Best places to visit in India in December

Where India is at its best in December

Each line below is the reason this place works in the winter, written for that place, not a generic blurb.

• Pushkar Rajasthan

  Holy lake town, Rajasthan's backpacker capital

  Cool lake mornings, full-moon aarti, and the Camel Fair crowd. This is peak Pushkar.

  SpiritualBackpackerLakes

• Gokarna Karnataka

  Temple town turned backpacker beach-hopping strip

  Calm sea, full shack scene across Om, Kudle and Paradise beaches, best weather of the year.

  BeachBackpackerSpiritual

• Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu

  Pallava sandstone temples and silk looms on the same street

  Dec-Feb at 20-30 C is when you can walk Kailasanathar, Ekambareswarar and Varadaraja in one long unhurried day.

  HeritageSpiritualCulture

• Varkala Kerala

  Cliffside beach town with yoga shalas and sunset cafes

  Peak season - calm turquoise water, warm days, cliff cafes and yoga shalas all in full swing

  BeachBackpackerSpiritual

• Mumbai Maharashtra

  Colonial architecture, street food and Bollywood energy

  Best weather all year - dry and mild, ideal for walking Colaba and the Fort district.

  CityHeritage

• Gwalior Madhya Pradesh

  Hilltop fort, Jain rock colossi and Tansen's dhrupad town

  Dec-Feb is 8-25 C and the fort's sandstone glows; Tansen Samaroh in December fills the town with dhrupad singers.

  HeritageCityCulture

• Srisailam Andhra Pradesh

  Jyotirlinga above the Krishna gorge inside Nallamala forest

  Nov-Feb is the window: 28 C, the Krishna gorge clear from the Patalaganga ropeway and darshan queues manageable midweek.

  SpiritualHeritage

• Fatehpur Sikri Uttar Pradesh

  Akbar's red sandstone capital, abandoned after fourteen years

  Peak at 7-24 °C: low sun on red sandstone and a near-empty Panch Mahal if you are through the gate by 7 am.

  HeritageCulture

• Ahmedabad Gujarat

  UNESCO old city of pols, stepwells and street food

  Best weather of the year and kite-festival season - great for the old-city heritage walk.

  CityHeritageCulture

• Bhubaneswar Odisha

  Temple city of 700 shrines plus the Khandagiri Jain caves

  Dec-Feb is the window: 15-28 C, dry mornings at Lingaraj and the Khandagiri caves, Adivasi Mela in January.

  CityHeritageSpiritual

• Kolkata West Bengal

  India's cultural capital - colonial streets, great food

  Best months in the city. Cool, dry, Puja afterglow still in the air, easy all-day sightseeing.

  CityCultureHeritage

• Chandubi Lake Assam

  Earthquake-born forest lake in Rabha country near Guwahati

  Nov-Feb is calm and clear at 10-25 C: winter ducks on the water, Rabha village walks, and the lakeside festival in early January.

  LakesOffbeatWildlife

• Bodh Gaya Bihar

  Where the Buddha attained enlightenment - Mahabodhi Temple

  Peak pilgrim season: cool days, and occasional Dalai Lama teachings draw international crowds.

  SpiritualHeritage

• Dawki & Shnongpdeng Meghalaya

  Glass-clear Umngot river: boating, cliff camps, border

  Peak clarity: the Umngot turns glass-clear turquoise, boats look like they float on air.

  LakesBackpackerOffbeat

• Amritsar Punjab

  The Golden Temple and its free kitchen for all

  Cold mornings at the Golden Temple are atmospheric, especially the pre-dawn Palki ceremony.

  SpiritualCultureCity

• Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) Andaman & Nicobar Islands

  Andaman's backpacker-diving hub with Radhanagar Beach

  Best all-round season: calm water at Radhanagar, good dive visibility, full hostel scene.

  BeachIslandBackpacker

• Anjuna-Vagator Goa

  North Goa's flea-market, trance-party, hostel strip

  Peak season - every shack, hostel and trance party is open, beaches packed with travellers.

