Best places to visit in India in May
83 of 745 curated destinations are in peak season in May, and 414 are ones to stay away from. No listicle lies: every verdict here comes from the place's own season window.
Where India is at its best in May
Each line below is the reason this place works in the summer, written for that place, not a generic blurb.
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Kasol
Himachal Pradesh
Parvati valley's trance-backpacker hub, gateway to treks
Prime season - Mar-May bring warm days, full guesthouses and a steady flow of backpackers.
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Almora
Uttarakhand
Understated Kumaoni market town with Himalayan views
Warm days, cool nights: a calmer, cheaper alternative to Nainital's summer crowds
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Aharbal Falls
Jammu and Kashmir
The Veshaw crashes 25 m through a pine gorge, Kashmir's Niagara
Apr-Jun snowmelt is peak thunder: the Veshaw explodes through the notch and spray soaks the lower ledge, go early on weekends.
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Ziro Valley
Arunachal Pradesh
Apatani tribal valley of paddy fields and music festival
Lovely window: paddy fields turning green, pleasant days before the rains set in.
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Kodaikanal
Tamil Nadu
Misty Palani lake town loved by trekkers, backpackers
Warm days, cool nights, best visibility of the year - the classic escape-the-heat season, expect crowds
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Alchi (Sham Valley)
Ladakh
11th-century Kashmiri murals in a low Indus orchard village
Mar is bare and cold; Apr brings apricot blossom and by May Alchi is open at only 3,100 m, the gentlest start in Ladakh.
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Yuksom
Sikkim
Sikkim's first capital, trailhead for the Goecha La trek
Apr-May is prime trekking: rhododendron blooms and clear Kanchenjunga views from Goecha La.
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Morni Hills
Haryana
Chandigarh's nearest hills, low-key and quiet
A genuine escape from Chandigarh's plains heat, several degrees cooler up in the hills.
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Shirui (Ukhrul)
Manipur
Tangkhul Naga village under the 2,835 m peak where the Shirui lily blooms
April brings rhododendron on the upper trail and by the last week of May the lily flowers; festival week fills every bed in Ukhrul, so book early or camp at Shirui
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Mount Abu
Rajasthan
Rajasthan's only hill station, oasis from the heat
Peak season for a reason. The one hill station where plains-dwellers escape 45C heat.
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Manali
Himachal Pradesh
Himalayan backpacker basecamp for treks and easy adventure
Peak escape-the-heat season - Apr-May are warm, green and busiest, book Old Manali stays ahead.
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Badrinath & Mana
Uttarakhand
Char Dham shrine at 3100 m with Mana village 3 km on
May-June after the spring kapat opening is peak yatra: 5-18C, long darshan queues and every shop in Mana open for business.
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Doodhpathri
Jammu and Kashmir
Milky Shaliganga meadows under pine, Kashmir's gentler Gulmarg
Mar is slush and brown turf; by May the Shaliganga runs milk-white through knee-high grass and days sit at 15-22 C.
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Dirang
Arunachal Pradesh
Monpa valley with hot springs, en route to Tawang
Best weather of the year. Apple orchards blooming, mild days, easy access.
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Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
Tamil Nadu
Nilgiris' colonial hill capital, toy train and tea gardens
Peak hill-season crowds (Apr-May), pleasant 15-25C days, book ahead as plains tourists flood in
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Aryan Valley (Dha & Garkon)
Ladakh
Flower-crowned Brokpa villages and apricot terraces on the Indus
Mid-Apr apricot blossom snows pink over the stone lanes; May brings green terraces, 20 C days and a trickle of travellers.
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North Sikkim (Lachen-Lachung)
Sikkim
Yumthang valley and Gurudongmar Lake near the Tibet border
Apr-May is the sweet spot: Yumthang's 'valley of flowers' blooming, roads freshly reopened.
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McLeod Ganj
Himachal Pradesh
Dalai Lama's home-in-exile - Tibetan culture hub
Peak season - Mar-May bring warm days, packed meditation courses and full Dharamkot guesthouses.
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Chopta
Uttarakhand
Basecamp for the Tungnath-Chandrashila alpine trek
Prime trekking season: wildflower meadows, clear alpine views, good trail conditions
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Kokernag & Verinag
Jammu and Kashmir
Verinag's Mughal spring tank and Kokernag's trout gardens
Mar is thin and grey; Apr-May is blossom season across the Kokernag gardens at 18-26 C with the trout farm running.
