Key takeaways
- Goa, Rann of Kutch, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Alleppey are top December picks for dry, pleasant weather.
- Rann Utsav 2026-27 runs from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027 at Dhordo, Kutch.
- The Hornbill Festival in Kisama, Nagaland, is held from 1 to 10 December every year.
- Snow in Auli or Manali is not guaranteed in early December; chances rise in late December.
- Book travel for 20 December to 2 January early, as prices and demand peak.
The best places to visit in December in India are Goa, the Rann of Kutch, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Alleppey, the Andaman Islands, Hampi, Kohima for the Hornbill Festival, Auli and Varanasi. December brings dry, clear weather to most of the plains, coast and desert, and the first proper winter to the Himalaya.
December is also peak season. Flights, trains and hotels fill up fast around Christmas and New Year, so book at least a month ahead if your dates fall between 20 December and 2 January.
Best places to visit in December in India: quick table
| Destination | Best for | December weather | Nearest airport or station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goa | Beaches, nightlife, New Year | Warm, dry, sunny | Dabolim and Mopa airports, Madgaon station |
| Rann of Kutch | White desert, Rann Utsav | Sunny days, cold nights | Bhuj airport and station |
| Jaisalmer | Sand dunes, desert camps | Pleasant days, chilly nights | Jaisalmer station |
| Udaipur | Lakes, palaces, couples | Cool and clear | Udaipur airport and station |
| Alleppey | Houseboats, backwaters | Warm, mostly dry | Kochi airport, Alappuzha station |
| Andaman Islands | Beaches, scuba diving | Warm, calm seas | Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) airport |
| Hampi | Ruins, history, cycling | Mild and dry | Hosapete station |
| Kohima | Hornbill Festival (1 to 10 December) | Cool days, cold nights | Dimapur airport and station |
| Auli | Snow, mountain views | Very cold, snow possible | Dehradun airport, Rishikesh station |
| Varanasi | Ghats, Ganga aarti, food | Cold mornings, fog | Varanasi airport and stations |
1. Goa
Goa is the default December trip for a reason. The monsoon is long gone, the sea is calm, and beach shacks, cafes and clubs are fully open. Christmas in Goa has its own flavour, with lit-up churches, midnight mass and street parties, and New Year’s Eve is the busiest night of the year on the coast.
North Goa (Baga, Anjuna, Vagator) is for crowds and parties. South Goa (Palolem, Agonda, Colva) is quieter and better for families. Book stays early, since prices go up sharply in the last 10 days of December.
Weather: Warm, dry and sunny days with slightly cooler evenings.
How to reach: Goa has two airports, Dabolim in the south and Manohar International at Mopa in the north. Madgaon and Thivim are the main railway stations on the Konkan Railway.
Best for: Friends’ trips, beach holidays and New Year parties.
2. Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
The Great Rann of Kutch is a vast salt flat that turns white in winter. The Gujarat government’s Rann Utsav runs from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027 this season, with a tent city at Dhordo, folk music, craft stalls and camel rides on the salt.
Plan your visit around the full moon if you can. The salt desert under moonlight is the main reason many people come, and the full-moon days this December fall around 22 to 24 December. You need an entry permit for the White Rann, so check the current process with your tent operator or hotel before you go.
Weather: Bright, sunny days and cold nights. Carry a jacket even if the afternoon feels warm.
How to reach: Bhuj is the gateway, with an airport and a railway station. From Bhuj, Dhordo is a road trip, and most tent packages include transfers.
Best for: Photography, culture and a trip that feels different from the usual hill station.
3. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Jaisalmer is a sandstone city in the Thar Desert, built around a living fort where people still live and run shops. December is the right time to go, because the desert is comfortable during the day and the summer heat is months away.
Most visitors spend one night at a desert camp near the Sam or Khuri dunes, with a jeep or camel ride at sunset, a folk performance and dinner under the stars. In the old city, visit Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon ki Haveli and Gadisar Lake.
Weather: Pleasant days, but nights in the desert get properly cold. Pack warm layers for the camp.
How to reach: Jaisalmer railway station has direct trains from Delhi, Jaipur and Jodhpur. Flights to Jaisalmer airport are limited and seasonal, so many people fly to Jodhpur and drive or take a train from there.
Best for: Desert camping and a classic Rajasthan road trip.
4. Udaipur, Rajasthan
Udaipur is calmer than most Rajasthan cities and works well for couples and families. The city is built around lakes, with the City Palace on the banks of Lake Pichola and boat rides that take you past Jag Mandir.
Spend an evening at Fateh Sagar Lake, watch the sunset from a rooftop cafe in the old city and take a day trip to Kumbhalgarh Fort if you have an extra day.
Weather: Cool and clear, comfortable for walking around the old city all day.
How to reach: Maharana Pratap Airport has direct flights from major metros. Udaipur City railway station is well connected to Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur.
Best for: Couples, honeymoons and slow sightseeing.
5. Alleppey (Alappuzha), Kerala
Alleppey is the base for Kerala’s backwaters. The classic experience is an overnight houseboat that drifts through canals lined with coconut palms and paddy fields, with meals cooked on board.
December is a good month because the heavy rain of the monsoon is over and humidity drops. If a full night on a houseboat is too pricey, day cruises and shikara rides are cheaper options.