  BeachPartyBackpacker

• Deoghar (Baidyanath Dham) Jharkhand

  Jyotirlinga at the end of the 105 km Sultanganj kanwar walk

  Dec-Feb is the calm season at 8-26 C: short darshan queues, time to climb Trikut on foot and reach Basukinath.

  SpiritualHeritage

• Bhongir Fort (Bhuvanagiri) Telangana

  An 11th-century fort welded to one bald granite dome

  Nov-Feb is the climbing season: cool granite, about 45 minutes to the top and the Deccan flat to the horizon.

  HeritageTrek

• Jagdalpur (Bastar) Chhattisgarh

  Bastar's tribal capital, weekly haats and bell-metal workshops

  Nov-Feb is 12-30 C, the season for village haats, the anthropological museum and day trips out to Chitrakote.

  CultureCityOffbeat

• Sultanpur National Park (Bird Sanctuary) Haryana

  Ramsar jheel where Siberian migrants land an hour from Delhi

  Dec-Feb is the whole point: over 100 migratory species on the jheel at 4-18 C, though Delhi smog greys the light.

  WildlifeLakesOffbeat

• Aizawl Mizoram

  Mizoram's hillside capital: churches, cafes, rock music

  Best weather: cool, dry, clear views across the hill ridges the city is built on.

  CityCultureMountains

• Khonoma Nagaland

  Angami stone village that banned hunting and kept its terraces

  Nov-Feb is clear at 4-18 C, the alder terraces are bare gold and Sekrenyi in late February is the village at full tilt.

  OffbeatCultureTrek

• Manali Himachal Pradesh

  Himalayan backpacker basecamp for treks and easy adventure

  Dec brings snow and NYE crowds; Jan-Feb are colder, calmer, still fine for Solang snow trips.

  MountainsBackpackerTrekParty

• Agatti Island (Lakshadweep) Lakshadweep

  Coral lagoon island - Lakshadweep's permit-only gateway

  Peak season - flat calm lagoon, best snorkeling visibility, though limited flights mean booking months ahead

  IslandBeachOffbeat

• Chabimura Tripura

  Boat past giant gods carved into Gomati river cliffs

  Nov-Feb is ideal at 12-27 C: a cool green gorge and the huge Chakrak-ma Durga panel glowing in low sun from the boat.

  HeritageOffbeat

• Nag Tibba Uttarakhand

  Weekend snow summit at 3020 m above Pantwari village

  December-March is the point of this trek: knee-deep snow on the ridge, -5C at camp, and Bandarpoonch clear to the north.

  TrekSnowMountains

• Basar Arunachal Pradesh

  Galo valley of rice terraces, cane bridges and clean villages

  Dec-Feb is dry and mild at 5-22 C: cane bridges over clear streams, harvest-gold terraces and BasCon filling homestays in early December.

  OffbeatCultureTrek

• Daman Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu

  Portuguese forts, dark-sand beaches and legal bars

  Nov-Feb at 15-30 °C is the time for the Moti Daman fort walls, the old churches and a walk on dark sand.

  BeachHeritage

• Gulmarg Jammu and Kashmir

  India's top ski resort - Gondola to 3,979m, real powder

  Peak Gulmarg - reliable powder, Gondola to Apharwat Peak, India's best skiing and snowboarding scene.

  SnowMountains

• Chandigarh Chandigarh

  India's planned modernist city, orderly and green

  Crisp and clear: the best season to walk Sukhna Lake and the Rock Garden.

  CityCulture

• Delhi Delhi

  Mughal monuments and India's transit hub

  Pleasant days but dense smog and cold nights, especially December-January: carry a mask.

  CityHeritageCulture

• Loktak Lake Manipur

  Floating phumdi islands, world's only floating park

  Best season: clear water, migratory birds, easiest sangai deer sightings on the phumdis.

