December is one of the best months to travel in India. The weather during the winter season is perfect for exploring the country, and there are a wide variety of experiences on offer, be it adventurous snow activities or joyous Christmas and New Year celebrations. The best places to visit in India in December range from chilly snowfall destinations to pleasantly warm holiday spots. If you are planning a winter getaway, here are some of the best places you could visit for a memorable winter holiday in India.
Sonamarg, Jammu& Kashmir:
Situated at an altitude of about 2800 m, Sonamarg is a beautiful hill station in Jammu and Kashmir. Sonamarg, meaning the meadow of gold, boasts picturesque fields, snow-capped peaks, majestic Himalayan glaciers, serene lakes, and valleys. Along with nature lovers, this hill station has also become popular among adventure enthusiasts. One can enjoy various activities like trekking, biking, skiing, hiking, camping, white water rafting, etc.
Nearest airport: Srinagar International Airport, located at a distance of around 80 km from Sonamarg.
Top Sonamarg attractions: Thajiwas glacier, Baltal Valley, Krishnasar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Satsar Lake, Zoji La Pass, Vishansar Lake, Gangabal Trek, Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, and Nilagrad River.
Auli, Uttarakhand:
Fondly called the skiing destination of India, Auli ranks high among the best skiing places to visit in India in December. Planning an adventurous trip with friends? This might be the destination you are looking for. There are cable car rides, skiing resorts, trekking trails, and more! Besides adventure, this hill resort nestled in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand also offers spellbinding views of the Himalayan peaks such as Nanda Devi, Neelkant, Mana Parbat, Kamet, etc. Auli’s snow-covered landscapes dotted with pine, deodars, oak, and coniferous forests are breathtaking too.
Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, located at a distance of around 280 km from Auli.
Top Auli attractions: Auli ropeway, Auli Artificial Lake, Joshimath, Trishul Peak, Narsingh temple, GursoBugyal, KwaniBugyal, Rudraprayag, Nandprayag, Nanda Devi National Park, and Chenab Lake.
Dawki, Meghalaya:
Well-known for its crystal clear Umngot River, Dawki is a quaint little town situated on the border between India and Bangladesh. Boating on the Umngot River, the natural divide between the Jaintia and Khasi hills, is the topmost thing to do in Dawki, and you’ll particularly enjoy this experience in December when the temperature hovers between 12 to 20 degrees celsius. The emerald green river is surrounded by huge cliffs covered with lush vegetation and its waters are unbelievably clear. You could see different kinds of fish and several beautiful stones lying on the riverbed as you go boating along this river, considered among the cleanest rivers in India.
Nearest airport: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, located at a distance of around 190 km from Dawki.
Top Dawki attractions:Umngot River, Dawki River, Dawki Suspension Bridge, Borhill/ Burhill falls, and Jaflong Zero Point.
Kutch, Gujarat:
Featuring a vast expanse of the shimmering white salt desert, Kutch depicts India’s geographical diversity. Kutch is one of the best places to visit in India in December as this place celebrates the famed Kutch Utsav during this time. The festival showcases in a beautiful way the natural and cultural heritage of this unique land. Expect everything from traditional music, folk dance, and regional food to handicraft mela, cultural programs, and plenty of fun and entertaining activities at the White Desert Festival. Interested? Book your flight tickets with Indian Eagle now!
Nearest airport: Bhuj Airport, located at a distance of around 80 km from Kutch.
Top Kutch attractions: Great Rann of Kutch, KaloDungar, Mandvi Beach, Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Vijay Vilas Palace, Topansar Lake, Kutch Museum, Kandla Port, Bhadreshwar Jain Temple, and Dholavira.
Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand:
Located in the Kumaon Hills at an altitude of 2171 m, Mukteshwar is a scenic village blessed with beautiful orchards, verdant coniferous forests, and stunning waterfalls. The place is named after a 350-year-old Shiva Temple called Mukteshwar Dham perched on the highest point in this village. Mukteshwar is known to offer spectacular views of the surrounding Himalayan ranges, and it is also the best place to enjoy adrenaline-rushing adventure sports like rock climbing, rappelling, and paragliding among others.
Nearest airport:Pantnagar Airport, located at a distance of around 95 km from Mukteshwar.
Top Mukteshwar attractions: Mukteshwar Temple, Renewable Park, Chauli ki Jali, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteshwar Inspection Bungalow, Bhalu Gaad Waterfalls, Ramgarh, and Peora.
Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh:
Another of the best places to visit in India in December is Dalhousie, a beautiful hill station famous for its natural beauty and colonial-era architecture. The town derived its name from the 19th-century British Governor-General Lord Dalhousie. Visit this place in winter to be bowled over by its breathtaking natural scenery featuring towering pines, rhododendrons, deodars and oaks peppered with snowflakes and having snow-draped mountains in the backdrop. This tranquil hill station is loved by solitude seekers, family vacationers and honeymooners. For adventure lovers, there is paragliding, trekking, zorbing, etc.
Nearest airport: Pathankot airport, located at a distance of around 75 km from Dalhousie.
Top Dalhousie attractions: Dainkund Peak, Khajjiar Valley, KalatopKhajjiar Sanctuary, Panchpula waterfall, Chamera Lake, Rock Garden, Sach Pass, Subhash Baoli, St. John’s Church, and Satdhara falls.
Mylapore, Chennai:
December is the best time to explore the South Indian city of Chennai which is notorious for its unbearably hot weather conditions. An old and traditional neighborhood in the city, Mylapore entices tourists with its old-world charm and a number of sacred sites such as ArulmiguKapaleeswarar Temple,
Sri Theerthapaleeswarar Temple, Madhava Perumal Temple, Luz Church, San Thome Basilica, etc. The thousand-year-old Kapaleeswarar Temple is a popular landmark of the city and is visited by scores of travelers every year. While you are in Mylapore, don’t fail to attend the soulful Carnatic Kacheri sessions and treat yourself to amazing South Indian delicacies.
Nearest airport: Chennai International Airport located at a distance of around 15 km from Mylapore.
Top Mylapore attractions: Kapaleeswarar Temple, Adi Kesava Perumal Temple, Sri VedanthaDesikar Devasthanam, Ramakrishna Math, Veera Anjaneyar Temple, Citi Center Mall, and Luz corner.
Along with the above, Goa, Kerala, Manali (Himachal Pradesh), Havelock Island (Andaman), Udaipur, and Jaisalmer (Rajasthan), Gokarna (Karnataka), Kasol (Himachal Pradesh) are some of the other beautiful places to visit in India in December.
