Last Updated on March 28, 2023 by asoulwindow
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Aahana The Corbett Wilderness, Rāmnagar
Aahana The Corbett Wilderness is surely one of the best resorts in Jim Corbett National Park. I have stayed in many luxurious properties around Jim Corbett National Park and Aahana Resort stood out with its grandeur, responsible luxury, green open spaces and excellent food. Spread across a whooping 13.5 acres of land near Jhirna zone and Bijrani Zone, at the southern edge of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand, Aahana Resort is an experience, not to be missed!
Aahana in Sanskrit means the first rays of Sun. It is safe to say, that Aahana Resort lives up to its name. Their eco initiatives have already won them many awards and accolades. Popular with both upwardly mobile people and even celebrities, Aahana Resort is one of the best places to stay near Jhirna Zone. Here is the most comprehensive review of Aahana Resort.
Aahana Corbett wilderness experience has been one of my best. Here is why!
Rooms of Aahana-The Corbett Wilderness, Rāmnagar
What are popular luxury hotels near Jhirna Gate Corbett? Aahana Resort is one of the top luxury hotels near Jhirna Gate, Dhela Zone and Bijrani zone. The rooms of Aahana The Corbett Wilderness in Ramnagar are huge. Sweet smell of citronella filled my nose as soon as I entered my palatial room of Aahana resort. Not many luxury resorts or 5-star hotels in India, I feel, give much attention to the way the room smells. Aahana Resort is an exception.
We stayed in a luxurious room that overlooked the dense jungle of the Bijrani zone. The interiors of the rooms at Aahana are rich. I love dark wood. It symbolises luxury to me. The huge floor to ceiling dark wood panels and huge windows here suit my taste.
The fresh flowers in the room accompanied by fresh fruits (apples, bananas) added that personal touch to the service. The living area here is huge and so is the bedroom area. Separated with a carved wooden panel, both the rooms smelled of luxury.
Now you know why Aahana Resort is one of the best hotels near Jhirna Gate Corbett!
My Itinerary
Below is the itinerary I and my friends followed
Day 1
- We started early in the morning from Ghaziabad.
- We had a breakfast of Mysore Masala Dosa and Alu Paratha at Shiv Dhaba in Hapur.
- We arrived at Aahana Resort by afternoon.
- After lunch, we relaxed for a bit.
- The evening was spent doing an educational nature walk around the luxury property with an in-house naturalist.
- High tea and dinner followed!
Day 2
- We had a lazy breakfast by the pool of Aahana Resort.
- We did our photo shoot in the property till lunch.
- Devoured brilliant vegetarian Kumauni Thali by the pool.
- Post lunch, we went for an exciting Wildlife Safari in the Jhirna Zone.
- Afternoon to evening was spent inside the Jhirna zone of Jim Corbett National Park.
- We enjoyed the bagpiper show and high tea with club sandwiches and assorted pakoras by the pool in the evening.
Day 3
- After a quick breakfast, and buying some special tea from the souvenir shop, we drove away to Ghaziabad. We also picked the citronella plant and lemongrass plant from the in-house nursery of Aahana Resort.
Things to do in Aahana Resort
There are so many interesting things to do in and around Aahana Resort which kept us engaged throughout our trip.
Birdwatching
As soon as I arrived in my room, I spotted few Scarlet Minivets right outside by balcony which faced the forest. The red and black birds stood out, thanks to their flamboyant appearance. By the time, I had rushed to pull out my DSLR camera from my bag, the birds had vanished. Rare birds like Black Baza have also been spotted within the premises, the in-house naturalist Sanjay told me. I had also spotted several grey headed canary flycatchers and blue whistling thrush.
Just as I was having the poolside breakfast on the second day of my arrival, the in-house naturalist informed me about an oriental pied hornbill family. Attracted by the fruits of Putranjiva tree, the oriental pied hornbill paid daily visit to Aahana Resort for their lavish free ‘breakfast’. I ran up the first floor of the reception which gave me an amazing view of hornbill family, up, close and personal. I observed their behaviour for a long time, to my heart’s content.
In winters, expect to see Oriental Pied Hornbill and the Rare Great Hornbill within the premises of Aahana Resort. In summers, it is common to spot the Grey Hornbill in the campus of the resort.