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Mechuka (Menchukha)
Arunachal Pradesh
Hidden Himalayan valley near the China border
April-May is prime: apple and kiwi orchards blooming, roads at their most reliable.
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Coonoor
Tamil Nadu
Quieter, lower Nilgiri twin to Ooty, ringed by tea estates
Warm pleasant days among tea gardens, a quieter overflow alternative to a packed Ooty
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Bir
Himachal Pradesh
India's paragliding capital amid Tibetan monasteries
Paragliding season in full swing - Mar-May bring reliable thermals and clear valley views from Billing.
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Jageshwar
Uttarakhand
Over a hundred stone Shiva temples in a deodar gorge
April-May is the best walking weather at 12-26C, with the whole 124-temple cluster to yourself on a weekday morning.
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Martand Sun Temple (Mattan)
Jammu and Kashmir
Lalitaditya's ruined 8th-century sun temple on a karewa plateau
Mar is still bare and grey; Apr-May is ideal at 18-25 C with almond and mustard on the karewas and the lawn to yourself.
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Tawang
Arunachal Pradesh
Largest Indian monastery, high Himalayan passes
Prime season: April-May roads are clear, monastery and high lakes fully accessible.
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Kheerganga
Himachal Pradesh
Hot-spring trek camp, a backpacker rite of passage
May-Jun bring the clearest trail after snowmelt and the most reliable weather for the climb.
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Kanatal
Uttarakhand
Deodar ridge of apple orchards and campfires above the Tehri valley
Apr-May is the sweet spot: 12-25 °C, orchard bloom and buzzing weekend campsites while the plains cook 2000 m below.
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Pahalgam
Jammu and Kashmir
Pine-forested valley base for Amarnath Yatra and easy treks
March is quiet and cool; April-May the valley blooms - a great window before Yatra crowds.
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Tosh
Himachal Pradesh
Last-village hippie hangout above Kasol's Parvati valley
Mar-May bring blossoming orchards, mild days and the valley's easiest trekking conditions.
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Kedarnath
Uttarakhand
Himalayan Shiva shrine at 3583m, open just 6 months
May-June is prime pilgrimage season before the monsoon; trails are clear, temple newly reopened
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Patnitop
Jammu and Kashmir
Deodar ridge on the Jammu-Srinagar highway under Nathatop snow
Mar is raw and still patchy with snow; Apr-May is the sweet spot at 15-25 C under the deodars while Jammu bakes at 42 C.
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Chail
Himachal Pradesh
Deodar hill station with the world's highest cricket ground
March-June is why Chail exists: about 25 °C when the plains boil, forest walks to Kali ka Tibba and the 2,444 m cricket ground.
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Khati (Pindari Glacier)
Uttarakhand
Last village on the Pindari trail, 6 km past the road head
May and June are the season: rhododendron below Dhakuri, 10 to 22 C, and the walk on towards the glacier snout is clear of snow.
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Srinagar
Jammu and Kashmir
Houseboats on Dal Lake, Mughal gardens, J&K's summer capital
March is cool; by April the Tulip Garden blooms and May weather is close to perfect.
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Churdhar (via Nohradhar)
Himachal Pradesh
Sirmaur's 3,647 m Shiva summit above a sea of foothills
Snow patches linger into April; May-June is prime, an 18 km one-way climb from Nohradhar through deodar and rhododendron.
Also in peak season in May
47 more, all of them in their best window this month.
