The best places to visit in Rajasthan in December are Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Mount Abu, Ranthambore, Bikaner and Pushkar. December days are sunny and around 24–27°C across the state, perfect for forts and desert safaris, while nights drop to 8–11°C in the cities and near freezing in Mount Abu.
The catch is the Christmas–New Year rush, when hotel rates in Udaipur and Jaisalmer can jump three to four times, so book early or travel in the first half of the month.
Is December a good time to visit Rajasthan?
Yes. December sits in the middle of Rajasthan's best travel window (October to March). Long-term averages (IMD normals) put December day temperatures at 24.5°C in Jaipur, 26.9°C in Jodhpur and 25.4°C in Jaisalmer, with nights at 9.5°C, 11.2°C and 8.8°C. That means comfortable sightseeing all day, but you will need a proper jacket after sunset, especially in the desert.
Two things to plan around:
- Peak-season prices. Over New Year 2025–26, PTI reported hotels across Rajasthan fully booked, Udaipur room rates at three to four times normal, and Sariska safaris sold out until 5 January.
- Fog on north Indian rail routes. North Western Railway cancelled or short-terminated dozens of trains between December and February last winter because of fog. Keep a buffer day if you are taking an overnight train from Delhi or Punjab.
Rajasthan weather in December: city by city
Place | Dec day / night (avg.) | Best for | Key cost (approx., Nov 2026) [CHECK] |
|---|---|---|---|
Jaipur | 24.5°C / 9.5°C | Forts, bazaars, first-timers | Amer Fort ₹200; Hawa Mahal ₹100 |
Jodhpur | 26.9°C / 11.2°C | Mehrangarh, blue city walks | Mehrangarh ₹200 |
Jaisalmer | 25.4°C / 8.8°C | Sam dunes, desert camps | Sam safari package ₹2,500–3,000 for two |
Bikaner | 25.6°C / 8.3°C | Junagarh Fort, Karni Mata | Fort entry |
Udaipur | Not verified | Lakes, palaces, couples | City Palace ₹250 |
Mount Abu | Nights can touch 0–1°C | Hill station, Winter Festival | Dilwara Temples: free |
Ranthambore | Not verified | Tiger safari | Canter ₹987; Gypsy ₹1,612 |
Pushkar | Not verified | Ghats, cafés, budget stays | Mostly free |
Day/night figures are long-term IMD averages; record lows include 0°C in Jaipur and −2.8°C in Bikaner, so pack for colder spells.
8 best places to visit in Rajasthan in December
1. Jaisalmer: the desert at its best
December is the most comfortable month for the Thar. Spend a day in the living Jaisalmer Fort and the Patwon ki Haveli lanes, then head to Sam or Khuri for a camel ride and an overnight camp.
Hostels in Jaisalmer start around ₹400–800 a night, and a Sam safari package with camel ride, jeep and cultural show costs about ₹2,500–3,000 for two (approx., as of November 2026). Desert nights fall below 10°C, so check that your camp provides heavy blankets.
2. Jaipur: forts in perfect weather
Jaipur is the easiest start to any Rajasthan trip, and mild December afternoons make the climb up to Amer and Nahargarh pleasant. From 1 January 2026 Rajasthan revised monument fees: Amer Fort costs ₹200 for Indians (₹50 for students), and Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh and Albert Hall cost ₹100 each. A composite ticket valid for 10 days covers the main sites .
If you are visiting in January instead, the Jaipur Literature Festival returns from 14–18 January 2027.
3. Jodhpur: Mehrangarh and the blue city
Mehrangarh is one of India's best-run fort museums. Entry is ₹200 for Indians (₹100 for students and seniors), with a ₹50 lift, and it is open 9am to 5pm, according to the fort's official site. Walk down through the blue houses of Navchokiya and end at the Toorji ka Jhalra stepwell.
4. Udaipur: lakes and palaces
Udaipur is the pick for couples. Take a boat on Lake Pichola, tour the City Palace (₹250 for adults) and catch sunset at Ambrai Ghat. Udaipur fills up fastest at Christmas and New Year, so if your dates are fixed, book now. From Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh Fort makes an easy day trip; the Kumbhalgarh Festival is expected around 1–3 December .
5. Mount Abu: Rajasthan's only hill station
Mount Abu turns cold in December; the minimum fell to 1°C on 28 December 2025, with frost on cars and fields. The Winter Festival, with folk music, dance and events around Nakki Lake, runs from 29–31 December 2026, according to the Incredible India festival listing. Visit the marble Dilwara Temples and Guru Shikhar, and pack thermals.
6. Ranthambore: tiger safari season
Ranthambore reopens on 1 October after the monsoon, and December is a good month for sightings as vegetation thins. From 1 April 2026 safari fees for Indians rose about 10%, to about ₹987 for a canter and ₹1,612 for a gypsy.
Book on the official Rajasthan wildlife portal as soon as booking opens, because New Year week sells out. Our Golden Triangle with Ranthambore package combines Delhi, Agra and Jaipur with a safari.
7. Bikaner: forts and camels, minus the crowds
Bikaner is colder at night (8.3°C average in December) but much less crowded than Jaisalmer. See Junagarh Fort, the camel research farm and the Karni Mata temple at Deshnoke. The Bikaner Camel Festival usually falls in January; its 2027 dates were not announced at the time of writing.
8. Pushkar: the budget traveller's base
After the November camel fair, Pushkar is quiet and cheap in December. Walk the 52 ghats around the lake, climb to Savitri Mata temple for sunrise and use it as a base for Ajmer. It is a good stop on a Jaipur–Jodhpur route.
A 7-day Rajasthan itinerary for December
- Day 1–2: Jaipur. Amer, Nahargarh, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, bazaars.
- Day 3: Pushkar (via Ajmer).
- Day 4: Jodhpur. Mehrangarh and the old city.
- Day 5–6: Jaisalmer. Fort, havelis, overnight desert camp at Sam.
- Day 7: Return by overnight train or flight from Jaisalmer or Jodhpur.
Rough budget for this route: ₹18,000–30,000 per person for 7 days on a budget (shared rooms, sleeper or 3AC trains, local food), excluding travel to Jaipur (approx., as of November 2026). Prefer someone else to handle hotels and transfers? See our Rajasthan buy 1 get 1 free package or the Mughal and Rajput culture tour.
What to wear in Rajasthan in December
Cotton or light layers for the day, plus a warm jacket, a cap and socks for evenings. In Jaisalmer camps and Mount Abu, add thermals and gloves. Carry sunscreen and sunglasses: the winter sun is strong at midday.
Planning a colder December trip instead? Read our Manali trip cost guide, or see our November picks across India.
FAQs
Is it good to visit Rajasthan in December?
Yes. December days average 24–27°C in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, ideal for forts and desert safaris. Just book hotels early if you are travelling between Christmas and New Year, when prices can rise three to four times.
What is the temperature of Rajasthan in December?
Long-term averages range from about 24–27°C by day to 8–11°C at night in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer. Mount Abu is colder and can fall close to 0°C at night.
What to wear in Rajasthan in December?
Light cotton layers for the day and a warm jacket for the evenings. Pack thermals if you are staying in a desert camp or in Mount Abu.
What to do in Rajasthan in December?
Stay overnight in a Jaisalmer desert camp, go on a tiger safari in Ranthambore, attend the Mount Abu Winter Festival (29–31 December 2026), and explore the Jaipur and Jodhpur forts in mild weather.