Bonfire in the garden
During our stay, I and my friends would warm ourselves around the bonfire even as the local artist serenaded us with melodious tunes of bagpiper. Conversations under the stars accompanied by the warmth of the bonfire is one of my most favourite memories from my stay in the Aahana The Corbett Wilderness Resort near Jhirna Zone and Dhela Zone. It is possible to request a bonfire either near the pool, the garden or even at the private lawn outside your villa. We enjoyed bonfire by the pool.
Corporate Offsite at Aahana-The Corbett Wilderness Resort
Aahana The Corbett Wilderness Resort near Jhirna Zone also makes for a perfect setting for a corporate offsite. With such huge lawns and so many interesting things to do here, I feel it is the perfect destination for an off-site near Delhi NCR. The huge villas at Aahana Resort ate perfect for a large team to stay together. There are as many as 4 rooms in one villa, all with a private washroom and balcony.
Various indoor and outdoor sports offered by the Aahana Resort also helps in team building exercises. The silent and cocooned premises of Aahana-The Corbett Wilderness Resort also make it a great venue to hold seminars and conferences in the midst of nature.
Cycling near Jhirna Zone of Jim Corbett National Park
Cycling around the Jhirna Zone is one of my most favourite things to do in Jim Corbett National Park. As soon as I entered the reception of Aahana Resort on the first day, I noticed the cycle stand with several bicycles parked one after another. I was excited to know that we could actually hire these bicycles and see the nearby places at our own pace and whims.
Do adventure sports
There are several adventure sports offered within the premises of the Aahana Resort. You can choose which sports you want to participate in depending upon the time or budget you have.
Enjoy outdoor games
You can also request the management of Aahana Resort to arrange for outdoor sports. Being one of the top resorts near Jhirna Gate, Aahana has many facilities!
Enjoy the Bar
There is also a plush bar at the Aahana Resort in case you fancy a drink or two. Located right next to the restaurant area, this spacious bar stocks the finest of alcohol you can think of. Overlooking the gardens, you can choose to drink indoor or in the privacy of your personal balcony.
Flute Show and High Tea
We had lip smacking assorted pakoras and club sandwiches at the alfresco sit out area between the swimming pool and the restaurant. The quantity of the pakoras (fritters) were huge. We also had masala tea, which was one of the best I had ever tasted.
Get busy with indoor games
There are many indoor games within the property which can keep you occupied for hours!
Get a Photo Shoot done
The premises of Aahana Resort are visually stunning. Whether it is a professional shoot or personal shoot, the resort is an apt venue. I saw a picture of Indian actor Irfan Khan planting a tree in Aahana Resort and that piqued my curiosity. Needless to say, many celebrities regularly stay in Aahana Resort. Several professional photo shoots are also done at Aahana on regular basis.
Indulge in the spa
I was impressed with the sheer size of the Naturopathy Centre. You can spend leisure time by indulging in wellness therapy here.
You can also enjoy a couple spa in case you fancy one. What I loved about the spas here is that you can also enjoy an outdoor shower after the spa. The complete privacy as you take a shower under the blue sky is one of the best parts of the spa at Aahana. Each spa room here has a private (and huge) lawn with outdoor shower.
Jogging
You can also go jogging within the Aahana Resort which has a whooping 1.2 kilometres long walking track. The best part is that the built-up area of Aahana Resort accounts for less than 25% of the total area! This ensures that one can jog or walk in a peaceful and green surrounding.
Nature Walk
On the first day itself, I went on an educational nature walk around the property premises. The in house showed me different types of bamboos planted within the resort such as Giant Elephant Bamboo, Tiger bamboo etc. We also saw pencil bamboo. It is a strong and thin variety of bamboo which is used for making flutes and even the dreaded laathi (cane) of police, eh! Buddha Belly Bamboo was also interesting as its stem appeared like one belly above another. Each segment of the stem also had a ‘belly button’. Interesting, isn’t it?
