Best Places to Visit in December in India (2026 Guide)
Twenty December destinations grouped by mood – snow, beaches, desert, wildlife, festivals and pilgrimage – with honest weather, the right number of nights and what the Christmas–New Year surge does to prices.
December is the one month when almost all of India is worth visiting at the same time. The monsoon has left even the far south, the north is cold and clear, the deserts are pleasant by day, the national parks are open, and the high Himalaya starts to collect the first serious snow. That is also why December is the most expensive month to travel: Christmas and New Year fall in the same fortnight as school winter breaks, and hotels in Goa, Manali, Udaipur and Gulmarg sell their best rooms months ahead.
This guide picks 20 places that are genuinely at their best in December, grouped by what you want from the trip: snow, beaches, desert and heritage, wildlife, offbeat festivals, the New Year party, and pilgrimage. For each one you get the reason December works, the real temperature range, an honest warning about the 20 December–5 January rush, the right trip length and who it suits. After the list there is a comparison table, a plan for beating the year-end surge, and two December events that need their own advice – the Rann Utsav in Kutch and the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland. Our team plans these trips every winter from our Ahmedabad office, so the advice is based on what actually sells out and what does not.
Updated October 2026 by the Vibrant Holidays team, Ahmedabad.
Holiday packages for the places in this guide
Our latest matching packages on Vibrant Holidays — 1 to 12 nights. Every package can be customised for departure from your city.
Snow places in December in India
Snow in December is likely but not guaranteed anywhere below about 2,500 m. The first heavy falls usually arrive in the second half of the month, so if fresh snow is the whole point of the trip, travel after 15 December or pick a higher destination. Every snow trip should have one flexible day in case a pass or road closes.
1. Gulmarg and Sonamarg, Kashmir
- Why December: Chillai Kalan, Kashmir's coldest 40-day spell, usually begins on 21 December, and Gulmarg's meadows are normally white by Christmas. The Gondola to Kongdori runs daily; Phase 2 towards Apharwat opens when snow and wind allow.
- Weather: Gulmarg about −6 to 5°C; Srinagar −2 to 9°C with frosty mornings and occasional fog.
- Rush warning: Gulmarg has a limited number of good hotels and they fill for 24 December–2 January first; Gondola queues are long, so we pre-book tickets where the online quota allows.
- Ideal nights: 5–6 (Srinagar houseboat, Gulmarg, Sonamarg or Pahalgam).
- Suits: honeymooners, families wanting their first real snow, and anyone happy in heavy woollens. Seniors should prefer centrally heated hotels.
2. Manali, Solang and Sissu, Himachal Pradesh
- Why December: the Atal Tunnel keeps Sissu and the Lahaul valley reachable even after Rohtang Pass shuts for winter, and Sissu gets snow earlier than Manali town. Solang Valley has snow activities once it has settled.
- Weather: Manali −2 to 11°C; Sissu well below zero at night.
- Rush warning: the Manali–Solang road jams badly around Christmas and New Year; local authorities sometimes restrict taxis beyond certain points after snowfall. Mall Road hotels charge New Year gala supplements.
- Ideal nights: 4–5 in Manali, or 6–7 combined with Shimla or Kasol.
- Suits: young couples, friend groups and families on a moderate budget; the drive from Chandigarh or Delhi keeps airfare optional.
3. Auli, Uttarakhand
- Why December: the ski slopes and Nanda Devi views are at their clearest; snow usually builds from late December and is most reliable in January and February.
- Weather: about −5 to 8°C.
- Rush warning: very few hotels, so the New Year week sells out fast. The Joshimath–Auli ropeway has been closed in recent seasons; you drive up by road, and we confirm the status before you book.
- Ideal nights: 5–6 including the long drive from Rishikesh or Dehradun.
- Suits: first-time skiers, photographers and couples who prefer quiet over Mall Road crowds.
4. Gangtok, Tsomgo Lake and Lachung, Sikkim
- Why December: crystal-clear views of Kangchenjunga, a frozen or half-frozen Tsomgo Lake and snow at Zero Point beyond Lachung.
