There are few more weeks left for the year to end. And you might already be planning your New Year getaways across India. Be it partying at a great New Year bash, relaxing by the calm beach, ending your year in the lap of nature or immersing yourself in the rich culture of a vibrant Indian city, there are plenty of things you can do to bid the year goodbye and welcome the New Year in style. We have a list of 15 places to travel in India this New Year, to help you sort out your New Year getaways in glory.
1. Rich Culture At Rann of Kutch
Touted to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world, Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, is a wonderful place to ring in the New Year. The salt desert will be celebrating its annual Rann Utsav which commences during the first of November and will continue till the end of February. Experience a once in a lifetime opportunity of adrenaline-pumping desert activities like desert safari, folk dance and vibrant cultural activities that will go on throughout the night. From pitching a tent in the desert, shopping to cultural sightseeing, Rann of Kutch is one place this New Year where you can totally immerse yourself in the rich culture of the salt desert.
2. Party All Night At Goa
If you’re a party animal and you wish to party all night by the beach, then Goa is the place to be this New Year. With wild beach parties, moonlight cruises over River Mandovi or even just visiting ancient temples and churches, you can do everything here in Goa. Goa is one of the best places to travel in India this New Year. You can unleash your inner party animal, dance all night with your gang, cheap booze and just unwind for the night with the all-night beach parties here.
3. Skiing At Gulmarg
4. Beach Life At Andaman
How about trying something new this year? Visit the gorgeous island of Andaman during the New Year and challenge yourself to try something new like scuba diving and snorkelling at Andaman. You can explore the vast marine life here as well as the dense rainforest. For the beach baby in you, do visit the Radhanagar Beach here which is Asia’s best beach for the year. Apart from this, you can even go for some of the vibrant beach parties happening here during the midnight to ring in the New Year.
5. Carnival Style Celebration At Mumbai
‘The City That Never Sleeps’, Mumbai can be a great place to travel in India this New Year right? You can involve yourself in a carnival-style celebration here going for beach bonfires, house parties or luxury New Year bashes in hotels or just sitting at the famous Marine Drive with your loved one. The night sky in Mumbai will be beautifully decorated with lights and crackers and every lounge in the city will host fascinating theme parties. And who knows, you might also find your favourite star partying nearby at a high-class hotel! There is plenty to do in Mumbai to celebrate the New Year with pomp.
6. Cafe Time In Mcleodganj
Mcleodganj is often known to be one of the best romantic honeymoon destinations in India. This hill station in Himachal Pradesh is known for its chilly, dreamy-like vibes. During the New Year, the hill station bustles with celebrations and the cafes are full of people having a hot cup of coffee and jamming on their guitars against the backdrop of mountains. You can celebrate your New Year at the Peace Cafe, Shiva Cafe and even the Coffee Talks as you unwind to lovely music and delicious food with your family.
7. Party At Gokarna
Gokarna, a popular beach destination in Karnataka is often known to be a quieter version of Goa. Apart from the vast, emerald clear beaches here, you can also pay your respects at the various spiritual shrines like the Kori Teeth and Mahabaleshwar Temple. It’s a perfect mixture of relaxation and spirituality. And during the New Year, you can get the best of both worlds in Gokarna. You can party by the beachside during the night and the next morning, you can welcome the New Year on a spiritual note by visiting the gorgeous temples.
8. Explore Palaces At Udaipur
Bid adieu to the year by exploring the spectacular palaces in Rajasthan’s Udaipur. The elaborate palaces, quaint handicraft markets, vast lakes, manicured gardens are some of the places you can explore here. The City of Lakes has a peaceful, royal vibe to it, and you just can’t help yourself from immersing in it. Gorge on delicious spicy Rajasthani Thali and take a tour around the city to perfectly understand the rich culture and heritage. The City Palace, Jag Mandir Palace, Fateh Sagar Lake and the Pichola Lake are some of the places you can beautifully welcome the New Year in Udaipur.
9. Romancing At Coorg
The imposing mountains, lush greenery, coffee estates, clear blue streams and misty landscape makes Karnataka’s hill station Coorg a popular place to spend the New Year. This is one of the best places to travel in India this New Year. And if you’re looking to spend some quality time with bae, then what can be better than a hill station. You can experience warm hospitality, stay in a quaint homestay, indulge in rich spicy Coorgi food and walk along the beautiful towns of Virajpet, Kushalnagar, Gonikoppal and Pollibetta.
10. Trekking At Kasol
Start your New Year on a fresh note by breathing in the uber-fresh air at Himachal Pradesh’s Kasol. You can serene, tranquil time here with your friends by pitching a tent at a secluded place here or even having a private party. The night skies will be filled with twinkling stars. The city will have a serene quiet atmosphere which is sure to encourage you to spend some much-needed me-time with your loved ones. You can unleash the adventurer in you and embark on a trekking expedition here at Kheerganga, Yanker Pass, Sar Pass, and Pin Parbati Pass.
12. French Colonial Charm At Pondicherry
If you’re hoping to have a happy New Year experiencing the best of architecture, beaches, food and whatnot, then Pondicherry should definitely be on your go-to list this December. It’s often known as the French Capital of India, as the streets are filled with old school French architecture and cafes where you can indulge in delicious French and continental food. Apart from this, you can also visit the unspoiled beaches, ancient temples and colonial buildings.
13. Exploring Monuments At Delhi
When you ever think of India’s capital Delhi, your mind will immediately be filled with thoughts about the city’s iconic monuments, delectable street food, grand parties, huge temples and whatnot. And this New Year, if you haven’t visited Delhi yet, then maybe it’s the right time you do. Go for a Delhi Darshan, exploring monuments like the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb and Purana Qila to immerse yourself in the Mughal history. For a touch of spirituality visit the Akshardham Temple, the Lotus Temple (also known as the Bahai Temple), and the ISKON Temple. And of course, your visit would be incomplete without snacking on the authentic Butter Chicken, Chole Bhature, Jalebis, Soya Chaap at the streets here.
14. Rejuvenation At Alappuzha
Alappuzha, popularly known as Alleppey is a South Indian city in the state of Kerala. It borders the Laccadive Sea and it’s known for its palm-fringed canals and rejuvenating Ayurvedic resorts. You can have a rejuvenating New Year celebration having a relaxing time at the Ayurvedic resorts here. Experience a beautiful stay at the Houseboat plopped on the serene backwaters, where you can witness the local life and the green paddy leaves. It’s serenity, tranquillity and rejuvenation at its best in Kerala’s Alleppey. This surely is one of the best places to travel this New Year.
15. Vineyards At Nashik
How about a fantastic New Year drink? Not at the comfort of your home or your hotel, but in an actual vineyard in Nashik. Nashik, a hill station in Maharashtra is known for its famous wine tourism industry. At the Sula vineyards, you can enjoy a romantic walk with your bae along the green vineyard while sipping on exquisite wine. Apart from the vineyard exploration, you can even visit the forts, waterfalls, hills, temples and the caves here. Nashik is rich in cultural heritage. So you can have a peaceful New Year here.
We have given you our list of the best places to visit this New Year. So call your family or friends, make those bookings and get ready to ring in the New Year in style.