He also showed me the tree of sindoor and the species of Ashoka tree under which Mata Sita waited when she was kidnapped by demon Ravana in Lanka. We were told that the ornamental species of Ashok tree doesn’t flower whereas this species of Ashoka tree (Saraca asoca) flowers every April. It has bright orange flowers. During peak season, the tree is laden with several clusters of flowers. It is a sight to behold! We also saw Belpatri tree nearby which is used in Shiva Temples. We also saw the tree of tejpatta or bay leaf and kapoor or camphor!
Next, we were shown tree of Chandan. Our naturalist told us that it develops smell only after completing 15 years. The red Chandan takes longer, that is 30 years. As per Ayurveda, Sandalwood has Sita (cold) property and this is why it is also applied on forehead so that it keeps us calm. The snakes are also attracted to Chandan due to its cold property.
We also saw the “Jhadu” plant called as Oans, from which the Indian broom is made. He also helped me spot various exotic birds which called the resort home. During the tour, he kept regaling us with stories behind several plants such as lemongrass and citronella. Since they both looked almost similar in appearance, he taught us how to differentiate between the two. Citronella leaves are also used in Odomas mosquito repellents. We even took back a citronella plant because our naturalist told us that many people plant it in their house to keep mosquitoes at bay. The smell is so strong that even a whiff of air can help spread the fragrance of citronella in the atmosphere.
Later, he asked us to taste a leaf. Hesitatingly, we did and was surprised to see that it tasted of several spices all at once. Our naturalist told us that it indeed is an all-spice tree and is also added in tea instead of whole spices to impart flavours to the Masala Chai. I could feel the robust flavours of dalchini (cinnamon), black pepper, laung (cloves) etc when I chewed its leaves during nature walk
The naturalist also told us that the property doesn’t remove the dead leaves or trees so that a natural ecosystem is encouraged. The decomposing dead flora helps keep the soil fertile and attracts various insects which in turn attracts birds throughout the year.
Sweat it out in the gym
If you are a fitness freak, then fret not. You will not miss your gym sessions at Aahana because there is a well-equipped gymnasium within the premises of this luxury property. You can spend 1-2 hours at the gym and maintain your fitness routine.
Swimming
The pool area of Aahana Resort right outside the restaurant is huge. During our stay, we had all our meals by the pool. The pool area is also great for a photo shoot.
Village Walk
There are many small villages around the Aahana Resort where you can walk and interact with the local people. Living in cities, we are often disconnected with Indian villages. Opportunities like these help us connect back to our roots. You can visit agricultural fields, local temples and even homes of local people (with permission).
Visit organic gardens
I was delighted to see that Aahana Resort grows its own vegetables and greens. From super food kale to lettuce, parsley, celery and tomatoes to coriander, many vegetables are grown here in an organic manner. It was a delight to bite into crunchy lettuce leaves every day in the salads. No wonder, the food here tasted organic, fresh and delicious.
Wedding destination
I was impressed to see how huge the lawns of Aahana Resort is! Cocooned from the outside world, the big wide-open lawn of Aahana Resort has played host to many weddings in the past. No wonder, during the wedding season, many couples choose this resort for their destination wedding. Aahana resort Jim Corbett wedding cost depends on several factors.
Yoga and Meditation
The calm and peaceful surroundings of Aahana Resort is great for the lovers of Yoga and Meditation. With not much distraction, you can meditate for hours and perform yoga in complete privacy. The only disturbance here is that of chirping of birds. We do not mind that, for sure!
Enjoy Food of Kumaun
The vegetarian Kumauni Thali which we ordered for lunch on the second day was so visually stunning that the guests on next table wanted to have a look and take pictures of it. Apart from being a visual delight, the thali also scored high on taste. Each dish was prepared with much care and attention to details.
Soul Window Thoughts
It is not every day that I visit a luxury property in India and am amazed with their food. I find food at most luxurious hotels and resorts disappointing. Aahana Resort was a delightful exception. I loved the food here so much that I can come back again only for the food!