- Weather: Gangtok 4–15°C; Lachung and Tsomgo below zero.
- Rush warning: Nathula and North Sikkim need permits and close on heavy-snow days; Bengali and Gujarati family travel peaks around Christmas, so Gangtok rooms with views go early.
- Ideal nights: 5–6, or 7–8 with Darjeeling.
- Suits: families and seniors who want snow without trekking; the food scene is easy for vegetarians in Gangtok.
5. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
- Why December: Sela Pass (about 4,170 m) and its frozen lake are usually snowbound, and the new Sela Tunnel keeps the road to Tawang open more reliably than before. The monastery is the largest in India.
- Weather: Tawang −2 to 10°C; much colder at Sela.
- Rush warning: the year-end crowd is smaller than in Kashmir or Manali, but homestays in Tawang are few. Indian visitors need an online Inner Line Permit.
- Ideal nights: 7–8 from Guwahati (Bhalukpong, Dirang, Tawang, Bomdila).
- Suits: second-time Himalaya travellers and road-trip lovers; not for anyone who dislikes long mountain drives.
Browse our snow holiday packages, Kashmir packages and Himachal packages, or read our Kashmir guide for Ahmedabad travellers.
December holiday destinations in India for beaches
6. Goa
- Why December: dry, sunny days with the sea calm enough for water sports, plus Christmas midnight mass in the old churches, the Feast of St Francis Xavier on 3 December and the busiest New Year's Eve in India.
- Weather: 20–33°C, practically no rain.
- Rush warning: the biggest surge in the country. Room rates in North Goa often double or triple for 27 December–1 January, many resorts insist on a three- or four-night minimum, and a gala dinner on 31 December is usually compulsory. Early December is excellent value.
- Ideal nights: 3–4; 5 if you split North and South Goa.
- Suits: friends, couples and party-goers in the north; families and honeymooners in the quieter south (Colva, Cavelossim, Palolem).
7. Andaman Islands
- Why December: the start of the clearest-water season; snorkelling at Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil (Shaheed Dweep) and scuba with good visibility.
- Weather: 23–30°C, occasional short showers early in the month.
- Rush warning: private ferries between Port Blair, Havelock and Neil sell out for the last week of December; we book ferry seats together with hotels. Port Blair airfares rise sharply over New Year.
- Ideal nights: 5–6 (Port Blair, Havelock, Neil).
- Suits: honeymooners and families with children over five; the most relaxed beach holiday in India.
8. Kerala coast and backwaters
- Why December: post-monsoon green, dry roads, cool nights in Munnar and calm sea at Kovalam and Varkala. Fort Kochi hosts the Cochin Carnival in the last week of December.
- Weather: 23–32°C on the coast; Munnar 8–20°C.
- Rush warning: houseboats in Alleppey and Munnar's valley-view resorts are priced at their annual peak from about 20 December; book premium houseboats 8–10 weeks ahead.
- Ideal nights: 5–7.
- Suits: every traveller type, especially senior citizens and vegetarian families. Our Kerala guide covers costs in detail.
See our beach holiday packages, Goa packages and Andaman packages.
Desert and heritage: Rajasthan and Kutch in December
9. Jaisalmer and Jodhpur, Rajasthan
- Why December: warm afternoons for the forts and havelis, and cold, starry nights in the Sam or Khuri dunes with folk music around a fire.
- Weather: Jaisalmer 6–24°C; desert-camp nights can fall to 3–5°C.
- Rush warning: dune camps run New Year packages at two to three times normal rates; heritage hotels in Jodhpur's old city fill early.
- Ideal nights: 5–6 (Jodhpur 2, Jaisalmer 2–3, plus Bikaner or a camp).
- Suits: families with teenagers, photographers, history lovers, senior citizens who avoid hills.
10. Udaipur and Kumbhalgarh
- Why December: lake palaces at their most photogenic in the clear winter light, boat rides on Lake Pichola in comfortable weather, and the Kumbhalgarh fort walls without the heat.
- Weather: 9–26°C.
- Rush warning: Udaipur is also India's wedding capital in winter; luxury palace hotels can be fully booked on wedding dates as well as at New Year.