  LakesWildlifeOffbeat

• Pondicherry (incl. Auroville) Puducherry

  French Quarter beach town next to the Auroville commune

  Peak season - cool 20-29C, dry air, best for cycling the French Quarter and long beach walks

  BeachHeritageSpiritualBackpacker

• Namchi Sikkim

  South Sikkim pilgrim town with a 108-ft Shiva and Char Dham

  December is cold and bright with big Kanchenjunga views; January-February brings fog and the town shuts early.

  SpiritualMountainsHeritage

• Jaipur Rajasthan

  Pink City gateway to Rajasthan's forts and bazaars

  Peak season: crisp mornings, clear fort views, and the biggest crowds of the year.

  HeritageCityCulture

Also in peak season in December

402 more, all of them in their best window this month.

• Abhaneri (Chand Baori) Rajasthan
• Agartala & Unakoti Tripura
• Agra Uttar Pradesh
• Ahobilam Andhra Pradesh
• Ajanta-Ellora Maharashtra
• Ajmer Rajasthan
• Ajodhya Hills (Purulia) West Bengal
• Alibaug Maharashtra
• Alleppey (Alappuzha) Backwaters Kerala
• Alwar Rajasthan
• Amarkantak Madhya Pradesh
• Anandpur Sahib Punjab
• Araku Valley Andhra Pradesh
• Arambol & Mandrem Goa
• Aranmula Kerala
• Auli Uttarakhand
• Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh
• Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal Karnataka
• Baghmara (Balpakram gateway) Meghalaya
• Bakkhali & Henry Island West Bengal
• Balotra & Tilwara Rajasthan
• Bandhavgarh National Park Madhya Pradesh
• Bandipur National Park Karnataka
• Bangaram Island Lakshadweep
• Barabar Caves Bihar
• Baratang Island (Limestone Caves) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Barmer Rajasthan
• Barnawapara Sanctuary Chhattisgarh
• Barsana & Nandgaon Uttar Pradesh
• Basohli Jammu and Kashmir
• Bateshwar & Chambal Safari (Bah) Uttar Pradesh
• Bathinda Punjab
• Bekal Kerala
• Belum Caves Andhra Pradesh
• Belur-Halebidu Karnataka
• Betla National Park Jharkhand
• Bhadrachalam Telangana
• Bhainsrorgarh Rajasthan
• Bhangarh & Ajabgarh Rajasthan
• Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park) Rajasthan
• Bheemili (Bheemunipatnam) Andhra Pradesh
• Bhimashankar Maharashtra
• Bhimbetka (with Bhojpur) Madhya Pradesh
• Bhitargaon Uttar Pradesh
• Bhitarkanika National Park Odisha
• Bhopal & Sanchi Madhya Pradesh
• Bhoramdeo (Kawardha) Chhattisgarh
• Bhuj Gujarat
• Bidar Karnataka
• Bikaner Rajasthan
• Bishnupur (Terracotta Temples) West Bengal
• Bithoor Uttar Pradesh
• BR Hills (Biligiri Ranganatha) Karnataka
• Bundi Rajasthan
• Burhanpur Madhya Pradesh
• Buxa Tiger Reserve (Jayanti) West Bengal
• Champaner-Pavagadh Gujarat
• Champhai (Murlen & Vangchhia) Mizoram
• Chandannagar West Bengal
• Chanderi Madhya Pradesh
• Chandipur (Balasore) Odisha
• Chandoli National Park Maharashtra
