Best places to visit in December, in India and abroad
By Ganesh ·
Where to travel in December from India: snow in Gulmarg and Auli, the desert in Jaisalmer, Goa and Kerala for Christmas, the Rann Utsav in Kutch, and short trips abroad to Dubai, Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. Weather, crowds and booking tips.
December is the busiest travel month in India. Schools close for Christmas, offices wind down, and the weather is good almost everywhere except the high mountains. The flip side is crowds and high prices from about 20 December to 2 January. If you can, travel in the first two weeks of the month, or pick places that don't fill up at Christmas.
In India
Gulmarg and Pahalgam, Kashmir
Snow usually arrives in Gulmarg in December, and the gondola runs up to Kongdori and, weather permitting, higher. It's cold (well below freezing at night), so book a heated room. Srinagar's houseboats are cosy in winter, and the Dal Lake mornings are misty and beautiful.
Auli and Chopta, Uttarakhand
Auli has India's best-known ski slopes, with snow from late December in a good year. Chopta, a few hours away, is the base for the short Tungnath and Chandrashila trek, one of the easiest snow treks in the country.
Jaisalmer and the Thar desert
Days are sunny and around 25°C, nights near freezing. That's ideal for camel rides, sunset on the dunes at Sam or Khuri, and a night in a desert camp. Book the camps early for Christmas and New Year's Eve, when prices double.
Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
The white salt desert is at its best between November and February, and the Rann Utsav tent city runs through that season. Full-moon nights are the highlight. Bhuj and the craft villages nearby make good day trips.
Goa
Peak season. North Goa has the parties and Christmas midnight masses; South Goa is quieter, with better beaches. Prices are at their highest from Christmas to New Year, so book months ahead or go in early December.
Kerala
Dry, green and comfortable. Munnar is cool, the backwaters at Alleppey and Kumarakom are calm, and Kochi's Fort Kochi area is lively, with the Kochi-Muziris Biennale running in some years from December. Varkala's cliff beach is at its best.
Hampi, Karnataka
Before the heat returns, Hampi's boulder landscape is perfect for cycling between the temples. Sunset at Hemakuta hill or Matanga hill is the classic end to the day.
Andaman Islands
The sea is calm and clear for diving and snorkelling. Ferries and resorts fill up at Christmas, so book both together.
Abroad
| Place | Why December | Visa for Indians |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai and Abu Dhabi | Warm days, cool evenings, Dubai Shopping Festival from mid-December | e-visa or visa on arrival for some, check the official site |
| Thailand | Dry season starts on the Andaman coast | Visa-free short stays recently, check the current rule |
| Vietnam | Pleasant in the south, cool in the north | e-visa |
| Sri Lanka | South and west coasts dry from December | ETA |
| Singapore | Christmas lights on Orchard Road, good for kids | Visa through authorised agents |
| Europe (Christmas markets) | Markets in Germany, Austria, Prague | Schengen visa, apply 6 to 8 weeks ahead |
For Europe in December, expect short days (dark by 4 or 5 pm in the north), cold weather and the cosiest atmosphere of the year. Vienna, Prague, Strasbourg and Cologne have some of the best-known markets.
Booking tips
- Flights out of big cities on 20 to 24 December and back on 1 and 2 January are the most expensive of the year. Shifting by two or three days can save a lot.
- Hill-station roads (Shimla, Manali, Gulmarg) get jammed when it snows. Leave buffer days and be ready to change plans.
- Carry proper winter gear for the north. December in Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand means sub-zero nights.
Questions people ask
Where can I see snow in December?
Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam in Kashmir, Auli and Chopta in Uttarakhand, and Sissu and Solang near Manali are the likeliest places. Snowfall varies a lot from year to year, so check recent reports before you book.
Where's warm in December?
Goa, Kerala, the Andamans, Pondicherry and Gokarna in India; Thailand, Sri Lanka and Dubai abroad.
Is Ladakh open in December?
Leh is reachable by flight and very cold (around minus 15°C at night). The roads from Manali and Srinagar are closed. It's for people who want frozen lakes and winter festivals, not a first visit.
Photo: Abandoned Gulmarg Hotel by Mohamad Talib Bhat, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
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