Marvanthe – A Serene Drive

The Karnataka coastline never stops to surprise all those who long to get away from the hustle bustle of the urban lifestyle. The stretch of mesmerising beaches from Mangalore all the way till Karwar are not just a delight for those who want to go for a dip but also for those who long for a blissful time. Among the many beaches that one could halt at along the Edapally-Panvel  highway is the Maravanthe beach. It’s about 55kms north of Udupi and has been considered as one of the scenic beaches by various travel magazines.

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However, what makes this place special is not the beach but the drive to the beach. The NH 66( formerly known as NH17) gives the traveller a jaw-dropping sight as they get to experience two different natural terrains at one place. The highway runs next to the beach (Arabian sea) and the Suparnika River flows on the other side of the road, creating the perfect illustration of living in harmony. This spectacular scenery is considered a one of its kind occurrence in India and is also one of the few adventures across the globe. Surprisingly, the Suparnika, which almost touches  the Arabian Sea here, makes an about-turn and joins the sea after a cruising westward for about 10 km.

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The lush greenery filled with coconut trees along the riverside captures the best of the Indian countryside one can hope to experience. On the other hand, the rocky beach gives one the space to let go of their troubles and just unwind. The best of both worlds would be plucking a coconut on your own and heading to the beach to relish the sweetness. So if the folks in a group have a dilemma while choosing between a beach and a countryside, then this is the place to head to. After all, it’s not always about the destination, but the journey one takes to get there.

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Since this location is quite happening, a number of inns and homestays have established around this area to help the tourists enjoy the drive peacefully. Eateries including mini dhabas have grown over the years serving the best of Malnad cuisine until late night. The best season to travel  would be between September and March. Even though a monsoon drive sounds quite fascinating in this scenario, it’s not suggested as there are some parts of the road that have the Arabian sea flowing onto it. However, if you are looking for some water sports at the end of the journey, then post monsoon season is just perfect.

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Republic Day Offer – T&Cs

If any customer books and completes his travel between 23rd and 26th Jan for 48 hours or more, he is eligible for below offer.

– Get flat 26% off on the next drive between 1st Feb and 29th Feb.
– Valid only on Weekdays (Mon-Thu)
– Not valid during peak season
– Coupon code will be emailed by 28th Jan 2016.

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Self-drive holidays in rented cars, a new way to explore

A holiday is always much awaited thing in any family. How the entire experience starts can actually make it or break it. As I landed in Chennai a few weeks back I had my apprehensions firmly in place. That’s because I was going to try something I’d only heard about and had no idea just how the entire process would play out. I’m talking about self drive car rentals, an idea slowly but surely picking up in our country.

On paper it sounds really attractive. It costs much lesser than hiring a cab and if you love to drive then this is just for you. I had booked a Zoomcar for three days for a weekend getaway to Pondicherry. The process was pretty simple; choose your vehicle online from the list of available options , make an advance payment and it’s done. The fact that my flight landed earlier than the expected time of arrival only increased my uncertainties.

But one call to the Zoomcar representative was enough to the put all that to rest. He was already at the airport waiting for me and as soon as I stepped out I saw a bright red XUV 500 coming towards me. A Zoomcar logo was on the front door enough for me to recognize the car and I stepped into a world I had never experienced before. Zoomcar holds the distinction of being India’s first 100% self drive car rental company.

It allows users to rent the cars by the hour, day, week or month. Founded only in 2013, it presently services customers across Bangalore, Pune, Delhi NCR, Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad. Some of these cities offer an option of customers receiving the cars at their preferred address (chargeable) while in others you may have to go to a nearby location to pick up the car.

The company can boast of an expanding fleet which is currently clocking over 1500 cars which includes Ford Figo and Ecosport, Honda City and Amaze, Mahindra Scorpio and XUV, Tata Safari and Nano, and even the BMW 3 series & Mercedes A class and GLA class. Once you leave the madness of Chennai behind the drive along the east coast road was as scenic as ever. The roughly 150 kms journey was full of beautiful sights of the sea and backwaters.

Owing to the road widening, the highway was full of bumps and diversions, but this where a car like XUV helped, soaking in all those bumps. And instead of relying on a self minded cab driver, you can drive the way you want, at your own pace. It wasn’t long before we reached the borders of Pondicherry state and that meant we had to stop and get a temporary permit.