• Chandor & Loutolim Goa
• Chettinad (Karaikudi) Tamil Nadu
• Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Maharashtra
• Chidambaram & Pichavaram Tamil Nadu
• Chikhaldara Maharashtra
• Chikmagalur Karnataka
• Chilika Lake (Satapada) Odisha
• Chitradurga Karnataka
• Chitrakoot (Ramghat) Uttar Pradesh
• Chittorgarh Rajasthan
• Coorg (Madikeri) Karnataka
• Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary Andhra Pradesh
• Courtallam (Kutralam) Tamil Nadu
• Dalhousie Himachal Pradesh
• Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary Jharkhand
• Dandeli Karnataka
• Daringbadi Odisha
• Debrigarh (Hirakud Reservoir) Odisha
• Deogarh (Lalitpur) Uttar Pradesh
• Deomali Odisha
• Deshnoke (Karni Mata Temple) Rajasthan
• Dholavira Gujarat
• Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (Guijan Ghat) Assam
• Diglipur (Ross & Smith Islands) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Dindi (Konaseema Backwaters) Andhra Pradesh
• Diu Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
• Divar Island Goa
• Dudhni Lake Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
• Dudhsagar Falls (Mollem) Goa
• Dudhwa National Park Uttar Pradesh
• Duduma Falls (Machkund) Odisha
• Dumboor Lake (Narikel Kunja) Tripura
• Dungarpur Rajasthan
• Dwarka Gujarat
• Fatehgarh Sahib (Sirhind) Punjab
• Fort Kochi Kerala
• Gandhi Sagar (Chambal) Madhya Pradesh
• Gandikota Andhra Pradesh
• Gangaikonda Cholapuram Tamil Nadu
• Gangrel Dam (Ravishankar Sagar) Chhattisgarh
• Ganpatipule Maharashtra
• Garadia Mahadev (Chambal Gorge) Rajasthan
• Garh Panchkot West Bengal
• Gaur (Malda) West Bengal
• Gavi Kerala
• Ghughua Fossil Park Madhya Pradesh
• Gingee Fort (Senji) Tamil Nadu
• Gir (Sasan Gir) Gujarat
• Gondal Gujarat
• Gopalpur Odisha
• Gorumara National Park (Lataguri) West Bengal
• Gupteswar Caves (Koraput) Odisha
• Guruvayur Kerala
• Guwahati Assam
• Haflong Assam
• Hajo & Sualkuchi Assam
• Hampi Karnataka
• Hanumangarh (Bhatner & Kalibangan) Rajasthan
• Hanuwantiya Tapu Madhya Pradesh
• Harike Wetland (Harike Pattan) Punjab
• Harishchandragad Maharashtra
• Hmuifang Mizoram
• Hogenakkal Falls Tamil Nadu
• Honnemaradu Karnataka
• Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary (Jorhat) Assam
• Horsley Hills Andhra Pradesh
• Hyderabad Telangana
• Idar (Idariyo Gadh) Gujarat
• Jabalpur & Bhedaghat (Marble Rocks) Madhya Pradesh
• Jaisalmer Rajasthan
• Jaldapara National Park (Madarihat) West Bengal
• Jampui Hills (Vanghmun) Tripura
• Jaunpur Uttar Pradesh
• Javadi Hills (Jamunamarathur) Tamil Nadu
• Jawai Bandh (Bera) Rajasthan
• Jhalawar (Gagron & Jhalrapatan) Rajasthan
• Jhalong & Bindu (Jaldhaka Valley) West Bengal
• Jhansi Uttar Pradesh
• Jhargram West Bengal
• Jim Corbett (Ramnagar) Uttarakhand
