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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Kalna (Ambika Kalna) West Bengal

  108 Shiva temples in a double ring, and a Rajbari of terracotta walls

  Dec-Feb mornings come up misty off the Bhagirathi, the best light of the year on the terracotta panels; day trippers land at 10 and leave by four

  HeritageCultureOffbeat

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Benreu (Mount Pauna) Nagaland

  Zeliang village at 1,900 m under Mount Pauna, a moss-forest climb with Barail views

  Dec-Feb are dry and sharp: frost on the terraces some mornings, clean sightlines from the Pauna summit to the Barail range and Assam plains; Hega fills the village mid Feb.

  MountainsTrekOffbeatCulture

• Dhosi Hill (Narnaul) Haryana

  Extinct volcano in the Aravallis, a stone stairway up to the crater temples

  Dec to Feb is the window: 7 to 23 C, the haze low, and the Dohan riverbed and half of Mahendragarh laid out from the crater rim

  OffbeatTrekSpiritualHeritage

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Asan Conservation Reserve (Dakpathar) Uttarakhand

  Uttarakhand's Ramsar wetland where the Asan meets the Yamuna

  Dec to Feb is the whole point: ruddy shelduck, red crested pochard and 50 odd species on the water, cold still mornings at 4 to 20 C.

  WildlifeLakesOffbeat

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

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

• Abhaneri (Chand Baori) Rajasthan
• Achanakmar Tiger Reserve (Maikal Hills) Chhattisgarh
• Agartala & Unakoti Tripura
• Agra Uttar Pradesh
• Ahobilam Andhra Pradesh
• Ajanta-Ellora Maharashtra
• Ajmer Rajasthan
• Ajodhya Hills (Purulia) West Bengal
• Alampur (Jogulamba) Telangana
• Alibaug Maharashtra
• Alleppey (Alappuzha) Backwaters Kerala
• Alwar Rajasthan
• Amarkantak Madhya Pradesh
• Anandpur Sahib Punjab
• Araku Valley Andhra Pradesh
• Arambol & Mandrem Goa
• Aranmula Kerala
• Atapaka (Kolleru Lake) Andhra Pradesh
• Auli Uttarakhand
• Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh
• Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal Karnataka
• Bagh Caves (Bagh village) Madhya Pradesh
• Baghmara (Balpakram gateway) Meghalaya
• Bakhira Lake (Khalilabad) Uttar Pradesh
• 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
• Barsur Chhattisgarh
• Baruva (Sompeta) Andhra Pradesh
• Basohli Jammu and Kashmir
• Bateshwar & Chambal Safari (Bah) Uttar Pradesh
• Bathinda Punjab
• Bawangaja (Barwani) Madhya Pradesh
• Bekal Kerala
• Belghar (Kandhamal) Odisha
• Belpahari (Kankrajhore) West Bengal
• Belum Caves Andhra Pradesh
• Belur-Halebidu Karnataka
• Betla National Park Jharkhand
• Betul (Cabo de Rama coast) Goa
• Beypore Kerala
• Bhadra Tiger Reserve (Muthodi) Karnataka
• Bhadrachalam Telangana
• Bhainsrorgarh Rajasthan
• Bhairabkunda Assam
• Bhairavakona Andhra Pradesh
• Bhangarh & Ajabgarh Rajasthan
• Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park) Rajasthan
• Bheemili (Bheemunipatnam) Andhra Pradesh
• Bhigwan (Kumbhargaon) Maharashtra
• Bhimashankar Maharashtra
• Bhimbetka (with Bhojpur) Madhya Pradesh
• Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary Haryana
• 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
