December is one of the best months to visit Uttarakhand: skies are clear, the mountains look sharp, and the first snow reaches Auli, Chopta and Harsil in many years. Days are pleasant in the plains, nights are cold, and the high-altitude temples are closed. Below are the best places, what each is good for, and how to plan around Christmas and New Year.
December weather in Uttarakhand
- Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun: cool days, cold mornings and fog. Light woollens are enough in the day.
- Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Nainital: cold, with nights close to freezing. Occasional snow late in the month.
- Auli, Chopta, Harsil: nights well below freezing, and snow likely later in the month. Heavy jackets and thermals are a must.
Temperatures vary by year, so check the forecast before you pack.
Best places to visit in December
1. Auli and Chopta, for snow
If your main goal is snow, go to Auli or Chopta, and see the second half of December for the best odds. Skiing at Auli usually needs more snow than December brings, so treat it as a January activity. Compare them in Auli vs Chopta, or read the best time to visit Auli and Chopta. Package: Auli Chopta 5 days.
2. Harsil Valley, for quiet
A river valley of deodar forest, apple orchards and early snow, with few tourists. Read the Harsil in winter guide and the 3-day itinerary. Package: Harsil Valley 3 days.
3. Mussoorie, Dhanaulti and Kanatal, for a short break
The easiest escape from Delhi and Dehradun. Mussoorie is crowded and expensive from 24 December to 1 January, so book early. Dhanaulti and Kanatal are calmer. Package: Mussoorie Dhanaulti Kanatal 4 days. Places to see: Mussoorie Lake, Company Garden and Lal Tibba.
4. Haridwar and Rishikesh, for the Ganga
December is a comfortable month for the evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri, temples such as Mansa Devi, and the ghats. In Rishikesh, see Neelkanth Mahadev and the Neer Garh waterfall. River rafting runs in a limited form and the water is cold. Package: Haridwar Rishikesh Neelkanth 2 days. Stays: Haridwar hotels and Rishikesh hotels.
5. Jim Corbett, for wildlife
Most safari zones are open and the winter air is good for birdwatching. Fog can limit early-morning visibility. See Jim Corbett and the national parks guide.
6. Nainital and Kumaon, for lakes and views
Cold, clear and less crowded than summer. Package: Mussoorie Nainital 6 days. Also see Nainital hotels and the Kainchi Dham guide.
7. Winter treks
December opens the winter trekking season, with Kedarkantha, Deoria Tal and Chopta-Chandrashila at their best. See winter treks in Uttarakhand or book the Kedarkantha trek.
Which destination suits you?
| If you want | Go to |
|---|---|
| Snow, with some risk | Auli, Chopta, Harsil |
| A New Year party | Mussoorie (book by early December) |
| A peaceful family trip | Haridwar, Rishikesh, Nainital |
| Wildlife | Jim Corbett |
| A trek | Kedarkantha, Deoria Tal |
What is closed in December
The Char Dham temples, Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers are closed. If a pilgrimage is the aim, plan it for spring: see the Char Dham Yatra 2027 itinerary and the winter seats guide.
December travel tips
- Book early for 24 December to 1 January. Rooms and cabs fill up weeks ahead.
- Expect fog on the plains in the morning, which can slow the drive from Delhi.
- Pack in layers. Use our Auli and Chopta packing list.
- Keep a buffer day for road closures.
Compare all options on our Uttarakhand winter packages page, or contact us with your dates.
December week by week
December is not one season. The first week and the last week are very different trips.
| Dates | What it is like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 10 December | Cold, clear, quiet. Low prices and empty trails. Little or no snow on the ground yet. | Treks, temples, Corbett, budget trips |
| 11 to 20 December | Colder nights, better odds of snow after a western disturbance. Still calm. | Auli, Chopta, Harsil if you can be flexible |
| 21 to 24 December | Rising crowds as schools break. Hotel rates start to climb. | Early booking, Haridwar and Rishikesh |
| 25 December to 1 January | Peak season. Full hotels, long queues, traffic on hill-station roads. | Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Nainital if you book early |
If you can choose, travel between 5 and 20 December. You get the clear weather without paying peak prices.