This is because all Zoomcars have a commercial taxi permit need to pay state taxes whenever they enter a new state. According to Greg Moran, CEO & Co-founder of Zoomcar, “Each state has a different tax and permitting laws which makes it more challenging and expensive to expand into new territories”. The good thing is that these cars are kept in a special self drive category where one does not need a commercial license to drive them.

Pondicherry is quite unlike most other Indian towns. Its colourful, its clean and there is hardly any traffic. It’s not very big in terms of area but the distances to major landmarks are not walkable.That means a car comes in really handy as finding a parking space is never a problem. And this where the XUV was put to good use; be it visiting the wonderfully maintained Promenade or the extremely popular Auroville Ashram this was certainly a better option than auto rickshaws.

The fact that i saw four more cars with the Zoomcar logo in the Auroville visitor parking lot just reinforced my decision to make this a self drive holiday. Auroville is meant to be a universal town where men and women of all countries live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds and politics. However when it comes to visiting the Promenade in the evening even a Zoomcar cannot help as the seafront is closed for traffic after 6 pm.

Owing to its rich French heritage there is a lot to explore in Pondicherry. It has many colonial buildings, churches, temples as well as statues. The architecture of the colonial buildings is worth noticing and the cameras just kept clicking. Pondicherry is also known for its unique mixture of Tamil and French cuisines and there is no dearth of good places to eat at. As our stay at the pretty La Maison Tamoule neared the end, we got ready to get back to Chennai to catch for our flight.

The journey was as seamless as it was when we arrived and so was the car returning process as once again the Zoomcar representative wa waiting for us at the airport. It certainly was a great holiday; where we went, where we stayed and how we went was all spot on.

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Introducing One Way Travel Between Delhi and Chandigarh

Banner_1200x450 (1)We are starting 2016 with a bang by introducing one way travel between Delhi and Chandigarh.

We know there are times when you have to travel one way and hiring a taxi or even renting a self-drive car isn’t the best option as you need to pay for to and fro charges. With this in mind, we are now giving our users an option to pick car from either Delhi or Chandigarh and drop in the other city, with tariffs starting as low as Rs 1,999.

All you need to do is send an email to onewaytravel@zoomcar.com with your travel date & time and we will revert this confirmation.

Please Note:

1. Pickup / Drop point in Delhi will be New Delhi Railway Station
2. Pickup / Drop point in Chandigarh will be Chandigarh Railway Station
3. Emails will have to be sent at least 24 hrs prior to your start time. Zoomcar team will get back with confirmation and steps to book
4. Trips will be of 8 hours duration. The pricing includes 270 free KMs
5. Late charges will be applied if the car is returned after more than 8 hours. Extra KM fee will be applicable if driven beyond 270 KMs
6. This facility is currently available only on Honda City & Mahindra Scorpio
7. Punjab state tax and other toll tax will be paid by the customer
8. Cars can not be picked/dropped between 12 midnight to 6 am

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Zoom Connect – T&Cs

1. Cues for a site, a vehicle and a travel destination would be shared on each of the days starting from 15th and 17th at 6 PM.
2. Participants are supposed to guess the site, vehicle or travel destination from the cues. Participants are supposed to mention the answers as comments concurrent to the post.
3. Each day the first person who connects all the cues correctly would be adjudged the winner.
4. The winner would get a personal message from Zoomcar.

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All About Heritage Quest

About Heritage Quest:

The objective of Heritage Quest by Zoomcar is to reintroduce Bangalore to the participants and to get them to understand the city and its culture heritage. Since, a number of monuments in the city Bangalore have been lost in concrete jungle and are not noticed in the daily hustle and bustle of daily life and work routines. We have designed the contest in such a manner that the contestants will have to gather information about the historic, architectural and cultural background of the City.

This information will be used solving clues and answering questions. To solve some of the clues, the participants will need to take help from common people on the road as well. Once the clues are solved, the participants will have to travel across the City to visit the various landmarks and institutions.

How to Participate:

  • Participate in the Preliminary Quiz starting from 11th Jan 2016 to 14th Jan 2016. Please visit https://apps.facebook.com/fb-quizzes/form/zoomcar-heritage-quest-1023695 to participate.
  • Winners will be announced on 15th Jan 2016.
  • Winners will be allowed to get one partner for the Grand Finale.