• Jodhpur Rajasthan
• Junagadh (Girnar) Gujarat
• Kabini Karnataka
• Kadmat Island Lakshadweep
• Kakkayam Kerala
• Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) Karnataka
• Kalesar National Park Haryana
• Kalinjar Fort Uttar Pradesh
• Kanha National Park Madhya Pradesh
• Kannur Kerala
• Kanthalloor Kerala
• Kanyakumari Tamil Nadu
• Kapurthala Punjab
• Karauli Rajasthan
• Karwar (Devbagh & Kurumgad) Karnataka
• Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary Uttar Pradesh
• Kaushambi (Kosam) Uttar Pradesh
• Kavaratti Lakshadweep
• Kazhugumalai (Vettuvan Koil) Tamil Nadu
• Kaziranga National Park Assam
• Kemmangundi Karnataka
• Kesaria Stupa Bihar
• Khajjiar Himachal Pradesh
• Khajuraho Madhya Pradesh
• Khandadhar Falls Odisha
• Khejarla Rajasthan
• Khichan (Demoiselle Cranes) Rajasthan
• Kiradu Temples Rajasthan
• Kishangarh Rajasthan
• Kodachadri (Kollur base) Karnataka
• Kohima Nagaland
• Kolayat Rajasthan
• Kolli Hills Tamil Nadu
• Kolukkumalai Tamil Nadu
• Konark Odisha
• Kondaveedu Fort Andhra Pradesh
• Koraput Odisha
• Kovalam Kerala
• Kudremukh Karnataka
• Kukru (Khamla Plateau) Madhya Pradesh
• Kumarakom Kerala
• Kumbakonam (with Darasuram) Tamil Nadu
• Kumbhalgarh Rajasthan
• Kuno National Park (Sesaipura) Madhya Pradesh
• Kurukshetra Haryana
• Kushinagar Uttar Pradesh
• Lakkundi (Gadag) Karnataka
• Laknavaram Lake Telangana
• Lambasingi Andhra Pradesh
• Lepakshi Andhra Pradesh
• Little Andaman (Hut Bay) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Little Rann of Kutch (Dasada) Gujarat
• Lonar Crater Lake Maharashtra
• Long Island Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Longwa (Mon district) Nagaland
• Lucknow Uttar Pradesh
• Madhubani (Mithila art villages) Bihar
• Madurai Tamil Nadu
• Mahabaleshwar Maharashtra
• Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) Tamil Nadu
• Maheshwar Madhya Pradesh
• Mainpat Chhattisgarh
• Majuli Island Assam
• Maluti Jharkhand
• Malvan-Tarkarli Maharashtra
• Manapad Tamil Nadu
• Manas National Park Assam
• Mandarmani-Tajpur West Bengal
• Mandawa (Shekhawati) Rajasthan
• Mandla Madhya Pradesh
• Mandvi (Kutch) Gujarat
• Mangalajodi (Chilika Wetlands) Odisha
• Mangar Bani Haryana
• Manginapudi Beach (Machilipatnam) Andhra Pradesh
• Mansar Lake Jammu and Kashmir
• Marari Beach (Mararikulam) Kerala
• Maravanthe Karnataka
• Maredumilli Andhra Pradesh
• Masinagudi (Mudumalai) Tamil Nadu
• Maski Karnataka
• Matheran Maharashtra
• Mawlynnong Meghalaya
• Mawphanlur Meghalaya
• McCluskieganj Jharkhand
• Medak Telangana
• Meghamalai (High Wavy Mountains) Tamil Nadu
• Melukote Karnataka
• Merta City Rajasthan
• Minicoy (Maliku) Lakshadweep
• Mitaoli, Padavali & Bateshwar Madhya Pradesh
• Modhera (Sun Temple) Gujarat
• Mokokchung Nagaland
