Indian resorts to visit if you want to bring in the new year amidst the lap of nature

Let’s be honest. New year’s eve is one of the most overrated nights of the year. Even if you have a concrete plan of partying right until the sun comes up, there is something always lurking in the shadows just waiting to rain on your parade. Rather than putting yourself through all that, why not start 2023 with a gush of fresh air surrounded by colourful flora and fauna? 

We’re talking about retreating to eco-friendly resorts around the country that offer life-altering and immersive experiences. We bring you five of the best ones around the country. 

Banasura Hill Resort, Kerala  

If you want to enter the new year with something that’s more enriching than a mere vacation, what’s better than a resort that sits at an altitude of 3,200 feet amid the hills of Wayanad? The Banasura Hill Resort in Kerala is located in the middle of a tropical forest with a stream that flows through the property. This luxury eco-resort resort believes in making the most of the natural resources and is built using the mud excavated from the site that it stands on.  

The only question is, are you ready to transported to a level of relaxation that might make you never want to return to the chaos? 

Pench Tree Lodge,  Madhya Pradesh  

Imagine waking up on January 1st in a tree house surrounded by fresh air and rainbow-hued birds acting as your alarm clock. No, we aren’t talking about impersonating George of the Jungle but Pench Tree Lodge might just make you feel like you are. This off-the-beaten-path has six cottages, six tree houses, and an organic farm that you can actually work on.  

Yab Yum Beach Resort, Goa 

Nestled amongst a cluster of coconut trees, just a few steps away from Ashwem beach, the Yab Yum Beach Resort is for all those who don’t want to spend the first days of the year in the crowded parts of Goa. The secluded property consists of lux mud huts (that look like giant coconuts), which are made from locally sourced materials like straw and coconut tree leaves. If this dose of fresh air and the sea wasn’t enough to put you in a relaxed frame of mind, Yab Yum offers daily yoga and meditation classes. 

The Sarai at Toria, Panna, Madhya Pradesh 

Located on the banks of the river Ken, just outside the Panna National Park and tiger reserve, The Sarai at Toria is a luxury eco-resort with the aim of providing its guests with an environmentally-responsible, immersive experience. Start your new year with yoga, birdwatching, and a visit to a waterfall. Does anything sound better? 

Diphlu River Lodge, Assam 

If you’re looking to spend a few days living like Mowgli (with a comfy bed and good food, of course), the Diphlu River Lodge might just be the palace for you. It’s located near the Kaziranga National Park and guests are handed a list of dos and don'ts and are coached on waste management and environmental conservation. That’s not all. The absence of a fence at the lodge allows the animals from the national park to just stroll through the property. The ideal start to a good year.