Snow in the north, desert nights in the west and calm backwaters in the south. Five regions at their best this December, and how to choose. December is the…
December is the one month when almost all of India is in season at once. The question is not where you can go but what kind of winter you want: snow, sun, desert or water. Gulmarg is the surest place in India for snow, with the Gondola lifting you to the snowline even early in the season. Srinagar’s houseboats are cosy and quiet, and with the Sonamarg tunnel open, the valley is reachable all winter. Best from the third week of December. Clear warm days, cold nights and the most atmospheric New Year in the country: a desert camp outside Jaisalmer, a lakeside dinner in Udaipur or a haveli in Jaipur. Bookings for the last week of December fill early. The backwaters are calm, Munnar is cool and green, and Fort Kochi closes the year with the Cochin Carnival. In the north, the Theyyam season is under way. The ideal choice if you want warmth without the Goa crowds. Manali, Sissu and Narkanda bring snow within a day’s drive of Delhi or Chandigarh. Go midweek and avoid the Christmas rush, or head for Kalpa and the Banjar valley for a quieter winter. Winter Ladakh is cold, empty and unforgettable. Fly into Leh, see the monastery festivals and track snow leopards. The frozen river walk of the Chadar opens from mid January when the ice allows. For families with young children, Kerala or Rajasthan. For couples, Udaipur or a houseboat in Srinagar. For snow, Gulmarg in late December or January. Tell us your dates and we will suggest the region that suits them best.