Best Places to Visit in India in December: 12 Gorgeous Locations!

If you’re planning on visiting India in December, you’ve chosen an excellent time to explore! There are quite a few incredible December destinations you can choose from. This post uncovers 12 of the best places to visit in India in December so you can choose the perfect winter getaway.

India is a huge country with dozens of amazing places to visit. And while most foreigners typically just picture the Taj Mahal when thinking of India, there’s so much more to this beautiful country.

The best places to visit in India in December range from adorable beach towns to waterfall-filled rainforests to snowy mountain peaks. There’s so much variety that you’ll definitely find a destination that fits any type of getaway that you have in mind.

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Why Visit India in December

There are a few different reasons to visit India in December. First of all, you’ll be able to avoid the monsoon season. Monsoon season typically runs from June to early October, so you won’t have to worry about the pouring rain during your December trip.

Another reason to visit India in December is the weather. While many parts of India are very hot in the summer, the weather cools down in December.

It is important to note that the weather in India in December depends on where you are in this large country. It can range from warm and sunny to magical and snowy.

12 Best Places to Visit in India in December

1. Darjeeling

The town of Darjeeling may ring a bell, thanks to the global popularity of Darjeeling tea. This Indian town actually boasts over eighty different tea gardens!

You can even visit a few of them, including Happy Valley Tea Estate, Makaibari Tea Estate, and Ambootia Tea Estate.

While learning about the tea growing and harvesting process is the main thing to do in Darjeeling, there are certainly other attractions as well.

You can also hike up Tiger Hill, look for the elusive red panda at the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoo, and take in the views of Mount Kanchenjunga.

2. Shimla

If you’re looking for snow, Shimla is one of the best places to visit in India in December.

Nestled in the famous Himalayan Mountains, Shimla is located in one of the few places in India that consistently gets snow each winter.

With these consistent winter weather conditions, Shimla is the perfect spot to test out your winter sports skills. You can do everything from ice skating to skiing.

You can even ride on the bright red Toy Train through a winter wonderland of snow-covered mountain peaks.

If you like, you can take part in the winter festival as well, complete with snowman making and winter-themed performances.

3. Sasan Gir

Sasan Gir, also known as Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, boasts the unique title of being the only place in the world with Asiatic lions.

Thanks to the combination of weather conditions and wildlife patterns, December through March is the best time to see these awe-inspiring animals.

And while the Asiatic lions are the main highlight of Sasan Gir, there are many other animals in this national park. Keep an eye out for striped hyenas, Indian leopards, Indian cobras, chinkaras, and more on your safari.

4. Rann of Kutch

Also known as the white desert, the Rann of Kutch is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in India in December. During the winter, this magical white landscape boasts the best possible weather conditions.

But, the ideal weather and gorgeous natural landscape aren’t the only draws of the Rann of Kutch.

Each December, the Rann Utsav cultural festival takes place. During this festival, you can savor Kutchi cuisine, shop for handmade crafts, go on a camel safari, and stay in a glamping-like tent city.

5. Coorg

Another one of the most amazing places to visit in India in December is the southern city of Coorg.

Coorg is a rainforest-like area in India with bright green landscapes and cascading waterfalls. While in the summer months, it can be blisteringly hot, it is the perfect temperature in December.

Much of Coorg revolves around stunning nature. You can hike to the hidden Chelavara Falls, take a tour of one of the many coffee plantations, keep an eye out for wildlife at the Nagarhole National Park, and check out the views from the top of the Thadiyandamol Mountain.

Recommended Places to Stay in Coorg

6. Pondicherry

Once upon a time, Pondicherry, officially known as Puducherry, was a French colony. In other words, it’s quite different from the rest of India, making it one of the best places to visit in India in December.

If you’d like to experience a bit of the French influence in Pondicherry, you can visit the French War Memorial or try some of the local fusion food.

If you’d prefer to spend more time exploring the Indian side of things, you can meditate at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram or stop by the Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple.

And on top of all the culture, Pondicherry also boasts beautiful beaches. Paradise Beach, Karaikal Beach, Auroville Beach, and Serenity Beach are all quite popular.

