December makes us all want to pack a bag, escape the routine and start the year somewhere beautiful, and with Christmas and New Year festivities in full swing across India, there’s no better time to go.
Whether you’re dreaming of a beach escape in Kerala or the Andaman Islands, a mountain getaway like Manali-Kasol-Jibhi, or a snow trek to welcome the New Year under open skies, booking early keeps the best dates, stays, and group departures within reach.
And there’s more. Each trip comes with its own festive touches: hot snacks, a Christmas cake, music, and bonding sessions with your co-travellers. You may start the trip with strangers, but by New Year’s Eve it feels like celebrating with family.
We’ve rounded up the best options for 2026, from relaxed getaways to popular winter treks like Kedarkantha, Sandakphu, and Dayara Bugyal. Each one covers what to expect, so you can pick the right trip for your group.
Best Christmas & New Year Group Trips in India for 2026-27
Flagship Christmas & New Year Trip
Our year-end showstoppers: two Explorer Editions that pack in Christmas and New Year with multiple stops, music, cake and shared celebrations.
Himachal Explorer Edition
If you want one trip that packs in Christmas, New Year, and a bit of everything adventurous, this is it. The 11-day Himachal Explorer Edition covers five destinations across Himachal Pradesh and builds in both celebrations along the way.
- Christmas celebration with music, a bonfire, food, and cake
- Jalori Pass and Serolsar Lake for 360° Himalayan views
- River rafting on the way
- Kasol and Chalal Village in the Parvati Valley
- New Year in Manali with a bonfire, music, cake, and snacks
- Paragliding over Bir Billing, with GoPro shots
Duration: 10N/11D
Starting price: ₹33,500/-*.
This is a flagship edition with a single batch for the year and limited slots, so it tends to fill early.
Uttarakhand Explorer Edition
The Uttarakhand Explorer Edition is the pick for anyone who wants mountain views and a lively river town in the same trip. You spend Christmas in the hills and ring in the New Year in Rishikesh.
- Auli chair car ride with Himalayan views
- 16-kilometre-long Ganga rafting in Rishikesh
- Christmas in Joshimath with cake, music, a bonfire, and games
- Kausani’s tea gardens and Himalayan sunset
- Binsar forest trails and birdwatching
- New Year near the Ganges with Ganga Aarti, a bonfire, and music
Duration: 9N/10D
Starting price: ₹34,000/-*
Like the Himachal edition, it runs as a single batch with limited slots.
Christmas & New Year Backpacking Trips: Northeast, Kerala & Andaman
Prefer the Northeast, the coast, or the islands? These trips cover them.
Tawang Bike and Backpacking Trip
Welcome the new year on the high roads of Arunachal Pradesh. This Tawang trip takes riders and backpackers over Sela Pass to snowbound monasteries, with a group of fellow travellers to celebrate with.
Highlights of the trip:
- PTSO Lake (Singstar Tso)
- Bum La Pass
- Tawang Monastery
- Thembang Heritage Village
Duration: 8N/9D
Starting price: ₹41,000/-*
Kerala Christmas & New Year Backpacking Trip
Want a December with sunshine instead of woollens? This 8-day Kerala trip from Cochin to Thiruvananthapuram offers a slow pace and scenic stays, with festive celebrations along the way.
Highlights of the trip:
- Munnar: Wake up above the clouds, then walk through the misty tea gardens that roll out in endless green, where the mist never quite lifts.
- Thekkady: Walk through plantations where cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon scent the air before you even see them.
- Alleppey: Cruise the backwaters on an overnight houseboat, watching paddy fields and palm-lined canals drift by as the day fades into evening.
- Varkala: End the trip on red cliffs that drop straight into the Arabian Sea, with waves below and a chai in hand.
Duration: 7N/8D
Starting price: ₹42,000/-*
Offbeat Meghalaya Christmas & New Year Full Circuit Trip
No countdown parties, no crowded malls, just Meghalaya beyond the usual Shillong stopover. The Offbeat Meghalaya Christmas & New Year Full Circuit Trip goes through the Jaintia, Khasi, and Garo Hills over nine days, from Guwahati to Jowai, Dawki, Cherrapunji, Mawsynram, and Baghmara, and back. You end the year around a bonfire with a group that started the week as strangers.
Highlights of the trip:
- Dawki (Umngot River): Kayaking, snorkelling, and cliff jumping on crystal-clear waters.
- Krem Chympe: 4×4 expedition to a massive cave system.
- Mawlynnong: Cleanest village in Asia.
- Double Decker Living Root Bridge: 3,500-step trek into lush rainforest.
- Nohkalikai Falls: India’s tallest plunge waterfall.
- Garden of Caves: Forested sanctuary of waterfalls and natural caves.
- Wari Chora: 4×4 journey to a deep river canyon.