Grand Finale:

  • Finals will be held on 26th Jan 2016.
  • It will be a Team Game with 4 people per team. Each team has to appoint a Team Leader.
  • Each Team will be provided with one Zoomcar and T-Shirts specially designed for Heritage Quest.
  • Each Team will be given a list of questions at the flag off, answer to each question will lead to a prominent place in Bangalore.
  • Team needs to solve as many questions as possible at the start, plan the shortest route to visit all the places in the given time.
  • Each Team needs to click a selfie with the Zoomcar and the place visited and upload on Twitter with #ZoomcarHeritageQuest with your Team Name.
  • If there any unanswered questions during the Game, you may seek help from People on the Ground. You will be given “Thank You” cards which you will hand over for each clue you get from the People.
  • It will be a day long Game from Morning till Evening.

General Rules and Guidelines:

  • Heritage Quest will be governed by Zoomcar India. Zoomcar India will have complete discretion in formulating and applying all rules, imposing time/point penalties or to disqualify teams for conduct that is in violation of the rules or contrary to the best interests of the Game.
  • Scoring rules will be announced on the day of the Finale.
  • Decision of the Zoomcar India would be final and binding on all participants.
  • Carry a copy of the Confirmation Email from Zoomcar & Driving License. Without these documents, you will not be able to participate.
  • Use of any private vehicles will lead to disqualification of the team. Rented vehicles (like Meru cabs, Ola etc) will be considered as private vehicles.
  • Any action by the team that degrades, deteriorates or damages the environment or causes any harm in any manner to the monuments or places they will visit during the race, will lead to disqualification. Zoomcar India is not responsible for any outcome of the actions of the race participants.
  • Verbal or physical aggression towards the public, local officials, other participants, organizers will lead to immediate disqualification of the team.
  • You can write to contest@zoomcar.com for any clarifications.

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Refer Your Friends to Zoomcar and Earn Driving Credits

Referral-BannerInvite your friends to use Zoomcar through your unique referral link and earn Rs. 300 free driving credits for every friend that drives with us. What’s more? Your friends get Rs. 300 free credits too, as soon as they sign up!

Here’s what all you have to do.

  1. Login to your Zoomcar account (on website, you currently can’t refer your friends through app) and go to ‘My Account‘. Click on ‘Referrals‘ from user menu.
  2. You can refer your friends through a unique link which can be shared via three options as shown below.iNNkVEY
  3. INVITE YOUR FRIEND

Terms & Conditions:

  • Your friends will receive Rs. 300 free driving credits immediately after signing up through your unique referral link.
  • You will receive referral credits once your friend completes his 1st booking.
  • One user can earn up to only Rs.10,000 in credits from referrals.
  • Zoomcar reserves the right to suspend your account and/or revoke all referral credits at any time if we feel they were earned inappropriately

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9 Breathtaking Destinations In India That Will Put These Hollywood Locations To Shame

Ever wondered what cooks the feel for the reel? Didn’t the sepia tinted streets of Paris have a greater character in Midnight in Paris than any carefully chosen Hollywood star. Some destinations simply shout out loud their ultimate magic on screen and make you believe that there’s nothing else you’d rather see.

But hold on! We’re on a journey of serious lateral thinking here. When you travel across India, scenes of your much-loved Hollywood movies flash before your eyes. Here’s a desi musing on alternate Indian destinations for popular Hollywood storylines.

1. Midnight in Paris in North Kolkata

Woody Allen has his own Mediterranean selections for Midnight in Paris. The quaint streets and dim lit evenings of Paris are great scenic choices.

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But imagine Owen Wilson transported to the sepia-tinted streets of Kolkata. If only Woody Allen knew the intellectual excesses of this city, he would roam in circles in hand-pulled rickshaws humming Rabindro Sangeet.

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2. Barcelona to Marine Drive

Vicky Christina Barcelona made you hum the Catalonian folk song… Baacelonaaaaaaa… as Scarlett Johansson sat enrapt by the Mediterranean seaside.

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But din’t it remind you of the Marine Drive as the wind played with her hair. A desi mind wouldn’t mind Scarlet Johansson talking a stroll till Chowpatty. (Say hello to imagination)!

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3. Hobbiton Grasslands at Munnar

The happy homes of the hobbits at the Shire made you believe that there’s no better fantasy land.

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But consider Tolkien musing Lord of the Rings in the rolling grassland of Kerela. Munnar then becomes a perfect pick for the Indian Hobbiton.

