Aman is kicking its wellness offerings up a notch. In 2018, the connoisseurs of luxury hospitality launched its own all-natural skincare range, and earlier this year the group integrated cutting-edge technology into their holistic retreats at Amanpuri. Now, Aman has announced seven new one-off wellness experiences at their properties around the globe for 2019, along with year-round wellness immersions. As with all Aman experiences, the retreats are entirely customisable, because everyone’s personal wellness journey looks a little different. Offering a variety of alternative holistic experiences, from forest bathing in Bhutan to Shamanic retreats in Bali, these truly transformational experiences are designed to inspire and rejuvenate guests from the inside out. Discover what’s on this year at Aman’s luxury properties around the world, and start planning that dream wellness retreat today…
Individual, group and corporate booking enquiries can be sent to our dedicated wellness travel team at bookings@compareretreats.com and you can send general wellness travel queries to info@compareretreats.com.
Amankora, Bhutan: Meaning of Life Retreat (May 2019)
The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is a place of pristine natural beauty and cultural authenticity, where prosperity is measured by gauging its citizen’s happiness levels. Combining pared back luxury with exceptional cuisine, rejuvenating spa treatments, meaningful cultural encounters and breathtaking back-to-nature experiences, Amankora’s lodges in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, and Bumthang each offer a peaceful retreat for guests to focus on their holistic goals.
His Eminence the 9th Neyphug Trulku Rinpoche is one of Bhutan’s greatest living teachers and this May, he will host a unique eight-night retreat across four of Amankora’s lodges: Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha and Paro. The retreat will focus on finding meaning in life, with Rinpoche explaining Buddhist philosophy and relating it to the everyday. Morning meditation, blessings and prayer sessions, as well as temple visits, lectures and one-on-one sessions, will increase awareness and give insight into life’s purpose.
The retreat will include two nights at each lodge, all meals, airport transfers, private vehicles with driver and guide, all touring and monument passes and one 60-minute spa treatment per person.
Amandari, Bali: Shamanic Retreat (September 14-16, 2019)
Perched above the verdant Ayung River Gorge outside Ubud, Amandari is an intrinsic part of Kedewatan, a village that upholds the same age-old traditions and values that the Balinese have believed in and practised for centuries. The retreat this year celebrates its 30th anniversary with a series of wellness experiences inspired by the local culture.
This inspirational retreat takes guests into the heart of nature to experience the wonder, joy and sacredness of life by exploring and replenishing their lifeforce in serene natural environments. During this three-day transformational journey, guests explore nature-based spirituality, indigenous wisdom and healing ceremonies to help reconnect guests to their true essence. The healing power of shamanic practices, visioning techniques, meditation and medicine music will be used to help increase clarity, support wellbeing, better understand life’s calling and deepen the relationship with Mother Earth and Spirit. Guests will enjoy releasing tension, deepening inner wisdom and will receive guidance to help navigate life’s challenges.
Amankila, Bali: Wellness from Within (September 19-21, 2019)
Sacred to the Balinese, Mount Agung provides a dramatic backdrop to Amankila, a secluded cliff-side beach resort in East Bali. Situated above a private stretch of sand in Karangasem, Bali’s most traditional regency, the resort overlooks the waters of the Lombok Strait and offers direct access to the untouched countryside and local craft villages.
The three-night retreat will include trekking on the slopes of Mount Agung to discover the medicinal plants of Eastern Bali, learning the arts of story-telling and meditation from local healers and elders, practicing Balinese yoga, consulting with local spiritual healers, enjoying a sunset journey to reconnect with nature, and surrendering to traditional spa treatments using local ingredients. Life-affirming and rejuvenating, this immersion in Balinese culture will share the lessons passed down through the generations on the Island of the Gods.
Amanoi, Vietnam: Holistic Detox Retreat (September 21-27, 2019)
Surrounded by Nui Chua National Park on the shores of Vinh Hy Bay on Vietnam’s southern coast, Amanoi is a clifftop hideaway, affording supreme levels of peace, privacy and a sense of place, its secluded setting making it particularly suited to immersive wellness retreats.
Designed to detox and revitalise, this new six-night retreat led by martial arts expert Sascha Wagener combines healthy nutrition, meditation and healing massage treatments with a Qi Gong-based movement course. A pre-arrival assessment with Sascha will ascertain personal goals, and will be followed up with a private consultation during the retreat. The Holistic Detox Retreat will include full board, return airport transfers, daily detox juices, a daily two-hour Qi Gong class, three 90-minute spa treatments, two Meridian or Chi Nei Tsang therapy sessions, two group dinners and optional daily morning wellness group classes.