• Champakulam (Kuttanad) Kerala
• Champaner-Pavagadh Gujarat
• Champhai (Murlen & Vangchhia) Mizoram
• Chandannagar West Bengal
• Chanderi Madhya Pradesh
• Chandipur (Balasore) Odisha
• Chandoli National Park Maharashtra
• Chandor & Loutolim Goa
• Chandragiri (Jirang Tibetan Settlement) Odisha
• 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
• Dajipur (Radhanagari) Maharashtra
• Dalhousie Himachal Pradesh
• Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary Jharkhand
• Dampa Tiger Reserve (Teirei) Mizoram
• Damro (Yamne valley) Arunachal Pradesh
• Dandeli Karnataka
• Daringbadi Odisha
• Debrigarh (Hirakud Reservoir) Odisha
• Dehing Patkai National Park (Jeypore) Assam
• Deogarh (Devgarh) Rajasthan
• Deogarh (Lalitpur) Uttar Pradesh
• Deomali Odisha
• Dera Baba Nanak (Kartarpur Corridor) Punjab
• 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
• Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (Lama Camp & Bompu) Arunachal Pradesh
• Fatehgarh Sahib (Sirhind) Punjab
• Fort Kochi Kerala
• Gandhi Sagar (Chambal) Madhya Pradesh
• Gandikota Andhra Pradesh
• Gangaikonda Cholapuram Tamil Nadu
• Gangasagar (Sagar Island) West Bengal
• Gangrel Dam (Ravishankar Sagar) Chhattisgarh
• Ganpatipule Maharashtra
• Garadia Mahadev (Chambal Gorge) Rajasthan
• Garh Panchkot West Bengal
• Gaur (Malda) West Bengal
• Gavi Kerala
• Ghatshila Jharkhand
• Ghughua Fossil Park Madhya Pradesh
• Gingee Fort (Senji) Tamil Nadu
• Gir (Sasan Gir) Gujarat
• Goindwal Sahib (Baoli Sahib) Punjab
• Gondal Gujarat
• Gopalpur Odisha
• Gopnath (Talaja) Gujarat
• Gorumara National Park (Lataguri) West Bengal
• Guhagar Maharashtra
• 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
• Harnai (Dapoli) Maharashtra
• Hasanur (Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve) Tamil Nadu
• Hmuifang Mizoram
• Hogenakkal Falls Tamil Nadu
• Honnemaradu Karnataka
• Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary (Jorhat) Assam
• Horsley Hills Andhra Pradesh
• Hyderabad Telangana
• Idar (Idariyo Gadh) Gujarat
• Ilaveezhapoonchira Kerala
• Iruppu Falls (Kurchi) Karnataka
• Jabalpur & Bhedaghat (Marble Rocks) Madhya Pradesh
• Jaisalmer Rajasthan
• Jaisamand (Dhebar Lake) 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
• Jogimara Caves (Ramgarh Hill) Chhattisgarh
• Junagadh (Girnar) Gujarat
• Junnar (Shivneri) Maharashtra
• Kabini Karnataka
• Kadmat Island Lakshadweep
• Kakkayam Kerala
• Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) Karnataka
• Kalesar National Park Haryana
• Kaleshwaram Telangana
• Kalinjar Fort Uttar Pradesh
• Kalpathy (Palakkad) Kerala
• Kalpeni (Koomel Bay) Lakshadweep
• Kanha National Park Madhya Pradesh
• Kannur Kerala
• Kanthalloor Kerala
• Kanwar Lake (Kabar Taal) Bihar
• Kanyakumari Tamil Nadu
• Kapurthala Punjab
• Karauli Rajasthan
• Karkala (Gomateshwara) Karnataka
• 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
• Keshopur Chhamb (Miani Community Reserve) Punjab
• Khajjiar Himachal Pradesh
• Khajuraho Madhya Pradesh
• Khandadhar Falls Odisha
• Khejarla Rajasthan
• Khichan (Demoiselle Cranes) Rajasthan
• Khiching (Kichakeswari Temple) Odisha
• Khonoma Nagaland
• Khuri (Desert National Park) Rajasthan
• Kiradu Temples Rajasthan
• Kiriburu (Saranda Forest) Jharkhand
