Best Places to visit in December in India
It is commonly said that the winter season is the best time to travel to any of the destinations of India. But don't know where to go? Here is a list of the best places you can visit in India in the month of December. If you are a nature lover, photo bug, adventure enthusiast, or just a wanderer, each and every traveler can meet his travel need during this month.
10 places to visit in India
Here is a List of Places you should visit in December in India in 2020
Rann of Kutch, Gujrat
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Auli, Uttarakhand
Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Dawki, Shillong, Meghalaya
Wayanad, Kerala
Small Vagator, Goa
Neil Island, Andaman Nicobar
1. Rann of Kutch, Gujrat
"The White Desert of India"
The Rann of Kutch, a unique region in Gujarat, is one of the largest salt deserts in the world. The famous Rann Festival that makes this place a coveted tourist destination starts in November and goes on until February, with December as one of the best months to visit. Kutch is also famous for crafts and embroidery works.
In December, the weather will be just perfect for you to travel to this western heaven.
Weather: In December morning the temperature is around 12-25°C and in night it goes as low as 2°C.
Ideal Duration: 2-3 Days.
Famous food: Typical Gujarati Thali that includes roti, dal, kadhi, curd, rice, and other vegetable curries.
Things to Do in Rann of Kutch: Kutch is one of the most beautiful places in Gujrat. In the time of the Rann Festival, you can do some adventure activities like rock climbing, rappelling, paramotoring, ATV rides, rifle shooting, and Bungee run basketball also take a camel safari. You can get accommodation in one of the tents in the desert and enjoy all of these activities with a closer bond to the barren nature. Other places to visit around include Bhuj (for temples and sightseeing), Mandvi (for beaches), Gandhidham, Wild Ass Sanctuary, Shri Swaminarayan Temple, Prag Mahal, and Aina Mahal.
How to Reach: Bhuj being the nearest airport to Kutch. It is located 70 km away from Kutch. For those looking at train options, Bhuj Railway Station is also 70 km away from Kutch and receives trains from all over Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. You can also hire private cabs or taxis, as well as avail local buses.
2. Udaipur, Rajasthan
"The city of Lakes"
The beautiful royal town has myriad charms. The exciting places to visit in Udaipur spellbind all. The royal architecture of the olden days is the highlight of your visit. Udaipur is surrounded by this Lake Palace, Fateh Sagar Lake, Monsoon Palace, and Jag Mandir lakes. The best part of Udaipur is that it is located at the base of Aravali hills.
Weather: 7-25°C in December
Ideal Duration: 2-3 Days
Famous food: Mini Mirchi Bada, Dall Baati Churma, Dabeli, Kachoris, Mewari egg
Things to Do in Udaipur: A boat ride through the serene waters of Lake Pichola will be enough to prove to you why Udaipur is the pride of Rajasthan, especially at sunset. It gives you a beautiful experience for a lifetime.
How to Reach: Udaipur has a domestic airport and railway station which connects well with the major cities of the country well.
3. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
“The Golden City”
Jaisalmer is a major tourist spot located in the northwestern state of Rajasthan in India. It is known as the 'golden city' due to its bounteous golden dunes and castles clad in golden honey sandstone. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, the fort attracts thousands of tourists every year. Jaisalmer is an amalgam of exotic Indian desert culture, heritage, and adventure.
Weather: 10-26° C
Ideal Duration: 3-4 Days
Famous food: Mutton Saag, Mutton mixed in spinach puree with Rajasthani spices
Things to Do in Jaisalmer: The stretch of pristine sand dunes of the Thar Desert is a beauty. In addition, it is the hub of adventure sports. Here you can enjoy Jaisalmer desert safari, camel rides, and camping, the experience is one of the best of the Jaisalmer tour. The major attractions like Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli, Parshwanath Temple, Lodurva Jain Temple, etc
How to Reach: Jaisalmer does not have an airport; the closest airport, Jodhpur, is located 300 km away. Jaisalmer however, is well connected to other parts of the country via India’s extensive rail network.
4. Auli, Uttarakhand
"The skiing destination of India"
Thinking of snow? Head straight to Auli! Auli is a popular skiing destination in India because of its glittering slopes and clean environment.
Breathtakingly beautiful, Auli is an enthralling hill station located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Set at an altitude of 2,500 m, the place gives you an opportunity to have a great view of the snowcapped Himalayan ranges. This makes the trip to Auli a wonderful delight.
