December is one of the most underrated months for camping and rafting in Rishikesh. The crowds of October and Diwali have gone, the skies are the clearest of the year, the Ganga runs a clean emerald green, and the cold evenings make a camp bonfire feel exactly right. This year Christmas falls on a Friday, so most people get a three-day weekend from 25 to 27 December, and New Year gives another one from 1 to 3 January. This guide covers December weather at the camps (not just in town), whether rafting is open, the best dates, prices, short winter treks and what to pack, from a team that runs its own camps at Goolar and Shivpuri.
Yes, especially if you like clear skies, quiet trails and a proper winter campfire. Here is what December does well, and what to plan around.
Compared with other months: October and November are warmer at night; January is the coldest month at the camps; and March to June bring warmer water and the biggest rapids. Our month-by-month rafting guide compares the whole year.
December in Rishikesh averages about 21°C by day and 7°C at night, with only around 17 mm of rain on roughly one day. Camps in the valleys sit lower and closer to water, so they are 2–3°C colder than town after midnight.
| Period | Day (town) | Night at camp | Rain | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–10 December | 22–24°C | 6–8°C | Dry | Sunny days, jacket weather after sunset |
| 11–20 December | 20–22°C | 5–7°C | Mostly dry | Crisp mornings, clear starry nights |
| 21–31 December | 18–21°C | 4–6°C | Occasional winter shower | Cold nights, perfect bonfire weather, possible morning mist |
The river: by December the Ganga is at its lowest and clearest. The water is cold because it is fed by Himalayan snow, but the midday sun keeps rafting comfortable. Rapids are fun and controlled, which makes December a good month for first-timers and families.
Before you travel: check the IMD forecast for Dehradun and Tehri districts, and look at our rafting status page for the latest updates.
Yes. River rafting in Rishikesh is open in December as part of the 2026-27 season, which runs from September to June (rafting closes only for the monsoon, July to mid-September). The authorities and operators check the river every morning, so a stretch can occasionally pause, but December is one of the most reliable months of the year.
| Stretch | Distance | Grade | Price / person | December tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brahmpuri | 9 km | I–II | ₹800 | Gentle; good for families and nervous first-timers |
| Shivpuri | 16 km | II–III+ | ₹1,000–₹1,500 | Most popular; choose a late-morning batch for sun |
| Marine Drive | 26 km | III–IV | ₹2,000 | Best for friend groups; dress for cold splashes |
| Kaudiyala | 35 km | III–IV | ₹3,000 | Full day; for fit, experienced rafters |
Guide’s tip: in December, book a batch between about 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. The sun is high, the air is warm and you dry off quickly. Early 8 AM batches are beautiful but cold. Compare every stretch and timing on our river rafting in Rishikesh page.
With Christmas on a Friday and New Year on a Friday, December 2026 has two easy long weekends for a getaway from Delhi NCR, Chandigarh or Dehradun. Here are three ways to plan it, depending on your group.
Day 1: drive to Rishikesh, check in at our forest camp in the Goolar valley, lunch, a walk to the Hidden Waterfall, then a Christmas bonfire with music and dinner under the stars. Day 2: breakfast, a late-morning 16 km Shivpuri rafting run, lunch in Tapovan and the drive home, with Sunday still free. Book it as one of our rafting and camping packages.
Two nights at camp with a rafting run on day 2 and a sunrise hike to Kunjapuri on day 3. On New Year’s Eve, enjoy the evening around the bonfire at camp; ask us about the camp’s plan for the night when you book. See all our camping in Rishikesh options, including deluxe cottages near Shivpuri if you prefer a room to a tent.
For a more adventurous holiday, combine Rishikesh with a short winter trek: the Kunjapuri sunrise hike for a half day, the Ranital trek over 4 days, or a 5-day Chopta, Tungnath and Chandrashila trek for a Himalayan summit. Read more in the trekking section below.
Book early for Christmas and New Year: 25–27 December and 31 December – 3 January are the busiest dates of the winter. Peak-date availability and prices are confirmed at booking. WhatsApp us your dates to hold your spots.