- Ideal nights: 3–4; easy to combine with Mount Abu or Chittorgarh.
- Suits: couples and families from Gujarat in particular – Udaipur is about 260 km by road from Ahmedabad.
11. Rann of Kutch (Rann Utsav), Gujarat
- Why December: the White Rann is fully dry, the salt crust is at its brightest, and the Tent City at Dhordo is in full swing. The December full moon falls on 24 December 2026 – the most sought-after night of the season.
- Weather: 10–27°C by day; 5–8°C on the Rann at night.
- Rush warning: full-moon dates and 24–31 December sell out first; prices step up for that window.
- Ideal nights: 2–3 at Dhordo plus 1–2 in Bhuj or Mandvi.
- Suits: families, senior citizens, photographers and corporate groups. More detail below.
Explore our Rajasthan packages and Gujarat packages.
Wildlife parks at their best in December
All the big parks are open in December, and the cold mornings bring animals into sunny clearings. Safari permits are the bottleneck: they are released online in fixed quotas, and the Christmas–New Year slots usually go within days of opening.
12. Ranthambore, Rajasthan
- Why December: tigers are often seen basking on the tracks and around the lakes; the fort inside the park adds history to the safari.
- Weather: 7–24°C; open gypsies are bitterly cold at dawn, so carry gloves and a cap.
- Rush warning: zones 1–5 gypsy permits for 24 December–1 January disappear quickly; book as soon as the window opens.
- Ideal nights: 2–3 (four to five safaris).
- Suits: families with school-age children and wildlife photographers; pairs well with Jaipur.
13. Kaziranga, Assam
- Why December: the grass has been burnt back or has dried, so one-horned rhinos, wild buffalo and swamp deer are easy to see from jeep and elephant safaris; migratory birds fill the wetlands.
- Weather: 9–24°C with morning mist.
- Rush warning: moderate; lodges near Kohora fill around Christmas and during the Hornbill Festival, when many travellers combine the two.
- Ideal nights: 2 in Kaziranga within a 6–8 night north-east trip.
- Suits: nature lovers, families and senior citizens (jeep safaris are short and gentle).
14. Gir National Park, Gujarat
- Why December: the only home of the Asiatic lion is green and cool, and lion sightings on the morning safari are good. Pair it with Somnath (about 45 km) and Diu.
- Weather: 12–29°C.
- Rush warning: Gir jungle-trail permits are booked online and run out for Christmas week and the New Year weekend; Sasan Gir resorts raise rates for 24 December–1 January.
- Ideal nights: 2 in Sasan Gir, or 5–6 for a Gir–Somnath–Diu–Dwarka circuit.
- Suits: families from Gujarat who want a short drive, and anyone visiting India's lion country for the first time.
Offbeat December trips in India
15. Kohima and the Hornbill Festival, Nagaland
- Why December: the festival runs from 1 to 10 December, with all of Nagaland's tribes at one venue. Detailed advice is in its own section below.
- Weather: Kohima 5–17°C.
- Rush warning: the crunch is early December, not New Year. Kohima rooms are booked by October.
- Ideal nights: 4–5, or 7–8 with Kaziranga and Meghalaya.
- Suits: culture lovers, photographers and curious travellers who are fine with simpler stays.
16. Shillong, Cherrapunji and Dawki, Meghalaya
- Why December: the dry season makes the Umngot river at Dawki glass-clear, the living root bridges are reachable on dry steps, and Shillong's churches and streets are lit for Christmas.
- Weather: Shillong 5–16°C.
- Rush warning: moderate; waterfalls are thinner than in monsoon, which some travellers do not expect.
- Ideal nights: 5–6 with Guwahati, or combined with Kaziranga.
- Suits: couples, families with active children and anyone who has already done Kerala and Goa.
17. Gokarna and Hampi, Karnataka
- Why December: Gokarna gives you Goa's weather with a fraction of the crowd – Om, Kudle and Half Moon beaches – and Hampi's boulder landscape and Vijayanagara temples are comfortable to walk only in winter.
- Weather: Gokarna 20–32°C; Hampi 16–29°C.
