Best Places to Visit in December in India: Winter Travel Guide

Nov 13, 2025

Vacations are an amazing escape for wanderlust, and one such month to plan an unforgettable vacation with your family or friends is December. December in India hits you differently, especially if you are looking for an adventurous vacation to make the most of your Christmas and New Year's Eve holiday. India offers tourists impeccable sightseeing opportunities. From snow-capped mountains to calming waves of the oceans, you can pick the destination that pleases you the most. In this post, you can learn about the destinations that you must visit in India in the month of December.

Explore the Snowy Mountains of India

Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir

Known as the Meadow of Flowers, Gulmarg is a popular destination that is admired by people, especially in December. The place comes alive when the snow starts to wrap around Gulmarg. In December, Gulmarg experiences a temperature between -7.8 and 0.6 degrees Celsius. From snowboarding to cable car rides to ice skating, you can experience it all in Gulmarg. For the famous places, you can have a look at the following:

Apharwat Peak
Baba Reshi Shrine
Gulmarg Backcountry
St. Mary's Church
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve

Connectivity: Srinagar Airport (SXR) is the closest airport to reach Gulmarg. For the train, you can approach the nearest railway station, which is Jammu Railway Station. From here, you can book a cab to Gulmarg. From major places like Delhi, Punjab, and more, you can get direct buses to Gulmarg.

See also: Discover Kerala in November

Leh-Ladakh

The prime attractions of Leh-Ladakh are its serene beauty, barren landscapes, and vibrant festivals. The place is suitable for trekking, biking, skiing, and snowboarding. Additionally, you can cherish the frozen-river trek in Leh-Ladakh. The temperature ranges from -11 to 1 degrees Celsius. In the following lines, you can get the idea about the popular attractions of Leh-Ladakh:

Khardung La
Hall of Fame
Thiksey Monastery
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
Dras War Memorial

Connectivity: The nearest airport to reach Leh-Ladakh is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport. Jammu Tawi is the closest railway station, located approximately 700 km away from Leh. Leh-Ladakh is well connected by the Srinagar-Leh highway so that you can hop on a state bus to Leh-Ladakh.

See also: Autumn Tourism in India

Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Manali boasts several iconic places that you may have seen in Bollywood movies. Apart from this, Manali offers spiritual tranquillity, allowing you to connect with the divine energy. Activities range from trekking to exploring the frozen lakes of Manali, surrounded by trees covered with powdery snow. Here is the place that you must visit in Manali:

Rohtang Pass
Solang Valley
Hampta Pass
Mall Road
Chandrakhani Pass

Connectivity: Bhuntar, located approximately 50 km away from Manali, is the nearest airport. Moreover, to reach by train, you need to reach the nearest railway station, which is Joginder Nagar. Buses also run between Delhi and Chandigarh to Manali.

Nainital, Uttarakhand

If you love snowfall, you must visit Nainital, as it receives ample snowfall every year. The chilly ambience in Nainital ranges from -4 to 6 degrees Celsius, depending on the time of day. Activities such as sledging and snowball fights are popular in Nainital. Also, the place is well-liked by newlyweds. Here are the top sights that you can see in Nainital:

Nainital Lake
Goddess Naina Devi
Eco Caves Gardens
High Altitude Zoo
Snow View Point

Connectivity: The closest airport is Pantnagar (70 km), though it has limited connectivity compared to Delhi; hence, it is not suitable. Moreover, the nearest railway station is Kathgodam. You can easily find buses from Delhi, Haldwani, Almora, and other locations.

Explore the Flourishing lands of India

Munnar, Kerala

You can plan your trip to Munnar in December, as the place offers you the delightful weather. The temperature during this time ranges between 13 and 22 degrees Celsius. The mesmerising waterfalls soothe the body and mind. Additionally, you can take a tour of the tea gardens as well. A famous place to visit in Munnar is here:

Tea Gardens
Kalari Kshethra
Top station
Rajamalai National Park
Attukal waterfalls

Connectivity: Kochi is the closest airport; however, the nearest airport to Munnar is Cochin International Airport. Local buses also run from time to time from Tamil Nadu and other nearby destinations.

Coorg, Karnataka

Coorg is renowned for its coffee plantations, breathtaking mountains, and stunning landmarks. Coorg is often referred to as "the Scotland of India." The temperature here ranges from 16 to 27 degrees Celsius, making it convenient to explore. The following are the destinations that you can see in Coorg:

Dubare Elephant Camp
Abbey Falls
Raja's Seat
Tibetan Monastery
Tadiandamol Peak

Connectivity: Mangalore Airport is approximately 145 km from Coorg. You can opt for the nearest railway station, Mysore Junction. You can find buses to Coorg from Mangalore and other cities.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

In December, you must visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where you can find yourself relaxing on the pristine beaches, rare marine life, and taking part in various water-based activities. The temperature between 22 and 33 degrees Celsius is feasible for wandering. Here's the place that you must visit:

Radhanagar Beach
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island
Kala Pathar Beach
Jolly Buoy Island
Limestone Cave Baratang

Connectivity: To reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the nearest airport is Veer Savarkar Airport. Also, you can find ships from Kolkata, Chennai, and more.

Pondicherry

For a closer look at the French Colonial experience, no place is better than Pondicherry. The weather in December is ideal for exploring Pondicherry, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 29 degrees Celsius. For the insights into the actual Pondicherry, you can explore the following places:

Seaside Promenade
Paradise Beach
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Connectivity: Pondicherry Airport is the nearest airport to reach Pondicherry, and the closest railway station is Puducherry Railway Station, approximately 35 km away. You can catch buses from Hyderabad to other nearby cities.

Conclusion

While December evokes images of cosy blankets, it offers much more to those willing to embrace the winter chill. Among various countries, India is one of the top choices for a December trip, offering a relaxing experience with a hint of adrenaline rush. With this post, you will get to know about all the destinations that you should visit to mark a happy end to the year.