The brand new Shakti Prana is a remake of beloved Shakti 360 which has sadly been retired due to its original, remote location getting slowly more built up – thus defeating the object and essence of Shakti lodges. Shakti Prana takes the Shakti lodges to a whole new high and it is quite extraordinary, remarkable and brilliant in every way. Almost every piece of Shakti 360 – the wood, the glass, the contents – was transported across the hills to a majestic new spot which is spectacularly remote and has THE most outrageous views of Nanda Devi and the Panchachuli ranges. It is truly sublime and the epitome of mountain comfort that is as unexpected as it is spoiling – it truly is a hotel with a difference. Set in a breathtakingly romantic mountain wilderness area at 7,000ft, it is a place where you can take time to reflect, and allow the space, peace and astonishing landscape to work its magic on you.

The only place of its kind in the Himalaya, Shakti Prana (meaning ‘breath’ in Sanskrit) combines age-old building techniques and local materials with innovative contemporary design – ensuring only the lightest footprint on its surroundings. It is an architectural marvel of stone, glass, wood, brass and copper and was built from scratch in just 10 months. Reached by jeep and then by foot, seven spacious, solar powered, ensuite ‘villas’ (1 has 2 bedrooms) each look out to the magical mountains - each is the height of comfort and sophistication. A vast bed, replete with pashmina blankets and sumptuous fluffy duvets tempt you never to ‘surface’ and each is very private with its own verandah and small garden. Rugs and wood-burners keep them warm and cosy and the bathrooms are predominantly clad in wood and brass.

An inviting central lodge is then home to 2 wonderfully comfortable sitting rooms and a dining room – again, both have views from heaven through the floor to ceiling glass windows. With an onsite, organic vegetable garden and an innovative Tibetan chef whose food is sublime, dining here is always a treat. The wonderful chef (often accompanied by visiting guest chefs) will literally cook anything you ask for and, if you don’t have a preference, the food served will be on par with some of the great retreats of the world – locally and Orientally inspired but almost anything can be ordered and it will always be scrumptious. Spend your days out on mountain walks - the walking opportunities here, for all levels, are beyond brilliant - with private guides and enjoying superb picnics and fabulous views; enjoy a cooking lesson; relax, in the sauna; spend time relishing your surroundings on the secluded yoga platform; or just suck up the views, doze and read in a planters’ chair in the sun or in a deep armchair by a fire. It’s all perfect.