Weather: 1°C
Ideal Duration: 2-3 Days
Famous food: Dal, leafy vegetables, rice, bal mithai.
Things to Do in Auli: Skiing is the main reason you would be in Auli, but there are several other things the town has to offer. Like Cable Car rides, hikes, nature walks, and treks. Some of the best places to visit during your holidays in Auli are Trishul Peak, Bhavishya Badri, Nandaprayag, and Saildhar Tapovan. Auli Artificial Lake stands out amongst the rest.
How to Reach: The nearest airport to Auli is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is 149 km away. Haridwar is the nearest railway station to Auli (273 km), while if you want to drive up, you can do so from Rishikesh, Dehradun or Haridwar.
We recommend cable car as your mode of transport from Joshimath to Auli as it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
5. Manali, Himachal Pradesh
"Lover's Paradise - India's Honeymoon capital"
Manali is a very beautiful town in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. The scenic beauty, marvelous culture, and fresh air will make you fall in love with this place. Tall deodar trees, towering mountains, curvy roads, and heavy snowfall makes Manali one of the best places in India. December to January are the coldest months here and the temperature drops down below zero often causing snowfall. If you like the romanticism of snow, then this is the perfect time to visit the state.
Weather: -5° C
Ideal Duration: 3-5 Days
Famous food: Red rice, river trout, masala omelet, Sidu, Babru, Patande
Things to Do in Manali: If you're an adventure enthusiast then Manali great place for adventure sports like paragliding, ice skating, rappelling, rock climbing, river rafting, river crossing, and zorbing. The charming places to visit in Manali include Buddhist Monasteries, Hindu Temples, Nehru Kund, Great Himalayan National Park, Mountaineering Institute, Old Manali, the village of Gulaba, Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass, and more.
How to Reach: The nearest airport lies 50 kilometers from Manali in Bhuntar that is well-connected with Delhi, Chandigarh, and Shimla. The nearest railway station lies in Pathankot which is 285 kilometers from Manali. One can hire private cabs or take public buses from both places till Manali.
6. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
"The birthplace of Dalai Lama"
One of the most gorgeous and difficult-to-reach December vacation destinations, located at a height of about 3048m, Tawang is a paradise for explorers and adventure enthusiasts. Tawang is the place to go for monasteries, with the Tawang Monastery being the most popular one and extremely sacred for the Buddhists.
Weather: 4-6° C
Ideal Duration: 3-4 Days
Famous food: Zan, Khura, Gyapa-khaz, Thukpa, Puta, Bressi, Momos, TsizinKyola, Khazi
Things to Do in Tawang: You can exploring Gompas (monastery), witnessing picturesque lakes, learning the history of War (that narrates the tragedy of the Sino-Indian war), and hiking up trails at Bumla Pass, where the McMahon Line separates India and China with a thin line.
How to Reach: The nearest airport to Tawang is located around 387 kilometers in Tezpur and the nearest railway station is Rangapara Railway Station at a distance of 383 kilometers. One can travel through the road and from the airport or railway station to Tawang by hiring a cab or taking a coach.
7. Dawki, Shillong, Meghalaya
"Scotland of the East"
Dawki is one of the best holiday destinations to visit in India in December. With mountains surrounding the crystal clear river, twisting around the corners, Dawki is truly magnificent and you will not believe what your eyes see; it is that beautiful. The water of Unmgot river in Dwaki is so clear that a boat floating on it, seems like it’s flying in mid-air.
The capital of Meghalaya 'Abode of Clouds'. Shillong is a beautiful hill station in North East India and it is the home to numerous waterfalls. The exciting mountain peaks, crystal clear lakes, breathtakingly beautiful golf courses, museums, and the zoo are the key reasons why people visit Shillong. Apart from the natural beauty, Shillong also acts as the gateway to Meghalaya, the state famous for heavy rainfalls, caving, tallest waterfalls, beautiful landscapes, and amazing people and culture.
Weather: 12-20°C
Ideal Duration: 2-4 Days
Famous food: Khao Suey, Thukpa, Jadoh, Jhur Kleh, Makham Bitchi
Things to Do in Dawki, Shillong: Take a boat ride on the Umngot River; visit the India-Bangladesh border at Jaflong Zero Point, and spend a night camping by Umngot River. You can also visit the places like Shillong Peak, Ward's Lake, Umiam Lake, Lady Hydari Peak, Don Bosco Museum, Meghalaya State Museum, etc. Trekking, boating, hiking, relaxing strolls are some of the things to do in Shillong.
