New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and as usual everyone is scurrying about making last minute travel plans. As everyone’s attention turns to Goa to celebrate the biggest (and let’s face it, most overhyped) night of the year, very few realise that there are far more options available for an NYE getaway—depending on what you’re looking for, of course. And if being assailed on the beach by hordes of drunk, loud 20-somethings doesn’t figure into your plans (because don’t forget, Sunburn and VH1 Supersonic both take place December 27 – 30) we’ve got you sorted.
We’ve pulled out all the stops to bring you a guide to 8 offbeat destinations where you can bring in the New Year. See you on the flipside.
I. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are perfect if the kind of New Year you want involves white sand beaches and crystal clear water by day, and an inky black sky studded with an explosion of stars by night.
What to do: First of all, keep in mind that this beach vacation isn’t a party vacation. It’s all about getting back to the simple things, introspecting, and having a great time in the sun while doing it. The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is made up of 572 little isles that contain mangroves, rainforests, and of course, coral reefs.
Where to stay: While there are some accommodation options, such as Barefoot Havelock (starts at 12,000 per night for a room for two) and Coral Reef Resort (starts at 14,499 per night for a room for two) on Havelock Island, most people prefer to explore the ‘live aboard’ concept, which involves staying on board a ship as you hop around from one dive spot to another. Check out Infiniti Liveaboard, which has various itineraries.
Don’t leave without: Visiting Barren Island, which is home to South Asia’s only active volcano.
II. Gokarna, Karnataka
Gokarna shot to fame a few years ago as the newest hippie haven on the block. Many people even draw parallels between this sleepy seaside town and Goa in its heyday.
What to do: Be a beach bum and check out Kudle Beach, Half-Moon Beach, Paradise Beach and Om Beach. Om Beach is the most popular one and is so named because it’s in the form of the Hindu Om, with the curves creating safe, shallow pools. Kudle Beach is the largest and can get quite crowded, Half-Moon Beach is a 20-minute walk from Om Beach and you can only get there on foot, while Paradise Beach is a small, protected cove. If you’re here to party, rest assured there will be plenty of stuff happening at the beach. While it may not be on the scale of Goa—and instead only consist of a few bonfires with singing and dancing—it’s bound to be fun.
If you want a dose of culture too, Gokarna won’t disappoint. It’s home to many temples such as the Mahabaleshwar Temple, which houses a huge lingam of Lord Shiva. It’s also considered to be one of the seven sacred Muktikshetras in India. There’s also the Murudeshwara Temple, which houses the world’s second-largest Shiva statue, and the Maha Ganpati Temple, built in honour of Lord Ganesha.
Where to stay: Gokarna has a range of options ranging from resorts such as SwaSwara and Om Beach Resort (starts at Rs. 2,883 per night for a room for two). You can also try your luck at the various shacks on the various beaches that offer accommodation. At Om Beach, Nirvana Guesthouse (098801 37064) and Namaste Café (083862 57141) are quite popular, as is Namaste Yoga Farm in the hills above Kudle Beach. And hey, you can always carry camping gear and set up camp on the beach itself if that’s your thing.
Don’t leave without: Indulging in some early morning yoga on the beach. There’s no better way to start off a new year than with the peace that comes with a good yoga session.
III. Gulmarg, Kashmir
If you’re part of the ‘it’s not winter if there’s no snow’ brigade, head up north to Gulmarg for New Year’s Eve. Kashmir is gorgeous in winter—everything is covered in a white blanket of snow, especially Gulmarg.
What to do: For starters, curl up by the fireplace because it’s going to be really, really, cold. Once you’re used to it, head out fearlessly into the cold because there’s tons to do. Go skiing (Gulmarg is the 7th best skiing destination in Asia and is home to the world’s highest ski lift, the Gulmarg Gondola) and tobogganing; visit the 110-year old St. Mary’s Church and the Shiva Temple or tee off at the golf course.
Where to stay: For unparalleled luxury, check out The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa (starts at Rs. 12,800 per night for a room for two). There’s also The Vintage Gulmarg (starts at Rs. 12,000 per night for a room for two) and Hotel Highlands Park (Rs. 13,128 per night) in the same price range. For cheaper options, check out Hotel Hilltop (Rs. 5,795 per night for a room for two) and Welcome Hotel Gulmarg (starts at Rs. 5,500 per night).
Don’t leave without: Skiing. We can’t emphasise this enough. If you’re a newbie, the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering offers courses.
IV. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
October to March is peak wildlife season at India’s national parks. And December sits snugly in the middle, so it’s only fair to say that spending New Year’s Eve in the middle of the wilderness surrounded by the calls of animals is a great way to usher in the New Year.
What to do: Goes without saying—go on safari. Kanha is famous for its tigers. But that’s not all you can see here. There’s also the twelve-horned barasingha, gaur, hyena, chital, sloth bear, and leopard amongst others. The dense sal forests are also home to a variety of birds including egrets, hornbills, golden orioles and 26 species of reptiles.
Where to stay: With plenty of options available both inside and outside the park, you’re spoilt for choice. However, we suggest you try and snag one of the coveted lodges within to get the best experience. Kipling Camp is a family-run establishment and prides itself on its attentive, personal service. Each two-room cottage has its own veranda. Kanha Jungle Lodge (starts at Rs. 9,000 per night for a room for two) is another great bet. Its 18 rooms are equipped with modern amenities and their resident naturalist is more than happy to answer any wildlife queries you might have. Also worth checking out are The Baagh Resort (starts at Rs. 7,829 per night for a room for two) and Muba at Mukki Kanha (starts at Rs. 3,850 per night for a room for two)
Don’t leave without: Planning a trip to Bedaghat, which is a short distance from the park and is known for its sheer marble rocks that rise high on either side of the Narmada river. A stunning sight if there ever was one.
