13 Winter Destinations must to visit in India this December 2019

Traveling in December means you either fully lean into the holiday season, or else escape it entirely and flee to somewhere warm. Personally, I try to appreciate the cold weather while we have it and max out on warm seasonal beverages, colorful lights, soft snow, and good company. True, some places are overwhelmed by the capitalist engine that powers Christmas, but you can still get a non-denominational winter wonderland fix if you know where to look. No matter your travel preference, there's a perfect place in this world for you to bliss out to those final sunsets of 2019.

If you are a nature lover, photo bug, adventure enthusiast or just a wanderer, each and every traveler can meet his travel need during this month. Here are the best places to visit in the month of December.

Kutch

An expanse of white sands for most parts of the year, Kutch transforms into a centre of the celebration, festivity, countless tints, arts and culture in December as it hosts its grand Rann Mahotsav. While the summers at Rann are extremely hot and unbearable, winters are quite cool with temperatures sometimes falling as low as 0 degrees! Visit this moon-like desert of India in December for an extraordinary experience that will continue to charm you for much longer. The Rann Utsav will only add to the mesmerizing feel and experience while there making it one of the best places to visit in India in December.

2. Auli, Uttarakhand

Winter and snow always go hand in hand, and what's a better place or time to find both in Auli in the month of December. Renowned for being the skiing destination of India, it's flocked by tourists from within the country and from abroad as well. December is the best time to be here to witness the incredible amount of snowfall which takes place. Play around with snowball fights, indulge in some skiing and other adventure sports, or relax and take in the scenic views of the Himalayas from your resort. Whatever you do, you're in for an unforgettable winter vacation!

3. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Situated close to the Pakistan Border, the Golden City is a major tourist spot owing to its proximity to the Thar Desert. Winters in Jaisalmer offer stunning sights of the freezing desert. Explore the local activities such as camel desert safari, watching the spectacular colours of the desert sunset or enjoy a night of luxurious desert camping. You can also visit the Magnetic Fields music festival from Jaisalmer in December and watch amazing musicians perform. Also check out the local forts, palaces and the traditional Rajasthani music scene in the Jaisalmer.

4. Shillong, Meghalaya

Born in the laps of nature, Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and offers every one of its bequeathed element for exploration to the wanderlust. The light drizzles and the cooling gentle wind in December in Shillong add to the joy of visiting this hill station. Shillong is also known as the 'Scotland of the East' due to its exciting mountain peaks, crystal clear lakes, breathtakingly beautiful golf courses, and museums. Visiting Shillong in December is an experience of a lifetime and it is also famous as the music capital of India. Many prominent musicians have hailed from this place and music events keep happening throughout the year, making it a very youthful and lively place.

5.Gokarna, Karnataka

With its pristine beaches and breathtaking landscapes, Gokarna is a famous Hindu pilgrimage town. However, in the month of December, Gokarna transforms into a hippie, party town with crowds gathering on the serene tropical beaches for Christmas and New Years celebrations. Palm clad beaches are dotted with foreign tourists in December in Gokarna with very few Indians. A one-of-a-kind hidden gem on the Arabian Sea, Gokarna is a great destination to escape the crowds for a slow, relaxed holiday.

6. Goa, The partayyy Capital

Situated on the Western Coast, Goa is the place associated most with touristy beaches, happening nightlife and historic Portuguese architecture. This list of places to visit in India in December would be incomplete without adding Goa to it. Goa is easily one of the best places in India to wrap up the year. Explore its hippie culture, warm winter beaches, the most delicious seafood and of course, it's alcohol. Goa has an excellent selection of the New Year and Christmas parties in December making is the perfect destination to bring on the New Year with a bang!

7.Pondicherry

Puducherry was the largest French colony in India and the French influence on the city can be seen till today. Pondicherry is a beautiful beach town with pleasant weather in the month of December making it the ideal time for sightseeing, water sports and laid-back beach vacations. Make sure you visit the famous Aurobindo Ashram and the serene meditative town of Auroville. Discover Pondicherry's glittering beaches, endless shorelines, off-beat nightlife and find your spiritual energy this December.

8. Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Nestled in the Kullu Valley, the Himalayan town of Manali is a hill station with attractions such as the spectacular Rohtang pass. Visit Manali in December and watch the landscape turn into a slice of snowy heaven. Bring in Christmas and New Years with exciting winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding at Gulaba, Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley. Cosying up to the chilly nights of Manali with bonfires & with views of the gigantic ice-capped Himalayan mountains makes this place one of the best places to visit in India in December.

9. Andaman & Nicobar Islands

A group of about 600 islands in the Bay of Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands are known for their scenic beaches, dense forests and adventurous water sports. December is one of the best times to go to the humid sultry island state of Andamans and Nicobar Islands. The pleasant winter climate allows travellers to fully explore the crystal clear waters and stunning coral reefs. With a range of activities to choose from such as snorkelling, scuba diving and visiting the beautiful national parks, these tiny islands are a must visit in December!

10. Waynad, Kerala

Replete with enchanting waterfalls, historical caves, comfortable resorts and homestays, this popular town is famous for its spice plantations and wildlife. The minimum temperature that the hill station experiences in December is around 10°C while the maximum is 24°C. The weather stays misty, breezy during the day and chilly in the night time. The climate is perfect for exploring the nature reserves, go sightseeing, bird watching or to explore the wildlife. Christmas and New Year are some of the festivals celebrated in the district with great enthusiasm during winters.

11. Mahabalipuram

Known For : Shore Temple | Mahabalipuram Beach | Five Rathas

Earlier known as Mamallapuram, Mahabalipuram is one of the most popular and beautiful destinations located in the Southern part of India. Famous for its elaborately carved, intricate temples and rocky caves, Mahabalipuram is a real treat to visit in India in December. The local made handicrafts and artefacts also add to its splendour. With its wide and pristine white sandy beaches, the cool casuarina trees, along with the pleasant and cool temperature that the state acquires by this time of the year, Mahabalipuram is definitely one of the places to visit in India in December.

12. Konark, Orissa

Known For : Sun Temple, Konark | Chandrabhaga Beach | ASI Museum

While Konark is identified by the Sun temple located here, December in Konark is better known as the host to an annual dance festival by the name of Konark Dance Festival. The temple, each and every structure and element that it finds itself adorned by, together with a celebration of the classical dances, leaves few better specimens of classical Indian arts and culture. Definitely, a must visit place in India in December. While in Konark, don't miss a stroll on a pristine stretch of golden sands, the Konark beach.

13. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

Known For : Sela Pass | Tawang Monastery | Madhuri Lake

Located at a height of about 3048m, Tawang is known for many important and beautiful monasteries and is famous as the birth place of Dalai Lama. What begins to define the area is its significance for Buddhist monks. Tawang is the place to go for monasteries, with the Tawang Monastery being the most popular one and extremely sacred for the Buddhists. The natural beauty of Tawang in December is breathtaking. With heavy snowfall in December in Tawang the place transformed into a magical spiritual wonderland. Tourists can enjoy skiing in December. If you do end up visiting Tawang during winter, make sure to catch the Hornbill Festival. This festival is held in December and is an excellent way of learning about the culture of Tawang. The festival also hosts several activities including dance, sports, food, art forms and many more.

Best Time : September to March