Fair
Bhimtal in December
Uttarakhand, India
December Bhimtal is cold, clear, and nearly empty. Temperatures hover around 3-10°C. The lake reflects winter skies with painful clarity. Christmas and New Year bring a small domestic tourist bump, but this is fundamentally a quiet month. If you want Nainital's lakes without Nainital's crowds, December delivers.
The December story
December Bhimtal is a contemplative experience, not a holiday one. The lake-island boat ride in winter light, with breath fogging in the cold air, has a beauty that summer crowds would ruin. Christmas and New Year bring a brief spike — mostly couples and small groups from Delhi. The Naukuchiatal walk is crisp and clear. For a day trip, drive to Mukteshwar (35km) for one of the best Himalayan panoramas in Uttarakhand. Dress in layers — December sun at 1370m is warm enough to sit lakeside at noon, but shade temperature stays single-digit. Carry a hot water bottle for the night. Most guesthouses serve room heaters; ask when booking. The chai stall at the dam end of the lake, run by the same family for 30 years, is your base camp.
Why December scores 3/5
Weather
December Bhimtal is cold, clear, and nearly empty.
Roads & Access
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 4/5. rescue: SDRF Uttarakhand (1070). helpline: Tourist helpline: 1364. ambulance: 108. police station: Bhimtal Police Chowki. nearest hospital: CHC Bhimtal (nearest major: Haldwani 30km)
Network
JIO: Yes, BSNL: Yes, AIRTEL: Yes
Kids
Kid-friendly (4/5) —
Elevation
1,370m — Low altitude, no issues
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Couples wanting a contemplative winter escape
- ✓Nainital veterans looking for something quieter
- ✓Christmas/New Year travellers from Delhi on a budget
- ✓Cold-weather walkers who enjoy crisp lakeside mornings
Who should think twice
- ✗Anyone who can't handle cold — single-digit nights are non-negotiable
- ✗Families with young children — very limited activities
- ✗Visitors wanting lively atmosphere — this is quiet by design
- ✗Budget travellers who won't pay for heated rooms
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3/5 | January mornings at Bhimtal drop to 3-5°C and the lake turns mirror-still. |
| February | 3/5 | February is Bhimtal's coldest month, regularly touching 1-2°C before dawn. |
| March | 4/5 | March breaks winter's grip on Bhimtal. Temperatures climb to 18-22°C by afternoon and the rhododendrons start firing red across the hillsides. |
| April | 5/5 | April is arguably Bhimtal's best month. Temperatures settle at 20-28°C, wildflowers carpet every hillside, and the lake is warm enough for rowing without chattering teeth. |
| May | 3/5 | May brings peak summer tourism to Bhimtal as plains dwellers escape 45°C Delhi for 28-32°C lakeside air. |
| June | 3/5 | June starts dry and hot (30-33°C) before the monsoon arrives around June 20th. |
| July | 2/5 | — |
| August | 2/5 | — |
| September | 4/5 | September marks the monsoon's retreat from Bhimtal. |
| October | 5/5 | October is Bhimtal's second golden month. |
| November | 4/5 | November cools Bhimtal down to 8-15°C and thins the tourist flow to a trickle. |
| Decemberviewing | 3/5 | December Bhimtal is cold, clear, and nearly empty. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Contact local transport
Elevation
1,370m
Difficulty
easy
Budget tier
budget
Nearby in Uttarakhand scoring high in December
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