Places To Visit In Himachal In December: Your Next Winter Escapade

Jibhi lies amongst the more secluded tourist places to visit in Himachal in december

Himachal Pradesh turns into a beautiful canvas of white in December, turning the already picturesque state into a winter wonderland. There are several places to visit in Himachal in December that you must explore with your friends or family to create lifelong memories. Considered the Himalayan Paradise, Himachal makes up for a place straight out of a fairytale in December. Witnessing the snow-capped peaks, frozen lakes, and chilly winters, the place offers a magical view for adventure and nature lovers.

Top 10 Places To Visit In Himachal In December

Take a look at the best tourist places to visit in Himachal in December for a memorable winter escapade

1. Mashobra

Hills of Mashobra, one of the best places to visit in Himachal in december for an escape

Photo: Supreet / Wikimedia Commons

Situated amongst dense pine forests, Mashobra is a peaceful retreat, if you are seeking peace in nature’s lap. The beauty of this hill station is multiplied in December by the white blanket of snow. Mashobra is a part of the Shimla Water Catchment and Wildlife Sanctuary. Explore the calmness of this one of the most beautiful tourist places in Himachal in December.

Temperature Range in December: Between 1⁰ C to 11⁰ C.
Activities To Do: Skiing, sledding, snow trekking, hiking and camping.
Nearest Airport: Shimla Airport just 13km away.
Nearest Railway Station: Shimla Railway station just 11km away.

Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Barog

2. Barot

Top view of Barot valley, a place to get lost in the away from the ruckus of city life

Photo: Ashish Gupta / Wikipedia Commons

One of the 10 coldest places to visit in Himachal in December, this hidden gem is famous for its fishing waters, surrounded by lush greenery and snow-covered mountains. Barot is the pass to numerous trekking routes, such as those that lead to Kullu, Manali, and Bada Bhangal. You can trek to the Dhauladhar ranges such as the Phulla Dhar trek etc, explore the beauty of the Uhl river or visit Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary to spot Himalayan Black Bears.

Temperature Range in December: Between 4⁰ C to 16⁰ C.
Activities To Do: Trekking, trout fishing, nature walk.
Nearest Airport: Bhuntar Airport in Kullu.
Nearest Railway Station: Pathankot railway station

3. McLeodganj

McLeodganj is a must-see destination on the list of places to visit in himachal in december

Photo: Adam Jones / Wikimedia Commons

You must have heard of Dharamshala, known for its Tibetan culture, monasteries , food and adventure activities. Mcleodganj is famous for the Dalai Lama temple and mesmerising views of snow-covered Dhauladhar ranges. It perfectly brings together spirituality and adventure experiences. The hike to Bhagsunag Waterfall and Triund here is one of the most popular Himachal tourist places in December.

Temperature Range in December: Between 5⁰ C to 14⁰ C.
Activities To Do: Trekking, paragliding, and camping.
Nearest Airport: Gaggal Airport in Kangra.
Nearest Railway Station: Pathankot railway station

Suggested Read: Top Things To Do In Bir For A Weekend Getaway

4. Manali

-Snow covered hills of Manali, one of the most popular tourist destinations of himachal,

Photo: Shahnoor Habib Munmun / Wikimedia Commons

True to its name as the adventure capital or honeymoon capital of India, Manali is perfect for witnessing snowfall in December. Witness the majestic Himalayas from Rohtang Pass or indulge in winter sports at Solang Valley. If you like visiting ancient places, Hadimba Devi Temple and Old Manali offer the perfect escape. Manali is one of the best tourist attractions in Himachal in December to enjoy the delicious local cuisine and culture.

Temperature Range in December: Between -5⁰ C to 6⁰ C.
Activities To Do: Snow trek, paragliding, snowboarding, quad biking, and skiing.
Nearest Airport: Bhuntar Airport in Kullu.
Nearest Railway Station: Joginder Nagar railway station

5. Jibhi

Sarosar lake of Jibhi, one of the off- beat places to visit in himachal in december

Photo: Sondipon / Shutterstock

Famous for its apple orchards and pine forests, Jibhi is Himachal’s unexplored paradise in the Banjar/ Tirthan Valley on the banks of the Tirthan River. In winter, the beauty of this place is enhanced by the snow-covered peaks that surround it. Jibhi provides a base for travellers to explore the various neighbouring Himalayan peaks and valleys, including the Great Himalayan National Park, a world heritage site.

Temperature Range in December: Between -5⁰ C to 8⁰ C.
Activities To Do: Trekking, rock climbing, river crossing, and camping.
Nearest Airport: Bhuntar Airport in Kullu.
Nearest Railway Station: Shimla railway station

Suggested Read: Things To Do In Nahan On Your Next Vacation For A Blissful Experience

6. Lahaul Valley

Beautiful view of the grand forested Bhaga valley in Lahaul overlooking the hills beyond

Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons

If you are an adventure lover and are seeking an adrenaline rush, Lahaul Valley is the best destination in Himachal’s Lahaul and Spiti district. It is a gateway to Spiti and Ladakh covered in a thick blanket of snow, offering beautiful white landscapes in December. As the Atal Tunnel is open for travelling, it is the common way to reach Lahaul Valley.

