Weather in India in December

India in December is laden with festivals and holidays and never a moment to spare in between. As the North gets out its winter wardrobe, the sultry cities of the South simmer down to a perfect temperature. Sunny afternoons are capped off with cool, sweet evenings. Beaches are flooded with soft breezes and the deserts of the north grow cool.

The North-Eastern monsoon will just be weaning itself off the East Coast, so factor that into your plans as well. The first month of the tourist season comes with a corresponding rise in prices. It’s all worth it because of the weather alone. If you’re booking through us, we’ll even ease the price hike.

A perfect time to tour the golden triangle – Credit: Aleksi Mattsson

South India in December

South India always has a warm climate, though in December the weather will be a lot more pleasant. States like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala will all be enjoying comfortable weather that is no longer humid or sticky. Although it is advisable to always apply suncreen and wear a cap to protect yourself from the sun.

The rainy season is over so the hill stations in Kerala are luscious and green. Visit Munnar, Thekkady, Varkala and Alleppey to see a range of forests, waterfalls, tea plantations, beaches and backwaters. Also check out some of the beautiful ancient cities like Hampi that lie away from the coast. They can be impossible to visit in the summer.

Goa becomes a busy destination for tourists so all the shops and hotels re-open and life is revived into the areas once again. However, this means that beaches are likely to be crowded and hotels more expensive. Be sure to book your accommodation in advance.

If you can carve out two weeks for the trip, you can try this route.

South India becomes cooler and less humid – Credit: om prabhugaonkar

North India in December

By visiting north India in December you are choosing the nicest time of the year for your holiday. The days are warm but not intense, with temperatures being in the low to mid-20s. In the evenings it will get quite cool, particularly in the desert of Rajasthan, so make sure you bring warm clothes to wrap up with. Central India, like Agra, Delhi, Udaipur, Jaipur and so on, will be pleasant to visit. Be prepared that this is the height of the tourist season so prices for hotels will be more expensive.

If you enjoy a winter wonderland climate then head to the Himalayas where there are opportunities to ski and snowboard. Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand will likely be covered in snow so there is a load of different adventure activities and hikes to join in on. However, the roads to some destinations, like Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley in Leh and Ladakh, will probably be covered in snow and there will be no access allowed. But there are plenty of other towns to visit that will be beautifully blanketed in snow, such as Shimla, Manali or Mcleodganj.

If you still feel the itch to travel but can’t decide if it’s the right time, drop us a line. You can contact us at thinkingindia@indiasomeday.com and we’ll give you all the help you need.

Snow in the north of India – Credit: Rajesh Mehra