Amanjiwo, Java: Javanese Samadhi Retreat (September 23-25, 2019)
Overlooking the inspiring temple of Borobudur on the Kedu Plain, one of the most important and historically rich sites in the Buddhist world, Amanjiwo is intrinsically immersed in the spiritual culture of Java. Aiming to help guests discover a sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of themselves, this three-night retreat draws on local shamanic healing, meditation, yoga and an inspirational daily lecture programme to help participants master their inner selves and realise their own unique visions.
The retreat will be led by Patrick Vanhoebrouck, Amanjiwo’s resident anthropologist; Mas Joko Triagung, a Master Shaman; Pak Sugeng, a Javanese spiritual healer; and Sonia Banuls Rovira, an expert in ancient healing practises and yoga.
As well as meditation at Borobudur, the retreat will include spiritual excursions to other sacred sites such as Sindoro, a journey to the ruins of Liyangan, ritual bathing at Candi Umbul, and a visit to Candi Mendut Temple. Wellness activities include Pijat massage to release stress and clear negativity, Hatha and Kundalini yoga, lectures on Java’s ancient healing techniques and practices, Semedi and underwater Kungkum meditation, and Jamu herbalism.
Amanwana, Indonesia: Peace and Quiet (September 27-29, 2019)
A wilderness camp on the western edge of Moyo Island, Amanwana provides an experience of the natural world at its most diverse. Backed by a nature reserve on the shores of a marine park, Amanwana is the epitome of a tropical island escape where wellbeing can take centre-stage with only nature’s bounty to distract.
Modern lifestyles can be all-consuming, with technology ensuring we are always connected and rarely able to escape the demands of work and social media. This three-night retreat aims to completely de-stress, removing the need to be constantly in touch and available, allowing guests to be in the moment. Encouraging stillness, lightness and presence, the retreat will include spa treatments in the camp’s open-air Jungle Spa, waterfall hikes, silent nature walks, sunrise and moonlight yoga sessions, guided meditation, and morning pages therapy. Guests will be encouraged to leave their electronic devices in their tents throughout the course of the retreat.
Amangani, USA: Meditation in the Mountains (October 11-15, 2019)
Perched on East Gros Ventre Butte with awe-inspiring views of the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole, Amangani blends the serenity and strength of its pristine natural setting into its wellness concept and is designed for all seasons – to support skiers in winter and those exploring nature in summer.
This unique spiritual retreat reflects humankind’s search for peace – the main pillar of Aman and the meaning of its Sanskrit-derived name. A profound journey to this elusive state, this five-night retreat will be led by renowned Buddhist monk and mindfulness coach, Geshe YongDong. Geshe YongDong will share the ancient lessons of the Bon Tibetan Tradition, gently teaching participants to find peace within. Based on the belief that peace is an internal state of consciousness that promotes true happiness without external motivation, this retreat will be a true journey as individuals are guided through the different stages to achieve this enlightened state of being. The retreat will include twice-daily meditation including breath work and Tsa Lung practice, as well as a 90-minute therapeutic spa treatment, and one hike.
Aman: Year Round Retreats
Wellness Immersions: Can’t make these one-off wellness retreats? Not to worry, as Aman offers year-round wellness immersions at Amanoi (Vietnam), Amanemu (Japan), Amanpuri (Thailand) and Amanbagh (India), available on Compare Retreats.
Forest Bathing: Another new programme for Amankora (Bhutan) is the Forest and Prayer Flag Bathing Experiences, available year-round. The unique outdoor experience draws its inspiration from the Japanese phrase ‘shinrin yoku’, meaning ‘absorbing the forest atmosphere’, and the retreat focuses on quiet reflection through wilderness walks, and meditation through Prayer Flag Bathing.
Intensive Wellness: If you’re looking for something with a more medical side, Amanpuri is the brand’s first resort to provide medical services at the first Intensive Wellness Immersions: individual programmes with prescribed medical treatments tailored to an individual’s needs. The new Intensive Wellness Immersions aim to deliver results-oriented, personalised programmes and are targeted and tailored to the finest detail.
Coming soon: Last but not least, check back for updates later this year on new wellness immersions at Amanzoe in Greece; visiting specialists at Aman Sveti Stefan in Montenegro; a ‘Journey to Peace’ retreat at Amantaka in Laos, Amansara in Cambodia, and Amanoi in Vietnam; and a new fitness retreat at Amanyara in Turks & Caicos.
Individual, group and corporate booking enquiries can be sent to our dedicated wellness travel team at bookings@compareretreats.com and you can send general wellness travel queries to info@compareretreats.com.