• Kishangarh Rajasthan
• Kodachadri (Kollur base) Karnataka
• Kohima Nagaland
• Kolayat Rajasthan
• Kolkata West Bengal
• Kolli Hills Tamil Nadu
• Kolukkumalai Tamil Nadu
• Konark Odisha
• Kondaveedu Fort Andhra Pradesh
• Koraput Odisha
• Kovalam Kerala
• Kuchaman (Kuchaman Fort) Rajasthan
• Kudremukh Karnataka
• Kukke Subramanya (Kumara Parvatha) Karnataka
• Kukru (Khamla Plateau) Madhya Pradesh
• Kumarakom Kerala
• Kumbakonam (with Darasuram) Tamil Nadu
• Kumbhalgarh Rajasthan
• Kunkeshwar (Devgad) Maharashtra
• Kuno National Park (Sesaipura) Madhya Pradesh
• Kurukshetra Haryana
• Kushinagar Uttar Pradesh
• Lakhpat (Kutch) Gujarat
• Lakkundi (Gadag) Karnataka
• Laknavaram Lake Telangana
• Lambasingi Andhra Pradesh
• Lauriya Nandangarh Bihar
• 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
• Madhavpur Ghed Gujarat
• Madhubani (Mithila art villages) Bihar
• Madhugiri Karnataka
• Madurai Tamil Nadu
• Mahabaleshwar Maharashtra
• Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) Tamil Nadu
• Mahal (Purna Sanctuary) Gujarat
• Mahanandi (Nava Nandi) Andhra Pradesh
• Maheshwar Madhya Pradesh
• Mahoba (Chandela Lakes) Uttar Pradesh
• Mahur (Mahurgad) Maharashtra
• Mainpat Chhattisgarh
• Majuli Island Assam
• Maluti Jharkhand
• Malvan-Tarkarli Maharashtra
• Manapad Tamil Nadu
• Manas National Park Assam
• Mandar Hill (Bounsi) Bihar
• 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
• Mannanur (Amrabad Tiger Reserve) Telangana
• Mansar Lake Jammu and Kashmir
• Marari Beach (Mararikulam) Kerala
• Maravanthe Karnataka
• Maredumilli Andhra Pradesh
• Masinagudi (Mudumalai) Tamil Nadu
• Maski Karnataka
• Masroor & Pong Lake Himachal Pradesh
• Matheran Maharashtra
• Mawlynnong Meghalaya
• Mawphanlur Meghalaya
• Mayabunder (Karmatang Beach) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Mayapur (Nabadwip) West Bengal
• 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
• Mundeshwari Hill (Kaimur) Bihar
• Munger Bihar
• Munnar Kerala
• Munroe Island (Munroe Thuruthu) Kerala
• Murshidabad (Hazarduari) West Bengal
• Murud-Janjira Maharashtra
• Murudeshwar Karnataka
• Muziris Heritage (Kodungallur) Kerala
• Mysuru Karnataka
• Nag Tibba Uttarakhand
• Nagarjuna Sagar (Nagarjunakonda) Andhra Pradesh
• Nagaur Rajasthan
• Nagzira (Pitezari Gate) Maharashtra
• Naimisharanya (Nimsar) Uttar Pradesh
• Nal Sarovar Gujarat
• Naldurg Maharashtra
• Namdapha National Park (Miao & Deban) Arunachal Pradesh
• Nameri National Park Assam
• Nampong (Pangsau Pass) Arunachal Pradesh
• 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
• Nongkhyllem Sanctuary (Lailad) Meghalaya
• Nongriat (Double-Decker Root Bridge) Meghalaya
• Omkareshwar Madhya Pradesh
• Orang National Park (Silbori) Assam
• Orchha Madhya Pradesh
• Orvakal Rock Garden Andhra Pradesh
• Osian (Osiyan) Rajasthan
• Pachamalai (Top Sengattupatti) Tamil Nadu
• Pachmarhi Madhya Pradesh
• Padmanabhapuram Palace (Thuckalay) Tamil Nadu
• Paithalmala Kerala
• Pakhal Lake Telangana
• Palak Dil (Phura) Mizoram
• 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
• Penukonda Andhra Pradesh
• Pfutsero (Glory Peak) Nagaland
• Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) Mizoram
• Pilak (Jolaibari) Tripura
• Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (Chuka) Uttar Pradesh
• Piprahwa (Kapilavastu) Uttar Pradesh
• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (Mayong) Assam
• Point Calimere (Kodiakkarai) Tamil Nadu
• Polo Forest (Vijaynagar) Gujarat
• Ponmudi Kerala
• Port Blair Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Pragpur & Garli Himachal Pradesh
• Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam) Uttar Pradesh
• Pulicat (Pazhaverkadu) Tamil Nadu
• Puri Odisha
• Raigad Fort Maharashtra
• Rajgad Fort Maharashtra
• Rajgir (with Nalanda) Bihar
• Rajim Chhattisgarh
• Rajmahal (Sahibganj) Jharkhand
• Rakhigarhi Haryana
• Ramanagara (Ramadevarabetta) Karnataka
• Ramappa Temple (Palampet) Telangana
• Rameswaram Tamil Nadu
• Ramgarh Crater (Bhand Deva) Rajasthan
• Ramtek Maharashtra
• Ranakpur Rajasthan
• Rangat (Amkunj & Dhani Nallah) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Ranikor (Kynshi river) Meghalaya
• Ranipur-Jharial (Soma Tirtha) Odisha
• Ranipuram Kerala
• Rann of Kutch (Dhordo) Gujarat
• Ranthambore Rajasthan
• Ratanpur (Mahamaya) Chhattisgarh
• 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
• Sambhar Lake (Phulera) Rajasthan
• Sandur (Kumaraswamy Temple) Karnataka
• Sankri (Har Ki Dun) Uttarakhand
• Sannati & Kanaganahalli Karnataka
• Sariska Tiger Reserve Rajasthan
• Sasaram & Rohtasgarh Fort Bihar
• Sasihitlu Beach Karnataka
• Satkosia Gorge (Tikarpada) Odisha
• Satpura National Park (Madhai) Madhya Pradesh
• Sattal Uttarakhand
• Sevagram (Wardha) Maharashtra
• Shantiniketan (Bolpur) West Bengal
• Shergaon Arunachal Pradesh
• Shilloi Lake (Latsam) Nagaland
• Shillong Meghalaya
• Shimla Himachal Pradesh
• Shirdi Maharashtra
• Shivpuri (Madhav National Park) Madhya Pradesh
• Shravasti (Sahet-Mahet) Uttar Pradesh
• Sidhpur (Bohra Havelis) Gujarat
• 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
• Sirumalai Tamil Nadu
• Sitamata Sanctuary (Dhariawad) Rajasthan
• Sittanavasal Tamil Nadu
• Sittong (Orange Village) West Bengal
• Sivasagar Assam
• Somnath Gujarat
• Sonagiri (Jain temple hill) Madhya Pradesh
• Sringeri Karnataka
• Statue of Unity Gujarat
• Sujanpur Tira Himachal Pradesh
• Sultanpur Lodhi Punjab
• Sultanpur National Park (Bird Sanctuary) Haryana
• Sundarbans West Bengal
• Surajkund Haryana
• Suryalanka Beach (Bapatla) Andhra Pradesh
• Susunia Hill (Bankura) West Bengal
• Tal Chhapar Rajasthan
• Talakona Falls Andhra Pradesh
• Talasari Beach (Chandaneswar) Odisha
• Talwandi Sabo (Takht Damdama Sahib) Punjab
• Tamdil Lake (Saitual) Mizoram
• Tamenglong (Barak Waterfalls) Manipur
• Tamia & Patalkot Valley Madhya Pradesh
• Tapola (Shivsagar Lake) Maharashtra
• Taptapani Odisha
• Tatapani (Balrampur) Chhattisgarh
• Tezpur Assam
• Thalassery (Tellicherry) Kerala
• Thanamir (Mount Saramati) Nagaland
• Thanjavur Tamil Nadu
• Tharangambadi (Tranquebar) Tamil Nadu
• Thattekad (Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary) Kerala
• Thekkady (Periyar) Kerala
• Thenmala Kerala
• Thenzawl (Vantawng Falls) Mizoram
• Thirunelli (Brahmagiri) Kerala
• Thrissur Kerala
• Tirathgarh Falls (Kanger Valley) Chhattisgarh
• Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) Tamil Nadu
• Tirupati Andhra Pradesh
• Tiruvannamalai Tamil Nadu
• Toranmal Maharashtra
