New Delhi: A few days are left for 2022 to pass by and yes, you all must be excited about your travel plans for this new year. But, like always popular tourist spots are mostly crowded and not to forget, the hotel prices soar up like anything at this time. Nonetheless, to satisfy the wanderlust in you we have picked up some alternative destinations that you can visit that will be exciting and at the same time, you might just save yourselves from the humongous crowd out there.
1. Visit Gokarna instead of Goa:
Now, Goa is the most loved destination for partying on New Year's eve and a lot of people go there at this time. There are many fascinating ways to ring in the new year if you are in Goa, from roaring nightclub events to boho beach parties. Goa is without a doubt at the top of the list of the best places to visit during new year's eve. But, being the best place it also brings in all the crowd and the hotel prices soar sky-high.
Gokarna on the other hand can be a perfect place if you are seeking peace away from the hustle and bustle. While Goa beaches are easily accessible and usually loud & crowded, Gokarna beaches are comparatively calmer, and modest with fewer travellers. Gokarna also has a large number of shacks and resorts which is also pocket-friendly at the same time. You might not get the Russian or Continental seafood in abundance if you are in Gokarna, but the place is more towards the traditional side and serves local delicacies & south-Indian flavoured Seafood, which are indeed worth a try.
Gokarna also provides you with exciting adventure sports like Beach Football, Beach Volleyball, Parasailing, Banana Boat Ride, and Jet Skiing. Fishermen on some of the beaches at Gokarna will be more than happy to take you on a catamaran ride and unlike Goa, the splashes of salty water here will leave you refreshed. Thus, Gokarna is no less if you want to spend a great New Year's eve.
2. Visit Mahabalipuram instead of Pondicherry:
A variety of activities are available in Pondicherry that turns it into a fantasy land, from bicycling on the beaches to having fun at rooftop cafes. The former French capital is one of the more affordable spots to travel to on New Year. On the other hand, the calm, enticing mood, and spectacular location with several gorgeous white sandy beaches filled with casuarina trees are good reasons to visit Mahabalipuram too.
New Year parties are held in Mahabalipuram as well to enjoy on the 31st, but in addition to that, you can treat yourself to the rich Indian heritage by visiting the Shore Temple, The Five Rathas and an enormous rock-cut relief called Arjuna's penance. You can also enjoy the beaches at the shore of the Bay Of Bengal. Mahabalipuram is also home to other Hindu cave temples such as the Krishna and the Varaha cave temple and a lot of other interesting places to visit.
So, this New Year you can taste heritage in addition to partying if you visit Mahabalipuram which will indeed provide a fresh start to the upcoming year.
3. Visit Kumbalgarh instead of Udaipur:
While Udaipur might be an interesting and lavish place to spend the new year, given the number of palaces it has and the beautiful lakes, Kumbalgarh is actually no less. You can spend time and marvel at the beautiful architecture of the Kumbalgarh Fort which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. An interesting thing to witness here is the light and sound shown during sunset. You can also have a thrilling experience exploring the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to a variety of flora and fauna. It will be really nice to make a fresh start to the new year by praying at the Neelkantha Mahadeo temple in Kumbalgarh which is one of the most serene places.
The spas, resorts and cafes of Udaipur might make you groove on New Year's eve and end the year with a blast, but exploring temples, forts and the national park at Kumbalgarh might as well be a refreshing change.
4. Visit Jibhi instead of Manali:
The much-awaited Winter Carnival may sound tempting and urge you to pack your bags and leave for Manali this New Year, but this year you may try out Jibhi as well after spending a day or two in Manali. This less-explored hamlet indeed has a lot to offer.
Jibhi, frequently referred to as a captivating "hamlet," is the ideal location to unwind and spend quality time with your loved ones. It is surrounded by colourful mountains and set amidst lush green forests. Jibhi is a remote area of Himachal Pradesh that has not undergone development and is surrounded by natural beauty. This location is worth visiting because of the thick pine trees, peaceful freshwater lakes, and spotless temples. An added advantage that gives you the impression that you are living in the Victorian Era is the comfortable cottages in the Victorian style.
5. Visit Wayanad instead of Coorg:
Coorg, sometimes referred to as "The Scotland Of India," is the perfect place to ring in the new year. Coorg is the ideal weekend getaway from Bangalore and can also be the ideal family vacation destination thanks to the stunning juxtaposition of mountains and the river Kaveri. Coorg may be as beautiful and exciting as it sounds but you can also try out another famous destination for New Year, and that is Wayanad.
Wayanad, in Kerala, is known for its lush landscapes and heavy clouds and is filled with breathtaking vistas. It is a great place for nature enthusiasts to see spectacular birds and unusual species. Additionally, adventurers scale high hills and water features, making it possible to spend weekends relaxing among the aroma of new tea gardens. You might visit this town because of its exuberance and abundance of waterfalls and backwaters and spend the New Year away from the noisy city life.
6. Visit Pangot instead of Nainital:
December and January are the peak months when tourists visit Nainital. The number of new year parties organized by the resorts and the most-awaited snowfall is the main attractions why people swarm like honeybees at Nainital during this time. But, this year to make it a little different and have a new experience, Pangot can also be an option to spend your New Year.
The place which is just 15 kilometres from Nainital is a paradise for bird-watching and is famous fro its jungles and birds. A few hiking routes are available in the area, which is home to diverse plant life and lush green woodlands. Pangot to Naina peak and also to Jim Corbett National Park are two popular trekking routes. The forests are dominated by thick Oak, Pine and rhododendrons and Pine trees are used to complimenting the oak woods' rich colours adding to the natural environment's lush greenery.
So, if you love trekking and are also fond of birds, winter is the best time for you to visit Pangot and what better way to spend a New Year's eve than do it with some beautiful birds, pine trees, the sunset and all the nature has bestowed the place with!