Shimla- the Queen of Hills looks absolutely amazing during the month of December. During the winter season, this small yet beautiful hill station gets covered with snow. To experience the winter magic, you can plan a trip to Shimla in December. During the initial few days in the month of December, you might experience less snowfall, while during the second half of the month, you can enjoy the carpet of snow.
Whether you plan a honeymoon trip to Shimla in December or plan a family vacation here, the views of snow-covered mountains will give you an everlasting experience.
Weather in Shimla in December
Whether you’re a snow-lover or not, the weather in Shimla in December will make you feel lost in the snow world. The temperature in Shimla in December varies from 2 degrees Celsius to 5 degrees Celsius, making it the best time to enjoy snowfall. Also, the snow-related activities in Shimla in December are perfect for adventure seekers to have some thrill.
To add to the fun and excitement, the Christmas and New Year Celebrations are at their peak in Shimla. The hill station gets decked up with glittering lights while the land is covered with sheets of snow.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Shimla in December
Shimla looks like a fairytale land in December, with heavy snowfall at various places. Check out the list of places that you can visit in Shimla in December.
- Shimla City
- The Ridge of Shimla
- Mashobra
- Kufri
- Narkanda
- Shaily Peak
- Summer Hill
- Annandale
- Jakhoo Hill
- Majathal Wildlife Sanctuary
Shimla City
The capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is one of the most preferred hill stations in India. This small yet wonderful hill station looks more scenic during the month of December with a thick blanket of snow. Here you can visit religious landmarks like Jakhu Temple and Christ Church and can shop at Mall Road, Shimla.
Key attractions: Scandal Point, The Shimla State Museum, Indian Institute of Advanced Study
Places to stay: The Oberoi Cecil, Radisson Hotel, Veer Garh, The Oaktree House, and Hotel Silverine
The Ridge of Shimla
Start your Shimla tour with a visit to the Ridge in Shimla. The Ridge is an open space, which is quite a popular hangout place, and is listed among the top places to explore in Shimla in December. The entire place gets covered in snow and walking on the sheets of white in itself is the ultimate experience.
Key attractions: Visit theold monuments at the Ridge, the 1910-built library, the Neo-Gothic Church built-in 1844, the Kali Bari Temple, Lakkar Bazaar, etc.
Mashobra
Located amidst the Reserve Forest Sanctuary of Shimla, Mashobra is an ideal place for travelers looking for some peace. Mahobra is amongst the best places to visit in Shimla in December as one can enjoy numerous activities like skiing, etc. here.
Key attractions: Skiing, trekking, rappelling, etc.
Where to stay: Club Mahindra, Regenta Resort And Spa Mashobra, Tranquil Countryside Homes, Mashobra Greens, Hotel Rock Heaven, Wildflower Hall- An Oberoi Resort
Kufri
Located at a distance of 16 km from the city of Shimla, Kufri is listed among the top tourist attractions of Shimla in December. The charm of visiting Kufri during the month of December must not be missed at all, the ski slopes and mesmerizing views from the ridge of Kufri are a treat to the eyes.
Attractions: Horse ride, skiing, and Himalayan Nature Park
Where to stay: Royal Tulip Shimla, Kufri Holiday Resort, Marigold, Galleu Hill Resort, Royal Tulip Luxury
Narkanda
If you love skiing, then Narkanda is the best place to visit in Shimla in December. Narkanda is located just 2-hours’ drive away from Shimla city and is higher altitude than Shimla (7,400 feet) as well. Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation conducts skiing courses here since 1980. Due to the high slopes, Narkanda is perfect for everyone from beginners to experienced skiers.
Attractions: Horse ride, skiing, and Himalayan Nature Park
Where to stay: Tethys Ski Resort, Agyaat Vaas, Hotel Snowflake, The Wilderness, and Seetalvan Orchard
Shaily Peak
Shaily Peak is a less crowded and less explored place, which you can visit in Shimla in December. The most amazing thing about this place is the pony ride or a ride on a motorable road.
Key attractions: Hiking or trekking on the snow-covered slopes, riding through the motorable road.
Summer Hill
Another amazing place to visit in Shimla in December is Summer Hill which is an ideal destination for nature lovers. Located away from the hustle & bustle of city life, the place is nestled among deodar trees and snow-covered mountains. You can enjoy natural views from the top, Summer Hill is also the perfect romantic getaway for couples!