- Rush warning: Gokarna's beach cafés fill with the overflow from Goa at New Year; Hampi stays relatively calm.
- Ideal nights: 5–6 for both together (Hubballi is the airport between them).
- Suits: backpacker-style couples, friends and slow travellers; not for those wanting resort luxury.
Christmas and New Year party places in India
If the New Year's Eve itself is the reason for the trip, choose by the kind of night you want, then accept that the price will be at its annual maximum.
- North Goa (Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, Morjim): beach clubs, large music events and fireworks on every beach. Book hotels with parking or within walking distance of the party – taxis are scarce and expensive after midnight.
- South Goa: resort gala dinners and quiet beaches; better for couples and families who want the countdown without the crowd.
- Fort Kochi: the Cochin Carnival ends on New Year's Eve with the burning of the giant Pappanji effigy on the beach – a local, family-friendly spectacle.
- Shillong: one of the best Christmases in India, with carols, lit churches and a café and live-music culture.
- Manali and Kasol: bonfire parties at hotels and cafés for the mountain crowd; expect traffic on 30–31 December.
- Udaipur and Jaipur palace hotels: formal New Year galas with Rajasthani performances, for families and couples who want a dressed-up evening.
18. Puducherry (Pondicherry), Tamil Nadu
- Why December: French Quarter cafés, Christmas mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the cathedral, cycling to Auroville, and the Promenade on New Year's Eve; the north-east monsoon usually eases by mid-December.
- Weather: 22–29°C, occasional showers in the first half of the month.
- Rush warning: boutique heritage hotels are small and fill for Christmas–New Year; Beach Road is closed to vehicles in the evenings and is packed on 31 December.
- Ideal nights: 2–3, or 5–6 with Mahabalipuram and Chennai.
- Suits: couples and friends who want a gentler New Year.
Pilgrimage trips that work well in December
Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are closed in winter, so a Char Dham Yatra is not possible in December. These pilgrimages work well instead.
19. Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
- Why December: cool days for walking the ghats and lanes, the evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh, Sarnath, and darshan at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
- Weather: 8–23°C; dense fog in the mornings, especially after 20 December.
- Rush warning: fog routinely delays flights and trains in north India; keep a buffer day before any onward connection. Ayodhya and Kashi Vishwanath are very crowded on 31 December and 1 January.
- Ideal nights: 4–5 for all three.
- Suits: senior citizens and families; pure-veg food is available everywhere.
20. Dwarka, Somnath and Saurashtra, Gujarat
- Why December: pleasant sea breezes for the Dwarkadhish Temple, Bet Dwarka (now reached by the Sudarshan Setu bridge), Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and the Somnath sound-and-light show, with Gir on the same route.
- Weather: 14–29°C.
- Rush warning: crowds peak on weekends and over Christmas–New Year; mid-December weekdays are calm.
- Ideal nights: 4–5 by road from Ahmedabad.
- Suits: multi-generation Gujarati families and senior groups travelling privately in their own vehicle.
Also open in December: Vaishno Devi (very cold, but the yatra continues), Tirupati, and the Madurai–Rameshwaram–Kanyakumari circuit. See our pilgrimage packages.
December destinations compared at a glance
Temperatures are typical day–night ranges. Budgets are rough per-person figures for a standard-to-deluxe trip of the suggested length on twin sharing, excluding flights, for early December; the last column shows what to expect from about 20 December to 5 January.
