Best places to visit in India in May
As summers have already begun people are planning for the family vacations or with their friends so, but this is the most confusing question ”where to go”? Due to the rise in temperature, a person will always look for the place where weather should be pleasant and they will not feel so hot.
There are some hill stations where a person can go easily with family or friends.
North India
1. Himachal Pradesh
Himachal, one of the Himalayan states in India is the best state to escape the scorching summer. While the upper regions (northern regions) experience snowfall until March and remain closed, as the summer spreads from April, these regions become open as well.
Here are the places that you can visit in Himachal:
Shimla: One of the most touristy places, but definitely worth a visit for a pleasant climate and stunning views. Head to Kufri, a small town near Shimla to try skiing.
Kullu & Manali: Again among the most visited places in the state, both Kullu & Manali are awesome places to be during May. Do visit Manali Sanctuary and Kanawar while in Kullu. Both of these are reserve forests home to the rare Himalayan wildlife.
Bir: Bir is the paragliding capital of India and an ideal place to visit which is still not that touristy. Although it’s slowly turning into a crowded tourist destination, you still can enjoy the serene village life, do paragliding which opens during this season, visit monasteries & enjoy local food.
Kinnaur & Lauhal: Spiti might be still closed if you want to travel in early May, but the neighboring Kinnaur & Lauhal are splendid places to spend summer. Sangla & Hangrang valley studded with vibrant flowers and lush green fields surrounded by the snow-capped Himalayas are just perfect in May!
Dalhousie: Being a tourist attraction, Dalhousie is one of the oldest well-known hill stations of Himachal, which is easy to reach and a good place for the summer. You can get the magnificent views of Chamba valley and the Dhauladhar range here.
Dharamshala: From being a quiet Tibetan abode, Dharamshala & Mcleodganj has transformed into bustling tourist destinations in Himachal. The weather is pleasant, the views of the Dhauladhar is awesome, accommodation easy to get for all budgets and the food is delectable!
2. Kashmir
While most of Jammu remains hot during May, Kashmir provides many wonderful places to escape the heat in summer.
Srinagar: May is one of the best months to visit Srinagar, and hence you can find tourists in large numbers. A stay in a boat house is a must-do experience in Srinagar, apart from savoring the delicious Kashmir food.
Sonamarg: A hill station located close to Srinagar, Sonamarg is a good choice in May to get a view of the Himalayan valleys for which Kashmir is famous for
Gulmarg: Gulmarg is the place if you want to try some adventure in May. In Gulmarg, you can do all the snow activities including skiing and snowboarding. Take the ropeway to get a beautiful 360-degree view of the Himalayan mountains.
Pahalgam: If you prefer a less visited destination in Kashmir, Pahalgam is the place to go. You can spend leisure time amidst the valleys during May when the weather is fabulous.
3. Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is one of the other Himalayan states in India that’s ideal for visiting in summer. Here are some of the places:
Mussoorie: Located close to the capital city Dehradun, Mussoorie is probably the most visited hill station in Uttarakhand. The cool climate, hills and the view of the valleys are the reasons why it’s so popular.
Nainital: Nainital is one of the famous hill stations for honeymooning couples, but it is a great place for summer for others too. You can easily spend 2 to 3 days checking out many lakes, taking the cable car and visiting viewpoints. Also, check out the high altitude zoo which is home to the Himalayan animals.
Almora: Almora is a hill town known for its Kumaon culture, along with its excellent location surrounded by gorgeous valleys. Almora is the place where you can get to know the culture of Kumaon people, the natives of Uttarakhand, from their food to handicrafts to the places.
Auli: Auli is the skiing capital of Uttarakhand. Cut off from the urban towns around, Auli is an awesome place to spend the summer in May. The snowfall would have just stopped, the weather is cool, and enough of snow to enjoy would make Auli a total package.
North East
Although most of the states in Northeast India are Himalayan states, not all of them are ideal for a visit in May. Here are some of them to check out
4. Sikkim
Gangtok: Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim has good weather in May. You can visit the fantastic valley of Yumthang, where you can spot wild yak, snow-capped Himalayan peaks, and the rivers amidst the valley. Also, don’t forget to check out the Gurudongmar Lake.
5. Meghalaya
Shillong: May is a great time to visit Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. From the living root bridge to monasteries to parks, Shillong has many things to offer along with the weather.
Cherrapunji: You might want to visit the region that gets the highest rainfall in India and May is the best time to do that – before it starts pouring in Cherrapunji with the onset of Monsoon. Don’t forget to visit the spectacular Nohkalikai waterfalls.
6. West Bengal
Darjeeling: While most of the West Bengal would be reeling under the heat of May, Darjeeling will be pleasant – Thanks to its location at the foot of the Himalayas. The marvelous views of the K2, tea plantations, toy train, and the cool climate – Darjeeling has them all!
South
7. Kerala
Munnar: Munnar is home to the best tea plantations in Kerala and is also one of the popular hill stations in Kerala. From lovely parks to dam to tea gardens, Munnar has some attractions worth visiting, apart from the lovely weather.
8. Tamil Nadu
Kodaikanal: Kodaikanal has one of the highest mountain regions in south India, making it a popular hill station. Avoid traveling here during the long weekends though as it gets too crowded. The weather is very pleasant. It’s the best time to spend time in the valley of the Nilgiri mountains.
Ooty: Ooty is the most famous hill station in Tamil Nadu but is also very commercialized. If you don’t mind the crowd or touristic places, but just want a cool place to travel during May, then Ooty fits in.
Connor: Connor is a short distance away from Ooty and is less crowded. It is home to tea plantations, and hence you can find rows and rows of hills dotted with tea plants. Connor has many great homestays and luxurious resorts if you want a pampering holiday.
Masinagudi: Masinagudi lies on the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and is close to the reserve Madumalai reserve forest area. Surrounded by forests and hills, Masinagudi is relatively cooler in May, making it suitable to visit in May.
9. Karnataka
Madikeri: Madikeri or Coorg as it is popularly called, is a town at the foot of the Western Ghats, making it a pleasant place to visit. Also, there are a lot of attractions in and around, including the Raja seat, Talakaveri, Dubare forest and other places which are worth checking out.
Chikamagalur: Located in the Western Ghats, Chikamagalur is the coffee town of Karnataka and is known for its spice gardens, coffee estates and guest houses in the hills. Go there for a retreat amidst the cool valleys.