Bursting with flavours, it was one of the best vegetarian Kumaoni Thali I have ever had. Below are the contents of the Kumaoni Thali at Aahana Resort:
- Chas
- Salad
- Laai Saag
- Local Red Rice
- Nimbu Saan
- Alu Ke Gutke
- Daal Ke Dubke
- Moong Dal Ki Badi
- Bhat Ki Daal
- Gahat ki daal
- Jhangore Ki Kheer
- Palak ka Kapa (spinach dish)
- Kumauni mustard Rayta
- Fresh Soyabean Chutney
- Bhang (Hemp) Ki Chutney
- Manduwe Ki Roti (Ragi Roti) and rice
- Pahadi Jholi (Kumaun version of Kadhi)
- Gaderi (giant Arvi/colocassia) fried in Jakhiya
- Baal Mithai (Desert)
- Singhori (Desert)
Other dishes
We also tried their signature paneer and bell pepper pizza and Chinese dishes. Again, the huge thin crust pizza was one of the best I had. I also loved their achari baingan (brinjal). Do not miss their sweets and deserts too. The taste of their cakes still lingers! The gazar ka halwa, blueberry cheesecake and vanilla pastry were my top favourite deserts from Aahana Resort.
Breakfast at Aahana Resort, Jim Corbett
We had a fulfilling breakfast of cut fruits, Mendu Vada, Ragi Dosa, Poha and Choley Bhature. The fresh fruit juices accompanied with the food made it all the more wholesome. The quality of the ingredients and the presentation of the food here always stands out.
Jhirna Zone Versus Dhela Zone
Which is best area in Jim Corbett? Which gate is best in Jim Corbett? Dhela or Jhirna Zone? Which is better? These are some frequently asked questions. Jhirna vs Dhela Zone debate is an old one. People also ask similar questions about Jhirna vs Bijrani/ Jhirna or Bijrani. So, what is the best zone in Jim Corbett?
Since the entry to both Jhirna Zone as well as the Dhela Zone is same, which is Dhela Gate, so it might confuse the visitors about how to differentiate between the two. The buffer area of the Dhela Zone appears right after entering the Dhela Zone. You can see many wildlife species and also the Tiger pugmarks even on the way to Dhela Zone. Wild boar, axis deer, elephants etc are commonly seen here. The grasslands are characteristic of the Dhela Zone.
The entry to the Dhela Zone is towards the left after on crosses the Dhela gate. The safaris in Dhela gate are done in anticlockwise manner on designated paths. On the other hand, the Jhirna Zone lies deeper in the jungles. We had to drive straight for few kilometres before we arrived at the Khara Gate which granted us access to the Jhirna Zone. Much like Dhela Zone, I noticed that the Jhirna zone also lies in the buffer zone of the Jim Corbett National Park Uttarakhand.
Jhirna or Dhela Which is better?
I would suggest that if you plan to visit both Jhirna as well as Dhela Zone then you should visit Jhirna first. Chances are that you will most likely have a very satisfying wildlife safari in Jhirna zone itself (like us!). The geography and landscape of both Jhirna and Dhela zone differs from each other and merits a visit.
And you never know, which animals cross your path in which zone. Each safari experience is different, much like the unique orange and black stripes on each tiger. So, are you still asking, “Which is better Dhela or Jhirna?”
Dhela Zone review
If you want you can easily include a visit to Dhela Zone as well. You can request for the same to your hotel or tour operator. Dhela Zone Jim Corbett is also just as picturesque and provides ample opportunities to spot wildlife.
Excursion from Aahana Resort
There are many interesting places to visit near Aahana Resort which you can include in your itinerary.
Marchula
Aahana Resort also takes day trips to the popular picnic spot at the nearby Marchula. The Aahana resort organises riverside picnic at Marchula on request.
Shivalik Mountain Drive
You can enjoy the Shivalik Mountain Drive and do a little picnic at uncrowded places.
Girija Devi Mandir or Garjiya Devi Temple
Girija Devi Mandir is a very popular Hindu temple near the Jhirna Zone of Jim Corbet National Park. Surrounded with immense natural beauty and wide-open spaces, it is one of the best places to visit.
Nainital
The touristy hill station of Nainital is located merely 2 hours away from Aahana Resort.
Safari in Jhirna Zone
As soon as we entered Jhirna Zone, we were treated with the magical sight of countless yellow footed green pigeons perched on the dry branches of a tree above a seasonal riverbed.
During the safari, we got lucky and spotted the Rare Great Hornbill in the Jhirna Zone.Many other tourists and wildlife lovers were excited to spot the Great Hornbill as it is considered to be the ‘tiger of the birds’. This means that spotting a great hornbill in wild is as precious as spotting a tiger in wild.