Duration: 8N/9D
Starting price: ₹39,000/-*
Andaman Christmas & New Year Island Trip
Who says New Year’s celebrations need winter chills? Swap cosy layers for sea breezes with a 6-day trip to the Andamans, filled with crystal-clear waters, golden sunshine, and a New Year’s countdown with the sea as your backdrop.
Highlights of the trip:
- Chidiyatapu: Vibrant sunset viewpoints.
- Radhanagar Beach: White sands and clear ocean.
- Havelock & Neil Islands: Scenic inter-island ferry rides.
- Natural Rock Formations: Unique geological bridge formations.
- Elephant Beach: Scuba diving and coral snorkelling.
Duration: 5N/6D
Starting price: ₹46,000/-*
International Christmas & New Year Backpacking Trips
Some Christmas and New Year celebrations deserve a passport stamp. Ride through Bhutan or count down on a Bali island, where the festive season takes on new traditions. Every trip is a group departure, so you’ll celebrate in good company. Here are the international trips running this season.
Bhutan Bike & Backpacking Trip
Swap the festive crowds for Himalayan roads and a gang of fellow riders. Celebrate Christmas and New Year in Bhutan on this bike and backpacking trip.
VISA Requirement: Indian citizens don’t need a visa for Bhutan, just an Entry Permit, available online or on arrival. Carry a valid Indian passport (6 months’ validity) or Voter ID. Children under 18 need a birth certificate or passport and a legal guardian.
Highlights of the trip:
- Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest): Cliffside monastery hike.
- Punakha Suspension Bridge: Long prayer-flagged footbridge.
- Ancient Dzongs: Historic fortress monasteries.
- Himalayan Valley Roads: Scenic mountain drives.
Duration: 7N/8D
Starting price: ₹51,500/-*
Bali with Gili Islands
Temples in the morning, beaches in the afternoon, and a New Year’s countdown on white sand. The Bali Gili Christmas & New Year Backpacking trip takes you from Bali’s café-lined streets to the clear waters of the Gili Islands.
VISA Requirement: Indian citizens need a visa for Bali, either a Visa on Arrival or an e-VoA applied for online in advance, valid for 30 days and extendable once by another 30 days. Carry a passport valid for 6 months, a return ticket, and proof of accommodation, and complete the All Indonesia Arrival Card online and pay the Bali Tourist Levy in advance.
Highlights of the trip:
- Countryside ATV: 1-hour jungle terrain ride.
- Ubud & Cretya: Bali Swing and poolside views.
- Ulun Danu Beratan: Northern water temple.
- Leke Leke Waterfall: Hidden waterfall trek.
- Nusa Penida West: Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, and Angel’s Billabong.
- Diamond Beach: Sunrise viewpoint.
- Gili Trawangan: Snorkelling at Underwater Statues and Turtle Point.
- Uluwatu Temple: Sunset Kecak fire dance.
Duration: 7N/8D
Starting price: ₹64,500/-*
Winter Treks for Christmas & New Year
If you’d rather spend the holidays on a trail, winter is peak season for some of India’s best-loved Himalayan treks. These six cover everything from gentle first-timer trails to a high-altitude international classic.
Kedarkantha Trek
Kedarkantha is one of the most popular winter treks in India, and it’s easy to see why. The trail takes you through snow-covered pine and oak forests, passes the frozen Juda Ka Talab lake, and ends at a summit with 360° views of the Himalayan peaks. It’s also a great pick for a first snow trek.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
- Duration: 5 Days
- Kilometres: 20
- Altitude: 12,500 ft
- Region: Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
Dayara Bugyal
Dayara Bugyal is a high-altitude meadow in Uttarakhand that turns into a wide, snow-covered slope in winter. The trail runs through forests up to the meadow, with views of the surrounding peaks along the way. It’s one of the easiest ways to fit a proper snow trek into a short break.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
- Duration: 4 Days
- Kilometres: 23
- Altitude: 12,100 ft
- Region: Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
Sandakphu-Phalut Trek
Sandakphu is the highest point in West Bengal, and on a clear day you can see four of the world’s five highest peaks from the same ridge: Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Makalu. Sandakphu-Phalut trek route goes through Sepi, Gorkhey, and Phalut before reaching Sandakphu, with tea house stays along the way.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Duration: 7 Days
- Kilometres: 42
- Altitude: 11,929 ft
- Region: Darjeeling, West Bengal
Kuari Pass Trek
Kuari Pass is a winter trek in the Garhwal Himalayas that follows the historic Curzon Trail. It starts near Joshimath and winds through oak forests and open snow meadows, with panoramic views of Nanda Devi and other big peaks from the pass.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
- Duration: 6 Days
- Kilometres: 28
- Altitude: 12,516 ft
- Region: Joshimath, Uttarakhand
Brahmatal Trek
Brahmatal is a classic Uttarakhand winter trek built around two high-altitude lakes, Bekaltal and Brahmatal, which are often frozen in winter. The trail starts from the village of Lohajung and goes through oak and rhododendron forests, and summit day rewards you with big views of the Himalayan peaks.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
- Duration: 6 Days
- Kilometres: 24
- Altitude: 12,250 ft
- Region: Lohajung, Uttarakhand
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Annapurna Base Camp takes you deep into the Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal, a glacial basin ringed by peaks like Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre, and Hiunchuli. Along the way, you walk through Gurung villages, rhododendron forests, and terraced fields, and you can finish with a soak in the Jhinu Danda hot springs.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Duration: 9 Days
- Altitude: 13,550 ft
- Region: Pokhara, Nepal
All Girls Christmas and New Year Trips
Travelling with your girl gang, or on your own and hoping to meet one? Both of these all-girls departures have a female trip captain with the group throughout.
