The Christmas and New Year holidays are the most popular time for an India tour for foreigners. The weather is cool and sunny, the forts and palaces are decorated, and heritage hotels host festive dinners and New Year’s Eve parties. This guide shares tested Christmas and New Year tour packages with a private car and driver, our holiday tour offer, and one important date change every visitor needs to know this year.
Why Spend Christmas and New Year in India?
- Perfect weather: 20 to 25°C days in Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan, ideal for walking around forts.
- Holiday atmosphere: churches, malls, markets and hotels are lit up for the season.
- Unique New Year’s Eve: celebrate in a palace hotel in Udaipur, at a desert camp in Jaisalmer, or in the snow near Shimla and Manali.
- Long holidays: two weeks off is just right for the Golden Triangle plus Rajasthan.
Important: Taj Mahal Closed on 25 December and 1 January
The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday, and this year both Christmas Day (25 December 2026) and New Year’s Day (1 January 2027) fall on a Friday. Many travellers miss this. Plan your Agra day for 24 or 26 December, or 31 December or 2 January. Expect very large crowds on the days either side, so go at sunrise. Our Same Day Agra Tour with private driver leaves Delhi early to beat the queues.
Christmas and New Year Tour Packages
1. Christmas Golden Triangle (6 Days / 5 Nights, 23 to 28 December)
- 23 Dec: Delhi airport pickup with private driver, rest at your hotel.
- 24 Dec: Delhi sightseeing, Christmas Eve Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
- 25 Dec: Drive to Agra, Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh (Taj closed), Christmas dinner at your hotel.
- 26 Dec: Taj Mahal at sunrise, Fatehpur Sikri, drive to Jaipur.
- 27 Dec: Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal and the bazaars of Jaipur.
- 28 Dec: Return to Delhi or the airport.
This is the classic Delhi - Agra - Jaipur golden triangle tour, reordered for the holidays. See our 6 days Golden Triangle tour and the 7 days version.
2. New Year in Royal Rajasthan (10 to 15 Days)
Celebrate 31 December at a lakeside palace in Udaipur or under the stars at a desert camp in Jaisalmer, with Jodhpur, Pushkar and Jaipur along the way. Choose our Royal Rajasthan Tour with english speaking driver or the shorter Golden Triangle with Udaipur. A Same day Jaipur to Pushkar tour is an easy add-on.
3. Christmas with Tigers
Winter is a wonderful season for safaris in Ranthambore, with cool mornings and good sightings. Our Rajasthan Wildlife Tour with Private driver india adds two safaris to the Golden Triangle. Book safari permits early; the holiday weeks sell out.
4. White Christmas in the Himalayas
For a chance of snow, drive from Delhi to Shimla and Manali. Christmas at Christ Church on the Ridge in Shimla is a lovely tradition. See our Shimla Manali tour package and driving to the Himalayas guide.
Where to Celebrate
- Delhi: Midnight Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral and St James’ Church, festive lights at Connaught Place, and New Year parties at hotels across the city.
- Jaipur: Christmas dinners in heritage havelis and New Year’s Eve at palace hotels.
- Udaipur: boat rides on Lake Pichola and fireworks over the City Palace at midnight.
- Jaisalmer: camel safari, folk music and a bonfire at a desert camp.
- Shimla and Manali: snow (if you are lucky), mountain walks and cosy hotels.
Our Christmas and New Year Tour Offer
All our holiday tours are private, flexible and quoted up front:
- Private AC car with a verified, English speaking chauffeur India travellers trust, for the whole trip.
- Fuel, highway tolls, state taxes, parking and driver allowance included.
- Free pickup and drop at Delhi airport, your hotel or the railway station.
- Free itinerary planning around the Taj Mahal’s Friday closures and New Year’s Eve plans.
- Hotels, safari permits and gala dinners booked on request.
| Vehicle | Travellers | Outstation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Maruti Dzire (Sedan) | 1 to 3 | ₹12/km |
| Toyota Rumion (MPV) | 3 to 5 | ₹16/km |
| Toyota Innova Crysta (SUV) | 4 to 6 | ₹19/km |
| Force Tempo Traveller | 9 to 16 | ₹30/km |
Read the full Golden Triangle tour cost breakdown, or see every car on our Car Rental with Driver India page.
Ajay’s Insider Insight
"The last week of December is our busiest week of the year. By early November most of our Innovas are already booked for Christmas. If you are travelling as a family, confirm your car now and choose an Innova Crysta for winter luggage and coats."
Winter Travel Tips: Fog, Cold and Crowds
- Fog: late December and January bring dense morning fog on the expressways and can delay flights and trains. A personal cab with driver in India is the most reliable way to travel; we start a little later on foggy days and never rush.
- Cold: Delhi and Agra mornings drop to 5 to 8°C and desert nights are colder. Pack a warm jacket, scarf and layers.
- Crowds: visit monuments at opening time, and expect more Indian holidaymakers in Jaipur, Udaipur and the hills.
- New Year’s Eve: roads are busy and checkpoints are common late at night; stay at your hotel’s party or keep your driver on call.
- Women travellers: we offer a safe private driver in India for women travelers, with verified drivers and 24/7 support. See our solo female travel safety tips.
How to Book
Whether you hire car and driver in India from USA, are a private driver India for UK tourists regular, or are flying in from Europe or Australia, booking is simple. Send your dates, number of travellers and cities on WhatsApp or our enquiry form, and we reply with a full itinerary and an all-inclusive transport price. Flying home from Delhi? A Same day Jaipur to Delhi tour or a Same day Delhi to Agra tour is a great way to use your last day.
Ready for the holidays? Book private car and driver in India for Christmas and New Year with the team guests call the best private driver India has to offer.
Popular Services for Holiday Travellers
- Golden Triangle Tour with english speaking driver and Hire Private Driver for Golden Triangle India Tour
- Delhi Agra Jaipur golden Triangle tour
- Private Driver For Delhi to Agra Tours
- Car Rental Services with Driver and Car Rental with Driver
- Personal driver in india from the most popular Private Driver India team
- Best English speaking driver india and private driver in India for foreign tourists
- India tour packages for international travelers with a private car and driver India
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Taj Mahal open on Christmas and New Year’s Day?
Not in 2026–27. The Taj Mahal closes every Friday, and both 25 December 2026 and 1 January 2027 fall on a Friday. Plan your Taj visit for 24 or 26 December, or 31 December or 2 January.
Is December a good time to visit India?
Yes, it is peak season. Days are sunny and pleasant in Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan, though mornings can be foggy and nights cold. Book hotels and cars early, as it is the busiest time of the year.
Where can I celebrate Christmas in North India?
Midnight Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral or St James’ Church in Delhi, the decorated Christ Church on the Ridge in Shimla, and festive dinners at heritage hotels in Jaipur and Udaipur are all popular with our guests.
Do hotels charge extra for New Year’s Eve?
Many hotels in Rajasthan and hill stations add a compulsory gala dinner supplement for 31 December. Ask for it when you book so there are no surprises.
Is driving safe in fog in December and January?
Yes, with an experienced driver. Our drivers start a little later on foggy mornings, keep to safe speeds on the expressways and avoid night driving when visibility is low.