- Bani (Sarthal Devi) Jammu and Kashmir
- Barot Himachal Pradesh
- Bhaderwah Jammu and Kashmir
- Bharmour (Manimahesh) Himachal Pradesh
- Binsar Uttarakhand
- Chakrata Uttarakhand
- Chitkul Himachal Pradesh
- Dalhousie Himachal Pradesh
- Ghuttu (Khatling Glacier) Uttarakhand
- Hanol (Mahasu Devta) Uttarakhand
- Harsil Uttarakhand
- Janjehli (Shikari Devi) Himachal Pradesh
- Jibhi Himachal Pradesh
- Kafnu (Bhabha Valley) Himachal Pradesh
- Kalpa Himachal Pradesh
- Karsog Valley Himachal Pradesh
- Kasauli Himachal Pradesh
- Khajjiar Himachal Pradesh
- Kugti (Budhil Valley) Himachal Pradesh
- Kullu Himachal Pradesh
- Lansdowne Uttarakhand
- Lolab Valley (Sogam) Jammu and Kashmir
- Loran Valley (Poonch) Jammu and Kashmir
- Madhyamaheshwar (Ransi) Uttarakhand
- Malana Himachal Pradesh
- Malari (Niti Valley) Uttarakhand
- Mukteshwar Uttarakhand
- Munsiyari Uttarakhand
- Mussoorie Uttarakhand
- Naggar Himachal Pradesh
- Nainital Uttarakhand
- Narkanda & Thanedar Himachal Pradesh
- Nirmand (Srikhand Mahadev) Himachal Pradesh
- Noori Chamb (Behramgala) Jammu and Kashmir
- Parashar Lake Himachal Pradesh
- Raithal (Dayara Bugyal) Uttarakhand
- Rakcham Himachal Pradesh
- Ranikhet Uttarakhand
- Sangla Himachal Pradesh
- Sankri (Har Ki Dun) Uttarakhand
- Sarahan (Bhimakali) Himachal Pradesh
- Shangarh (Sainj Valley) Himachal Pradesh
- Shimla Himachal Pradesh
- Teetwal (Tithwal) Jammu and Kashmir
- Tirthan Valley (Gushaini) Himachal Pradesh
- Wan (Bedni Bugyal) Uttarakhand
- Yusmarg Jammu and Kashmir
Where not to go in India in May
These 414 are hard no's this month: a closed gate, a snowed-in pass, cancelled boats, landslide season or heat that makes the trip pointless. The app will never suggest them in May.
- Abhaneri (Chand Baori) Rajasthan
- Agartala & Unakoti Tripura
- Agasthyakoodam (Athirumala) Kerala
- Agra Uttar Pradesh
- Agumbe Karnataka
- Ahmedabad Gujarat
- Ahobilam Andhra Pradesh
- Aizawl Mizoram
- Ajanta-Ellora Maharashtra
- Ajmer Rajasthan
- Ajodhya Hills (Purulia) West Bengal
- Alampur (Jogulamba) Telangana
- Alibaug Maharashtra
- Alleppey (Alappuzha) Backwaters Kerala
- Alwar Rajasthan
- Amritsar Punjab
- Anandpur Sahib Punjab
- Ananthagiri Hills (Vikarabad) Telangana
- Anjuna-Vagator Goa
- Araku Valley Andhra Pradesh
- Asan Conservation Reserve (Dakpathar) Uttarakhand
- Athirappilly Falls Kerala
- Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh
- Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal Karnataka
- Bagh Caves (Bagh village) Madhya Pradesh
- Bakhira Lake (Khalilabad) Uttar Pradesh
- Bakkhali & Henry Island West Bengal
- Balotra & Tilwara Rajasthan
- Banswara (Mahi Backwaters) Rajasthan
- Barabar Caves Bihar
- Barmer Rajasthan
- Barsana & Nandgaon Uttar Pradesh
- Barsur Chhattisgarh
- Basohli Jammu and Kashmir
- Bateshwar & Chambal Safari (Bah) Uttar Pradesh
- Bathinda Punjab
- Bawangaja (Barwani) Madhya Pradesh
- Bekal Kerala
- Belpahari (Kankrajhore) West Bengal
- Belum Caves Andhra Pradesh
- Belur-Halebidu Karnataka
- Betla National Park Jharkhand
- Bhadrachalam Telangana
- Bhainsrorgarh Rajasthan
- Bhairavakona Andhra Pradesh
- Bhandardara Maharashtra
- Bhangarh & Ajabgarh Rajasthan
- Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park) Rajasthan
- Bheemili (Bheemunipatnam) Andhra Pradesh