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4. The Real Fantasyland of Kodaikanal

We are here with more options for Tolkien. The Argonath Statues were only a work of imagination in The Fellowship of the Rings…

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The Pillar Rock in Kodaikanal changes all that imagination into reality.

5. From Hogsmeade to Kalka Shimla Express

The Harry Potter magic began with the slow chugging Hogwarts Express.

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For us it’s the Himalayan Queen. You would know that you’ve left the muggle world behind once you board the Kalka Shimla Express. Not on platform 9 3/4 but it does take you on a trip through countless tunnels via Dharampur and Solan.

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6. Motorcycle Diaries from Manali to Leh

Ernesto and Alberto from The Motorcycle Diaries went on a phenomenal journey from Brazil to Peru. Every shot of their dirt laden bike tells you that moving through the roads can be immensely soul-stirring.

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We offer a desi road trip to the Latino boys. The breathtaking route to Leh is nothing less than a biker’s paradise. The high mountain passes and beauty of nothingness catches you heart like no other road, no other land.

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7. Narnia to Nainital

The White Witch froze Narnia for a hundred years but we found the snowscapes just too lovely to ever vanish.

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Our own Narnia awaits us on the lap of Himalayas. Nainital during the January snowfall this year appeared just like a fantasy. No popcorns. No passport. Narnia is just a weekend getaway.

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8. Shout out Mamma Mia at Varkala Papanasam Beach

All the grace and charm of Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried on the musical-magical Greek island made it the ultimate island of romance.

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But here’s a pretty sea cliff in Kerela. All you got to do is wear your heart on your sleeve and sing a soulful song as you take a walk on the Varkala Beach.

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9. Bliss Guaranteed at Morgim Beach

If there’s anything tragically beautiful in this world, it’s Christopher McCandless journey to Alaska. But it gave us moments of pure insight and a sneekpeek into a traveler’s world.

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India offers its own share of quirk to every traveller. Perhaps the traveler’s tragedy could have been avoided if they shot the plot in Goa because in here, the travelers come, they love what they see and go no where.

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These 7 Weekend Getaways Are The Only Reason People From Chandigarh Would Ever Leave Home

While a holiday is the best remedy for general lack of interest in work and other sundry enterprises, a full-fledged vacation might not always be possible. A weekend getaway is a good-enough energizer, too. Chandigarh may be a destination that gives R&R a whole new meaning, there are a couple of places where you can travel to, from Chandigarh as well. Here, we list out some great getaways that you can escape to over the weekend.

We clearly want you to go off-the-beaten path, and travel new roads. Pack nothing but an overnight bag when you embark on these trips, and let the weekend be a relaxed one. Read on to find out what our ideas are.

Kurukshetra
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This holy town is of great importance because it is the land where Lord Krishna sang the eternal song, The Bhagavad Gita, to Arjuna. Rediscover your inner calm at a few of the many temples that dot this town, or watch the sunset at the sarovars or kunds here. As an ode to its most famous daughter, astronaut Kalpana Chawla, there is also a science centre here, where you could do some star gazing. There is also a crocodile farm at Bhor Saidan that is a must-visit. You could even take a little detour from Kurukshetra, and get your genealogical chart made by the pandits at Pehowa, who specialize in this science. Kurukshetra is just two hours away from Chandigarh.

Renukaji Lake
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Located in the Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh, which in itself is a great place to spend a weekend at, Renukaji is a beautiful lake surrounded by the Himalayas. Said to be the embodiment of Renuka, the wife of the Rishi Jamadagini and the mother of Parshuram – who was one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu – Renuka Lake is spread over nearly three kilometres.

Renukaji is a beautiful place to be one with nature and also indulge in boating and trekking. There is also a miniature zoo here that houses leopards, black bears, and other mountain fauna. Renukaji is a four-hour drive from Chandigarh.

Solan
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Very famous for being home to the oldest brewery in India, Solan is also a nature-lover’s haven. It is an ideal place to enjoy the tranquility of the hills, without the crowds. The city is dotted with various monasteries and temples, and also produces the largest amount of mushrooms in India. Don’t get too excited, we mean the vegetarian variety! Other must-see places in Solan are Arki Fort, Shoolini Devi temple, Hari Mandir, the Solan railway station (one of the highest railway stations in the world), Mohan Shakti National Heritage Park, Dolanji Bon Monastery, and the church in Solan cantonment. Do also visit the Mohan Heritage Park in Ashwani Khad. Solan is a couple of hours’ drive away from Chandigarh.

