitats for various kind of fauna including a wide variety of endemic and migratory birds, butterflies, dragonflies, fireflies and beyond. We thank them all.
Our Architecture
We derive our design inspiration from the architecture of Garhwal. After an in-depth architectural survey of centuries old Gweel village, which is in proximity of Aranyam and is the native village of our founders,many design references were brought to the drawing board and subsequently implemented in many of our exterior and interior design elements. The Chandrashila at the entrance of the resort and that of Shunya Spa, the grey slanting roofs, the wooden carvings in the lobby, use of black limestone and cobbles for pathways, the curated artworks in our guest rooms, the interiors of Café Forktale, the look and feel ofKund our bonfire & bbq zone and the entrance of Shunya Spa are all inspired by the vernacular architecture of Aranyam. Mother Nature has inspired many of our design features as well including Taalour swimming pool whose organic design is an ode to nature or Manch our amphi theatre that encapsulates and emanates various elements of nature organically.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
At Aranyam, we are deeply committed to offering a luxury experience that treads lightly on the Earth. Our retreat is designed with eco-conscious principles that ensure minimal environmental impact – without compromising guest comfort.
We avoid single-use plastics, practice waste segregation, use energy-efficient appliances and lighting, and harness solar power. Rainwater harvesting, organic farming, and an advanced Eco STP system further support our sustainable operations.
We proudly employ local staff, source food locally, work closely with local Government school and communities, and promote regional arts, culture, and cuisine, while creating eco-habitats that support native birdlife and wildlife.
As a part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities we have collaborated with Good Deeds People– a multi-disciplinary registered charitable trust and Birdy Baat – a not for profit organisation that works in the area of birds related conservation and awareness generation. Some of our ongoing activities include awarding annual scholarships to the girl students of the local Government inter college and training the local youth in birding as a potential career and an environment protection activity.
At Aranyam, sustainability is not just a policy – it is a way of life, woven into every experience we offer.
