Places to Visit in Uttarakhand in December 2026

Quick answer: The best places to visit in Uttarakhand in December are Mussoorie, Nainital, Dhanaulti, Kanatal and Chakrata for an easy hill break; Harsil, Auli, Chopta and Munsiyari for a better chance of snow; and Rishikesh and Jim Corbett for mild days without snow. Hill towns are usually 10 to 14°C by day and close to freezing at night, and town snow is not certain before late December. For snow you can count on, go higher: on our Kedarkantha Trek, snow usually covers the trail up to the base camp by mid-December.

December is when Uttarakhand turns properly cold. The air is clear, the snow peaks look close, and the high trails turn white. This guide covers 12 places in Uttarakhand to visit in December, with their weather and snow chance, plus the best December treks, family picks and tips for the holidays. Most of them are also the best places to visit in Uttarakhand in winter as a whole. For a year-round list, see our guide to the best places to visit in Uttarakhand.

By Manish Barakoti, Himalaya Shelter. Trek facts are from our own trek pages, checked on 29 October 2026. Snow chances are typical patterns, not forecasts. Last updated: 29 October 2026.

Town snow comes in short spells, and some winters it comes late: in winter 2025-26 the Chakrata region recorded its first snowfall of the year only on 23 January 2026. If snow on a fixed date matters, plan for height, not a town name.

Mussoorie in December

Mussoorie (about 2,000 m) is the easiest December trip from Delhi, about 35 km up the hill from Dehradun. The Mussoorie temperature in December is usually 11 to 14°C by day and 3 to 5°C at night. Walk the Mall Road, go up to Landour and Lal Tibba for the snow peaks, and watch for the Winterline, the band of colour on the horizon after sunset that Mussoorie is known for in winter. Snow here in December is light and not certain; January is more likely.

Dhanaulti in December

Dhanaulti (about 2,250 m) is a quiet stop on the road from Mussoorie towards Chamba, with deodar forests, the Amber and Dhara eco parks and the climb to Surkanda Devi temple (8,858 ft). The Dhanaulti temperature in December is about 10 to 13°C by day and near freezing at night, and snow is more common than in Mussoorie, usually from late December. Heavy snow can close the road for a few hours or a day.

Kanatal in December

Kanatal sits at about 2,590 m (8,500 ft) in Tehri Garhwal, 78 km from Dehradun via Mussoorie and Dhanaulti. Stay in a camp or cottage, walk in the Kodia Jungle and drive down to Tehri Dam for a day. The Kanatal temperature in December is roughly 7 to 11°C by day, nights can fall below zero, and snow usually comes from late December to February. More in our Kanatal travel guide.

Chakrata in December

Chakrata (about 2,100 m) is an old cantonment town about 87 km from Dehradun railway station, with far fewer tourists than Mussoorie. Walk to Tiger Falls, hike in the Deoban forest and see the tall deodars of Koti Kanasar. The Chakrata temperature in December is about 10 to 13°C on sunny days and around freezing at night. Chakrata snowfall in December is not common; if it comes before the New Year, it is usually in the last days of the month. See our Chakrata guide.

Snow in the Deoban forest above Chakrata in winter

Nainital in December

Nainital (about 2,000 m) is the classic lake town of Kumaon, about 35 km from Kathgodam railway station. December in Nainital is cold and mostly clear: India Meteorological Department averages put it at about 13°C by day and 3°C at night. Go boating on Naini Lake, visit the Naina Devi temple and walk up to Snow View Point or Tiffin Top. Snow in Nainital is occasional and light, more likely in late December or January.

Kausani in December

Kausani (about 1,890 m), in Bageshwar district, has one of the widest Himalayan views in Uttarakhand, with Trishul, Nanda Devi and the Panchachuli peaks in one line, and December's clear skies show it at its best. The Kausani temperature in December is about 12 to 16°C by day and 3 to 6°C at night. Snow is rare, so come for sunrises, tea gardens and Anasakti Ashram, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed in 1929.

Munsiyari in December

Munsiyari (about 2,200 m), in Pithoragarh district, faces the Panchachuli peaks across the valley. It is about 280 to 290 km by road from Kathgodam, through Almora and Bageshwar, so plan a full day each way. The Munsiyari temperature in December is about 9 to 13°C by day and around freezing at night, and snow can come in late December, more often in January. The Khaliya Top hike above town is a hard route from December to March; do it only with an experienced team.

Harsil in December

Harsil sits at about 2,700 m in the Bhagirathi valley of Uttarkashi district, on the road to Gangotri. The Harsil valley in December is one of the most reliable snow places you can drive to: its deodar forests, apple orchards and wooden houses often get snow from mid to late December, and it can stay until March. Mukhba, the winter seat of Goddess Ganga, is just across the river. Nights are well below freezing and the road can close after heavy snow, so keep a spare day.

