No matter what you love – the mountains, cities, history and heritage places or beaches, there are many places to visit in December in India. December is a month with suffused and pleasant sunshine. Due to the festive cheer ripe in the air, India this month witnesses the maximum number of tourists from all over the world every year.
There are many beautiful places to visit in December in India. Whatever is your new year vacation wish, India has many spots to fulfil it. Auli for skiing. Goa for celebrating New year in style. Rajasthan for a royal vacation. Kolkata for celebrating Christmas with colonial-style lightings. Kutch for the unmissable “Rann Utsav”. Kerala for experiencing the serene beauty of Mother Nature. And the list just goes on.
Here is a comprehensive list of places to visit in December in India which will help you plan this new year party with friends and family.
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Munroe Island in Kollam
Located at a distance of 27 Kilometres from Kollam, this is a hidden island which is actually a group of eight different islands. All of these islands are separated by lakes and water channels. Munroe Island is named after John Munroe. He was the Resident Colonel of Travancore.
The main attractions of the Munroe Islands are canal cruise and narrow waterways. The well- known Kallada Boat race is organized here during Onam.
Important Details
- The cruise here operates in two shifts. The morning shift starts from 9:00 am and the afternoon shift starts from 2:00 pm. Fare is Rs 600 per person.
- Trivandrum International Airport is at a distance of 84 Kilometres from Munroe Island.
- The best hotels to stay near Munroe Island are Royal Mundro Palace, Kerala Backwater Homestay, Three Kings Serviced Villa, Villagio Munroe, and Vini’s Farm.
- Email ID of Kerala Tourism- info@dtpckollam.com / contact@dtpckollam.com.
- Contact number of Kerala Tourism- +91 474 2745625, 2750170
Srinagar
Lying on the banks of the Jhelum River, Dal Lake, Anchar Lake, and a tributary of the Indus, Srinagar is located in India’s pride – Kashmir Valley. It is the largest city of Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar is counted among the famous places to visit in December by couples or families.
This city is famous for its charming viewpoints, Kashmir shawls, dried fruits, apples and flower gardens, waterfronts, and houseboats. Many Bollywood movies also showcased the beauty of Srinagar. Some of the movies are “Raazi(2018)”, Fitoor(2018)”, “Bajrangi Bhaijaan(2015)”, “Jab Tak Hain Jaan(2012)”.
Different places to visit in December in Srinagar are listed below:
- The floating vegetable market on Dal Lake
- Dal Lake and the Shikaras
- The Houseboats of Dal Lake
- Beautiful Nishat Bagh Mughal Gardens
- Scenic View of Wular Lake
- Hari Parbat Fort
- Chashma Shahi
- Bot garden lake
- Nagin Lake
- Shalimar Garden and Tulip Garden
- Dachigam Wildlife
- Hazratbal Shrine
- Kashmir Golf Course
- Shankaracharya Temple
- Jama Masjid
- Pari Mahal
Important Details
You will need 5-6 days to cover all the places in Srinagar.
Things to do in Srinagar include:
- Shikara Riding
- Gondola Ride
- River Rafting
- Skiing
- Paragliding
- Trekking
- Bird watching
- Fishing and angling
- Horse Riding and Mountain Biking
- Religious Retreats
- Kashmiri Cuisine
- Shopping and photography
Auli
Called as “the skiing destination of India”, Auli is surrounded by old oaks, apple orchids, and plenty of pine trees. Auli is a magnificent hill station which is famous for trekking along with skiing in the hills of the Himalayas. It is the best place to visit in December due to its snow wrapped mountains and dazzling slopes.
The list of places to visit in Auli is as follows:
- Trishul Peak
- Gurso Bugyal
- Joshimath
- Auli Ropeway
- Camping in Auli
- View Points in Auli
- Kwani Bugyal
- Rudraprayag
- Chenab Lake
- Nandaprayag
Other Details
- The best time to travel to Auli is throughout the year as its temperature is apprx.5° C.
- It is the best place to visit in December as you can witness the mesmerizing snowfalls.
- A duration of 2-3 days is required to cover all the important spots of Auli.
- The nearest airport to Auli is Dehradun Airport.
Rishikesh
Situated in the Northern part of Uttarakhand, Rishikesh is preferred as a family vacation spot due to its calmness and serenity. It is known as the “Yoga Capital of the World”. Rishikesh is supposed to be the gateway to the temples of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri which are located in the Himalayas.
There are many things to do in Rishikesh. Some of them are:
- Meditation and Yoga
- Arti at River Ganga
- River rafting
- Camping with your friends
Places to visit in December nearby Rishikesh are:
- Rishikund
- Bharat Mandir
- Triveni Ghat
- Laxman Jhula
- Ram Khula
- Swargashram
- Gita Bhavan
Important Details
- The nearest airport in Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport. It is located at a distance of 35 Kilometres from Rishikesh.