How to Reach: You will have to reach Guwahati by either air or rail and from there hire a vehicle till Dawki and Shillong.
8. Wayanad, Kerala
"Nature's Abode"
Explore South India this December by ditching touristy spots and instead of picking Wayanad, also known as ‘God’s own country,’ which is a quiet district in Kerala surrounded by emerald-green peaks. The wonderful sojourn includes exploring gushing waterfalls, ancient and historical caves, exciting wildlife, and much more. Unarguably one of the attractive hill stations in Kerala, the place is worth exploring at least once in a lifetime.
Weather: 19° C
Ideal Duration: 2-3 Days
Famous food: Kilikoodu, Malabar Biryani, Chemmeen Unda Puttu, Puttu, and Beef Fry, Sadya, Chatti Pathiri, Mutta Mala, Pazham Nirachathu
Things to Do in Wayanad: Spend a quiet day by Pookode Lake, plan a day trip to the beautiful Kuruva Islands; experience a spiritual awakening at Thirunelli Temple and trek to the famous Chembra peak. Out of the many, Banasura Sagar Dam, Kuruva Island, Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary are a few places you must explore.
How to Reach: The nearest railway station is in Kozhikode and you can hire a taxi from here till Wayanad to cover 110km. Wayanad is also well connected by road and air, however, the nearest airport is 100km away.
9. Small Vagator, Goa
"Beaches, Sunsets and Crazy Nights"
‘Goa is ON!!’ has become one of the recent war cries of party-mongers coveting a place to celebrate new year’s eve. With its line of beaches, lavish shacks, nightclubs, and bars, Goa throbs with a young vibe, attracting people especially during the end of December. Goa’s New Year parties are famous, not only among mere mortals but also among the stars.
Weather: 18-20°C
Ideal Duration: 2-7 Days
Famous food: Chicken Xacuti, Goan Squid Fry, Goan Fish Curry, Bebinca, Pork Vindaloo, Fonna Kadi, Chicken Cafreal
Things to Do in Goa: December in Goa is a great time, even if you don’t go during the peak last week. Goa is famously called the party capital of winters because the number of music festivals and parties that are hosted in its territory increase every year. If you too are a party animal, who would rather dance away the night and party like there's no tomorrow, then Goa is the best place for you. The casinos in Goa become wilder during this month which is why the place got its name as the ‘Las Vegas of India’. The fireworks and the trance music like Sunburn Music Festival, EDM party are the best feelings you can have during the new Year!
How to Reach: Dabolim Airport is 45 km away from Goa and makes for your landing spot when coming in from India or abroad. The two main railway stations in Goa are Madgaon and Thivim. Most travelers also prefer to take a road trip to Goa from Mumbai.
10. Neil Island, Andaman Nicobar
"Blue seas, virgin islands, and colonial past"
Andaman And Nicobar Islands make for a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal, belonging to India. With their white sandy shores, blemish-free sunrises and sunsets, untouched coral reefs, and endless rolls of palm trees they make for a perfect December holiday destination, especially for beach babies.
Weather: 18-32°C and rains are mostly gone by this time
Ideal Duration: 4-6 Days
Famous food: Samosas, dal pakoras, jalebis
Things to Do in Andaman Nicobar: The pair of islands boast of many other smaller accompaniments, namely Neil Island, Ross Island, Havelock, etc. Each with its own charms, beaches, and a new experience for the tourists. In the capital of Andaman, Port Blair boasts of the Cellular Jail, a prison for Indian freedom fighters during British Raj. Today it stuns tourists with its museums and light-and-sound shows telling the history of India’s freedom struggle.
You can opt for underwater sports activities, such as snorkeling and scuba diving, which are very famous on the island because of the corals under the sea. Take a ferry ride to see India's own active volcano or visit the indigenous tribes of the island. In December,
How to Reach: Veer Savarkar Airport of Port Blair becomes your landing spot when flying into these islands from the mainland (India). Ships from Kolkata, Chennai, and Visakhapatnam are also available if you want to take the sea route. Once on the islands, you can use jetties, boats, hired cars, or hired bikes for the commute. Auto-rickshaws are also available.