| Destination | December weather | Nights | Approx. budget per person | 20 Dec – 5 Jan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulmarg & Srinagar | −6 to 9°C, snow likely late month | 5–6 | ₹18,000 – 32,000 | +30–50% | Snow, honeymoon |
| Manali & Sissu | −2 to 11°C | 4–5 | ₹12,000 – 22,000 | +40–60%, traffic | Friends, budget snow |
| Auli | −5 to 8°C | 5–6 | ₹16,000 – 28,000 | Few rooms, sells out | Skiing, quiet |
| Sikkim | −3 to 15°C | 5–6 | ₹16,000 – 28,000 | +25–40% | Families, seniors |
| Tawang | −2 to 10°C | 7–8 | ₹28,000 – 45,000 | Small rise | Road trips |
| Goa | 20–33°C | 3–4 | ₹10,000 – 25,000 | Double or more | Parties, couples |
| Andaman | 23–30°C | 5–6 | ₹26,000 – 42,000 | +30–50%, ferries full | Honeymoon, snorkelling |
| Kerala | 23–32°C; Munnar 8–20°C | 5–7 | ₹19,000 – 34,000 | +20–35% | Everyone |
| Jaisalmer & Jodhpur | 6–24°C | 5–6 | ₹16,000 – 30,000 | Camps 2–3× | Families, heritage |
| Udaipur | 9–26°C | 3–4 | ₹11,000 – 24,000 | +40% and weddings | Couples, drive from Gujarat |
| Rann of Kutch | 5–27°C | 3–4 | ₹14,000 – 30,000 | Full-moon nights first | Families, culture |
| Ranthambore | 7–24°C | 2–3 | ₹12,000 – 25,000 | Permits scarce | Tiger safari |
| Kaziranga | 9–24°C | 2 (in a NE trip) | ₹8,000 – 16,000 | Moderate | Rhino safari |
| Gir | 12–29°C | 2 | ₹8,000 – 18,000 | Permits scarce | Lions, short trip |
| Kohima (Hornbill) | 5–17°C | 4–5 | ₹20,000 – 35,000 | Peak is 1–10 Dec | Culture |
| Meghalaya | 5–16°C | 5–6 | ₹18,000 – 30,000 | +20–30% | Nature, Christmas |
| Gokarna & Hampi | 16–32°C | 5–6 | ₹12,000 – 24,000 | Gokarna busy | Slow travel |
| Puducherry | 22–29°C | 2–3 | ₹8,000 – 18,000 | +40% | Couples, cafés |
| Varanasi & Ayodhya | 8–23°C, fog | 4–5 | ₹14,000 – 26,000 | Crowds on 31 Dec–1 Jan | Pilgrims, seniors |
| Dwarka & Somnath | 14–29°C | 4–5 | ₹12,000 – 22,000 | Weekend crowds | Gujarati families |
Budgets move with hotel choice more than anything else. A quote that looks much cheaper than these bands usually swaps the hotel, the vehicle or the meal plan – ask for hotel names before you compare.
How to plan around the Christmas–New Year surge
In 2026, Christmas falls on a Friday and New Year's Day also on a Friday. That creates two long weekends (25–27 December and 1–3 January), and taking leave from 28 to 31 December gives a ten-day break. Most of India will try to use exactly that window, which is why airfares and room rates peak between about 20 December and 5 January. Here is how to keep the trip affordable and smooth.
- Decide by the end of October or early November. For New Year week, the hotels people actually want in Goa, Gulmarg, Manali, Udaipur and the Andamans are usually gone 6–8 weeks out. Flights rise steadily from about 60 days before departure.
- Shift by a week if you can. Travelling between 1 and 18 December, or after 6 January, typically saves 25–50% on the same hotels and gives emptier sightseeing. For snow, early January is often better than Christmas anyway.
- Read the peak-season conditions. Many resorts insist on minimum stays of three or four nights over 31 December, add a compulsory New Year gala dinner (commonly ₹3,000 to ₹15,000 per adult), and make bookings non-refundable. A good quote states all three clearly.
- Avoid the 31 December check-in. Arrive on the 29th or 30th. Roads into Goa, Manali and Solang choke on New Year's Eve and taxis become scarce after midnight.
- Keep a weather buffer. Fog in north India and snow on Himalayan roads cause delays every year. Do not schedule an onward international flight or an important meeting on the day after a mountain trip.
- Consider a drive from home. From Ahmedabad, Udaipur (about 4–5 hours), Mount Abu (about 4½ hours), the Rann of Kutch (6–8 hours to Dhordo), Saputara and the Saurashtra coast avoid peak airfares entirely – useful for large families.
- Look at early-January long weekends abroad. If Indian hotels are already full, a short-haul international trip can cost about the same as Goa in New Year week.
Every trip we plan is private and customised, with your own car and driver, so you can travel on whichever dates suit your family. Extended families and friends travel together as a private group on their own dates.