V. Kerala Backwaters, Kerala
This is for those who really want to kick back, relax and do absolutely nothing except get lost in some spectacular scenery and perhaps a book or two. Kerala’s backwaters have been enchanting travellers for decades, and if you want a quiet, peaceful New Year’s Eve you’re probably not going to find a better place.
[caption id=”attachment_43470” align=”aligncenter” width=”800”] A houseboat on Kerala’s backwaters[/caption]
What to do: Unplug from technology: turn off your phone, put away your laptop and daydream. We’re serious. But if you can’t sit still for too long, there’s plenty to keep you busy too—visit Kumarakom beach, wander through coconut plantations, engage in a little coir making or simply watch locals deftly weave the tough fibres together, grab a pair of binoculars and spot local birds like the waterfowl, cormorants, cuckoos, egrets and herons.
Where to stay: On a houseboat, obviously. Kerala Houseboats has a range of packages. See which is right for you
Don’t leave without: Eating some authentic Keralan cuisine whipped up fresh on the houseboat.
VI. Puducherry, Tamil Nadu
If you’re in the mood for a quiet, peaceful, culture filled New Year’s Eve, consider Puducherry. This quaint little town in Tamil Nadu is famous for its strong French connection and the Aurobindo Ashram.
What to do: Walk through the charming old French Quarter; visit the botanical gardens; check out the Pondi Sunday Market; buy fabrics and crafts at Kasha Ki Aasha; pick up curios and knickknacks at La Boutique d’Auroville; shop for spices at Grand Bazaar. You can also visit the Aurobindo Ashram and the Puducherry Museum.
Where to stay: Pondi’s got some great mid-range options: choose from CGH Earth’s Maison Perumal and Palais de Mahe (starts at Rs. 5,500 and 8,500 per night, respectively), Villa Shanti (starts at Rs. 7,000 per night), Le Dupleix (starts at Rs. 7,500 per night) and more hotels, or opt for a homestay such as Les Hibiscus (starts at Rs. 2,700 per night), Dumas Guesthouse (starts at Rs. 2,750 per night), or Red Lotus (starts at Rs. 3,500 per night).
Don’t leave without: Seeing some of Puducherry’s famous churches, such as the Church of Our Lady of Angels, Sacred Heart Church, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and Immaculate Conception Church; visiting the French War Memorial on Gobert Avenue; boating on Osudu Lake; getting blessed by the resident elephant at Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple.
VII. Tarkarli, Maharashtra
Tarkarli is one of the most beautiful beaches along the Konkan Coast. Its soft, fine white sand and clear water has made it a diving hotspot—not to mention being one of the only places to spot turtles in the wild as the beach is a nesting ground. Tarkarli is also famous for its bioluminescence, the production and emission of light by a living organism. If you’re lucky, the water will come alive at night with a ghostly glow.
What to do: This is a no-brainer. Go diving, snorkeling, kayaking—basically don’t get out of the ocean all day. Tarkarli Scuba Diving has PADI-trained instructors, so you can be sure you’re in safe hands. At night, lie back on the sands and watch the explosion of stars overhead—but keep one eye on the water too. You can also get a dose of local history by visiting the famous Sindhudurga Fort, which was built over three years (1664-1667) by Shivaji and is spread out over acres of land.
Where to stay:
Kinara homestay (09665514055; starts at Rs. 2,950 per night for a room for two) and Mithbavkar’s Homestay (02365 252 941; starts at Rs. 1,000 per night for a room for two) are just two of a few homestay options available. Otherwise you can always check into the government-run MTDC lodge (02365 252 390; starts at Rs. 2,400 per night for a room for two).
Don’t leave without: Sampling some Konkani cuisine such as kombdi vade, malvani mutton curry, mori masala, and sol kadi.
VIII. Vattakanal, Tamil Nadu
Affectionately called Little Israel thanks to the number of Israeli tourists that flock to this hill station seven kilometres from Kodaikanal, Vattakanal is a tiny little hamlet that’s home to a few hundred people and has only one main road—a far cry from city life. The main road offers a view of the circular valley beyond. It is after this circular valley or vatta that Vattakanal was named.
What to do: Visit local points such as Dolphin’s Nose (for the best selfie you’ll ever take), Suicide Point and Silent Valley view. If you like to trek, set off along any of the mountain paths and relish being momentarily lost. We definitely recommend keeping your camera handy, because Vattakanal is a biodiversity hotspot—you’re not going to see most of these flowers anywhere else. There’s also a nursery in Vattakanal if you want to take home a souvenir.
Where to stay: Don’t expect five-star accommodation, because there isn’t any. The only options here are guesthouses. Try Edwin’s Guesthouse (09942467612) R.C. Guesthouse (09976849870) or Rubin’s Guesthouse (097867 88485). Rates fluctuate through the year so it’s best to call and ask for a quote if you’re interested. If you really can’t sleep in anything other than a hotel, check out The Fern Creek (starts at Rs. 8,999 per night for a room for two) and Hotel Villa Retreat (starts at Rs. 2,900 per person per night for a room for two). You can always make the quick journey up to Vattakanal by car every day—not recommended for those with motion sickness. The road twists, turns, rises and falls as it clings to the mountainside. Doing it every day is probably not wise. If you have motion sickness, get to Vattakanal and stay put.
Don’t leave without: Visiting Vattakanal’s most popular café, Altaf’s (+91 9488569632). They serve Indian, Middle-Eastern and Israeli food, so if eating hummus or shakshouka in the middle of nowhere in the mountains of Tamil Nadu doesn’t make you feel for globalisation and cross-cultural mingling, you’re pretty dead inside.
Researched by Raj Rege