- Bhimashankar Maharashtra
- Bhimbetka (with Bhojpur) Madhya Pradesh
- Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary Haryana
- Bhitargaon Uttar Pradesh
- Bhitarkanika National Park Odisha
- Bhongir Fort (Bhuvanagiri) Telangana
- Bhopal & Sanchi Madhya Pradesh
- Bhoramdeo (Kawardha) Chhattisgarh
- Bhubaneswar Odisha
- Bhuj Gujarat
- Bidar Karnataka
- Bikaner Rajasthan
- Bishnupur (Terracotta Temples) West Bengal
- Bithoor Uttar Pradesh
- Bodh Gaya Bihar
- Bogatha Falls Telangana
- Bundi Rajasthan
- Burhanpur Madhya Pradesh
- Chabimura Tripura
- Champaner-Pavagadh Gujarat
- Chandannagar West Bengal
- Chanderi Madhya Pradesh
- Chandigarh Chandigarh
- Chandipur (Balasore) Odisha
- Chandor & Loutolim Goa
- Chandratal Himachal Pradesh
- Chettinad (Karaikudi) Tamil Nadu
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Maharashtra
- Chidambaram & Pichavaram Tamil Nadu
- Chikhaldara Maharashtra
- Chilika Lake (Satapada) Odisha
- Chitradurga Karnataka
- Chitrakoot (Ramghat) Uttar Pradesh
- Chitrakote Falls (Bastar) Chhattisgarh
- Chittorgarh Rajasthan
- Chorla Ghat Goa
- Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary Andhra Pradesh
- Courtallam (Kutralam) Tamil Nadu
- Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary Jharkhand
- Daman Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
- Daringbadi Odisha
- Dassam Falls Jharkhand
- Dawki & Shnongpdeng Meghalaya
- Debrigarh (Hirakud Reservoir) Odisha
- Dehing Patkai National Park (Jeypore) Assam
- Delhi Delhi
- Deogarh (Devgarh) Rajasthan
- Deogarh (Lalitpur) Uttar Pradesh
- Deoghar (Baidyanath Dham) Jharkhand
- Dera Baba Nanak (Kartarpur Corridor) Punjab
- Deshnoke (Karni Mata Temple) Rajasthan
- Dholavira Gujarat
- Dhosi Hill (Narnaul) Haryana
- Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (Guijan Ghat) Assam
- Dindi (Konaseema Backwaters) Andhra Pradesh
- Diu Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
- Divar Island Goa
- Dudhni Lake Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
- Dudhsagar Falls (Mollem) Goa
- Dudhwa National Park Uttar Pradesh
- Duduma Falls (Machkund) Odisha
- Dumboor Lake (Narikel Kunja) Tripura
- Dungarpur Rajasthan
- Dwarka Gujarat
- Fatehgarh Sahib (Sirhind) Punjab
- Fatehpur Sikri Uttar Pradesh
- Fort Kochi Kerala
- Gaganbawda Maharashtra
- Gandhi Sagar (Chambal) Madhya Pradesh
- Gandikota Andhra Pradesh
- Gangaikonda Cholapuram Tamil Nadu
- Gangrel Dam (Ravishankar Sagar) Chhattisgarh
- Ganpatipule Maharashtra
- Garadia Mahadev (Chambal Gorge) Rajasthan
- Garh Panchkot West Bengal
- Gaur (Malda) West Bengal
- Ghatshila Jharkhand
- Ghughua Fossil Park Madhya Pradesh
- Gingee Fort (Senji) Tamil Nadu
- Goindwal Sahib (Baoli Sahib) Punjab
- Gokak Falls Karnataka
- Gokarna Karnataka
- Gondal Gujarat
- Gopalpur Odisha
- Gopnath (Talaja) Gujarat
- Gupteswar Caves (Koraput) Odisha
- Guwahati Assam
- Gwalior Madhya Pradesh
- Hampi Karnataka
- Hanumangarh (Bhatner & Kalibangan) Rajasthan
- Hanuwantiya Tapu Madhya Pradesh
- Haridwar Uttarakhand
- Harike Wetland (Harike Pattan) Punjab
- Harishchandragad Maharashtra
- Hastinapur Uttar Pradesh
- Hmuifang Mizoram
- Hogenakkal Falls Tamil Nadu
- Hundru Falls Jharkhand
- Hyderabad Telangana
- Idar (Idariyo Gadh) Gujarat
- Igatpuri Maharashtra
- Jabalpur & Bhedaghat (Marble Rocks) Madhya Pradesh