- Rishikesh is very close to Haridwar. Therefore, you can visit both the places easily in one trip.
Udaipur
Popularly known as the “City of Lakes”, Udaipur has a history of being the royal capital of Mewar. This city is situated in the southern part of Rajasthan and is very close to the border of Gujarat. Various colors of Rajasthan culture, traditions, and cuisines are visible in Udaipur.
Different architectural works of royal palaces can be witnessed here which makes it a suitable one among the other places to visit in India.
The best places to visit in Udaipur are as follows:
- Jag Mandir
- Lake Palace
- City Palace
- Kesariyaji Temple
- Jagdish Temple
- Monsoon Palace
- Fateh Sagar Lake
- Moti Magri
- Sukhadia Circle
- Saheliyon ki Bari
- Pichola lake
- Neemach Mata temple
- Karni Mata Temple
- Gulab Bagh and zoo
Important Details
- Udaipur is situated at a distance of 66 Kilometres from Delhi and 800 Kilometres from Mumbai.
- Common languages are Hindi, English, and Mewari.
- It’s the best place to purchase wall paintings and artistic works of Mewari workers as souvenirs.
- Native dance forms like Goomar, Kalbelia, and Kachhi Ghodi can be seen.
Kolkata
The capital city of West Bengal, Kolkata was known as Calcutta till 2001. It is a city of inheritance, heritage, joy, and vivid colors. Kolkata is aptly called “The city of joy” and “The cultural capital of India”. This city makes it the most suitable choice while planning for places to visit in December for tourists.
With its count of diehard football fans more than other sports, Kolkata is little different from other cities of India. Kolkata serves platters of Joy which include “Rasgulla”, “Aloo Posto”, “Begun Bhaja”, “Mutton Biryani”, “Fish Curry”, “Sandesh”. To put it simple, this city is known for its sweets made of milk and sugar. It is also a land of “Rabindra Sangeet”, a music genre produced by Rabindranath Tagore.
The best places to visit in Kolkata are:
- Dakshineswar Kali Temple
- Tara Pith Kali Temple
- The Victoria Memorial
- The Fort William Kolkata
- The Belur Math and Shanti Niketan
- The Alipur Zoo
- The Howrah Bridge
- Indian Museum
- The Birla Planetarium
- The Marble Palace Mansion
- The Mother House(Tomb of Mother Teresa)
- The Science City
- The Botanical Garden
- The Birla Temple
Highlights of Kolkata
- Bengal Cuisines
- Hand Driven Rickshaw
- Trams
- Boating
- Durga Pooja and Pandal hopping during Navratri
- Street food
- Traditional Bengali Saree, Kurta, and jewelry
Sikkim
No other place can beat the beauty of Sikkim which makes it the most desirable place among other best places to visit in December. Sikkim is situated in the womb of Himalaya. This state is gifted with the charm of Mother Nature. Sikkim is confounded with many dense forests.
The views here never fail to mesmerize travelers with its serenity and exoticness.
Being a land of Buddhist monasteries, Sikkim is visited by many Buddhist monks from all over the world. Many national parks are present in Sikkim which makes it suitable for family vacation also. The lakes and rivers of this place impart immense serenity and bliss. All such charming qualities make Sikkim one of the most desirable places to visit in December after this chaotic pandemic.
The best places to visit in Sikkim are as follows:
- Tsomgo Lake
- Nathula Pass
- Yuksom, Lachung
- Lachen, Yumthang Valley,
- Teesta River
- Ravangla
- Pelling
- Zuluk
- Namchi
- Khangchendzonga National Park
- Rumtek Monastery
Main attractions
- Carpet of Snow and snowfalls
- Experiencing the chilling air from River Brahmaputra
- Zero-point (Yumesamdong)
- Monasteries
Jaisalmer
The best places to visit in Jaisalmer highlights the true essence and beauty of India. Jaisalmer is famous for its authentic artifacts and folk arts by the local craftsmen of India. It can bring out the incredible India that should be experienced by everyone.
To have a deeper view of Jaisalmer, it is advisable to take a photography tour to enjoy beautiful scenes. This place is well-known for its vibrant markets, traditional cuisine, warm natives, and beautiful places.
There are various places to visit in December in Jaisalmer for families and couples. Here is the list of those best places to visit by tourists:
- Jaisalmer Fort
- Gadisar Lake
- Patwon ki haveli
- Moti Mahal
- Vyas Chhatri
- The Thar Museum
- Kuldhara Village
- Tazia Tower
- Badal Palace
- Bada Bagh
- Tanot Mata temple
- Desert Culture Centre and Museum
- Khaba Fort
- Jaisalmer sunset point
- Golden streets of the Golden City
- The Thar Desert for overnight camel safari
- Bhatia Bazaar
- Sadar Bazaar
Important Details
- The photography tour will cost approximately Rs 1300 per person.