Attractions: Monorville Mansion, Dhilon Pond, Annandale
Where To Stay: Merchant Hotel, Cambridge Lodge
Annandale
All those travelers who are fond of open landscapes, surrounded by lush green forests, must visit Annandale at least once. Annandale is a flat terrain located near the Shimla Ridge and now has turned into a playground where one can see locals playing sports like cricket, golf, and racing. Visiting this place in Shimla in December, especially during the snowfall season will be totally worth it.
Dating back to 1840, the place served as a recreation park for the Britishers and was a famous venue to host polo matches, dog and flower shows, and some fancy events. Later, the ground was used for cricket tournaments as well.
Activities To Do: Picnic, Photography, Museum, Sports
Jakhoo Hill
You can pay a visit to Jakhoo Temple located at Jakhoo hill but beware as a lot of monkeys roam around on both sides of the hill. Jakhoo Temple is one of the most famous places to visit in Shimla in December, which can either be reached on foot by a local taxi. While walking on the hill, carry a wooden stick with you to keep monkeys away.
Activities To Do: Capture some incredible pictures, and offer prayers to Lord Hanuman.
Majathal Wildlife Sanctuary
If you want to visit some less-explored places in Shimla in December, then visit the Majathal Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary, which was established in 1974, is spread across a region of 39.4 sq. km and is an ideal spot for wildlife lovers.
Key attractions: The main highlight of the sanctuary is the trek to see exotic flora and fauna. Here you can see the Himalayan bear, Barking deer, and Leopard.
So are you super excited to spend a weekend in Shimla in December? If yes, then you must plan a trip to Shimla with Honeymoon Bug and capture memories for your entire life.
Exciting Things to do in Shimla in December
Toy train Ride
The Kalka – Shimla toy train journey is certainly one of the most famous things to do in Shimla in December. This historic railway line runs across the highlands presenting a pleasant view of the atmosphere.
Pine Forest
Trek to Pine Forest which is among a few of the gorgeous routes in Shimla. These nature excursions are among the greatest things to do in Shimla in December.
Ice Skating
Show off your skills in the ice skating rink in Shimla in December. The place is visited by thousands of tourists every December to have unforgettable ice skating experiences. The ice is made using a process taught to the Garhwali settlers by the British; the freezing winter temperature makes it perfect for skating.
Jakhu Ropeway
The Jakhu Ropeway is a gondola ride in Shimla, it is among the main tourist attraction offering mesmerizing views of the Himalayan mountains. One can enjoy the exquisite scenery of the hill station from the top.
How to Reach Shimla in December
By Air
The closest airport to Shimla is in Jubbarhatti, which is located at a distance of 22 km from the main city. Delhi to Shimla flights operates on this air route. Also one can take flights connecting Jubbarhatti to New Delhi, Kullu, and Chandigarh.
By Train
The ages-old Kalka Shimla railway line connects Shimla to Kalka, the railway line has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. The toy train which connects Kalka to Shimla runs on a narrow gauge railway line and covers a distance of almost 100 km from Kalka to Shimla in about 6 hours. Five toy trains operate on the route from Kalka to Shimla including Shivalik Deluxe, Rail Motor, Shimla Express, Himalayan Queen, and Shimla Kalka passenger train. One has to reach Kalka to enjoy a ride on this toy train.
By Road
Shimla is well connected by road with all the major North Indian cities. Numerous direct buses for Shimla operate from New Delhi, Chandigarh, Kullu, and Manali. The distance between Shimla and New Delhi is almost 325 km, which can easily be covered by cab or bus. Most travelers prefer a road journey to Shimla to enjoy the breathtaking views of the snow-covered peaks of Shimla in December.
FAQs About Shimla Trip in December
What can I do in Shimla in December?
You can enjoy a lot of activities in Shimla in December including paragliding, Skiing, heli-skiing, and ice skating.
Can I experience snowfall in Shimla in December?
If you want to enjoy snow on your holidays in Shimla, then December is the best time to plan your trip. During this month, you can enjoy experience snowfall in Shimla and visiting the place during the Christmas time is itself is a wonderful experience.
How many days are sufficient for Shimla?
Shimla is a small yet gorgeous hill station you need around 2-3 days to explore Shimla to the fullest.
Can you name some hill stations near Shimla to visit in December?
You can visit hill stations like Rohru, Narkanda, and Mashobra during December.
Trending Blogs
- Best 5 Hotels in Shimla Near Mall Road
- 9 Best Honeymoon Resorts in Shimla
- 12 Best Honeymoon Places in Shimla