- Jagdalpur (Bastar) Chhattisgarh
- Jaipur Rajasthan
- Jaisalmer Rajasthan
- Jaisamand (Dhebar Lake) Rajasthan
- Jaunpur Uttar Pradesh
- Javadi Hills (Jamunamarathur) Tamil Nadu
- Jawai Bandh (Bera) Rajasthan
- Jhalawar (Gagron & Jhalrapatan) Rajasthan
- Jhansi Uttar Pradesh
- Jhargram West Bengal
- Jodhpur Rajasthan
- Jog Falls Karnataka
- Junagadh (Girnar) Gujarat
- Kaas Plateau Maharashtra
- Kakolat Falls Bihar
- Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) Karnataka
- Kalakkad-Mundanthurai (Mundanthurai) Tamil Nadu
- Kalesar National Park Haryana
- Kaleshwaram Telangana
- Kalinjar Fort Uttar Pradesh
- Kalna (Ambika Kalna) West Bengal
- Kanchipuram Tamil Nadu
- Kannur Kerala
- Kanwar Lake (Kabar Taal) Bihar
- Kanyakumari Tamil Nadu
- Kapurthala Punjab
- Karauli Rajasthan
- Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary Uttar Pradesh
- Katra (Vaishno Devi) Jammu and Kashmir
- Kaushambi (Kosam) Uttar Pradesh
- Kazhugumalai (Vettuvan Koil) Tamil Nadu
- Kaziranga National Park Assam
- Keoti Falls (Rewa) Madhya Pradesh
- Kesaria Stupa Bihar
- Keshopur Chhamb (Miani Community Reserve) Punjab
- Khajuraho Madhya Pradesh
- Khandadhar Falls Odisha
- Khejarla Rajasthan
- Khichan (Demoiselle Cranes) Rajasthan
- Khiching (Kichakeswari Temple) Odisha
- Khuri (Desert National Park) Rajasthan
- Kiradu Temples Rajasthan
- Kishangarh Rajasthan
- Kolayat Rajasthan
- Kolkata West Bengal
- Kolli Hills Tamil Nadu
- Konark Odisha
- Kondaveedu Fort Andhra Pradesh
- Kovalam Kerala
- Kuchaman (Kuchaman Fort) Rajasthan
- Kumarakom Kerala
- Kumbakonam (with Darasuram) Tamil Nadu
- Kumbhalgarh Rajasthan
- Kuno National Park (Sesaipura) Madhya Pradesh
- Kuntala Falls Telangana
- Kurukshetra Haryana
- Kushinagar Uttar Pradesh
- Lakhpat (Kutch) Gujarat
- Lakkundi (Gadag) Karnataka
- Laknavaram Lake Telangana
- Lambasingi Andhra Pradesh
- Lauriya Nandangarh Bihar
- Lepakshi Andhra Pradesh
- Little Rann of Kutch (Dasada) Gujarat
- Loktak Lake Manipur
- Lonar Crater Lake Maharashtra
- Lonavala Maharashtra
- Lucknow Uttar Pradesh
- Madhubani (Mithila art villages) Bihar
- Madurai Tamil Nadu
- Mahabaleshwar Maharashtra
- Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) Tamil Nadu
- Mahanandi (Nava Nandi) Andhra Pradesh
- Maheshwar Madhya Pradesh
- Mahoba (Chandela Lakes) Uttar Pradesh
- Mahur (Mahurgad) Maharashtra
- Mainpat Chhattisgarh
- Majuli Island Assam
- Maluti Jharkhand
- Malvan-Tarkarli Maharashtra
- Manapad Tamil Nadu
- Mandar Hill (Bounsi) Bihar
- Mandarmani-Tajpur West Bengal
- Mandawa (Shekhawati) Rajasthan
- Mandi Himachal Pradesh
- Mandla Madhya Pradesh
- Mandu Madhya Pradesh
- Mandvi (Kutch) Gujarat
- Mangalajodi (Chilika Wetlands) Odisha
- Mangar Bani Haryana
- Manginapudi Beach (Machilipatnam) Andhra Pradesh
- Mannanur (Amrabad Tiger Reserve) Telangana
- Mansar Lake Jammu and Kashmir
- Maredumilli Andhra Pradesh
- Maski Karnataka
- Mayapur (Nabadwip) West Bengal
- McCluskieganj Jharkhand
- Medak Telangana
- Melukote Karnataka
- Menal (Falls & Temples) Rajasthan
- Merta City Rajasthan
- Mitaoli, Padavali & Bateshwar Madhya Pradesh
- Miyar Valley (Urgos) Himachal Pradesh
- Modhera (Sun Temple) Gujarat
- Mudgal Karnataka
- Mukutmanipur West Bengal
- Mumbai Maharashtra
- Mundeshwari Hill (Kaimur) Bihar