• Mudgal Karnataka
• Mukutmanipur West Bengal
• Munger Bihar
• Munnar Kerala
• Munroe Island (Munroe Thuruthu) Kerala
• Murshidabad (Hazarduari) West Bengal
• Murud-Janjira Maharashtra
• Murudeshwar Karnataka
• Muziris Heritage (Kodungallur) Kerala
• Mysuru Karnataka
• Nagarjuna Sagar (Nagarjunakonda) Andhra Pradesh
• Nagaur Rajasthan
• Naimisharanya (Nimsar) Uttar Pradesh
• Nal Sarovar Gujarat
• Namdapha National Park (Miao & Deban) Arunachal Pradesh
• Nameri National Park Assam
• Nanded (Hazur Sahib) Maharashtra
• Nandi Hills Karnataka
• Nangal (Sutlej Lake) Punjab
• Narara (Marine National Park) Gujarat
• Nashik Maharashtra
• Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (Unnao) Uttar Pradesh
• Nawalgarh (Shekhawati) Rajasthan
• Neemrana Rajasthan
• Neermahal & Rudrasagar Lake (Melaghar) Tripura
• Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary Andhra Pradesh
• Nelliyampathy Kerala
• Netarhat Jharkhand
• Netravali (Neturlim) Goa
• Nilambur Kerala
• Nongkhnum Island (Langshiang Falls) Meghalaya
• Nongriat (Double-Decker Root Bridge) Meghalaya
• Omkareshwar Madhya Pradesh
• Orchha Madhya Pradesh
• Orvakal Rock Garden Andhra Pradesh
• Osian (Osiyan) Rajasthan
• Pachmarhi Madhya Pradesh
• Paithalmala Kerala
• Pakhal Lake Telangana
• Palitana (Shatrunjaya) Gujarat
• Palolem-Agonda Goa
• Panaji (Fontainhas & Old Goa) Goa
• Panchgani Maharashtra
• Pandharpur Maharashtra
• Panhala Maharashtra
• Panna National Park Madhya Pradesh
• Papikondalu (Godavari Gorge) Andhra Pradesh
• Parambikulam Tiger Reserve Kerala
• Parasnath Hill (Shikharji) Jharkhand
• Pasighat Arunachal Pradesh
• Patan (Rani ki Vav) Gujarat
• Patiala Punjab
• Patratu Valley Jharkhand
• Pench National Park (Turia) Madhya Pradesh
• Pench Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) Maharashtra
• Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) Mizoram
• Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (Chuka) Uttar Pradesh
• Point Calimere (Kodiakkarai) Tamil Nadu
• Polo Forest (Vijaynagar) Gujarat
• Ponmudi Kerala
• Port Blair Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam) Uttar Pradesh
• Pulicat (Pazhaverkadu) Tamil Nadu
• Puri Odisha
• Raigad Fort Maharashtra
• Rajgad Fort Maharashtra
• Rajgir (with Nalanda) Bihar
• Rajim Chhattisgarh
• Rakhigarhi Haryana
• Ramanagara (Ramadevarabetta) Karnataka
• Ramappa Temple (Palampet) Telangana
• Rameswaram Tamil Nadu
• Ranakpur Rajasthan
• Rangat (Amkunj & Dhani Nallah) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Rann of Kutch (Dhordo) Gujarat
• Ranthambore Rajasthan
• Ratnagiri-Udayagiri-Lalitgiri (Diamond Triangle) Odisha
• Reiek Mizoram
• Renuka Lake (Renuka Ji) Himachal Pradesh
• Roing & Mayudia Pass Arunachal Pradesh
• Sakleshpur Karnataka
