Places to Visit in India in December

Honestly, any time is the right time to visit the alluring city of Udaipur. But its charm gets amplified during the month of December. The cool blow of wind and pleasant weather makes it perfect for a memorable sightseeing tour. Since this is the peak season here, all the tourist places will have huge crowds. But when you have a look at the lakes and forts under the winter sun, you will be spellbound! After sightseeing, you can enjoy a surreal boating experience as well.

If temple tour and spiritual enlightenment is your idea of an idyllic vacation, Varanasi is one of the best places to travel in December. During December, the boat rocks gently in the tranquil water of the Ganga, while you can enjoy the warmth of the sun. Plus, this is the ideal time for temple hopping, walking through the narrow streets and trying the delectable street food sans the humidity. Also, don’t miss the Ganga Aarti at Assi Ghat, the most majestic highlight of Varanasi.

The Queen of Hills, Shimla is in its full glory in December. This is the time when you can enjoy snowfall and treat the adventure enthusiast in you with a plethora of thrilling activities. Natural ice skiing, ice skating, trekking, camping and the toy train ride are just some of the top things to do in Shimla during winters. No wonder why it is renowned as one of the best vacation spots in December for couples and family travellers alike. Also, the Winter Sports Festival of Shimla is truly an unmatched experience. So, don’t wait any longer and book a flight to Shimla for an unforgettable vacation.

This December, take a flight to Kochi, followed by a road trip to experience a rejuvenating retreat in Kerala's backwaters at Alleppey or Alappuzha. Titled the Venice of the East, this humble town is a paradise for nature lovers. What else, the pleasing weather and cool breeze during December make it a perfect time to enjoy the renowned houseboat tour. This tour sails through the backwaters, amid tall palms and paddy fields. You can also enjoy an overnight houseboat stay for an experience like never before. Another reason why it is one of the best places to vacation in December is the ayurvedic massages. Plus, sightseeing, beach hopping, water sports and bird watching in Alleppey get even better this month.

Home to some of the most popular pilgrimage sites and stunning beaches in India, Gokarna, a few hours away from Goa airport, turns into a dreamy paradise during December. If you have been craving to let your feet sink in the sand and indulge in thrilling activities away from the crowds, book a flight to Dabolim and then head to Gokarna. During your December trip to the city, you can indulge in activities like beach camping, parasailing, river rafting and banana boat ride. That’s not it! You can pamper yourself with relaxing Ayurveda massages as well.

If you have been looking for desserts to visit in India this December, Jaisalmer is the place for you. The splendid architecture, vibrant culture and wonderful desert landscape make it one of the top December holiday destinations. The comfortable weather during this month is perfect for an idyllic desert safari experience. Wondering what to do in Jaisalmer? Here’s a quick guide! Visit the Jaisalmer Fort and Sunset Palace, seek blessings at Tanot Mata temple, enjoy desert jeep safari or camel safari and go dune bashing at the Thar Desert. You must be excited already! Get going then!

For those who like to take the road less travelled, a December vacation in Chikmagalur can be an excellent idea. The nature’s bounty, sweet aroma of coffee plantations, wildlife, adventure and heritage sites come together to make this hill station a delight for travellers. During the winter months, the serene beauty of the Hebbe Falls and Jhari Falls is a treat to the sore eyes. Besides this, you can enjoy a stimulating trekking experience at Mullayanagiri or Bababudangiri, take up a jeep safari expedition in Bhadra wildlife sanctuary and go for riverside camping at Sakleshpur. In case you are wondering, this hill station does not have its own airport. But you can board a flight to Mangalore, located at a distance of 113 km from this city.

While Leh might be hard to access in December but for the thrill-seeker in you, it can be the best time to visit Leh. During this time, the road to Zanskar valley, one of the top valleys in India, gets closed due to snowfall. So, the frozen river trek (Chadar trek) is the only and the most thrilling way to access the valley. You will be surprised to see the breathtaking beauty and nature’s allure as you trek through the trails. However, make sure to deck yourself with warm clothes as the temperature gets as low as -20 degrees during the night. Plus, it is critical to test your physical ability before you head for the trek. If you have made up your mind, complete your medical tests and book a flight to Leh as an enthralling adventure awaits you!

Whether you are looking for an extended vacation or a weekend getaway, Rishikesh is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after cities to visit in December. With a slight chilling atmosphere, cool breeze and abundance of greenery, Rishikesh in December is truly a surreal experience. There are a bunch of activities to do in the winter months, including river rafting, camping, kayaking and bungee jumping. Don’t forget to include Triveni Ghat, Laxman Jhula and Ganga Aarti performed on the ghats to your travel wishlist. Now let's talk about how to reach Rishikesh! Take a flight to Dehradun and hit the roads to approach your destination.

And finally, we have Guwahati, one of the best holiday destinations in December in northeast India. Credits to the pleasant and mildly cold weather in December, you can enjoy a quintessential sightseeing tour soaking in the scenic vistas of the region. You can spend time exploring the rich biodiversity. And when the sightseeing is done, there are many recreational activities like parasailing, bungee jumping, banana boating, water rafting, trekking and paragliding.

All these places on this list have amazing experiences awaiting you. Wherever you go this December, we are sure the trip will fill you with joy and splendour.