Best Places to Visit in India in December 2026: 10 Winter Holiday Destinations

It is in December that India invites you to enjoy it at its finest, with the Himalayas promising snow, the palaces of Rajasthan becoming places you can properly explore, and the southern regions and the islands greeting you with dry and mild warmth. Given that Christmas and New Year are also celebrated then, it comes as no surprise that this is the season when so many people want to travel.

There are certain difficulties associated with popularity. The most popular destinations get full up quickly and snow is by no means guaranteed. This guide is more than just a simple list; it serves as a starting point to assist you in selecting a trip to these places in December 2026 that meets the needs of your group, not merely those features that look good in photographs.

I've included information about the weather, the activities available, who would suit each place, and how long to stay, so that you can make a choice which feels appropriate for you.

December 2026 Destinations at a Glance

The temperatures given are indicative ranges (from night to day) and vary from year to year. It is advisable to check the forecast a week before your trip.

The 10 Best Places to Visit in India in December

You can see the places progressing from the northern snow-covered areas, across the western deserts, to the warm beaches of the south and the islands; it's like a trip through the different moods of India in winter.

1. Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Manali is the most convenient snow destination from Delhi and at the same time the one that people tend to misunderstand the most. It is not certain that there will be snow in Manali town in December, and your better chance lies higher up in the Solang Valley, which is about 13 to 14 km away.

Since Rohtang Pass is usually closed to tourists in winter, it is advisable to plan your trip around Solang, Sissu and the Atal Tunnel route.

• Weather: The weather is about 0°C at night and around 15°C during the day, and it is colder at Solang.

• Things to do: Snow play at Solang (skiing and other activities are only carried out when conditions permit), visiting the cafés in Old Manali, seeing the Hadimba Temple, soaking at the Vashisht hot springs, and making a trip to Sissu via the Atal Tunnel whenever the road is open.

• Best for: Couples, friends and families with older children.

• Ideal duration: 3 to 4 nights.

• Local tip: In the last week of December, there are traffic delays en route to Solang and the tunnel. You should leave early and each morning ask your driver if the road past Solang is open.

If you'd like to travel in a group, you can look at Paradise Yatra's fixed departure tours for the current Manali dates.

2. Gulmarg, Kashmir

Gulmarg is the resort most known in India and the skiing season there begins in December, the exact date varying from year to year; skiing usually starts in mid-December although in some winters the deep snow does not arrive until January.

Chillai Kalan, Kashmir's coldest period, traditionally starts on 21 December.

• Weather: The temperature in Gulmarg is about −10°C to 3°C and that in Srinagar is about −3°C to 8°C.

• Things to do: The Gulmarg Gondola (if the weather allows), lessons in skiing or snowboarding, sledging, taking a shikara ride and spending time on a houseboat on Dal Lake in Srinagar, and having hot kahwa.

• Best for: Couples, honeymooners, adventure travellers, and families with children who can tolerate cold weather.

• Ideal duration: 4 to 5 nights, with the stay divided between Srinagar and Gulmarg.

• Local tip: Gulmarg is about two hours' drive from Srinagar in winter, and heavy snow can cause the road to close or lead to delays in flights, so it's a good idea to include an extra day before your return flight.

3. Auli, Uttarakhand

Auli provides a more peaceful and personal snow experience, with the peaks of Nanda Devi and the Garhwal Himalayas forming its backdrop.

Snow generally comes in mid to late December, but if you want to be certain, January and early February are usually more dependable. Although some of the slopes have artificial snowmaking, it is the feeling of calm and space that is the main attraction.

Before booking, you should check whether access is available. The ropeway running from Joshimath to Auli has been reported as being suspended since the land subsidence that occurred in Joshimath (which is now known as Jyotirmath), and the 14 to 16 km road may become blocked by snow.

• Weather: About −8°C to 5°C.

• Things to do: Beginner ski lessons and snow walks, a trip to Gorson Bugyal if snow and weather permit, seeing the Himalayan scenery, and visiting Jyotirmath town.

• Best for: Adventure travellers, couples and small groups. It is not so suitable for people who have difficulty with long mountain drives or steep roads.

• Ideal duration: 3 to 4 nights, including one night in Joshimath or spent on the route.

• Local tip: The route from Rishikesh is 250 km long and involves some winding roads. It's not a good idea to plan to reach there on the same evening that you arrive in Dehradun.

4. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

In Rishikesh it's not so much a matter of trying to get the perfect weather as it is about setting your own pace.