Chail
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Instead of going to over-crowded Shimla, where a ‘walk’ on the famous Mall Road is more like a jostle now, go to Chail – after all, it is just 50 kilometres away from Shimla. It is a welcome change to the noisy bustle of Shimla and also a hiker’s paradise. Do pack in your binoculars as you leave home, considering that the place boasts of several varieties of birds. While here, do go to the Chail Sanctuary in Sadhupul, Cricket Ground (highest cricket ground in the world), Chail military School, and the Chail Gurudwara. And don’t forget to try their bun-samosa, a famous street food here – a hot samosa enveloped in a butter-laden bun. Driving from Chandigarh to Chail will take you about three hours.

Kausani
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While the trip to Kausani is ideal for a long weekend (considering it will take about 12 hours to drive there), the beauty of this place will make it totally worth the time spent on driving. Located in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, Kausani has a population of only about 400-odd people. A wonderful picnic spot, Kausani is surrounded by dense pine forests and also tea gardens producing a high-flavoured tea that is exported to many countries, including Australia, Germany, Korea, and the United States. Kausani offers a 300 km wide panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks of Nanda Devi, Trisul, and Panchachuli. It wasn’t for nothing that Mahatma Gandhi referred to Kausani as ‘the Switzerland of India’.

Morni Hills
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A small hamlet in the Panchkula district of Haryana, Morni Hills is yet another wonderful place for a weekend getaway from Chandigarh. Situated about 45 km from Chandigarh, Morni Hills is a scenic place with two lakes – or taals – that are fringed by hills. It is also a great place for those who like to trek and camp. Morni Hills is known for its variety of flowers and different bird species such as Crested Kingfisher, Grey and Black Francolins, Wall Creeper, Bat-tailed Tree Creeper, Oriental Turtle Dove, and Himalayan Bulbul.

Hoshiarpur
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For those of you who have a green thumb, Hoshiarpur near Jalandhar is a wonderful place that is testimony to the fertility of Doaba – the most fertile region of Punjab. It is quite an experience to revel in the orange orchards here (there are quite a few resorts that have their own). From wildlife to agriculture, great food to even better shopping, Hoshiarpur aces everything. Take a nice book along, or just go here to put your feet up and do nothing.

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21 Ways To Bring In 2016

There’s still time to tick off those items on your travel bucket list this year. We’ve picked trip ideas across the country for Nature lovers, adventure buffs, parents with kids, revellers and hermits.

Family

You won’t worry about keeping the kids busy in these open spaces. 

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Rann Utsav, Gujarat

For a memorable New Year’s celebration, head to Gujarat’s Rann Festival. There’s something for everyone – folk dances, traditional handicrafts, museums and palaces. Keep the kids happy with camel safaris and trips to the Little Rann of Kutch to spot wild ass, desert fox, blackbuck and more. Stay in tents for the full desert experience.

Kaziranga National Park, Assam

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As you prepare to bring in 2016, take the kids to Assam’s Kaziranga National Park for a trip they’re unlikely to forget. Hop on to the back of an elephant and explore the 858 sq. km reserve, keeping an eye out for Kaziranga’s most popular resident, the one-horned rhino. The reserve is also home to leopards, sloth bears and Gangetic dolphins.

Plantations in south India

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Travel back to a slower time at one of the multiple homestays at plantations across the south. Pick from tea, coffee or rubber estates. Activities usually include plantation tours, organic farming, cheese-making and cooking with local ingredients. Some even offer “high tea” on the verandas in the evening. There’s tons of space for your children to run around and discover Nature up close.

Auli, Uttarakhand

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You’ll never have to worry about keeping the kids occupied in Auli. A premier skiing destination, this gem in Uttarakhand is home to some of the best slopes in the country. Sign up for classes and enjoy the thrill of gliding down the snowclad slopes. Snow angels, snowball fights – the opportunities are endless for a good roll-around in the white wonderland. Or just settle in with a steaming cup of chai and take in the majestic mountains.

Chill

Sometimes the best way to celebrate is to do nothing. 

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Andaman Islands

This pick is a no-brainer. It’s not very wallet-friendly, but celebrating 2016 on the beaches of the Andaman Islands will be unforgettable. Live out your beach-bum fantasies as you lay back and take in the azure skies and turquoise seas of the Bay of Bengal. Island-hop to enjoy everything this destination has to offer. Or just find a stretch of sand and bask for the entire trip.