- Ticket fare varies for Indian visitors and foreigners.
- Tourist attractions of Jaisalmer are Boating, Camel Safari, Sunset points, and shopping.
Rann of Kutch
It is a white salt desert in Gujarat, spreading over the border of India and Pakistan. Rann of Kutch has two parts. The first part is The Great Rann and the second part is the Little Rann.
Important Details
The “Rann Utsav” occurs in the months from October and February. It makes it the most desirable place among other places to visit in December by tourists.
Rann of Kutch is well known for vibrant crafts and authentic artworks set up by local craftsmen.
Sarnath
One of the holiest places of India, Sarnath is well known as “Isipatana”. Sarnath is located at a distance of 10 Kilometres from Varanasi. A modern temple of Lord Shiva is visible at Sarnath.
A monolithic pillar topped by a lion with a Dharmachakra was installed by Ashoka in Sarnath. Many stupas can be seen here as a symbol of the reign of Ashoka over this place.
Highlights of Sarnath
- Stupas
- Ashokan Pillar
- Glimpses of the heritage of Buddhism
- Remains of Monasteries
Ooty
This hill station is situated in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is the best place to visit in December in South India with family. God has gifted this place with wonderful weather and vegetation. Being known as the “Queen of Hill stations”, Ooty is visited by people who love to trek trails and paragliding.
While considering South India for winter vacations, Ooty must be the top priority for families with kids as Mother Nature is fully blessed on Ooty.
Highlights
- Many honeymoon and family packages are provided by travel companies.
- Doddabetta Peak is the most famous of all spots of Ooty.
- Vacation of 3-4 days is required to cover Ooty and its hills.
Things to do in Ooty
You can do many activities in Ooty including:
- Sightseeing
- Golfing
- Paragliding
- Trekking
- Sunset viewpoints
- Religious places
- Lakes and Gardens
- Coffee plantation
List of different places to visit in December in Ooty are:
- Botanical Garden
- Rose Garden
- Ooty Lake
- Deer Park
- Upper Bhavani Lake
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway
- St. Stephen’s Church
- Mariamman temple
- Ooty golf course
- Kalhatty waterfalls
- Ketti Valley View
Mumbai
A holiday trip to India is incomplete without a visit to Mumbai. It is well known as “The city of dreams”. Mumbai is one of the best places to visit as it is a place where the most famous Bollywood celebrities live.
Mumbai is a place where the sea touches the grounds, and a place which shelters anyone who comes to it for livelihood. There are many tourist spots to visit in Mumbai. The best places to visit out of them are as follows:
- Gateway of India
- Elephanta Caves
- Marine Drive
- Sanjay Gandhi National Park
- Red Carpet Museum
- Haji Ali Dargah
- Siddhivinayak Temple
- Kidzania
- Juhu Beach
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus(CST)
- Nehru Center, Taraporewala Aquarium
- Veermata Jijabai Bhosale
- Chota Kashmir
- Worli Sea Face
- Hanging Garden
- Mumbai Film City
- Snow world
- Clue Hunt
Important highlights
- Mumbai “Vada pav” and “Dabeli”
- Shopping from street
- Street foods (This city is a heaven for foodies)
- Beaches and Bollywood
Agra
Due to the presence of many sculptures from the Mughal era, Agra is among the best places to visit in December by kids, couples, and families. The Taj Mahal, “Symbol of love”, the Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri are all present in Agra. These monuments are under UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
A golden triangle is formed by Agra, Delhi, Jaipur, Uttar Pradesh Heritage arc, a tourist circuit of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, and Varanasi.
Top attractions of Agra are:
- Taj Mahal
- Agra Fort
- Agra Art Gallery
- Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah
- Mehtab Bagh
- Sheesh Mahal
- Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of charity
- Imperial Wax Museum
- Kalakriti Cultural and Convention Center
Important Details
- A full-day tour of Agra is approx. Rs 7000 per adult.
- Do not miss to capture the beauty of Sunrise and sunsets at the Taj.
- It takes 11 hours by car from Delhi to the Taj Mahal.
- The temperature in winter is a Minimum of 5°C and a Maximum of 25°C.
Manali
It is situated in the beautiful valley of Beas River. Manali is among the places to visit in December owing to its cool and serene climate. They say that everyone needs to break from their daily routine once a year and that can be broken with a serene environment. Manali provides that type of environment to tourists that they forget their problems and tensions for a while.