During December the mornings are cold and misty while the afternoons are mild, which makes the ghats perfect for slow and reflective walks. It's a place where you can take a pause—whether the break is on its own or if it's taken before continuing on into the mountains.

• Weather: About 7°C to 22°C.

• Things to do: Attending the evening Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat, exploring the Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula areas, taking part in yoga and meditation classes, going rafting on suitable sections of the river, and visiting the cafés located along the ghats.

• Best for: Families and travellers looking for a spiritual or relaxing break.

• Ideal duration: 2 to 3 nights.

• Local tip: In north India, winter fog frequently causes delays to trains and flights arriving in Dehradun and Delhi, so it's best to avoid making tight connections. When rafting, use a licensed operator who provides helmets and life jackets.

5. Jaipur, Rajasthan

In December you can experience Jaipur just as it was intended to be enjoyed, exploring the forts and palaces without having to suffer the scorching summer heat.

The days are pleasant and the evenings cool, making the climb to Amber Fort a pleasure rather than a hardship. Moreover, it is a sensible first destination in Rajasthan as it has easy access to both Udaipur and Delhi.

• Weather: About 8°C to 23°C.

• Things to do: Visiting Amber Fort, the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, seeing the sunset at Nahargarh, and shopping for textiles and jewellery at the Johari and Bapu Bazaars.

• Best for: Families, couples, people visiting Rajasthan for the first time, and those who enjoy history.

• Ideal duration: 2 to 3 nights.

• Local tip: If you want to get to Amber Fort when it first opens, do so to avoid the tour buses, and take a shawl because the temperature in the fort in the morning may be colder than the weather forecast indicates. Before purchasing individual tickets, find out if a combined monument ticket is currently available.

6. Udaipur, Rajasthan

You are invited to take it easy in Udaipur, since it is the lakes that give the city its rhythm and it is during December evenings by the water that the town seems most vibrant.

The view changes from one monsoon to the next, a reminder that each trip there is different. As the wedding season is at its peak, the city is full of celebration, so it is advisable to make your plans in advance if you want to choose from the available hotels.

• Weather: About 9°C to 25°C.

• Things to do: A boat trip to see the sunset on Lake Pichola, a visit to the City Palace, a trip to Saheliyon ki Bari, viewing the scenery from the Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace, and attending an evening folk dance performance in the old city.

• Best for: Couples, honeymooners, and families travelling with grandparents.

• Ideal duration: 2 to 3 nights. Jaipur to Udaipur is roughly 400 km, so allow a full travel day.

• Local tip: Old-city lanes are narrow and many hotels cannot be reached by car, so ask about vehicle access and luggage help before booking.

7. Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

Kutch's White Rann is a vast salt flat that looks very different at sunrise, at sunset and under a full moon.

Gujarat's Rann Utsav Tent City at Dhordo has been listed to run from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027, which covers all of December. Confirm dates on the official Rann Utsav website before booking.

• Weather: About 8°C at night to 27°C in the day. Nights are cold and windy.

• Things to do: Sunrise and sunset on the salt flats, camel cart rides, Kutchi craft villages, stargazing, and an add-on trip to Dholavira, the UNESCO-listed Harappan site, if you have extra days.

• Best for: Couples, families, photographers, and anyone who wants something other than hills and beaches.

• Ideal duration: 3 nights, usually split between Bhuj (the gateway, about 80 km away) and Dhordo.

• Local tip: Entry to the White Rann at Dhordo needs a permit from Gujarat's online permit portal. Full-moon nights and the year-end holidays tend to sell out first, so book tents and transport together.

8. Goa

Goa in December is Goa at full volume. The sea is calm, the air is warm, and the energy peaks with Christmas and New Year—whether that means Midnight Mass in centuries-old churches or beach parties that last until sunrise.

If you're looking for something quieter, South Goa offers a gentler pace, while Old Goa and Panjim reveal a more reflective side of the state.

• Weather: About 21°C to 32°C, humid at midday.

• Things to do: Beaches, the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral in Old Goa, the Fontainhas Latin Quarter in Panjim, Christmas Midnight Mass, sunset cruises on the Mandovi, and seafood shacks.

• Best for: Friends, couples, and families who choose their beach area carefully.

• Ideal duration: 4 to 5 nights.

• Local tip: Stay in North Goa for parties and South Goa for calm. Rooms and beach shacks get very busy between 24 December and New Year, so book early.