Rann Utsav 2026–27: what December visitors need to know
The Rann Utsav Tent City at Dhordo, run by a private operator with Gujarat Tourism, has announced its 2026–27 season from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027. December is the most popular month because the salt flat is completely dry and the nights are cold and clear.
- Where: Dhordo village, about 85 km (1½–2 hours) north of Bhuj, at the edge of the White Rann. Ahmedabad to Bhuj is about 330 km by road (6–7 hours); trains run from Ahmedabad to Bhuj, and Bhuj also has a small airport.
- Full moon: the December 2026 full moon is on 24 December, and January 2027's falls around 22 January. These nights, and the two on either side, sell out first; the Rann is still beautiful under starlight on other dates.
- Stays: Tent City packages bundle the tent, all meals, cultural evenings and the trip to the White Rann; tent categories range from non-AC Swiss cottages to premium AC and suite tents. Budget stays and resorts in Bhuj and along the Dhordo road are a cheaper alternative.
- Permit: visitors to the White Rann need a permit from the checkpost near Bhirandiyara (it can also be applied for online); Tent City packages normally arrange it.
- Add-ons: Kala Dungar for the panorama of the Rann, craft villages such as Hodka and Nirona, Mandvi beach and its ship-building yards, and Dholavira – the UNESCO-listed Harappan city – reached by the new "Road to Heaven" causeway.
- Clothing: 25°C in the afternoon and 5–8°C after sunset; bring a proper jacket, a cap and closed shoes.
Food is easy for Gujarati and Jain travellers – Kutchi vegetarian thalis are the norm. For corporate groups and families who want a private tent cluster, ask us early; the larger blocks for Christmas week go quickly.
Hornbill Festival 2026 (early December) in Nagaland
Nagaland's Hornbill Festival is held every year from 1 to 10 December at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, about 12 km from Kohima. Each of the state's major tribes builds and runs a traditional morung (community house) at the venue, with dances, songs, indigenous games, crafts and food through the day; evenings bring rock concerts and a night bazaar in Kohima town.
- Getting there: fly to Dimapur (or Guwahati for more flight options) and drive to Kohima – about 3 hours from Dimapur, 7–8 hours from Guwahati.
- Permit: Indian visitors from outside Nagaland need an Inner Line Permit, which is applied for online before travel. Foreign nationals register on arrival.
- Stays: hotels in Kohima are few and fill by October; homestays in Kohima and Kigwema village (close to Kisama) are the norm. Expect clean but simple rooms.
- Food: Naga cuisine is meat-heavy and uses fermented ingredients; vegetarian options exist in Kohima but are limited at the festival stalls. We brief homestays in advance and suggest carrying some ready-to-eat food.
- Best days: the opening day and the first weekend are the most crowded; mid-festival weekdays give better photography with fewer people.
- Combine with: Dzükou Valley (a full-day hike), Khonoma green village, and Kaziranga on the way back to Guwahati.
See our north-east India packages and Meghalaya packages.
Why plan your December trip with Vibrant Holidays
- Honest about the peak: we tell you which dates carry minimum stays and compulsory gala dinners before you pay, and suggest a cheaper week when one exists.
- Permits and tickets in one plan: Gondola tickets where online booking allows, safari permits, Inner Line Permits, Andaman ferries and Rann permits are added to the same itinerary as your hotels.
- Private trips only: your own dates, your own car and driver; nothing is shared with strangers.
- Pure-veg and Jain meals arranged on request and confirmed in writing, with an honest word where options are thin (Nagaland, Tawang, Andaman islands).
- Based in Ahmedabad since 2014: office on C G Road, open Monday to Saturday, 24×7 support while you travel; IATA-accredited; member of TAAI, TAFI, ADTOI and IATO; recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
Planning further ahead? Read our guide to the best places to visit in January, or see honeymoon packages and family packages.
Plan your trip with Vibrant Holidays
Tell us your dates, budget and who is travelling. We reply with a day-wise plan and a clear price, usually the same day.