7. Udaipur

Udaipur has gotten a lot of popularity in recent years – and for good reason.

It’s packed with beautiful palaces, historic forts, and stunning temples, making it one of the best places to visit in India in December.

There are so many awesome attractions to see during your time in Udaipur. You can wander around the City Palace Complex, feel like royalty at the Bagore Ki Haveli mansion, stroll through the gardens of Saheliyon ki Bari, and admire the beautiful Jagdish Temple.

You can even spend the night at the Lake Palace hotel, which was once a royal palace!

8. Qila Kumbhalgarh

By far, the most famous thing to do in Qila Kumbhalgarh is to visit Kumbhalgarh, also known as Kumbhal Fort. This historic fort is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second-largest fort in all of India.

While at Kumbhalgarh, you can admire the world’s second-largest wall (after the Great Wall of China), trek up to the highest point known as the Palace of the Clouds, and even enjoy a magical sound and light show.

If you’re looking for things to do in Qila Kumbhalgarh that don’t revolve around the fort, you can also pay a visit to the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary or admire the artifacts in the Ganga Govardhan Museum.

9. Jaisalmer

Nicknamed “the golden city,” Jaisalmer is another city packed to the brim with history.

Located at the edge of the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer is usually extremely hot – sometimes reaching up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer! But in December, the temperatures become much more bearable.

The most popular attraction in this city is the Jaisalmer Fort. Unlike many of the other forts in India, the Jaisalmer Fort has been integrated into the modern community. You can wander around this historic structure while shopping for handmade crafts or enjoy a delicious meal at a local restaurant.

And while the Jaisalmer Fort is the most popular thing to see in town, it’s far from the only thing to experience. You can also learn the history behind Bada Bagh, pay a visit to the Gadi Sagar Lake, and simply watch the beautiful sunset over the golden city.

10. Mumbai

As the largest city in India, Mumbai boasts tons of exciting things to do. Due to the fact that it’s home to the Indian film industry, is situated along the Indian Ocean, and has an exciting nightlife scene, some locals like to refer to Mumbai as the “L.A. of India.”

Since Mumbai is so large, it has something for everyone, regardless of their interests. History buffs will enjoy a visit to the significant Gateway of India.

Art lovers can spend hours strolling through the Kala Ghoda Art Precinct. And film fanatics will love taking a tour of the ins and outs of the Bollywood film industry.

12. Delhi

If there’s just one city that you have to visit in India, it’s Delhi. As the capital city of India, Delhi is packed with history and culture.

You can admire the red sandstone arches of the Red Fort, watch the changing of the guard at Rashtrapati Bhavan, visit the Qutab Minar, and pick from the many spices at Sadar Bazaar.

Delhi is also where people typically stay when they go to see the famous Taj Mahal in Agra. This eye-catching mausoleum was originally built in the 17^th century to serve as the final resting place for the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Today, this architectural wonder is visited by eight million people every single year!

Recommended Places to Stay in Delhi

13. Kolkata

Out of all of the destinations on this list of the best places to visit in India in December, Kolkata is one of the only spots in East India. East India boasts a very distinctive culture from the rest of the country.

For example, instead of getting excited over cricket as the rest of the country does, the people of Kolkata get excited about football (or soccer).

It is also home to quite a few other unique cultural groups, as it boasts a historic Armenian community and even India’s only Chinatown.

In addition to embracing all of the unique traits of Kolkata, you can also visit the stunning Marble Palace, cross the Howrah Bridge, and admire the architecture of the Victoria Memorial.

Do you have any suggestions to add to this list of the best places to visit in India in December? Let me know in the comments below!

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Disha Smith

Disha Smith is the founder of Disha Discovers. She quit her job in 2017 to travel the world to explore new cultures and experience new adventures. She has since been to 95+ countries and counting and has lived in South Africa, Thailand, Croatia, and Australia. She has done all kinds of travel ranging from luxury to budget backpacking, and her mission is to inspire others to discover their own sense of adventure and to help them plan a life full of meaningful experiences through travel.