Christmas and New Year in Uttarakhand
Mussoorie, Nainital and Rishikesh are the busiest places over Christmas and New Year. Hotels there sell out weeks ahead, and prices are highest from 24 December to 1 January.
- Mussoorie: the Mall Road is lively, and Landour is quieter, with old churches and bakeries. Expect traffic on the road up from Dehradun on 31 December.
- Rishikesh: a mix of cafes, yoga ashrams and riverside camps. New Year events attract a young crowd.
- Nainital: a lake town with decorated streets. Check the Nainital hotels and book early.
- Haridwar: a calmer New Year, with the evening Ganga aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
- Chopta and Auli: far quieter. A good option for those who want snow without a party.
If you want a peaceful New Year, avoid Mussoorie's Mall Road and Rishikesh's Laxman Jhula area on 31 December and choose Dhanaulti, Kanatal, Chopta or Harsil.
Three December itineraries
Family plan, 4 nights: Haridwar, Rishikesh and Mussoorie
- Day 1: Arrive in Haridwar. Evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
- Day 2: Morning at Mansa Devi, then drive to Rishikesh for the Ganga ghats and the riverside walk.
- Day 3: Neelkanth Mahadev in the morning, then drive to Mussoorie.
- Day 4: Mussoorie sightseeing, with Kempty Falls and the Mall Road.
- Day 5: Return via Dehradun.
Package: Rishikesh, Mussoorie and Dhanaulti.
Snow plan, 5 nights: Auli and Chopta
Spend two nights at Auli and two at Chopta, with a day each for the meadows and for the walk towards Tungnath. Keep the last day for the long drive back. Package: Auli Chopta 6 days. Because December snow is uncertain, keep your dates flexible if you can.
Trek-and-temple plan, 6 nights
Combine a first-time trek such as Deoria Tal with the winter seat temples. Ukhimath, Triyuginarayan and Sari village form a sensible loop. See Triyuginarayan temple and the Deoria Tal and Sari village tour.
December in Garhwal and Kumaon
| Garhwal | Kumaon | |
|---|---|---|
| Main places | Auli, Chopta, Harsil, Mussoorie, Dhanaulti | Nainital, Kausani, Almora, Binsar, Ranikhet |
| Character | Higher, snowier, more remote | Lakes, forests, wide Himalayan views |
| Crowds | Mussoorie is busy, the rest quiet | Nainital is busy, the rest quiet |
| Best for | Snow and treks | Views, calm and culture |
See the Kumaon package and the destination pages for Kausani, Binsar and Ranikhet.
Wildlife and birding in December
Jim Corbett is at its best in the cold months, with clear days for safari and good birdwatching near the river. Mornings are very cold in an open jeep, so carry a windcheater, gloves and a cap. Zones, timings and booking rules are set by the park administration and change, so check the official booking portal before you plan.
Local food to try in winter
- Garhwali dal and rice with a spoon of ghee, in any village dhaba
- Mandua (finger millet) roti with ghee or jaggery, a winter staple
- Gahat (horse gram) dal, said locally to warm the body
- Bhatt ki churkani, a black soybean curry
- Hot tea and pakoras at a roadside stall with a view
- Jalebi and kachori in Haridwar's old market in the morning
Ask your hotel for the local menu and choose simple food at altitude.
December packing guide by place
| Place | Daytime | Night | Must carry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haridwar, Rishikesh | Light sweater | Jacket | Shawl, closed shoes |
| Mussoorie, Nainital | Jacket and sweater | Thermals and a heavy jacket | Gloves, cap |
| Dhanaulti, Kanatal | Heavy jacket | Thermals, down jacket | Gloves, cap, boots |
| Auli, Chopta, Harsil | Layers and down jacket | Full thermals and a heavy jacket | Snow boots, sunglasses, sunscreen |
Mistakes people make in December
- Booking only one night at a snow place and hoping for snow
- Booking Mussoorie on 31 December with no hotel confirmation
- Packing for Haridwar and arriving at Chopta
- Planning to see the Char Dham temples
- Assuming roads are clear after heavy rain or snow
Is December right for you?
Go in December if you want clear weather, fewer crowds before Christmas, easier roads than in January and a lower risk of heavy closures. Choose January instead if seeing deep snow is the main goal. If you travel with small children or seniors, December's milder conditions are an advantage.