Chopta in December

Chopta (about 2,680 m) is a forest meadow on the Ukhimath to Gopeshwar road. Chopta in December is cold, very quiet and often snowy by the end of the month, at roughly 7 to 11°C by day and around or below zero at night. If you plan Chopta and Tungnath in December, note that the Tungnath temple is closed in winter, but you can still climb to Chandrashila summit (about 4,000 m / 13,123 ft) for views of Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi and Trishul. Our Chopta Chandrashila Tungnath Trek takes 3 days with pickup from Dehradun.

A stone hut under fresh snow near Chopta

Auli in December

Auli (about 2,800 m), in Chamoli district, is about 16 km from Joshimath (Jyotirmath) and is Uttarakhand's best-known ski slope, with views of Nanda Devi. Auli in December has days of about 5 to 9°C and nights below zero. Snow builds through the month, but January and February are more reliable for skiing, so check the slopes before you book lessons.

Rishikesh in December

Rishikesh (about 350 m) on the Ganga is the mildest place in this list: the Rishikesh temperature in December is roughly 20 to 22°C by day and 7 to 9°C at night. Come for yoga, temples, cafes and the evening Ganga aarti. Rafting usually runs in December, but the water is very cold, so pick a short stretch and confirm timings with the operator. For sunrise over the hills, drive up to Kunjapuri temple early.

Morning view from Kunjapuri, a popular sunrise point near Rishikesh

Jim Corbett in December

Jim Corbett National Park, entered from Ramnagar, suits families and wildlife lovers: days are pleasant and winter is a good season for jeep safaris. Book safari permits early on the official Corbett website, especially around Christmas and New Year, and carry warm layers for foggy mornings.

Dehradun in December

Dehradun (about 450 m) is the base for most December trips, and our treks start with a pickup from Prince Chowk near Dehradun Railway Station. The Dehradun temperature in December is about 21 to 22°C by day and 7 to 8°C at night. It does not snow in Dehradun; the nearest snow is usually around Dhanaulti and on the Nag Tibba trek.

Does it snow in Uttarakhand in December? Yes, but mostly high up, so height matters more than the name of the place. The snowfall places in Uttarakhand in December, in most years:

• Most likely: trek campsites above 3,000 m, such as Kedarkantha, Brahmatal and Chandrashila.
• Good chance from mid to late December: Harsil, Auli and Chopta.
• Some chance from late December: Dhanaulti, Kanatal, Surkanda Devi and Munsiyari.
• Low in December: Mussoorie, Nainital and Chakrata, which get most of their snow in January.

For month-by-month patterns and the nearest snow from Delhi and Dehradun, read our guide to snowfall in Uttarakhand.

The surest way to see snow on a trek in Uttarakhand in December is to walk up to it. These five treks run in December with our trek leaders, all with a pickup from Dehradun.

Kedarkantha: Our Top December Pick

Kedarkantha is the most popular December trek in Uttarakhand. It is a 5-day, easy-to-moderate trek from Sankri village, 190 km from Dehradun, through pine forests and past Juda Ka Talab to a 12,500 ft (3,810 m) summit. By the second week of December, snow usually covers the trail up to the base camp. December days on the trail are about 5 to 15°C and nights 0 to -10°C. Groups are capped at 12 trekkers, and you can leave extra luggage at our cloakroom in Sankri free of charge.

Juda Ka Talab on the Kedarkantha trek, frozen in peak winter

Planning a December snow trek? See Kedarkantha Trek dates, cost and inclusions.

Brahmatal, Dayara Bugyal, Chopta and Nag Tibba

Brahmatal, in Chamoli, is the pick for frozen lakes and views of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti; winter nights at its campsites drop to around -5 to -12°C. Dayara Bugyal, in Uttarkashi, has wide meadows that turn into snowfields from late December. Chopta Chandrashila is the shortest high-summit option, and Nag Tibba is the 2-day weekend trek near Mussoorie. For more winter routes, see our guide to treks to do in October, November and December.

Trekkers on the snowy ridge of the Brahmatal trek

With children or older parents, pick a place you can drive to, with heated rooms.

• Mussoorie and Nainital: easy roads, plenty of hotels and lots to do on foot.
• Rishikesh and Jim Corbett: mild days and activities for every age.
• Kanatal and Dhanaulti: a cottage or camp stay with some chance of snow late in the month.
• Nag Tibba: a 2-day first trek for active families.

Our Kedarkantha page lists the trek as suitable for beginners and families, but it is 5 days in real cold, so ask us about age and fitness first.