• Salher Fort Maharashtra
• Salkhan Fossils Park (Sonbhadra) Uttar Pradesh
• Sankri (Har Ki Dun) Uttarakhand
• Sannati & Kanaganahalli Karnataka
• Sariska Tiger Reserve Rajasthan
• Sasaram & Rohtasgarh Fort Bihar
• Satkosia Gorge (Tikarpada) Odisha
• Satpura National Park (Madhai) Madhya Pradesh
• Sattal Uttarakhand
• Sevagram (Wardha) Maharashtra
• Shantiniketan (Bolpur) West Bengal
• Shilloi Lake (Latsam) Nagaland
• Shillong Meghalaya
• Shimla Himachal Pradesh
• Shirdi Maharashtra
• Shivpuri (Madhav National Park) Madhya Pradesh
• Shravasti (Sahet-Mahet) Uttar Pradesh
• Siju (Dobakkol Caves) Meghalaya
• Silent Valley National Park (Mukkali) Kerala
• Silvassa Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
• Simlipal National Park (Baripada) Odisha
• Sirpur Chhattisgarh
• Sirsi & Sahasralinga Karnataka
• Sittanavasal Tamil Nadu
• Sittong (Orange Village) West Bengal
• Sivasagar Assam
• Somnath Gujarat
• Sringeri Karnataka
• Statue of Unity Gujarat
• Sultanpur Lodhi Punjab
• Sundarbans West Bengal
• Surajkund Haryana
• Suryalanka Beach (Bapatla) Andhra Pradesh
• Tal Chhapar Rajasthan
• Talakona Falls Andhra Pradesh
• Talwandi Sabo (Takht Damdama Sahib) Punjab
• Tamia & Patalkot Valley Madhya Pradesh
• Tapola (Shivsagar Lake) Maharashtra
• Taptapani Odisha
• Tezpur Assam
• Thalassery (Tellicherry) Kerala
• Thanjavur Tamil Nadu
• Tharangambadi (Tranquebar) Tamil Nadu
• Thattekad (Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary) Kerala
• Thekkady (Periyar) Kerala
• Thenmala Kerala
• Thenzawl (Vantawng Falls) Mizoram
• Thrissur Kerala
• Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) Tamil Nadu
• Tirupati Andhra Pradesh
• Tiruvannamalai Tamil Nadu
• Toranmal Maharashtra
• Touphema Village Nagaland
• Trimbakeshwar Maharashtra
• Tuljapur Maharashtra
• Tura (Garo Hills) Meghalaya
• Ubbalamadugu Falls (Tada) Andhra Pradesh
• Udaipur Rajasthan
• Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island Karnataka
• Ujjain Madhya Pradesh
• Vadnagar Gujarat
• Vagamon Kerala
• Vaishali Bihar
• Valiyaparamba (Nileshwar backwaters) Kerala
• Valmiki Nagar (Valmiki Tiger Reserve) Bihar
• Valparai Tamil Nadu
• Vanjangi (Paderu) Andhra Pradesh
• Varanasi Uttar Pradesh
• Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu
• Velavadar (Blackbuck National Park) Gujarat
• Vellore Tamil Nadu
• Vengurla Maharashtra
• Vijayapura (Bijapur) Karnataka
• Vikramshila (Antichak) Bihar
• Visakhapatnam (Vizag) Andhra Pradesh
• Vizianagaram Andhra Pradesh
• Vrindavan-Mathura Uttar Pradesh
• Wahkhen (Mawryngkhang Bamboo Trail) Meghalaya
• Wankaner Gujarat
• Warangal Telangana
• Wayanad Kerala
• Yaganti Andhra Pradesh
• Yana Rocks Karnataka
• Yelagiri Tamil Nadu
• Yellapur (Sathodi & Magod Falls) Karnataka
• Yercaud Tamil Nadu