• Touphema Village Nagaland
• Trimbakeshwar Maharashtra
• Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary (Belonia) Tripura
• Tuljapur Maharashtra
• Tura (Garo Hills) Meghalaya
• Tuting (Pemako) Arunachal Pradesh
• Ubbalamadugu Falls (Tada) Andhra Pradesh
• Udaipur Rajasthan
• Udupi-Malpe & St Marys Island Karnataka
• Ujjain Madhya Pradesh
• Umrangso (Kopili Reservoir) Assam
• Uthirakosamangai Tamil Nadu
• 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
• Wakro (Parshuram Kund & Glao Lake) Arunachal Pradesh
• Walong (Dong & Kibithoo) Arunachal Pradesh
• Wankaner Gujarat
• Warangal Telangana
• Wari Chora (Emangre) Meghalaya
• Wayanad Kerala
• Willong Khullen Manipur
• 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. 130 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
• Bani (Sarthal Devi) Jammu and Kashmir
• 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
• Devprayag Uttarakhand
• Dirang Arunachal Pradesh
• Doyang Reservoir (Pangti) Nagaland
• Dwarahat (Dunagiri) Uttarakhand
• Dzongu (Lepcha Reserve) Sikkim
• Dzukou Valley Nagaland
• Gaganbawda Maharashtra
• Gangtok Sikkim
• Hanol (Mahasu Devta) Uttarakhand
• Haridwar Uttarakhand
• Hastinapur Uttar Pradesh
• Hundru Falls Jharkhand
• Igatpuri Maharashtra
• Jageshwar Uttarakhand
• Janjehli (Shikari Devi) Himachal Pradesh
• Jawhar Maharashtra
• 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
• Kartik Swami (Kanakchauri) Uttarakhand
• Kasauli Himachal Pradesh
• Kasol Himachal Pradesh
• Katra (Vaishno Devi) Jammu and Kashmir
• Kausani Uttarakhand
• Kaza (Spiti) Himachal Pradesh
• Keoti Falls (Rewa) Madhya Pradesh
• Kheerganga Himachal Pradesh
• Khirsu Uttarakhand
• Kibber (Spiti) Himachal Pradesh
• Kodaikanal Tamil Nadu
• Kokkare Bellur Karnataka
• Kullu Himachal Pradesh
• Kuntala Falls Telangana
• Laitlum Canyons (Rasong) Meghalaya
• Lansdowne Uttarakhand
• Lava & Rishop (Neora Valley) West Bengal
• Lonavala Maharashtra
• Malana Himachal Pradesh
• Mandi Himachal Pradesh
• Mandu Madhya Pradesh
• Mannavanur Tamil Nadu
• Martand Sun Temple (Mattan) Jammu and Kashmir
• Mawphlang Sacred Forest Meghalaya
• McLeod Ganj Himachal Pradesh
• Mechuka (Menchukha) Arunachal Pradesh
• Menal (Falls & Temples) Rajasthan

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
• Mayabunder (Karmatang Beach), Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Dec/Jan: Karen New Year at Webi village
• Medak, Telangana: Dec: Christmas services at Medak Cathedral
• Shantiniketan (Bolpur), West Bengal: Dec: Poush Mela (starts 7 Poush, about 22-25 Dec)
• Tamenglong (Barak Waterfalls), Manipur: Dec: Tamenglong Orange Festival, orchard stalls and Rongmei dance in town
• Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh: Dec/Jan: Torgya Festival at Tawang Monastery
• Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), Tamil Nadu: Dec/Jan: Vaikunta Ekadasi at Srirangam
• Uthirakosamangai, Tamil Nadu: Dec/Jan: Arudra Darshan, the emerald Nataraja unveiled
• Valiyaparamba (Nileshwar backwaters), Kerala: Dec: theyyam season at the Nileshwar kavus

Best states to visit in December

Rajasthan (46)Karnataka (42)Maharashtra (40)Kerala (36)Tamil Nadu (36)Andhra Pradesh (31)Madhya Pradesh (30)Uttar Pradesh (28)

Common questions