Some of the places to visit in December are as follows:
- Rohtang Pass
- Manu Temple
- Hidimba Shrine
- Nehru Point
- Mall Road
- Solang valley
- Hot water pond
- Gulaba Point
- Siyali Mahadev Temple
Highlights of Manali
- River Rafting
- Skiing and Trekking
- Paragliding
- Shopping
- Bike Riding
- Himalayan Yaks
Languages known by natives are Hindi, English, and Pahari.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
It is a union territory of India which is made up of 572 islands. Andaman Nicobar Islands have the territorial city as the city of “Port Blair”. Plenty of flora and fauna is visible on these islands.
There are many places to visit in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Some of them are as follows:
- Havelock Island
- Radhanagar Beach
- Cellular Jail
- Ross Island
- Neil Island
- Viper Island
- Baratang Island
- Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex
- Wandoor Beach
- Rutland Island
- Parrot Island
Highlights
- Scuba Diving
- Sightseeing
- Snorkeling
- Water sports
- Shopping
- Sunsets
- Island adventures
- Dolphin watching
- Sea walking
- Trekking
Pachmarhi
Being called the “Queen of Satpura”, Pachmarhi is a hill station which is located in the district of Hoshangabad of Madhya Pradesh. It is mostly visited by newly wedded couples.
There are many places to visit in Pachmarhi. They are as follows:
- Bee falls
- Jata Shankar Caves
- Dhup Garh
- Chaura Garh
- Pandav Caves
- Apsara Vihar
- Handi Koh
- Mahadev Hills
Other Details
- Pachmarhi has an average temperature of 26° C.
- The ideal duration for visiting Pachamari is 3-4 days.
- The nearest airport is at Bhopal.
- It is an affordable destination for honeymoon as well as for family vacations.
Munnar
Located in the state of Kerala, Munnar is considered the best place to visit in December with family and friends due to the tranquil weather. It is also a topmost choice for filmmakers due to its jaw dropping beauty.
Highlights
- Tea plantation
- Sightseeing
- Aromatic oils
- Chocolates
Lachung
It is located on the lap of the Himalayas. It is decorated with hills & numerous waterfalls along with beautiful trees & orchards. It is situated at a height of 8,600 feet (2.62 km) above sea level. Different views and scenes can take anyone’s breath away. Lachung has to be one of the top places after lockdown to visit in anyone’s list.
Amritsar
Vacations to India can’t be completed without tasting the Prasad “Halwa” of the Golden temple. At the center of the city lies the gold gilded temple that is the world famous golden temple. It is surrounded by the holy river namely Amrit Sarovar lake where tourists and pilgrims’ take a bath before entering the temple. The Golden Temple provides internal peace and calm during the vacation in India.
As Amritsar is near to Delhi, many travel companies offer summer holiday packages in India for a family to visit Delhi, Amritsar, and Shimla. The Golden temple is very close to Jallianwala Bagh where the massacre of 13 April 1919 happened.
There are various places to visit in Amritsar. Some of them are as follows:
- Golden Temple
- Wagah Border
- Jallianwala Bagh
- Partition Museum
- Akal Takht
- Sadda Pind
- Khairuddin Mosque
Vizag
Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, is the largest and the most populated city of Andhra Pradesh. This city has the only natural harbor on the eastern coast of India. Vizag is the home of the oldest shipyard and the busiest cargo port.
According to the “Swachh Sarvekshan”, this city holds the 23rd position in 2019. There are many places to visit in December in Vizag. Some of the places to visit in Vizag are as follows:
- Victory at Sea War Memorial
- Naval Museum
- Sri Venkateswara Temple
- Varaha Lakshmi Narsimha Temple
- Pudimadaka Lighthouse
- Kotilingeshwara Temple
- Gangavaram Beach
- Kondakarla Ava
- Sri Bhadrakali Sametha Veereswara Devasthanam
- Shilparamam Jatara
- Lakshmi Devi Temple
- RishiKonda Beach
- Araku Valley
- Borra Caves
- Kali Mata Temple
- Kailashagiri
- Yarada Beach
- Dolphin’s Nose
Other Details
- Local languages are Telugu, Hindi, and English.
- Temperature is Maximum 20° and Minimum 7°.
- Traditional South Indian Cuisines.
- CMR Central Malls
- Mini samosas available on the premises of Varaha Lakshmi Narsimha Temple.
Delhi- Ladakh trip
Roadways can be considered to be the safest way to travel places after lockdown. This eliminates physical contact with others and social distancing can be followed efficiently. It is a delightful road trip. Roads from Delhi to Ladakh are a total bliss to eyes. From jungles to countless mountains, it will be worth an experience. The breath-taking scenes and views help to calm all the tension and worries which are generally prevalent.
Either you hit the road solo or with friends, this roadway will leave memories that you will cherish lifelong. With the help of a good research, you can easily make all arrangements required to hit the road from Delhi to Ladakh.