- Munger Bihar
- Murshidabad (Hazarduari) West Bengal
- Mysuru Karnataka
- Nagarjuna Sagar (Nagarjunakonda) Andhra Pradesh
- Nagaur Rajasthan
- Naimisharanya (Nimsar) Uttar Pradesh
- Nal Sarovar Gujarat
- Naldurg Maharashtra
- Namdapha National Park (Miao & Deban) Arunachal Pradesh
- Nameri National Park Assam
- Nanded (Hazur Sahib) Maharashtra
- Nangal (Sutlej Lake) Punjab
- Narara (Marine National Park) Gujarat
- Nashik Maharashtra
- Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (Unnao) Uttar Pradesh
- Nawalgarh (Shekhawati) Rajasthan
- Neemrana Rajasthan
- Neermahal & Rudrasagar Lake (Melaghar) Tripura
- Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary Andhra Pradesh
- Netarhat Jharkhand
- Netravali (Neturlim) Goa
- Ninai Falls (Dediapada) Gujarat
- Nrusinghanath (Gandhamardan Hills) Odisha
- Omkareshwar Madhya Pradesh
- Orang National Park (Silbori) Assam
- Orchha Madhya Pradesh
- Orvakal Rock Garden Andhra Pradesh
- Osian (Osiyan) Rajasthan
- Pakhal Lake Telangana
- Palitana (Shatrunjaya) Gujarat
- Palolem-Agonda Goa
- Panaji (Fontainhas & Old Goa) Goa
- Pandharpur Maharashtra
- Pangi Valley (Killar) Himachal Pradesh
- Panna National Park Madhya Pradesh
- Papikondalu (Godavari Gorge) Andhra Pradesh
- Parasnath Hill (Shikharji) Jharkhand
- Pasighat Arunachal Pradesh
- Patan (Rani ki Vav) Gujarat
- Patiala Punjab
- Patratu Valley Jharkhand
- Penukonda Andhra Pradesh
- Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) Mizoram
- Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (Chuka) Uttar Pradesh
- Pinjore (Yadavindra Gardens) Haryana
- Piprahwa (Kapilavastu) Uttar Pradesh
- Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (Mayong) Assam
- Point Calimere (Kodiakkarai) Tamil Nadu
- Polo Forest (Vijaynagar) Gujarat
- Pondicherry (incl. Auroville) Puducherry
- Ponmudi Kerala
- Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam) Uttar Pradesh
- Pulicat (Pazhaverkadu) Tamil Nadu
- Puri Odisha
- Purne (Phugtal Gompa) Ladakh
- Pushkar Rajasthan
- Raigad Fort Maharashtra
- Rajdari & Devdari Falls (Chandraprabha) Uttar Pradesh
- Rajgad Fort Maharashtra
- Rajgir (with Nalanda) Bihar
- Rajim Chhattisgarh
- Rajmahal (Sahibganj) Jharkhand
- Rakhigarhi Haryana
- Ramanagara (Ramadevarabetta) Karnataka
- Ramappa Temple (Palampet) Telangana
- Rameswaram Tamil Nadu
- Ramgarh Crater (Bhand Deva) Rajasthan
- Ramtek Maharashtra
- Ranakpur Rajasthan
- Rangdum Ladakh
- Ranipur-Jharial (Soma Tirtha) Odisha
- Rann of Kutch (Dhordo) Gujarat
- Ratanpur (Mahamaya) Chhattisgarh
- Ratnagiri-Udayagiri-Lalitgiri (Diamond Triangle) Odisha
- Reiek Mizoram
- Renuka Lake (Renuka Ji) Himachal Pradesh
- Rishikesh Uttarakhand
- Roing & Mayudia Pass Arunachal Pradesh
- Sahastrakund Falls Maharashtra
- Salher Fort Maharashtra
- Salkhan Fossils Park (Sonbhadra) Uttar Pradesh
- Sambhar Lake (Phulera) Rajasthan
- Sandur (Kumaraswamy Temple) Karnataka
- Sannati & Kanaganahalli Karnataka
- Sasaram & Rohtasgarh Fort Bihar
- Satkosia Gorge (Tikarpada) Odisha
- Sevagram (Wardha) Maharashtra
- Shantiniketan (Bolpur) West Bengal
- Shirdi Maharashtra
- Shivanasamudra Falls Karnataka
- Shivpuri (Madhav National Park) Madhya Pradesh
- Shravasti (Sahet-Mahet) Uttar Pradesh
- Sidhpur (Bohra Havelis) Gujarat
- Silvassa Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