Get a Free Quote WhatsApp 9089090790Best Places to Visit in December in India: FAQs
Which is the best place to visit in December in India?
It depends on what you want. For snow, Gulmarg in Kashmir is the most reliable choice from late December. For beaches, Goa and the Andaman Islands have perfect dry weather. For culture, the Rann Utsav in Kutch and Nagaland's Hornbill Festival are unique to the season. Kerala suits almost every traveller type in December.
Where can I see snow in December in India?
The best chances are Gulmarg and Sonamarg in Kashmir, Sissu beyond the Atal Tunnel in Himachal, Lachung and Tsomgo Lake in Sikkim, and Sela Pass on the way to Tawang. Manali town and Auli usually get snow from late December onwards but it is not guaranteed. Travel after 15 December for better odds.
Is December a good time to visit Goa?
Yes, December is one of the best months for weather in Goa, with dry sunny days around 30°C and a calm sea. The catch is price: from about 20 December to 2 January, hotel rates often double or triple, and many resorts set minimum stays and compulsory New Year dinners. The first two weeks of December give the same weather for much less.
Which places are best for New Year celebration in India?
North Goa is the biggest New Year party destination, with beach clubs and fireworks. South Goa suits couples who want a resort gala. Fort Kochi's Cochin Carnival, Shillong's Christmas season, Puducherry's Promenade and palace hotel galas in Udaipur and Jaipur are calmer alternatives. Manali and Kasol host bonfire parties for the mountain crowd.
What are the warmest places to visit in India in December?
The Andaman Islands, Goa, Gokarna, Kerala's Kovalam and Varkala coast, and Puducherry stay between about 22°C and 33°C in December. Lakshadweep is also warm but needs a permit and has limited stays. Mumbai and the Konkan coast are mild too. These suit travellers who dislike the cold or are travelling with young children.
When are prices highest in December?
Prices are highest from about 20 December to 5 January, peaking between 24 December and 1 January. Airfares climb from roughly two months before departure, and hotels in popular places add minimum-stay rules and gala-dinner charges. Travelling from 1 to 18 December or after 6 January usually saves 25–50% on the same hotels.
When is the Hornbill Festival and how do I get there?
The Hornbill Festival is held from 1 to 10 December every year at Kisama Heritage Village, about 12 km from Kohima in Nagaland. Fly to Dimapur and drive about 3 hours, or fly to Guwahati and drive 7–8 hours. Indian visitors from outside Nagaland must apply online for an Inner Line Permit before the trip.
Is Rann Utsav open in December, and when is the full moon?
Yes. The Rann Utsav Tent City at Dhordo runs from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027, and December is its busiest month. The December full moon falls on 24 December 2026, so the nights around Christmas sell out first. The White Rann looks striking on non-moon nights too, with clear starry skies.
Is December a good time for a honeymoon in India?
Yes. Kashmir and Sikkim offer snow, the Andamans and Kerala offer warm beaches and backwaters, and Udaipur offers lake palaces in perfect weather. If your wedding is in late November or early December, travel before 20 December to avoid peak pricing and find better room availability at the romantic resorts.
Can I do Char Dham Yatra in December?
No. Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri close for winter around Diwali and Bhai Dooj and usually reopen in April–May. In December, pilgrims choose Varanasi with Ayodhya and Prayagraj, Dwarka and Somnath in Gujarat, Tirupati, Vaishno Devi or the Madurai–Rameshwaram–Kanyakumari circuit instead.
What should I pack for a December trip in India?
For snow places: thermal innerwear, a down or padded jacket, gloves, woollen cap, waterproof boots and lip balm. For Rajasthan and Kutch: a warm jacket for nights and light layers for the day. For beaches: cotton clothes, sunscreen and a light shawl for evenings. Everywhere: basic medicines and a power bank, as cold drains batteries.
How early should I book a December holiday?
For travel between 20 December and 5 January, book 8–10 weeks ahead, and even earlier for the Andamans, Gulmarg and Goa's beachfront hotels. For early December, 4–6 weeks is usually enough, except for Hornbill Festival stays in Kohima, which fill by October. Safari permits for Ranthambore and Gir need booking the day quotas open.