Lansdowne, Uttarakhand

A trip to Lansdowne will transport you to colonial times. This quiet hill station retains its old-world charm thanks to its well-preserved Scottish architecture. Walk along the Mall or make your way to Tiffin Top for splendid views of the Himalayas.

Chandipur Beach, Orissa

Skip Orissa’s famed beaches and head to Chandipur, a remote and beautiful beach. During low tide, the sea is said to recede about 5km, creating the illusion of melting into the horizon. A picture-perfect way to coast to new beginnings.

Mandawa, Rajasthan

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Like much of Rajasthan, Mandawa has a fair share of forts and havelis. But what sets this town apart are the painted frescoes. Don’t miss the gold-leaf painted room in Jhunjhunwala Haveli.  Spend your days wandering through the town, or hole up in a boutique hotel and live out your maharaja dreams.

Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

Enjoy steaming cups of coffee and watch the first sunrise of 2016 come up over Kodaikanal’s lush hills.

Romantic Hotels

Shut out the chaos that New Year’s Eve can bring and book yourself in a hotel for pampering and quality time with loved ones. Lose yourself in the blissful treatments of Ananda In The Himalayas, take in beautiful views from your room at the Ri Kynjai in Shillong, picnic in lake-side tents at Mihir Garh in Rajasthan or enjoy the azure waters of the Bay Of Bengal when you stay at the Vivanta by Taj – Fishermen’s Cove in Tamil Nadu.

Festive Cheer

Party until dawn and soak up festival vibes.

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Goa

Bid 2015 adieu at Sunburn Goa (December 27-30, 2015) in Vagator. This year’s edition includes performances by David Guetta, Martin Garrix and Bass Jackers. There’s also VH1’s Supersonic 2014 (December 27-30, 2015) in Candolim with a line-up that includes the likes of Axwell and Don Diablo. Don’t miss the Saturday Night Market in Arpora for a taste of global music, cuisine, clothing and accessories.  A beach, good music and fireworks – you’ll have all the makings of a great New Year’s Eve.

Coorg, Karnataka

Crisp weather, trees and music – New Year’s at Coorg’s Chasing The Storm NYE, a camp-out music festival, has you pitching tents and sleeping under the stars.  Tickets are on sale now. The website also promises bonfires and marshmallows.

Mount Abu, Rajasthan

The Winter Festival (the last week of December), a government initiative, takes place at Mount Abu each year. From gilli danda, kite-flying and soaring in hot air balloons to performances by folk artists from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana, the festival is a mélange of activities bound to keep you on your feet for three days. The festival culminates in a fireworks display.

Bishnupur, West Bengal

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The Bishnupur Utsav has been organized every year since 2008 by the state’s tourism department. The town already attracts visitors with its terracotta temples and baluchari saris, but this festival takes it a step further with a variety of folk music and dance performances.

Nature/Adventure

Escape the city with a Nature retreat.

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Dehradun, Uttarakhand

December’s a good time to visit the wildlife at Rajaji National Park. The park is known for the 500 elephants that call it home, in addition to tigers, panthers and barking deer. Birdwatchers alert: Keep an eye out for the over 400 species that roost in the vicinity. While you’re in the area, stop by Dehradun, too.

Alleppey, Kerala

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Rent a houseboat on Kerala’s backwaters for a gentle entry into the New Year. Choose your boat depending on the size of your group. The lush, green banks and calm waters are the perfect kind of quiet for your year-end break.

Kamshet, Maharashtra

Go paragliding about 100km from Mumbai. Kamshet’s open fields are a lovely way to unwind from a hectic year. While you’re there, stop by the ancient Buddhist caves and temples, some of which date back to the seventh century B.C.

Kibithu, Arunachal Pradesh

This is the easternmost place in India – go here to greet 2016 earliest. You can trek around the picturesque little town, and if the winds allow, even cross the hanging bridge. The town is steeped in history, and was at the centre of the 1962 Sino-Indian war. You’re bound to come away with a compelling story.

Manipal, Karnataka

Stay at The Blue Matsya and go surfing with the Shaka Surf Club. There are other water sports that the homestay can arrange for too. Watch out for dolphins if you go on a morning boat ride, and if you’re feeling even more adventurous, climb up to the top of the local lighthouse.

Pondicherry

Embrace underwater calm in the Bay of Bengal by scuba diving with Temple Adventures off Pondicherry (Puducherry).

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