The best places to visit in Uttarakhand in December are Auli and Chopta for snow, Jim Corbett for tiger safaris (Dhikala reopens mid-November), Mussoorie and Nainital for a short hill break, Rishikesh for mild weather, and the Char Dham winter seats such as Ukhimath for darshan after the high shrines close.
Budget roughly ₹8,000-18,000 per person for a 3-4 day trip from Delhi (approx., as of November 2026) . Plan around shorter days, icy roads above 2,000 m and a jump in hotel prices between 24 December and 1 January.
Is December a good time to visit Uttarakhand?
Yes, if you want cold, clear days and the first snow, and you are fine with sub-zero nights. December is a shoulder month: the Char Dham yatra is over, so mountain roads are quieter, while the Christmas and New Year rush has not yet peaked in the first three weeks. Snow is not guaranteed everywhere.
Auli and the higher trekking areas usually get their first proper snow from late December, with January and early February the most reliable months, according to Happyfares' Auli guide.
The trade-off is access. Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Hemkund Sahib, the Valley of Flowers and Tungnath are all closed for winter. If you came across older lists that still recommend them, skip those.
10 places to visit in Uttarakhand in December
1. Auli - the best bet for snow in Uttarakhand in December
Auli sits at about 2,500-3,050 m above Joshimath (Jyotirmath) and is Uttarakhand's ski slope. In December you get snow-covered meadows and views of Nanda Devi; the ski season proper runs from about January to March.
- Getting there: Dehradun to Joshimath is about 270-290 km (8-10 hours by road), then a short drive up to Auli.
- Important: The Joshimath-Auli ropeway has been shut since January 2023 after land subsidence in Joshimath. Check with GMVN before you go.
- Approx. budget: ₹12,000-20,000 per person for 4 days from Delhi, shared taxi or bus plus a budget hotel (approx., as of November 2026)
2. Chopta - snow walks without the crowds
Chopta, often called the "mini Switzerland" of Uttarakhand, is a meadow camp-and-homestay village on the Ukhimath-Gopeshwar road. December brings snow on the higher slopes. Tungnath temple is closed for winter (its idol moves to Makkumath), and the trail to Tungnath and Chandrashila is usually snowbound and treated as inaccessible for most visitors, so go for the views and short walks, not the summit.
- Approx. budget: ₹8,000-14,000 per person for 3 days from Delhi via Rishikesh (approx., as of November 2026) .
- Tip: Fresh snow can block the road near Chopta for a day or two. Keep a buffer day.
3. Jim Corbett National Park - December is prime safari season
Corbett is the strongest non-snow pick for December. The Bijrani zone reopened on 15 October and Dhikala, Durga Devi and Sona Nadi reopen from 15 November, while Jhirna, Dhela and Garjia stay open all year, as ETV Bharat reported. Winter mornings are foggy and cold, but animal sightings along grasslands and the Ramganga are good.
- Book: Safaris and forest rest houses only on the official site, corbettonline.uk.gov.in. Dhikala sells out fast.
- Approx. budget: ₹9,000-18,000 per person for 2 nights from Delhi including one shared jeep safari (approx., as of November 2026) [CHECK].
4. Mussoorie and Landour - Winterline Carnival week
Mussoorie is the easiest hill break from Delhi and Dehradun. Its Winterline Carnival is usually held over five days in the last week of December; the 2024 edition opened on 26 December, per ETV Bharat. The 2026 dates have not been announced yet. Climb up to Landour for quieter lanes, cafés and the "winterline", the orange band on the horizon at sunset.
- Approx. budget: ₹7,000-12,000 per person for 3 days; hotel rates can double in Christmas-New Year week (approx., as of November 2026).
5. Nainital - lake town with a chance of late-December snow
Nainital is crisp and sunny in December, with occasional snow in late December or early January. Mall Road, Naina Peak and boating on Naini Lake stay open. Pair it with Bhimtal and Sattal for quieter lakes and birding.
- Getting there: Train to Kathgodam, then about 35 km by road.
- Approx. budget: ₹8,000-14,000 per person for 3 days from Delhi (approx., as of November 2026
6. Dhanaulti and Kanatal - snow day trips near Mussoorie
Dhanaulti (about 25 km from Mussoorie) and Kanatal sit on the Mussoorie-Chamba road. Both get snow in winter, more commonly in January-February. Surkanda Devi temple near Kanatal is a short, steep hike with wide Himalayan views. Good for families who want snow without a long mountain drive.
7. Rishikesh - mild weather, yoga and the Ganga aarti
Rishikesh is the warmest pick on this list, with comfortable days and cool nights. River rafting operators usually run through winter, but the water is cold; confirm the season with your operator. The evening Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan is the highlight.
