Best Places To Visit In India In December
December is the month India shows off. The air is crisp in the hills, calm over the sea, and cold enough in the desert to make you reach for a blanket at night. It is also peak season, with school holidays and Christmas and New Year pulling prices up, so the good hotels go first.
Here are seven places that earn their December reputation, with a note on how long each deserves and what makes it different.
At A Glance
- Seven places that do well in December: Manali, Shimla, Kutch, the Andamans, Goa and Konkan, Rajasthan and Kerala.
- Possible snow in the hills, a white salt desert in Kutch and calm seas in the Andamans.
- Book flights and hotels as soon as you can. Christmas and New Year week fills first.
1. Manali, Himachal Pradesh: Snow On The Temple Roof
Snow is the reason to go, though it is never guaranteed. Manali and Solang Valley are usually cold and often snowy in December and January, so pack proper woollens. The wooden Hadimba Temple, set among cedar trees, looks like a picture when snow lies on its tiered roofs.
The tiered wooden Hadimba Temple in Manali with snow on its roofs. Photo: Hadimba Devi Temple, Manali by Wordsmith86, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Local sightseeing, Solang Valley, Kullu and Naggar fit into four days. The nearest airport is Bhuntar near Kullu, although many travellers take a Volvo coach from Delhi. Roads can close after heavy snow, so keep a day spare.
Our Majestic Manali tour covers three nights in a hotel with Delhi to Manali Volvo transfers, and prices start at ₹5,900 per person for a group of four (valid till 20 December 2026).
2. Shimla: The Colonial Hill Station
Shimla was the British summer capital, and it still has the Ridge, a wide open promenade with a neo-Gothic church and Tudor-style buildings. It is cold in December, and in some years it is snowy. Walk the Mall Road at dusk when the lights come on.
Christ Church and colonial buildings on the Ridge in Shimla. Photo: The Ridge, shimla 01 by Tanweer Morshed, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Plan two to three days, or add it to Manali for a week-long Himachal trip. The usual gateway is Chandigarh.
3. Rann Utsav, Kutch: A White Desert Under The Moon
Think of a horizon that is simply white. The Great Rann of Kutch is a vast salt flat, and from November the tent city near Dhordo opens for the festival season. It looks best at sunset and under a full moon.
A road runs beside the white salt flats of the Rann of Kutch. Photo: White salt desert at Rann of Kutch by Prof Ranga Sai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
A three-day trip covers the White Rann, Dholavira and Bhuj. The Harappan city site at Dholavira, Kala Dungar and the artisan village near Bhuj make it more than a one-view trip. Evenings have folk music at the resort. The official Rann Utsav site has the festival details. Our Rann Utsav tour runs from 6 November 2026 to 28 February 2027 and starts at ₹9,800 per person.
4. Andaman Islands: Calm Seas, Clear Skies
December is one of the best months in the Andamans. The sea is calm and the skies are clear. Radhanagar Beach on Havelock Island is the famous stretch, but even a quieter beach with a lone mangrove standing in the shallows feels like a different planet.
A mangrove tree stands in the shallow turquoise water off a white-sand beach on Havelock Island. Photo: Havelock Island, Ethereal mangrove tree, Andaman Islands by Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0.
Our Andaman Beyond Blue tour is five days: Cellular Jail and its Light and Sound Show in Port Blair, Ross Island, and Radhanagar Beach on Havelock. Book flights and the Havelock ferry early. December seats go first.
5. Goa And The Konkan Coast: Pick Your Beach
Goa is crowded at Christmas and New Year, and that is part of the fun for some people. Plan three to four days. If you want beaches without the crowds, South Goa’s Palolem is calmer than the north, and further up the Konkan you will find Malvan, Tarkarli and Ganpatipule.
Palm trees and a wide sandy shore at Palolem Beach in South Goa. Photo: Palolem Beach, South Goa by iMahesh, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Our four-day Konkan Beach Getaway runs 24 to 27 December 2026 and includes optional water sports such as parasailing, scuba and jet skiing.
6. Rajasthan: Palaces And Cold Desert Nights
Jaipur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer are comfortable in December. Days are sunny, and nights are cold, especially in the desert. Udaipur is the romantic one, with the City Palace rising above the lake.
The City Palace in Udaipur seen across the water of Lake Pichola. Photo: 20191207 City Palace, Udaipur 1701 7325 by Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0.
A week lets you see two cities properly. Jaipur and Udaipur both have airports, and Jaisalmer is best reached by train or a flight to Jodhpur followed by a drive.
7. Kerala: Warm, Green And Slow
Kerala is warm and dry in December, and Kerala Tourism lists houseboats, hill stations and festivals. A houseboat on the Alleppey backwaters is the classic way to slow down, with meals cooked on board as the coconut palms slide past.
A traditional houseboat glides along the Alleppey backwaters. Photo: Alleppey Backwaters (15865677189) by Dumphasizer, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Plan five to six days. The usual gateway is Kochi. It is a good choice for families who want comfort without cold weather.
How To Choose
| If You Want | Go To |
|---|---|
| Snow and mountains | Manali, Shimla |
| A short trip from Mumbai | Konkan, Goa |
| A one-of-a-kind desert trip | Kutch |
| Beaches and clear water | Andaman |
| Culture and forts | Rajasthan |
| Slow, warm and green | Kerala |
Booking Tips For December
- Book flights, trains and hotels now if you have not already.
- Keep one spare day in hill trips for weather.
- Carry layers for desert nights and mountain days.
Plan Your December Trip
See all our domestic tours, or tell us your dates, your budget and who is travelling. We will suggest a place and check availability. Send Us Your Dates. Our WhatsApp and phone numbers are on the Contact Us page.
