Rudraprayag · Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Temple
Best time: May – Jun, Sep – Oct · 2–3 days
Best places to visit in India in May
The hottest month in the plains, so head high. Himachal, Uttarakhand, Kashmir and Sikkim are in full swing, and the roads into Ladakh and Spiti start to open.
How we chose these: Places whose recommended season includes May, ordered from best known to lesser-known.
Mountains and hills
Anantnag · Jammu & Kashmir
Pahalgam
Best time: Apr – Oct · 2–3 days
Dharamshala · Himachal Pradesh
McLeod Ganj
Best time: Mar – Jun, Sep – Nov · 2–3 days
Nainital · Uttarakhand
Nainital
Best time: Mar – Jun, Oct – Nov · 2–3 days
Munnar · Kerala
Munnar Tea Gardens
Best time: Sep – May · 2–3 days
Baramulla · Jammu & Kashmir
Gulmarg
Best time: Dec – Mar (snow), May – Jun (meadows) · 1–2 days
Ganderbal · Jammu & Kashmir
Sonamarg
Best time: May – Sep · 1 day
Ooty · Tamil Nadu
Nilgiri Mountain Railway
Best time: Mar – Jun, Sep – Nov · 2–3 days
Tawang · Arunachal Pradesh
Sela Pass
Best time: Mar – Jun, Sep – Nov · 1 day
Chamoli · Uttarakhand
Auli
Best time: Dec – Mar, Apr – Jun · 2–3 days
Tawang · Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang Monastery
Best time: Mar – Jun, Sep – Oct · 2–3 days
Manali · Himachal Pradesh
Solang Valley
Best time: Dec – Feb (snow), May – Jun · 1–2 days
Darjeeling · West Bengal
Tiger Hill
Best time: Oct – Dec, Mar – May · 2–3 days
Leh · Ladakh
Shanti Stupa
Best time: May – Oct · 1 day
North Sikkim · Sikkim
Yumthang Valley
Best time: Apr – May (rhododendrons) · 2–3 days
Leh · Ladakh
Thiksey Monastery
Best time: May – Sep · 1 day
East Sikkim · Sikkim
Tsomgo Lake
Best time: Apr – Jun, Oct – Nov · 1 day
Beaches and islands
Heritage and culture
Nature, lakes and wildlife
Srinagar · Jammu & Kashmir
Dal Lake
Best time: Apr – Oct · 2–3 days
Nongriat · Meghalaya
Living Root Bridges
Best time: Oct – May · 1–2 days
Lower Subansiri · Arunachal Pradesh
Ziro Valley
Best time: Mar – Oct · 2–3 days
East Khasi Hills · Meghalaya
Mawlynnong
Best time: Oct – May · 1 day
Umaria · Madhya Pradesh
Bandhavgarh National Park
Best time: Oct – Jun · 2–3 days