All prices are per person and include your camp stay, meals and bonfire. Rafting + camping packages include your rafting slot too.
| Package | Where | Price / person | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 night camping | Forest camp, Goolar | ₹1,550 (triple) / ₹1,800 (double) | Budget weekend, friend groups |
| 1 night 2 days camping | Forest camp, Goolar | ₹2,000 | First-time campers |
| 2 nights 3 days camping | Forest camp, Goolar | ₹3,500 | Christmas or New Year long weekend |
| Deluxe cottage | Kathya Badal, Shivpuri | ₹2,000 | Families who want a room in winter |
| Camp + 9 km rafting | Goolar + Brahmpuri | ₹2,150 | Families, first-timers |
| Camp + 16 km rafting | Goolar + Shivpuri | ₹2,550 | Couples, office and college groups |
| Camp + 26 km rafting | Goolar + Marine Drive | ₹3,550 | Thrill seekers |
Group discounts apply for larger bookings. Christmas and New Year dates may carry peak-date pricing, which we confirm when you book.
December is the start of the snow-trekking season in Uttarakhand, and you don’t need a week off to enjoy it. These treks start from Rishikesh:
Climb to the Kunjapuri temple at 1,676 m before dawn and watch the sun light up the Gangotri peaks. December mornings give the clearest views of the year. ₹4,000 per person.
Forest trails, hill villages and a quiet lake in Tehri Garhwal, with no snow camping needed. A gentle winter trek for beginners. ₹15,000 per person.
Deoriatal, Chopta, Tungnath and the Chandrashila summit (about 13,100 ft), with snow likely from late December. ₹18,000 per person; winter batches on request.
Frozen lakes and a ridge facing Mt Trishul, then two days of Ganga rafting back to Rishikesh. ₹32,000 per person.
Want snow? Compare all 12 options in our guide to the best winter treks in Uttarakhand, or browse all our trekking in Uttarakhand packages.
Yes. Rafting in Rishikesh is open in December as part of the 2026-27 season, which runs from September to June. All the main stretches (Brahmpuri 9 km, Shivpuri 16 km, Marine Drive 26 km and Kaudiyala 35 km) operate, subject to daily river checks by the authorities.
Yes. December is dry and sunny, with about one rainy day in the month, clear skies and cold nights that make the bonfire the highlight of camp. Pack warm layers, because forest and riverside camps drop to around 4–6°C at night.
Rishikesh averages about 21°C by day and 7°C at night in December, with around 17 mm of rain over roughly one day. Late December is the coldest part of the month, with camp nights of about 4–6°C and occasional morning mist.
The Ganga is cold in December because it is fed by Himalayan snow, but rafting is comfortable in the midday sun. Choose a batch between about 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM, wear quick-dry clothes and change into dry, warm clothes right after rafting.
At White World Expeditions, camping starts at ₹1,550 per person for one night with dinner, breakfast and a bonfire. Rafting + camping packages cost ₹2,150 (9 km), ₹2,550 (16 km) and ₹3,550 (26 km) per person. Christmas and New Year dates may carry peak-date pricing, confirmed at booking.
Yes, the Christmas long weekend (Fri 25 – Sun 27 December 2026) and New Year (Thu 31 December – Sun 3 January) are the busiest dates of the winter. The first three weeks of December are quiet. Book 3–4 weeks ahead for the holiday weekends.
Combine a forest camp night with a bonfire, Ganga rafting, a Kunjapuri sunrise hike and an evening at the Ganga Aarti. For a bigger adventure, add a short winter trek such as Ranital or Chandrashila.
No, Rishikesh itself does not get snow. For snow in December, take a winter trek such as Chandrashila or Brahmatal, or drive to higher spots like Chopta, where snow usually arrives in late December.
Yes. Choose the gentle 9 km Brahmpuri stretch in the midday sun, pack warm clothes for the evening, and consider a deluxe cottage near Shivpuri if children prefer a room. Age and weight rules apply to rafting and are checked when you book.
Pack thermals, a fleece or sweater, a padded jacket, a woollen cap and warm socks for camp; quick-dry clothes and strapped sandals for rafting; a full change of dry clothes; sunscreen; a torch; and a government photo ID.
Rishikesh is about 240 km from Delhi, around 6–7 hours by road. The nearest airport is Dehradun’s Jolly Grant (about 35 km) and the nearest major railway station is Haridwar (about 25 km). Allow extra time for winter fog in late December.
Forest tents from ₹1,550 and rafting + camping packages from ₹2,150 per person. The Christmas (25–27 Dec) and New Year (31 Dec – 3 Jan) weekends are filling first.