Darjeeling in December 2026: Weather, Places to Visit & Travel Tips
A good month: cold, clear and some of the best Kanchenjunga views of the year.
December in Darjeeling is cold and mostly dry, with clear mornings that make Tiger Hill worth the 4 am start. Snow in the town itself is rare; the higher ridges like Sandakphu see it more often. Early December is quiet, and Christmas to New Year is busy.
Updated · Breeziah Travel, Guwahati
Darjeeling weather in December
Typical daytime temperatures for Darjeeling town (about 2,050 m); they vary year to year.
| Month | Temp | Rain | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December Cold, clear; quieter before Christmas | 4–11 °C | Dry | Good | Cold, clear; quieter before Christmas |
What's good
- Clear skies and sharp Kanchenjunga views
- Dry weather for walking the Mall and Chowrasta
- Quieter first half of the month
What to watch for
- Cold mornings and nights, around 4 °C; many hotels have no central heating
- Christmas and New Year are busy and pricier
- Snow in town is unusual; don't plan around it
Things to do
- Tiger Hill sunrise and Batasia Loop
- The toy train joy ride from Darjeeling to Ghum
- Tea estate visits and the Happy Valley factory
- Christmas evenings around the Mall
What to pack
- Heavy jacket, thermals, gloves and a cap
- Warm socks and comfortable walking shoes
- Moisturiser and lip balm for the dry cold
Darjeeling trips for December
Private on your dates; we adjust the route to the season and road conditions.
Showing 7 of 7 Darjeeling packages
4D/3NDarjeeling & Kalimpong Getaway – 4 Days of Tea Gardens & Hill Views
- 2N Darjeeling
- 1N Kalimpong
Starts and ends in Siliguri
From, per adult₹12,999
4D/3NDarjeeling Short Break – 4 Days of Tiger Hill Sunrise, Toy Train & Tea Gardens
- 3N Darjeeling
Starts and ends in Bagdogra / NJP
From, per adult₹11,999
5D/4NGangtok & Darjeeling Tour – 5 Days of Lakes, Monasteries & Tea Gardens
- 2N Gangtok
- 2N Darjeeling
Starts and ends in Siliguri
From, per adult₹15,999
6D/5NSandakphu Trek via Singalila Ridge – 6 Days from Darjeeling
- 1N Dhotrey
- 1N Tumling
- 1N Kalipokhri
- +2
Starts and ends in Bagdogra / NJP
From, per adult₹17,999
7D/6NGangtok, Pelling & Darjeeling Tour – 7 Days in Sikkim & the Hills
- 2N Gangtok
- 2N Pelling
- 2N Darjeeling
Starts and ends in Siliguri
From, per adult₹21,999
- 6D/5N
Sikkim & Darjeeling Couple Getaway – 6 Days Honeymoon Package
- 3N Gangtok
- 2N Darjeeling
Starts and ends in Siliguri
From, per adult₹21,999
11D/10NGrand Sikkim & Darjeeling Tour – 11 Days: Gangtok, Gurudongmar, Pelling & Darjeeling
- 2N Gangtok
- 2N Lachen
- 1N Lachung
- +3
Starts and ends in Siliguri
From, per adult₹34,999
Questions about Darjeeling in December
Does it snow in Darjeeling in December?
Rarely in the town itself. Sandakphu and the higher ridges see snow more often in December and January.
How cold is Darjeeling in December?
Typically around 4–11 °C in the day, colder at night and at Tiger Hill before sunrise.
Is December a good time to visit Darjeeling?
Yes, for clear mountain views and fewer crowds outside Christmas week. Pack properly warm clothes.