- Simlipal National Park (Baripada) Odisha
- Sirpur Chhattisgarh
- Sirsi & Sahasralinga Karnataka
- Sitamata Sanctuary (Dhariawad) Rajasthan
- Sittanavasal Tamil Nadu
- Somnath Gujarat
- Sonagiri (Jain temple hill) Madhya Pradesh
- Srisailam Andhra Pradesh
- Statue of Unity Gujarat
- Sultanpur Lodhi Punjab
- Sultanpur National Park (Bird Sanctuary) Haryana
- Sundarbans West Bengal
- Surajkund Haryana
- Suryalanka Beach (Bapatla) Andhra Pradesh
- Susunia Hill (Bankura) West Bengal
- Tal Chhapar Rajasthan
- Talakona Falls Andhra Pradesh
- Talwandi Sabo (Takht Damdama Sahib) Punjab
- Tamia & Patalkot Valley Madhya Pradesh
- Taptapani Odisha
- Tarnetar Gujarat
- Tatapani (Balrampur) Chhattisgarh
- Thanjavur Tamil Nadu
- Tharangambadi (Tranquebar) Tamil Nadu
- Thekkady (Periyar) Kerala
- Thenzawl (Vantawng Falls) Mizoram
- Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) Tamil Nadu
- Tirupati Andhra Pradesh
- Tiruvannamalai Tamil Nadu
- Toranmal Maharashtra
- Trimbakeshwar Maharashtra
- Tuljapur Maharashtra
- Ubbalamadugu Falls (Tada) Andhra Pradesh
- Udaipur Rajasthan
- Ujjain Madhya Pradesh
- Vadnagar Gujarat
- Vagamon Kerala
- Vaishali Bihar
- Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand
- Valmiki Nagar (Valmiki Tiger Reserve) Bihar
- Varanasi Uttar Pradesh
- Varkala Kerala
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu
- Velas (Turtle Village) Maharashtra
- Velavadar (Blackbuck National Park) Gujarat
- Vellore Tamil Nadu
- Vengurla Maharashtra
- Vijayapura (Bijapur) Karnataka
- Vikramshila (Antichak) Bihar
- Visakhapatnam (Vizag) Andhra Pradesh
- Vizianagaram Andhra Pradesh
- Vrindavan-Mathura Uttar Pradesh
- Wankaner Gujarat
- Warangal Telangana
- Warwan Valley (Inshan) Jammu and Kashmir
- Wayanad Kerala
- Wilson Hills (Dharampur) Gujarat
- Yaganti Andhra Pradesh
- Yelagiri Tamil Nadu
- Yellapur (Sathodi & Magod Falls) Karnataka
- Zanskar Ladakh
Shoulder season in May
Fewer people, cheaper beds, and a real chance the weather does not cooperate. 133 places sit in shoulder season this month.
- Abbott Mount (Lohaghat) Uttarakhand
- Agatti Island (Lakshadweep) Lakshadweep
- Amarkantak Madhya Pradesh
- Amboli Maharashtra
- Auli Uttarakhand
- Bageshwar Uttarakhand
- Bandhavgarh National Park Madhya Pradesh
- Bandipur National Park Karnataka
- Bangus Valley (Bungus) Jammu and Kashmir
- Barnawapara Sanctuary Chhattisgarh
- Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary (Hilley) Sikkim
- Benreu (Mount Pauna) Nagaland
- Bhadra Tiger Reserve (Muthodi) Karnataka
- Buxa Tiger Reserve (Jayanti) West Bengal
- Chamba Himachal Pradesh
- Chandoli National Park Maharashtra
- Chanshal Pass (Dodra Kwar) Himachal Pradesh
- Chaukori Uttarakhand
- Cherrapunji (Sohra) Meghalaya
- Chikmagalur Karnataka
- Coorg (Madikeri) Karnataka
- Dajipur (Radhanagari) Maharashtra
- Damro (Yamne valley) Arunachal Pradesh
- Dandeli Karnataka
- Darjeeling West Bengal
- Deomali Odisha
- Dhankar Himachal Pradesh
- Diglipur (Ross & Smith Islands) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Drass Ladakh
- Dwarahat (Dunagiri) Uttarakhand
- Dzongu (Lepcha Reserve) Sikkim
- Dzukou Valley Nagaland
- Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary (Lama Camp & Bompu) Arunachal Pradesh
- Gangtok Sikkim
- Gavi Kerala