Our Nag Tibba campsite after a winter snowfall

For fewer crowds, choose Chakrata, Harsil, Munsiyari or Kausani over Mussoorie and Nainital. Lansdowne, a small cantonment town in Pauri Garhwal, is another calm option closer to Delhi, though with little chance of snow. Book ahead and carry some cash, as ATMs and networks can be patchy.

December is cold and mostly dry. The Uttarakhand temperature in December depends mainly on height: the higher you go, the colder the nights.

Approximate ranges: Dehradun, Mussoorie and Nainital follow India Meteorological Department averages, other towns are adjusted for height, and Kedarkantha is from our trek page. Check the forecast before you travel.

The last ten days of December are the busiest of the winter. Hotels in Mussoorie, Nainital and Auli fill up, and 31st December in Mussoorie and Nainital means crowded Mall Roads and long queues on the hill roads. If you are travelling then, book stays and trek dates four to six weeks ahead and reach the hills before noon. For snow over Christmas or New Year, choose a trek above 3,000 m rather than a town; for a quieter New Year, try Chakrata, Kanatal or Harsil. If your trip runs from December into January, your chance of town snow improves, because early January usually brings more of it.

• Walk a snow trek such as Kedarkantha, Brahmatal or Nag Tibba.
• Watch the Winterline from Mussoorie at sunset.
• Go boating on Naini Lake or Bhimtal.
• Take a morning jeep safari in Jim Corbett.
• See the sunrise over the snow peaks from Kausani or Kunjapuri.
• Learn to ski at Auli once the snow settles, usually from January.

• Dress in layers: thermals, a fleece, a down jacket, a woollen cap and gloves.
• Drive in daylight: the sun sets by about 5:30 pm, and shaded bends can stay icy all morning.
• Check road updates after snow: roads to Auli, Harsil, Chopta and Munsiyari can close for a day or more.

Winter Char Dham Yatra

The four Char Dham temples, including Kedarnath and Badrinath, are closed in December, and the deities are worshipped at their winter seats: Ukhimath for Kedarnath, Pandukeshwar and Jyotirmath for Badrinath, Mukhba for Gangotri and Kharsali for Yamunotri. These towns are lower and usually reachable by road in winter; check the latest road updates before you go, and read our complete Char Dham guide.

Our Kedarkantha Trek takes 5 days from Dehradun to Dehradun, with pickup at Prince Chowk near Dehradun Railway Station, groups of up to 12 trekkers and snow usually up to the base camp by mid-December. It costs ₹10,000 + 5% GST per person. For December dates, dates around Christmas and New Year, or a private group, call or WhatsApp us on +91 94583 86006.

Which is the best place to visit in Uttarakhand in December?

For an easy hill break, Mussoorie and Nainital; for snow, Harsil, Auli and Chopta; for mild weather, Rishikesh and Jim Corbett. For the surest snow, the Kedarkantha trek usually has snow up to its base camp by mid-December.

Which places in Uttarakhand get snowfall in December?

Snow is most likely on trek campsites above 3,000 m, such as Kedarkantha, Brahmatal and Chandrashila. Harsil, Auli and Chopta often get snow from mid to late December, and Dhanaulti and Kanatal sometimes do. Mussoorie, Nainital and Chakrata usually get their snow in January.

Does it snow in Nainital and Mussoorie in December?

Sometimes, but not every year. Both are at about 2,000 m, and snow there is usually light, more likely in late December or January. December in Nainital and Mussoorie is mostly cold and clear, with nights at about 2 to 5°C.

What is the December weather like in Uttarakhand?

Cold and mostly dry. Dehradun and Rishikesh are about 20 to 22°C by day and 7 to 9°C at night; hill towns around 2,000 m are about 11 to 14°C by day and close to freezing at night; places above 2,600 m drop below zero at night.

Is December a safe and good time to visit Uttarakhand?

Yes, including for families. The main roads to Mussoorie, Nainital, Rishikesh and Jim Corbett stay open and the skies are clear. Plan for cold nights, icy bends in the morning and short road closures after snow higher up.

Which is the best December trek in Uttarakhand?

Kedarkantha: 5 days from Dehradun, a 12,500 ft summit, easy to moderate, with snow usually up to the base camp by mid-December. Brahmatal is best for frozen lakes, and Nag Tibba is the best 2-day weekend option.

How much does the Kedarkantha trek cost and where does it start?

Our Kedarkantha Trek costs ₹10,000 + 5% GST per person. Pickup is from Prince Chowk near Dehradun Railway Station, and the trek starts from Sankri village, 190 km from Dehradun. Check the trek page for December dates and inclusions.

Where should I go in Uttarakhand at the end of December?

For snow over Christmas and New Year, a trek such as Kedarkantha. For a lively holiday, Mussoorie or Nainital; for a quieter break, Chakrata, Kanatal or Harsil. Book stays and trek dates early, as the last ten days of December are the busiest.