- Approx. budget: ₹5,000-9,000 per person for 2-3 days from Delhi by bus or train (approx., as of November 2026).
8. Winter Char Dham seats - darshan after the shrines close
After the main shrines close (Kedarnath and Yamunotri close on 11 November 2026 and Badrinath on 16 November, per our Kedarnath closing date 2026 guide), the deities are worshipped at their winter seats, all reachable by road:
- Kedarnath: Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath
- Badrinath: Yogdhyan Badri, Pandukeshwar, and Narsingh Temple, Joshimath
- Gangotri: Mukhba village
- Yamunotri: Kharsali
The full winter circuit takes about 7-8 days by road, with no helicopter service in winter, per ETV Bharat. Ukhimath combines easily with Chopta.
9. Lansdowne - a quiet cantonment town
Lansdowne is about 250 km from Delhi, small and cleanly kept, with pine walks, Tip-in-Top viewpoint and good birding. It works for a two-night drive-and-rest weekend.
10. Munsiyari - for the Panchachuli views
Munsiyari, in Pithoragarh district, has some of the best views of the Panchachuli peaks and gets snow in winter. It is a long drive (about two days from Delhi), so go only if you have 6-7 days.
Uttarakhand in December at a glance
Place | Best for | Snow chance in December | Nearest railhead or airport | Approx. budget, 3-4 days from Delhi (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Auli | Snow, skiing (from Jan) | High from late Dec | Dehradun airport; Rishikesh rail | ₹12,000-20,000 |
Chopta | Snow walks, meadows | Medium-high | Rishikesh | ₹8,000-14,000 |
Jim Corbett | Tiger safari | None | Ramnagar | ₹9,000-18,000 |
Mussoorie | Carnival, short break | Low-medium | Dehradun | ₹7,000-12,000 |
Nainital | Lakes, Mall Road | Low-medium | Kathgodam | ₹8,000-14,000 |
Dhanaulti/Kanatal | Snow day trip | Medium (higher Jan-Feb) | Dehradun | ₹7,000-12,000 |
Rishikesh | Yoga, aarti, mild weather | None | Rishikesh/Haridwar | ₹5,000-9,000 |
Ukhimath (winter Kedarnath) | Darshan | Low-medium | Rishikesh | ₹8,000-14,000 |
All figures approx., as of November 2026, and exclude peak Christmas-New Year pricing.
What a December trip to Uttarakhand costs
Most of your spend goes on travel and stay. A rough split for one person on a 3-4 day budget trip from Delhi:
- Getting there: Volvo bus or train to Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar or Kathgodam, about ₹600-1,800 each way.
- Local transport: Shared jeeps and state buses are cheapest; a private taxi for hill sectors adds ₹3,000-4,500 a day per car.
- Stay: Homestays and GMVN/KMVN guest houses from about ₹1,200-3,000 a night; branded hotels in Mussoorie and Nainital cost more.
- Food: ₹500-900 a day at local dhabas.
If you prefer to have everything arranged, our Uttarakhand Hills and Ganges package covers the main hill and river towns; see all TravelBudgetly tour packages for current prices. Comparing with Himachal? Read our Manali trip cost breakdown from Delhi.
Tips for travelling in Uttarakhand in December
- Drive in daylight. Fog in the plains and black ice above 2,000 m make night driving risky.
- Pack for minus temperatures in Auli, Chopta and Munsiyari: thermals, a down jacket, gloves and waterproof shoes.
- Book Christmas-New Year week early, or travel in the first half of December for lower rates.
- Carry cash. ATMs are thin beyond Joshimath, Ukhimath and Munsiyari.
- Check road status on the day; snow can close upper roads for a day or two.
Still choosing between states? Our places to visit in India in November guide covers more warm-weather options.
FAQs
Is December a good time to visit Uttarakhand?
Yes, for cold, clear weather, early snow at higher places like Auli and Chopta, and Corbett safaris. Expect sub-zero nights in the hills, short days, and higher prices in the last week of December.
Where can I see snow in Uttarakhand in December?
Auli is your best chance, followed by Chopta, Dhanaulti, Kanatal and Munsiyari. Snow usually settles from late December; January and early February are more reliable. Nainital and Mussoorie get snow only occasionally.
Is Kedarnath open in December?
No. Kedarnath closes for winter on 11 November 2026 and reopens around April-May. In winter, Baba Kedar is worshipped at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, which is open and reachable by road.
Is the Auli ropeway open?
The Joshimath-Auli ropeway has been closed since January 2023 because of land subsidence in Joshimath. Reach Auli by road, and check its current status with GMVN before you travel.
