December is one of the best months to travel in most of India. The monsoon is over, the air is drier and the days are warm rather than hot. Of the six places we plan trips to, Kerala, Rajasthan, Goa and the Andaman Islands are in their peak season, and Meghalaya is dry, clear and cool. Ladakh is the exception: it’s deep winter there, and only for well-prepared travellers.
The catch is the crowd. The weeks around Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive of the year, so book flights and stays early, or travel in the first half of December.
At a glance
- Beaches and the sea: Goa, or the Andaman Islands for clearer water and snorkelling.
- Forts, palaces and the desert: Rajasthan.
- Backwaters and tea hills: Kerala.
- Waterfalls, villages and walking: Meghalaya.
- Snow and serious cold: Ladakh, if you’re prepared for it.
Kerala in December
December is dry and warm on the coast, with cool evenings up in Munnar. It’s one of Kerala’s two busiest months, along with January, and Fort Kochi gets especially lively around Christmas and New Year. Alleppey houseboats book up early for the holiday weeks.
See the 7-day Kerala itinerary.
Rajasthan in December
The days are sunny and comfortable for walking around forts, which makes this the most pleasant time for sightseeing. Nights are another matter. In the desert around Jaisalmer they get close to freezing in December and January, so pack a proper jacket for the camp.
See the 8-day Rajasthan itinerary.
Goa in December
Goa’s dry, sunny beach season runs from November to February, and December is the middle of it. The days around Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive of the whole year. Early December is quieter and cheaper than the holiday weeks. If you want the beaches with fewer people, stay in South Goa.
See the 5-day Goa itinerary.
Andaman Islands in December
December starts the calmest stretch of the year for the sea, which runs until March. That’s the best time for snorkelling, diving and island-hopping by ferry. Christmas and New Year are the islands’ busiest weeks, though, and flights and the good ferry sailings sell out. Book both as soon as your dates are fixed. Our Port Blair to Havelock ferry guide covers the boats.
See the 6-day Andaman itinerary.
Meghalaya in December
Winter brings clear skies, cool days and cold nights, so pack a warm layer for the evenings. The rivers are low and clear, and the water at Dawki is at its most glass-like from about November to March. The trails, including the steps down to the living root bridge at Nongriat, are dry. The trade-off is the waterfalls: they’re much thinner than in the monsoon. Most people in Meghalaya are Christian, and Shillong celebrates Christmas in a big way.
See the 6-day Meghalaya itinerary.
Ladakh in December
December is deep winter in Ladakh. Nights fall well below freezing, the days are cold too, and flying into Leh is the only dependable way in. Many of the camps outside Leh close for the season. It can be beautiful, with frozen streams and far fewer visitors, but it suits people who come prepared for serious cold.
Our 7-day Ladakh itinerary is planned for the main season, June to September. If you head out to Nubra or Pangong, our Ladakh permit guide explains the fee you pay online first.
What to book early for late December
- Flights, especially to Goa, Port Blair, Kochi and Jaipur.
- Ferries between Port Blair, Havelock and Neil.
- Houseboats in Alleppey.
- Desert camps near Jaisalmer.
- Beach stays in North Goa and on Havelock.
Checked . Rules, fees and timetables change, so check the official source before you travel.