New Year in Nepal is quite different from your typical party in Times Square. Here you get the chance to do something different and welcome the new year with a lot of energy and adrenaline. New Year is the time when you leave behind all the negativity of the previous year and start anew, so this time around welcome the new year in Nepal by trying some extreme sports or visiting religious places.
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Even if you are not looking for an adrenaline rush, Pokhara is still a perfect choice. This place is a popular choice among tourists for their New Year in Nepal. The celebrations here are on a much larger scale than anywhere else in Nepal; it extends to a couple more days than the night of the 31st. The vehicles are not allowed on the main streets as they are full of revellers and partygoers; they are decorated with lights and flowers. The lakeside town also hosts an outdoor street festival and fireworks for you to enjoy during new year's eve. You can also find masses singing carols even after midnight. This lake town has some of the most serene and beautiful sights of Nepal and to enjoy it during your new year in Nepal will be one of the most pristine experiences.
If you are looking for a pub or restaurant to enjoy a good meal and drinks this new year, we have listed some places that you can try.
Busy Bee Cafe on Baidam Road: This would be the right choice if you wish to have a good drink while listening to a live music band which is quite popular among the crowds. The food and ambience of the place set the perfect vibe for a new year's party.
Moondance bar and restaurant on Lakeside Road: If you wish to have some delicious fish for your new year in Nepal then this is the place to visit. This lakeside establishment is quite popular among locals. Apart from the lake view, another thing which attracts a crowd is an open fire for you to enjoy as you countdown the last few minutes of the year.
Maya Restaurant and Bar on Lakeside Central: They serve several cuisines such as Asian, Nepalese and international and is a pocket-friendly restaurant. The highlight of this place would be the rooftop dining area where you can enjoy a drink while watching the hustle-bustle of the street festival going on.
For other options, you can also swing by Feel Good Restro and Bar and Queen Forest Restro.On average you can spend anything between two to six days.
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If you wish to have a happening new year, Thamel district in Kathmandu should be your go-to place. The place is home to several bars and clubs and is the first choice by locals and tourists to celebrate their new year in Nepal. On new year's eve there several parties and concerts will be going on. For the past few years, the main street is closed for vehicles, and a street carnival of sorts is set up for the revellers to enjoy. There are makeshift stalls set up which sell, delicious food as well as souvenirs for you to take back.
Location: Province 3, Kathmandu. Timing: Most bars will be open until long after midnight.
3. Taumadhi Square
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Start this new year with the blessings at the Nyatapola temple. Taumadhi Square is the surrounding place of the Nyatapola temple, which is a five-storey tall structure. It is the second tallest temple in Bhaktapur, the cultural capital of Nepal. On the eve of New Year, the square is bustling with excitement and enthusiasm for the coming year. You will also get a chance to taste some of the tastiest and most authentic food from the food stalls in the square. The cherry on the top is that you will be celebrating the new year in Nepal style with the locals.
Location: Taumadhi Square, Bhaktapur. Quick Tip: Be careful with your personal belongings.
4. Buddha-Bar
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If you want to have a drink while celebrating your new year in Nepal, this is an exciting bar to visit. This bar is a hidden gem tucked away in the Thamel area, recommended for celebrating a wild new year in Nepal. It has a feel of being otherworldly about it, as if from another time. If you are bored with spending your original in a bar in New York or London, then take our word for us that doing the same in Nepal will be very refreshing. Here you get a chance of sharing your drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic with your friends to strengthen your ties and have a great time while ushering in the New Year.
Timings: 2:00 PM to 1:00 AM Location: Narsingh Chowk Marg, Kathmandu Quick Tip: Don't leave your drink unattended as there is a chance of it getting spiked.
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The serene structure is considered to be among the most significant Buddhist temples. The place comes alive even at regular nights, but on the eve of the new year, it becomes even more beautiful and vibrant. The temple complex is bustling with energy and excitement as the Tibetan community come together for merrymaking and dancing on this festive night.