- Gir (Sasan Gir) Gujarat
- Gorumara National Park (Lataguri) West Bengal
- Gulmarg Jammu and Kashmir
- Gurez Valley (Dawar) Jammu and Kashmir
- Hanle Ladakh
- Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary (Jorhat) Assam
- Jaldapara National Park (Madarihat) West Bengal
- Jim Corbett (Ramnagar) Uttarakhand
- Jispa (Bhaga Valley) Himachal Pradesh
- Jowai (Nartiang & Krangsuri) Meghalaya
- Kabini Karnataka
- Kalimpong West Bengal
- Kanha National Park Madhya Pradesh
- Kanthalloor Kerala
- Kargil Ladakh
- Kartik Swami (Kanakchauri) Uttarakhand
- Kausani Uttarakhand
- Kaza (Spiti) Himachal Pradesh
- Khirsu Uttarakhand
- Kibber (Spiti) Himachal Pradesh
- Kohima Nagaland
- Kolukkumalai Tamil Nadu
- Koraput Odisha
- Kukke Subramanya (Kumara Parvatha) Karnataka
- Lamayuru Ladakh
- Lava & Rishop (Neora Valley) West Bengal
- Leh Ladakh
- Longwa (Mon district) Nagaland
- Machail (Paddar) Jammu and Kashmir
- Manas National Park Assam
- Manasbal Lake Jammu and Kashmir
- Mannavanur Tamil Nadu
- Markha Valley Ladakh
- Masinagudi (Mudumalai) Tamil Nadu
- Matheran Maharashtra
- Mawlynnong Meghalaya
- Mawphlang Sacred Forest Meghalaya
- Meghamalai (High Wavy Mountains) Tamil Nadu
- Mirik West Bengal
- Mokokchung Nagaland
- Munnar Kerala
- Murud-Janjira Maharashtra
- Nag Tibba Uttarakhand
- Nagzira (Pitezari Gate) Maharashtra
Festivals in May
- Bodh Gaya, Bihar: May: Buddha Purnima
- Gangtok, Sikkim: May: International Flower Festival
- Kanatal, Uttarakhand: May/Jun: Ganga Dussehra mela at Surkanda Devi (dates shift)
- Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu: May: Kodaikanal Summer Festival (boat pageant, flower show)
- Madhyamaheshwar (Ransi), Uttarakhand: May: the doli walks up from Ukhimath to open the shrine
- Mokokchung, Nagaland: May: Moatsu (Ao festival, 1-3 May)
- Mount Abu, Rajasthan: May: Mount Abu Summer Festival
- Ooty (Udhagamandalam), Tamil Nadu: May: Ooty Summer Festival (flower and fruit show)
- Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: May: Shimla Summer Festival
- Shirui (Ukhrul), Manipur: May: Shirui Lily Festival at Ukhrul, usually the third or fourth week; the lily itself flowers late May to mid June
- Yelagiri, Tamil Nadu: May: Yelagiri Summer Festival (Tamil Nadu Tourism)
- Yercaud, Tamil Nadu: May: Yercaud Summer Festival
Best states to visit in May
Himachal Pradesh (32)Uttarakhand (23)Jammu and Kashmir (14)Arunachal Pradesh (4)Tamil Nadu (3)Ladakh (2)Sikkim (2)Haryana (1)
Common questions
Where should you travel in India in May?
83 of the 745 destinations in this catalogue are in peak season in May, with another 133 in shoulder season. The states with the most places at their best are Himachal Pradesh (32), Uttarakhand (23), Jammu and Kashmir (14) and Arunachal Pradesh (4).
Where should you avoid in India in May?
414 places in this catalogue are marked avoid in May: closed park gates, snowed-in passes, cancelled ferries, landslide roads or plain 45 degree heat. Abhaneri (Chand Baori), Agartala & Unakoti, Agasthyakoodam (Athirumala), Agra, Agumbe and Ahmedabad are among them.
Is May a good time to visit India?
May falls in the summer season. It is a narrower month, roughly 11 per cent of the catalogue is at its best, so it pays to pick the region carefully rather than the country.