Shoulder season in December

Fewer people, cheaper beds, and a real chance the weather does not cooperate. 108 places sit in shoulder season this month.

• Abbott Mount (Lohaghat) Uttarakhand
• Agumbe Karnataka
• Almora Uttarakhand
• Amboli Maharashtra
• Ananthagiri Hills (Vikarabad) Telangana
• Anini (Dibang Valley) Arunachal Pradesh
• Athirappilly Falls Kerala
• Bageshwar Uttarakhand
• Banswara (Mahi Backwaters) Rajasthan
• Barot Himachal Pradesh
• Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary (Hilley) Sikkim
• Bhandardara Maharashtra
• Binsar Uttarakhand
• Bir Himachal Pradesh
• Bogatha Falls Telangana
• Chail Himachal Pradesh
• Chakrata Uttarakhand
• Chamba Himachal Pradesh
• Chaukori Uttarakhand
• Cherrapunji (Sohra) Meghalaya
• Chitrakote Falls (Bastar) Chhattisgarh
• Chopta Uttarakhand
• Chorla Ghat Goa
• Coonoor Tamil Nadu
• Darjeeling West Bengal
• Dassam Falls Jharkhand
• Dirang Arunachal Pradesh
• Dzongu (Lepcha Reserve) Sikkim
• Dzukou Valley Nagaland
• Gaganbawda Maharashtra
• Gangtok Sikkim
• Haridwar Uttarakhand
• Hastinapur Uttar Pradesh
• Hundru Falls Jharkhand
• Igatpuri Maharashtra
• Jageshwar Uttarakhand
• Janjehli (Shikari Devi) Himachal Pradesh
• Jibhi Himachal Pradesh
• Jog Falls Karnataka
• Jowai (Nartiang & Krangsuri) Meghalaya
• Kaas Plateau Maharashtra
• Kakolat Falls Bihar
• Kalakkad-Mundanthurai (Mundanthurai) Tamil Nadu
• Kalimpong West Bengal
• Kalpa Himachal Pradesh
• Kanatal Uttarakhand
• Karsog Valley Himachal Pradesh
• Kasauli Himachal Pradesh
• Kasol Himachal Pradesh
• Katra (Vaishno Devi) Jammu and Kashmir
• Kausani Uttarakhand
• Kaza (Spiti) Himachal Pradesh
• Kheerganga Himachal Pradesh
• Khirsu Uttarakhand
• Kodaikanal Tamil Nadu
• Kullu Himachal Pradesh
• Kuntala Falls Telangana
• Lansdowne Uttarakhand
• Lava & Rishop (Neora Valley) West Bengal
• Lonavala Maharashtra
• Malana Himachal Pradesh
• Mandi Himachal Pradesh
• Mandu Madhya Pradesh
• Martand Sun Temple (Mattan) Jammu and Kashmir
• Mawphlang Sacred Forest Meghalaya
• McLeod Ganj Himachal Pradesh
• Mechuka (Menchukha) Arunachal Pradesh
• Menal (Falls & Temples) Rajasthan
• Mirik West Bengal
• Morni Hills Haryana
• Mount Abu Rajasthan
• Mukteshwar Uttarakhand
• Munsiyari Uttarakhand
• Mussoorie Uttarakhand
• Naggar Himachal Pradesh
• Nainital Uttarakhand
• Narkanda & Thanedar Himachal Pradesh
• North Sikkim (Lachen-Lachung) Sikkim
• Ooty (Udhagamandalam) Tamil Nadu
• Pahalgam Jammu and Kashmir

Festivals in December

• Ajmer, Rajasthan: Dec: Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (Rajab, Islamic calendar, shifts ~11 days earlier yearly)
• Anjuna-Vagator, Goa: Dec: Sunburn Festival (nearby Vagator)
• Basar, Arunachal Pradesh: Dec: BasCon, the Basar Confluence festival (dates shift)
• Bishnupur (Terracotta Temples), West Bengal: Dec: Bishnupur Mela (23-27 Dec)
• Fatehgarh Sahib (Sirhind), Punjab: Dec: Shaheedi Jor Mela (around 25-27 Dec)
• Fort Kochi, Kerala: Dec: Kochi-Muziris Biennale (biennial art festival)
• Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh: Dec: Tansen Samaroh, four nights of dhrupad at Tansen's tomb
• Hanuwantiya Tapu, Madhya Pradesh: Dec: Jal Mahotsav water carnival (runs to Feb-Mar, dates shift yearly)
• Kannur, Kerala: Dec-Mar: Theyyam ritual season at village shrines
• Kohima, Nagaland: Dec 1-10: Hornbill Festival, Kisama Village
• Konark, Odisha: Dec: Konark Dance Festival
• Koraput, Odisha: Dec: Parab tribal dance festival
• Kurukshetra, Haryana: Dec: International Gita Mahotsav
• Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), Tamil Nadu: Dec-Jan: Mahabalipuram Dance Festival at the Shore Temple
• Medak, Telangana: Dec: Christmas services at Medak Cathedral
• Shantiniketan (Bolpur), West Bengal: Dec: Poush Mela (starts 7 Poush, about 22-25 Dec)
• Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh: Dec/Jan: Torgya Festival at Tawang Monastery
• Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), Tamil Nadu: Dec/Jan: Vaikunta Ekadasi at Srirangam
• Valiyaparamba (Nileshwar backwaters), Kerala: Dec: theyyam season at the Nileshwar kavus

Best states to visit in December

Rajasthan (39)Karnataka (35)Tamil Nadu (31)Maharashtra (30)Kerala (30)Madhya Pradesh (27)Andhra Pradesh (26)Uttar Pradesh (25)

Common questions