Weather: Warm and mostly dry, with the odd light shower possible.
How to reach: The nearest major airport is Kochi. Alappuzha railway station is on the coastal line and connects to Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram.
Best for: Families, couples and anyone who wants a slow, relaxed trip.
6. Andaman Islands
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have some of India’s clearest water, and December falls in the calm, dry season when ferries run more reliably. Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) is known for Radhanagar Beach and scuba diving, while Shaheed Dweep (Neil) is smaller and quieter.
In Sri Vijaya Puram, the capital formerly called Port Blair, visit the Cellular Jail and its light and sound show. Book inter-island ferries in advance for December, since seats sell out during the holiday weeks.
Weather: Warm and sunny with calm seas, good for snorkelling and diving.
How to reach: Fly to Veer Savarkar International Airport in Sri Vijaya Puram from Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and other cities. Ferries connect the capital to Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep.
Best for: Beach lovers, divers and honeymooners.
7. Hampi, Karnataka
Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, and its ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Temples, markets and royal buildings are spread across an area of huge boulders, banana fields and the Tungabhadra river.
December is the best time to explore, because Hampi gets very hot from March onwards. Rent a bicycle or a moped, see the Virupaksha Temple and the stone chariot at Vittala Temple, and climb Matanga Hill or Anjanadri Hill for sunrise or sunset.
Weather: Mild, dry days that are comfortable for cycling between sites.
How to reach: Hosapete is the nearest railway station, a short drive from Hampi. The nearest airports are at Toranagallu (Jindal Vijaynagar) and Hubballi, with Bengaluru as the bigger option.
Best for: History, backpacking and budget travel.
8. Kohima, Nagaland (Hornbill Festival)
The Hornbill Festival is held every year from 1 to 10 December at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, about 12 km from Kohima. All of Nagaland’s major tribes come together for dances, traditional games, food stalls, crafts and evening music shows. It has been held every December since 2000.
Entry tickets are cheap and can be bought at the venue. Hotels and homestays in Kohima fill up early for these 10 days, so book well in advance. If you have more time, add the Dzukou Valley trek or a visit to Khonoma village.
Weather: Cool days and cold nights in the hills. Carry woollens.
How to reach: Fly or take a train to Dimapur, then drive about 2 to 3 hours to Kohima or Kisama. Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit for Nagaland, which can be applied for online before the trip.
Best for: Festival travel, food and culture.
9. Auli, Uttarakhand
Auli is a ski slope and meadow above Joshimath with wide views of the Garhwal Himalaya, including Nanda Devi. It is the pick if your December trip is about seeing snow and mountains.
Snowfall is not guaranteed in early December. The chances improve towards late December and January. Check the road conditions and whether the Joshimath ropeway is running before you go, as both can change with weather and local conditions.
Weather: Very cold, with sub-zero nights and a chance of snow later in the month.
How to reach: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun and the nearest major railway station is Rishikesh. From there it is a long drive of around 250 km or more through the hills to Joshimath, followed by a short climb to Auli.
Best for: Snow, skiing and mountain views. If you want an easier snow trip, see our guide to the best places to visit in Manali.
10. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world, and winter is the most comfortable season to walk its ghats and lanes. Take a sunrise boat ride on the Ganga, watch the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat and visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
The food is a big reason to go: kachori sabzi for breakfast, malaiyyo (a winter-only milk froth sweet) and Banarasi paan. Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, is a short drive away.
Weather: Cold mornings and nights, with fog that can delay flights and trains in late December. Keep buffer time in your plans.
How to reach: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport has flights from major cities. Varanasi Junction and Banaras are the main railway stations.
Best for: Spiritual travel, food and photography.
Tips for planning a December trip in India
- Book early: Flights and hotels for 20 December to 2 January sell out first. Prices also peak in this window.
- Watch for fog: North Indian cities like Delhi, Lucknow and Varanasi often see dense fog in late December, which delays trains and flights.
- Pack for two seasons: Desert and hill destinations are warm in the afternoon and cold at night. Carry layers.
- Check permits: The White Rann needs an entry permit and Nagaland needs an Inner Line Permit for Indian visitors.
For more trip ideas inside cities, read our list of 7 places of national significance in New Delhi, or our Kolkata Durga Puja travel guide for planning a festival trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best place to visit in December in India?
Goa is the most popular choice for beaches and New Year. For something different, the Rann of Kutch during Rann Utsav and the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland (1 to 10 December) are strong picks.
Where can I see snow in India in December?
Auli, Manali, Gulmarg and other high-altitude spots can get snow in December, but it is not guaranteed in the first half of the month. The chances are better from late December into January.
Which places are warm in India in December?
Goa, Kerala, the Andaman Islands and most of South India stay warm and sunny in December. Hampi and Alleppey are comfortable for sightseeing during the day.
Is December a good time to visit Rajasthan?
Yes. December days in Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Jaipur are pleasant for sightseeing. Desert nights are cold, so carry warm clothes for camps.
When is Rann Utsav 2026?
Rann Utsav 2026-27 runs from 1 November 2026 to 7 March 2027 at the tent city in Dhordo, Kutch.
Sources: Outlook Traveller on Rann Utsav 2026-27, Time Out on Hornbill Festival 2026, UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Group of Monuments at Hampi.
