In India, winters are eagerly awaited especially because winters have a very short life in most parts of India. December in India sees some of the coldest days and nights, I am sure a lot of us wait for this season to experience the chill in the air and experience the beautiful places enveloped in white sheets of snow, what better way than to take a trip to one of those favorite winter destinations. Pack your woolens and book your tickets to any of these winter wonderlands. This December, discover a place not traveled to or explore that one place marked on your go-to list since long. Make winter an epic affair by heading to any one of our Collection of Best Places to Visit in India in December.
1. Kohima, Nagaland
Naga Tribesmen of Nagaland rehearsing their traditional dance during Hornbill Festival.
Try an offbeat destination this December and explore the untouched beauty of Nagaland. Located in the North East it is one of the most unconventional yet naturally adorned places in India. Be a part of the exotic Hornbill festival hosted near Kohima during this time, it is one of its kind celebration of the indigenous warrior tribes of Nagaland. Immerse yourself in the traditional Naga dance forms, folk songs, theatrical performances, and local culture. For music lovers, this is definitely your calling since many famous music bands perform in this festival too. This is the perfect way to explore Nagaland plus indulge in shopping for some vibrant Naga handloom.
How to Reach Kohima
Take a flight to Dimapur or Imphal Airport, or reach Dimapur by train which is at a distance of 74 km from Kohima.
2. Nagoa Beach, Diu
Sun Rise in Diu, India.
Diu is home to some of the most pristine & romantic virgin beaches in India which you need to see to believe. December in Diu is extremely pleasant with temperature ranging from 15 – 25 degree Celsius. This month sees both families as well as honeymoon goers in Diu, more so due to the ‘The Festa De Diu’ which also happens to be Asia’s longest beach festival. Enjoy this unique festival along with beachside bonfires and lazy nights.
How to Reach Nagao Beach
Una is the nearest railway station at is 12 km from Diu or reach Mumbai by air, bus or rail and travel to Diu at a distance of 1 hour.
3. Small Vagator, Goa
Sunburn Festival in Goa.
Undoubtedly Goa is the most popular destination to visit in December in India. Small Vagator is host to the uber cool and hip Sunburn Festival, also Asia’s largest electronic dance music event. If you are looking for a wild and crazy December holiday this is where you should be headed. The casinos get wilder, the air is filled with trance music and the beaches become hosts to the craziest footloose EDM parties and fireworks in the country. It’s not for nothing that Goa is called the Las Vegas of India.
How to Reach Small Vagator
Goa is a very popular destination worldwide and well connected by Air, train or bus with all major cities in India.
4. Konark, Odisha
The Chariot Wheel of Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha.
Konark is renowned due to the presence of the 13th century old Sun temple which in itself is a place to see. But unlike visiting Konark during other seasons, in December Konark hosts the Konark Dance festival. Discover Konark and its untouched beaches along with being witness to the serene amalgamation of the various classical dance forms of India with the backdrop of the century old Sun Temple.
How to Reach Konark
Konark can be reached by road from Puri of Bhubaneshwar in Orissa, Puri can be reached by bus or train, while Bhubaneshwar also has an airport.
5. Patnitop in Jammu and Kashmir
View of Patnitop to Jawahar Tunnel.
Usually, a popular summer destination due to its breathtaking landscapes, views, and natural beauty, with winters Patnitop disguises itself into one of the most popular paragliding and skiing destinations in India. Located in Udhampur and engulfed within tall tree forests and snowcapped mountains of the Pir Panjal range, Patnitop is one of Jammu and Kashmir’s favorite hill stations. Enjoy a relaxing time touching the sky and skiing at the modest slopes in Patnitop.
How to Reach Patnitop
From Jammu, Patnitop is a 2-3 hrs ride by road while Udhampur is the nearest railway station to Patnitop and has two trains that touch New Delhi.
6. Ranthambore, Rajasthan
Tiger in Ranthambore National Park, India. Courtesy Björn Ognibeni.
Ranthambore is renowned as one of the best tiger reserves in India. December undoubtedly is a favorable time to take a trip down to this tiger reserve, more so because of the lovely winter weather. What better way to enjoy the winter chill than an early morning safari into the jungles trying to spot some of the endangered tigers, or several other animal species such as wild cats, leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, Indian foxes, crocodiles, and jackals. In the evenings enjoy a warm cuppa by a bonfire in the midst of wilderness.
How to Reach Ranthambore
Take a flight to Sanganer Airport, Jaipur or to reach by train the nearest railway station is Sawai Madhopur at 10kms from the park. Can also be reached via roads from major cities.
7. Murudeshwar, Karnataka
Lord Shiva statue at Murudeshwara.
With the year coming to an end a few of us might wish to visit a place holy or sacred. Situated in a small temple town on the western coast of India in Karnataka is Murudeshwar, adorned by the second highest Shiva statue in the world. There could not be a place more divine than this, the statue towers over the blue sea beyond. Not just this, winters in Murudeshwar in marked by active Scuba Diving enthusiasts. This place is a perfect combination to indulge in some adventure as well as some holiness in the backdrop of a golden history & stretches of the turquoise sea beyond.
How to Reach Murudeshwar
The closest international airport and railway station are at 153 km in Mangalore. Also, can be reached by bus from Mangalore and Mumbai.
8. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
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One-horned Indian rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park.
As kids, we have all read about the one of its kind one-horned rhino also called as great Indian rhinoceros which are found only in Kaziranga Wild Life Sanctuary in the Northeastern state of Assam on the mighty Brahmaputra River’s south bank. Try something different this December, take an elephant back ride at dawn and get up close and personal with the world’s only one-horned rhino, also try your luck at spotting a tiger or leopards. Foxes, deer, flying squirrels, pelicans & hornbills are found in plenty here. Don’t miss staying at the vicinity of the reserve to enjoy the exciting jungle experience where the jungle comes alive.
How to Reach Kaziranga National Park
Take a flight, train or bus to Guwahati which is the nearest major city. From there the park is at a distance of 200kms.
9. Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Rumi Darwaza as seen from Bara Imambara.
When we think about ‘Nawabi’ charms and exotic Mughlai cuisine, Lucknow comes to our mind. Historically one of the oldest cities in India, the heritage, culture and food story of Lucknow is centuries old yet extremely intoxicating. Be it the mouth-watering local food or the local chikankari work on Indian wear, please your eating and shopping appetite here – there are just about too many reasons to spend your winters in Lucknow this year. One of the most pleasant months to visit the city, take a heritage walk of the city, hop around the city from one market to food junction, options are many.
How to Reach Lucknow
Lucknow in itself is an important city equipped with an airport and railway stations that are connected to the rest of the country.
10. Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
The Shore temple at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.
The age old history and art forms of India are best held and reflected in the temples of South India, but South of India is summers is extremely hot and not suitable for tourism; what better time to visit this region than December. Take a trip down south to the city of Mahabalipuram, which is home to elaborately intricate, detailed, carved rock cut temples which will leave your spell bound. Beat the winter chill in the pleasant southern sun admiring the splendor of the temples, local made handicrafts and curios here. Not only that sink our feet in the silver sand beaches and the cool winter breeze of Mahabalipuram, no other time is best suited than December to visit this place.
How to Reach Mahabalipuram
The nearest railhead is Chengalpattu at 29 km from Mahabalipuram. Chennai though is the main railway station connecting the city with all the major cities of India.
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