We also spotted many deer, elephants, langurs, monkeys, peacocks and many wild boars during the safari. We didn’t spot any tigers here, but many people who did safari in the same slot as us did spot tigers. Even during my last safari to Jhirna Zone in November, I spotted 3 tigers within the first 10 minutes. You can read about that magical experience in my blog on Jhirna Zone.
We also saw naturally growing Khair tree in Jhirna Zone, the bark of which is used for making kaththa in paan.
Car parking at Aahana Resort
Aahana Resort has a huge car parking near the reception area. We didn’t know this and we had stopped our car right at the reception. When the staff noticed this, they offered to park the car for us instead till we enjoyed the welcome drinks and hot towels.
Respect the wild
- When you visit a national park or any other jungle for that matter, always respect. It is you who is the intruder and not the other way round.
- Do not go near wild animal, even if they are herbivorous.
- Animals have the right to passage. Respect it.
- You must drive slowly inside the Jhirna Zone forest so that it doesn’t disturb the wild animals. This way you also enjoy the forest more!
- Do not go inside the forest sans official permission from the authorities. Aahana resort arranged for the permission for me and my friends even before we left home.
- Do not play music inside the National Park. It is prohibited.
- Do not shout or talk loudly inside the park. Not only is it bad for the animals but it may also disrupt animal sightings, especially tiger. So, in order to improve your chances of spotting a tiger, stay silent and have patience.
Tips for your stay in Aahana Resort
- Wear clothes with neutral colours such as olive green, brown, khaki so that you blend with the surroundings of the forest.
- It may get cold in night, so carry light woollens if visiting in the first week of February.
- Aahana Resort booking can also be done online.
Sewage Treatment Plant: STP
Did you know that Aahana Resort also boasts of Asia’s biggest eco-friendly STP. Sewage is treated here through the roots of Canna plants. Neither any energy is wasted in this Sewage Treatment Plant nor is any chemical used here. In one week, approximately 1.5 lakh litres of water is purified without the use of any energy of chemicals.
The treated water is later used in the organic garden etc. The sustainable practises followed by Aahana Resort are indeed commendable. Not many properties I have visited are so sincerely committed to bring down the carbon footprints. This is responsible luxury at its best!
How to reach Aahana Resort – The Corbett Wilderness?
It is very easy to arrive at the Aahana Resort – The Corbett Wilderness. Here is how!
Road Trip
We road tripped from Ghaziabad to Aahana Resort. It took us around 5-6 hours (with breakfast stop) to drive from Ghaziabad to Aahana Resort in Ramnagar, Uttarakhand. The views are not great on this route but it is still a fun ride.
Buses
You can also hop on a state transport bus with run between Ramnagar and other major cities of Delhi NCR, Dehradoon etc.
Railway
On my previous trip, I arrived at Ramnagar by a train from Ghaziabad. Train number 15035 or Uttaranchal Sampark Kranti Express from Ghaziabad runs at 4:45 p.m. and arrives at Ramnagar by 9 p.m. On return, you can board the AC chair car of Ramnagar Delhi Link Express (train number 25036). Ramnagar railway station is located only 15 minutes of drive away from Aahana Resort.
By Air
Pant Nagar Airport is the closest airport from Ramnagar. There is no airport at Ramnagar.
Address of Aahana Resort
For hotel room booking in Aahana Resort, you can contact them here. I am also sharing Ahana Jim Corbett contact number.
Sawaldeh Village,
PO Semalkhaliya,
Near Jhirna Zone,
Jim Corbett National Park,
Ramnagar,
India – 244715
Phone – +91-7088600021
Conclusion: Why Aahana Resort is one of the best resorts in Jim Corbett?
Staying at Aahana-The Corbett Wilderness of Ramnagar near Jhirna Zone of Jim Corbett National Park was one of my finest experiences. It is surely one of the best resorts near Jhirna Zone. Whether it is the modern frills and luxurious amenities or the small joys of life such as a village walk, there is something for everyone at Aahana Resort.
Will I visit Aahana Resort near Jhirna Zone again? Yes, in a heartbeat!
The view from my Soul Window is therapeutic!
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