Location: Boudhha, Kathmandu Duration: 2 to 3 hours Entry Fees: NPR 250 for foreign nationals and NPR 50 for SAARC national citizens.
6. Chitwan National Park
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Located in the lowlands of Nepal, this is one place that could be on your must-visit areas while in Nepal for the new year or even otherwise. The Chitwan National Park, which was established in 1973 as the first national park in Nepal, is now a world heritage site. It has some beautiful trails for you to explore, one can trek for half a day or for as long as a week. They even have a Jungle Safari where you can spot rhinos, elephants, several bird species and maybe even the majestic Bengal tiger. It will be an excellent choice to spend your first day of the year in this treasure house of natural beauty.
Location: Subarnapur Entry Fees: USD 29.2 for a foreigner, USD 14.6 for SAARC citizens.
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Nepal is home to several fast-flowing rivers and streams emerging from the Himalayan glaciers. Your new year in Nepal will be incomplete if you don’t take a white water rafting down a raft. It is considered a fun alternative to taking the bus to your destination. While there are the regular half an hour or so rides, the exciting thing in Nepal that there are also ten-day-long rafting trips for the adventurous ones.
8. Mountain Biking
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There are several mountain biking trails for you to explore for your new year. In Nepal, you can find locals mountain biking every weekend to explore the countryside. The experienced bikers like to bike from Pokhara to Kathmandu, but you can enjoy a day-long trek around Kathmandu Valley.
Duration: There are guided rides as short as 2 hours and as long as 16 days. Prices: Packages starting at NPR 2800
9. Try Paragliding in Pokhara
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Glide into the new year in Nepal style and enjoy a breathtaking view of the lake underneath you. The best place to try Paragliding is in the scenic land of Pokhara which is counted among the world's top 5 tandem paragliding spots. In Pokhara, you have the option of both Tandem and individual paragliding. As far as safety is concerned, the pilots of most ethical companies are internationally certified, and each flight has a reserve parachute.
Duration: 25 minutes to 50 minutes Prices: Packages starting at NPR 11,200
10. Tamang Heritage Trail
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If you are looking for a peaceful yet adventurous experience for your new year in Nepal, you will hardly find a better option than this trail. The Tamang Heritage Trail will take you across picturesque landscapes and lets you interact with hill tribes from the Tibet area. You will enjoy spectacular views of Himalayan ranges, beautiful rivers and greenery on your new year's eve. You will also get a chance of staying overnight with local families in Briddim and also visit a 100-year-old monastery.
Location: North of Kathmandu Valley. Duration: 8 to 12 days depending on you. Prices: Packages starting at NPR 44,000
11. Bungee Jumping at the Last Resort
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Looking for an adrenaline hit this time for your new year? You could not have chosen a better place than Nepal for the New Year. It is home to some of the most exciting extreme sports like bungee jumping. Nepal is counted among the top 10 highest bungee jumps in the world. The Last Resort sports complex, which houses this bungee jump is a three and a half-hour ride away from Kathmandu. They also have the option of overnight stay if you wish to enjoy your new year in this beautiful space. The sports complex also offers other activities such as canyoning, white water rafting and tandem swing.
Location: Mandala Street, Kathmandu Timings: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Prices: USD 108 per person
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For this new year in Nepal, maybe try the religious path and offer your prayers to the deities of the Temple. It was built in the 5th century and is the largest temple complex in Nepal and touches both ends of the Bagmati River. The majestic architectural structure, filled with ancient statues of Buddha and Brahma, is one to marvel at.
Quick Tip: As is the tradition in many temples of Southeast Asia don't forget to remove your footwear before entering the temple.
It is a lot quieter in Nepal, the main reason for this is that the official calendar of Nepal is the lunar one. This means that the traditional lunar new year of Nepal is celebrated in April, with regular festivals and celebrations. But for those wishing to celebrate with the world in the beautiful country of Nepal, these 12 options will hit the nail on the head.
