December is here. It is my favorite month of the year. The air gets cold in the north. The weather gets pleasant in the south. Everyone wants to travel. People always ask me for my ideas. They ask, what are the best places to visit in December? I have traveled a lot. I have seen many places.
So I thought, I will make a list. This is not a list from the internet. This is my own list. From my head. From my memories. I am just writing what I feel. I am not a professional writer. So please excuse any mistakes.
India is so big. There are so many options. You can see snow. Or you can go to a warm beach. It just depends on your mood. This list has all kinds of places. These are my top picks. The best places to travel in december.
Plan your next adventure easily with Travellinglark Post Travel — your smart travel companion!
For the People Who Love Snow
I love the cold. I love mountains. And I love snow. If you are like me, then these are the places for you.
The King of Winter Gulmarg
First, I must talk about Kashmir. Gulmarg is just… wow. I went there a few years ago. I cannot forget it. In December, the snow is everywhere. It is like a white blanket. So thick and soft. The pine trees are all covered in snow. It looks like a Christmas card.
It is very cold. You need your warmist clothes. I wore three layers. And I was still cold. But it is worth it. You can do skiing. I tried it. I fell down a lot. It was fun. The gondola ride is the main thing. It takes you so high up. The view from the top is… I have no words. You can see all the big mountains. It is one of the best places to go in december. No doubt.
The Popular Hills Manali
Manali is also a great place. It is in Himachal Pradesh. It is very popular. Maybe too popular. It gets very crowded in December. But there is a reason. It is very beautiful. And it is easier to get to than Gulmarg.
You can go to Solang Valley. You will find snow there for sure. You can do all the snow activities. Like paragliding. And zorbing. I stayed in Old Manali. It is quieter. There are many small cafes. The food is so good. Sitting in a warm cafe. And watching the snow fall outside. It is a perfect feeling. This is one of the best places to visit in india in december.
The Quiet Queen Shimla
Shimla is also nice. It is different from Manali. It feels very old. In a good way. The old buildings from the British time. The Ridge and the Mall Road. They look so pretty. Especially if it snows.
You can ride the toy train. The one from Kalka. It is a very special journey. Very slow. You can see all the hills. Shimla is more of a family place. It is very relaxing. Walking on the Mall Road in the evening. Eating hot sweet corn. That is a simple, happy memory.
The Skiing Spot Auli
I have not been to Auli. But my friend went. He said it is amazing. It is in Uttarakhand. He said it is the best place for skiing. Better than Gulmarg, he said. I do not know. But the pictures were beautiful.
It is harder to get to. You have to take a cable car. He said it is less crowded. You can see the big mountains. Like Nanda Devi. It looks very peaceful. It is on my list. I want to go soon.
If You Want to Escape the Cold
Okay, enough of the cold. Some people hate winter. They want sun. They want beaches. For them, India also has many options.
The Obvious Choice Goa
When you say December, people say Goa. It is the number one party destination. The weather is perfect. Not too hot. Not humid. Just a nice, pleasant breeze. All the beach shacks are open. The music is playing. The food is so good.
I love Goa in December. Yes, it is very crowded. And the prices are very high. Everything is mehnga. Very expensive. But the vibe… it is just different. Christmas and New Year in Goa is a big party. Everyone is happy. It is a classic for a reason. Truly one of the best places to visit in December.
The Real Paradise Andaman
If Goa is too crowded for you. Or too loud. Then go to the Andaman Islands. This is my favorite place. It is a real paradise. It is more expensive. The flights are long. But it is worth every penny.
I am talking about Havelock Island. Or Swaraj Dweep. They changed the name. The beaches are… unreal. The sand is white. The water is bright blue. So clear. You can see the fish. I went to Radhanagar Beach. It is famous. It is really the most beautiful beach.
December is the best time. The sea is very calm. Perfect for scuba diving. I did scuba diving there. It was my first time. I was scared. But it was the best experience of my life. Seeing the corals. The colorful fish. It is another world.
Gods Own Country Kerala
Kerala is also a wonderful place in December. The weather is perfect. The monsoon is over. The air is clean. It is not humid. It is one of the best places to visit in india in december.
You can go to Alleppey. And stay in a houseboat. This is so peaceful. The boat moves slowly on the backwaters. You see the villages. The green paddy fields. The birds. It is very quiet. Or you can go to Munnar. The tea gardens are so green. The hills are covered in mist. It is very romantic. Kochi is also nice. The old fort area. With the Chinese fishing nets. Kerala is very beautiful.
Deserts and Royal Palaces
December is not just for beaches and mountains. It is the best time to see the desert.
The Golden State Rajasthan
You cannot go to Rajasthan in summer. It is impossible. It is too hot. But in December, the weather is perfect. The sun is gentle. The nights are cold.
There are so many places. Jaipur is the Pink City. It has big forts. And palaces. The Hawa Mahal is so pretty.
But my favorite is Jaisalmer. The Golden City. It is in the middle of the desert. The fort is amazing. People still live inside it. You must do the desert safari. You ride a camel. You go into the sand dunes. And you sleep in a camp. Or just in the open. Under the stars. I did this. It was so quiet. So peaceful. I saw so many shooting stars. It was magic.
Udaipur is also there. The city of lakes. Very romantic. With the palaces in the water. Rajasthan is a must visit. It is one of the best places to go in december.
The White Desert Kutch
This is a very different place. The Rann of Kutch. In Gujarat. It is a giant salt desert. In December, it is all dry. It looks like a white ocean. It shines in the moonlight.
They have the Rann Utsav. It is a big festival. You can stay in tents. There is folk music. And dance. And great Gujarati food. I went during the full moon. The white desert was glowing. It felt like I was on the moon. It is a very unique experience.
My Final Thoughts
So, that is my list. I have more places. Like Pondicherry. It is a quiet little French town. Or Hampi. With its old ruins and big rocks. India is too big. There are too many places.
I think I wrote more than I planned. I get excited when I talk about travel.I hope this list helps you. These are all my personal feelings. All these places are great. You just have to pick one. The best places to visit in December are the ones you actually go to. So just book a ticket. And go. You will have a great time. Happy travels.
Also Read:-
For a detailed itinerary, check out our complete travel guide on Darjeeling’s height and how to visit.