9. Kerala

December is one of the most comfortable months for Kerala. It is generally dry, the backwaters are calm, and the hills around Munnar are cool enough for a sweater.

The state is long, so choose two or three bases instead of racing across all of it. Fort Kochi usually hosts the Cochin Carnival around New Year, so confirm the 2026 dates if that matters to you.

• Weather: 22°C to 32°C on the coast and backwaters, and about 10°C to 24°C in Munnar.

• Things to do: A houseboat cruise around Alleppey or Kumarakom, tea estates in Munnar, Periyar Tiger Reserve at Thekkady, Fort Kochi, a Kathakali performance, Varkala's cliff beach, and Ayurveda treatments.

• Best for: Couples, honeymooners, families and older travellers.

• Ideal duration: 6 to 7 nights for Kochi, Munnar and Alleppey.

• Local tip: One houseboat night is plenty, so spend the rest on land. Occasional December showers are possible, so carry a light rain jacket.

10. Andaman Islands

December sits inside the Andamans' dry season, with calmer seas, clearer skies and good conditions for snorkelling and diving.

It is also one of the busiest months, and island travel depends on ferries and flights, so plan with some flexibility.

• Weather: About 23°C to 30°C.

• Things to do: Radhanagar Beach on Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), snorkelling at Elephant Beach, Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep), the Cellular Jail light and sound show in Port Blair, and beginner scuba.

• Best for: Couples, honeymooners, and families with older children who swim comfortably.

• Ideal duration: 5 to 6 nights.

• Local tip: Inter-island ferries can be cancelled in rough weather, so don't schedule your flight home on the day you return from Havelock. Leave a buffer day.

Best December Destinations for Couples and Honeymooners

For romance, Udaipur's lakes, Kerala's backwaters and the Andaman beaches are the safest bets, because they are warm and don't depend on snow.

Gulmarg works if you want a cold-weather honeymoon and accept that snow timing varies.

The Rann of Kutch is the unusual pick: a moonlit salt desert is memorable, but the nights are cold and it needs more planning than a city hotel stay.

Whichever you choose, keep the itinerary flexible, because December weather and crowds can both change plans.

Best Destinations for Families

Jaipur, Kerala and South Goa are the easiest with children and grandparents: short transfers, warm weather and plenty to see.

Rishikesh suits families who want a calm, spiritual trip. Manali is good for a child's first snow if you go in with realistic expectations about snow in town.

For Gulmarg and Auli, think about long drives, cold and altitude before taking toddlers or elderly relatives, and speak to a doctor if anyone has heart or breathing problems.

Where to Experience Snow in December

Gulmarg is the most dependable place on this list, followed by Auli and Solang Valley near Manali. None is guaranteed.

Snow tends to be more reliable in the second half of December and in January, and a dry spell can leave slopes patchy. Rohtang Pass is normally shut in winter.

Check the forecast and local road status a few days before you leave, keep your dates flexible if you can, and have a plan B for a snow-free day, such as Srinagar sightseeing or Manali's cafés.

Travel Tips for the Christmas and New Year Season

• Book early: The days between 24 December and 2 January are the busiest, and flights, trains, hotels and ferries sell out first.

• Build in buffer days: Fog delays trains and flights in north India, and snow can close mountain roads.

• Avoid same-day connections: Especially around hill roads, ferries and island trips.

• Ask what is included: Some hotels add compulsory gala dinners on 24 and 31 December, so ask before you book.

• Expect traffic: Near hill attractions and beaches, and start early.

• Check cancellation terms: Weather can disrupt plans, so understand the refund conditions.

• Carry essentials: Offline maps, some cash and printed bookings for areas with weak networks, such as Auli and the Rann.

What to Pack for Different Winter Destinations

• Snow destinations (Gulmarg, Auli, Manali): Thermal innerwear, a down or padded jacket, waterproof gloves, woollen socks, boots with good grip, a cap, and sunglasses and sunscreen for snow glare.

• Rajasthan, Rishikesh and Kutch: Light layers for the day, a warm jacket or shawl for mornings and nights, and lip balm and moisturiser for dry air.

• Goa and the Andamans: Cotton clothes, swimwear, sunscreen (reef-friendly if you plan to snorkel), a hat and sandals.

• Kerala: Light cottons, a cardigan for Munnar, a light rain jacket and mosquito repellent.

• For everyone: A power bank, basic medicines and a photo ID.