All Girls Himachal Backpacking Christmas & New Year Trip
Mountain valleys by day, café corners by afternoon, and a bonfire with your new girl gang by night. This All Girls Christmas & New Year trip covers Manali, Kasol and Jibhi, with cake, music and snacks to make the festive season feel special.
Highlights of the trip:
- Old Manali: Cafés and historic Hadimba Temple.
- Solang Valley: Ziplining and rocket bungee jumping.
- Beas River: White-water rafting adventure.
- Kasol & Chalal: Riverside hike through Parvati Valley.
- Jibhi: Hidden natural waterfalls.
- Jalori Pass: Mountain trek to Serolsar Lake.
Duration: 6N/7D
Starting price: ₹21,000/-*
All Girls Meghalaya with Kaziranga Christmas & New Year Trip
Cloud-covered hills, living root bridges and a bonfire with your girl gang. On the All Girls Meghalaya with Kaziranga trip, a female trip captain leads you through Shillong, Shnongpdeng, Cherrapunji and Kaziranga, with a Christmas and New Year that comes with cake and music.
Highlights of the trip:
- Shnongpdeng: Riverside camping, cliff jumping, snorkelling, boating, and kayaking.
- Double Decker Bridge: Rainforest trek to living root bridges.
- Cherrapunji: Overnight stay amidst waterfalls and mist.
- Shillong: City exploration and local sights.
- Kaziranga: Early morning wildlife jeep safari.
Duration: 6N/7D
Starting price: ₹30,000/-*
Customised Christmas & New Year Tour Packages
Not every year-end trip fits a fixed batch. If you’d rather travel with your family, partner, or your own group on dates that suit you, JustWravel’s customised Christmas and New Year packages cover popular destinations in India and abroad. Browse all customised options for India and international destinations.
How to Plan Your Christmas & New Year Getaway
Book early. Festive departures see the highest demand of the year. Booking early gives you more choice of dates, stays, and transport, and the flagship editions run only one batch.
Check the inclusions. Every package differs. Look at the inclusions & exclusions section on each trip page for accommodation, transport, meals, activities, and trip captain details before you pay.
Match the trip to the weather. Mountain trips in late December are cold, and snow depends on the season, so pack layers and keep some flexibility in your plans. Beach trips are warm, but remember that December is also peak season in places like Kerala and the Andamans.
Be honest about your fitness. Moderate treks like Kedarkantha need some preparation. If you’re newer to trekking, Dayara Bugyal or a backpacking trip with lighter activity is a smoother start.
Pick your pace. An 11-day trip across five destinations is a very different holiday from a 6-day island break. Choose what your leave and energy allow.
Plan the payment. Online payment and EMI options are available, which makes it easier to book a festive trip early.
*The prices are subject to change without prior notice
FAQs
The best destinations depend on your travel style. For snow and mountain celebrations, Himachal Pradesh (Manali, Bir, Kasol) and Uttarakhand (Auli, Rishikesh) are top choices. For warmer beach getaways, Kerala and the Andaman Islands offer sunny, tropical holidays. If you want unique landscapes, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh (Tawang) provide rich culture and lush green valleys.
Kedarkantha, Dayara Bugyal, Sandakphu-Phalut, Kuari Pass, and Brahmatal are the main winter treks. Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal is the high-altitude international option.
High-altitude regions in Himachal Pradesh (such as Manali, Solang Valley, and Jalori Pass) and Uttarakhand (such as Auli and upper trek routes like Kedarkantha) have a high chance of snowfall around late December and early January.
The Bhutan Bike & Backpacking Trip and the Bali with Gili Islands trip are the two international group departures. Bhutan suits riders who want Himalayan roads, and Bali suits anyone after sun and sea.
Group departures work well for solo travellers because stays and logistics are sorted, and you join a ready group. Women can also choose the All Girls Himachal or All Girls Meghalaya trips, which have a female trip captain throughout.
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