Temperature Range in December: Between -19⁰ C to -7⁰ C.
Activities To Do: Snow trek, camping, hiking and skiing.
Nearest Airport: Bhuntar Airport in Kullu.
Nearest Railway Station: Chandigarh railway station

7. Bir Billing

Bir billing is one of the most adventurous places to visit in Himachal in december

Photo: Nitinnn / Wikimedia Commons

Bir Billing is famous as the ‘paragliding capital of India’ and December offers perfect conditions for this thrilling adventure. Reach the heights and take a look at the breathtaking views of the Dhauladhar ranges. lt is also a well-known destination for ecotourism, meditation, and spiritual study. Together, Billing and Bir Village serve as the paragliding takeoff and landing locations, respectively, and are referred to as “Bir Billing”.

Temperature Range in December: Between 5⁰ C to 14⁰ C.
Activities To Do: Trekking, hiking, camping, and paragliding.
Nearest Airport: Gaggal Airport in Kangra and Pathankot Airport
Nearest Railway Station: Pathankot railway station

Suggested Read: Top Things To Do In Manali In January

8. Khajjiar

Lush green meadows of Khajjiar, also known as the mini switzerland of India for its beauty

Photo: SriniG / Wikimedia Commons

Khajjiar, often referred to as the Mini Switzerland of India. Amongst all the Himachal tourist places is a beautiful meadow surrounded by dense forest and snow-covered mountains. The beautiful views of the Khajjiar Lake are a sight to behold in December surrounded by lush greenery. Major adjacent towns Dalhousie and Chamba have excellent road connections to the rest of the state and the country.

Temperature Range in December: Between -2⁰ C to 4⁰ C.
Activities To Do: Paragliding, trekking, camping, and zorbing.
Nearest Airport: Pathankot Airport
Nearest Railway Station: Pathankot railway station

9. Sangla

Forested hills of Sangla, looking over the misty snow covered himalayan mountains

Photo: Gauraadi306 / Wikimedia Commons

Sangla is located in the Kinnaur district close to the Baspa River, perfect for basking in the Himalayan beauty. The ancient temples and culture, warm hospitality and apple orchards make Sangla one of the must-visits on your Himachal December tourist place list. Take a leisurely walk along the Baspa River, explore the nearby villages, and enjoy the beauty of this winter wonderland.

Temperature Range in December: Between -7⁰ C to 4⁰ C.
Activities To Do: Angling, skiing, fishing, trekking, camping, and hiking.
Nearest Airport: Shimla Airport
Nearest Railway Station: Shimla railway station

Suggested Read: Top Things To Do In Chamba For An Ultimate Holiday Adventure

10. Prashar Lake

Prashar temple surrounded by the lake, one of the spiritual tourist destination of Himachal

Photo: Rishabh sharma007 / Wikimedia Commons

Situated in the Dhauladhar ranges, Parashar Lake is a serene and mystical destination. The lake is surrounded by dense cedar forests and is believed to be a holy site. It is around 60 km from Himachal’s Mandi. Known for the famous Parashar temple, it is an ideal trek for first-timers. The lake also has a floating island and has a connection with Mahabharata as the popular tales suggest. It makes up one of the most fascinating places for a Himachal trip in December, perfect for trekkers and hikers.

Temperature Range in December: Between -2⁰ C to 12⁰ C.
Activities To Do: Trekking, camping, and hiking.
Nearest Airport: Shimla Airport
Nearest Railway Station: Chandigarh railway station

Himachal Pradesh in December is a magical destination, whether you are seeking adventure, wishing to see snowfall or immerse yourself in the hues of spirituality, this destination is amongst the most popular ones. From the snow-covered valleys in Manali to the charm of Mashobra, all the places to visit in Himachal in December offer a memorable trip experience. Plan your trip to this heaven in India with TripXL!

Cover Photo: Ankitwadhwa10 / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to witness snowfall and Himachal Pradesh in its best state, then winter is the best season to explore snow-covered mountains, peaks and passes.
The number of days for travelling to Himachal Pradesh often depends on the places you wish to cover. An ideal number of days would be 7-8 to cover 1-2 locations together.
The high-altitude regions such as Manali, Shimla, Spiti Valley, McLeodganj etc witness heavy snowfall in winter months.
If you are planning to explore the best places to visit in Himachal, you must pack carefully. You must carry warm jackets, sweaters, thermal wear, waterproof and insulated boots, hats, gloves, scarves and good trekking shoes for outdoor activities.
There are various options to stay in Himachal Pradesh to suit different budgets. If you are a solo traveller, you can stay in hostels and homestays, while if you are on a family vacation you can stay at resorts, hotels and guesthouses with all the modern amenities.

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