10 Best Places to Visit in May in India

As the summer sun climbs higher and higher in the Indian sky, a gentle wanderlust stirs. It tiptoes into your thoughts as you sip on iced lemonades and scroll through dreamy travel reels.

Somewhere, hills wear their mist like shawls. Somewhere, waves hum lullabies to lazy hammocks. May in India isn’t just a month, it’s a secret invitation. One that only the spirited few accept.

So, if your heart is ready to drift and your soul craves a little wander, here’s your golden travel map through India’s most enchanting escapes this May.

Sunkissed Sojourns: Magical Places to Visit in May in India

1. Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh: A Prayer in the Mountains

Tucked between the snowy folds of Himachal and Tibet, Spiti is not just a place, it’s a poem written by the wind. May slowly wakes the valley up from a deep, white slumber.

Roads open, revealing endless canyons, ancient monasteries that whisper to the skies, and tiny hamlets where time walks barefoot.

Why Visit in May?
Because the snow has melted just enough to let you in, but the crowds haven’t. The skies are sapphire blue, the roads are adventurous, and the chill still kisses your cheeks.

Must-Experience:

• Meditate at Key Monastery, perched like a crown above the valley.

• Camp near the Chandratal Lake under a blanket of a billion stars.

• Cross the hauntingly beautiful Kunzum Pass.

Travel Vibe: Meditative, raw, soul-stirring.

2. Gulmarg & Pahalgam, Kashmir: A Symphony of Spring

In May, Kashmir sheds its white coat and wears flowers in her hair. Gulmarg turns into a green meadow sprinkled with daisies, while Pahalgam’s rivers glisten in the sun, weaving through pines and pastures like silver threads in a velvet tapestry.

Why Visit in May?
To witness spring’s final performance before summer arrives, to walk through tulip gardens, sip kahwa by the river, and ride ponies into dreamlike valleys.

Must-Experience:

• Take the Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest in the world.

• Visit Betaab Valley, where every frame looks like a film still.

• Enjoy a cozy shikara ride on a calm Dal Lake evening.

Travel Vibe: Dreamy, poetic, Instagram-perfect.

Also read: 10 Lesser known towns in Kashmir that are as good as Gulmarg

3. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh: Between Monks and Mountains

Tawang is India’s forgotten jewel, tucked so gently into the northeast that it still feels like a secret. In May, the mountain mists begin to part, revealing dramatic roads, colorful prayer flags, and monasteries echoing with ancient chants.

Why Visit in May?
Because before the rains take over, the skies are clear, the rhododendrons bloom, and the roads become a scenic rollercoaster adventure.

Must-Experience:

• Marvel at the Tawang Monastery, India’s largest and Asia’s second-largest.

• Drive through the magnificent Sela Pass, flanked by frozen lakes.

• Spend a quiet evening at Madhuri Lake, named after a Bollywood song!

Travel Vibe: Offbeat, divine, cinematic.

4. Ladakh, Union Territory: The Roof of the World Awakens

By May, Ladakh slowly stretches from its icy hibernation. The Srinagar-Leh highway begins to breathe life again, and early adventurers ride in, hearts pounding with excitement. The landscapes are surreal, moonscapes, high passes, monasteries clinging to cliffs, and lakes that seem to reflect the heavens themselves.

Why Visit in May?
You’ll catch Ladakh before the rush. The weather’s perfect for exploring, and nature puts on a dramatic show.

Must-Experience:

• Drive through Khardung La, one of the world’s highest motorable roads.

• Stare into the infinity of Pangong Lake.

• Explore the magnetic mysteries of Magnetic Hill.

Travel Vibe: Bold, breathtaking, limitless.

Also read: Best Time to Visit Ladakh: When to Visit and Not Visit!

5. Munnar, Kerala: Tea Gardens & Misty Mornings

Munnar, in May, wears a crown of clouds and a robe of rolling greens. This hill station in God’s Own Country offers an aromatic blend of cool climes, verdant plantations, and tranquil waterfalls.

Why Visit in May?
It’s a soft escape from the summer blaze. No sweltering heat, just cool mornings, monsoon whispers, and the scent of cardamom in the air.

Must-Experience:

• Walk through tea estates that go on forever.

• Watch rare Nilgiri Tahrs at Eravikulam National Park.

• Sip fresh brews at the Tata Tea Museum.

Travel Vibe: Cozy, slow, verdant.

6. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand: Flow with the Ganges, Fly with the Wind

If you’re looking for a place where yoga meets adventure, Rishikesh is your answer. May brings golden sunlight to the ghats, thrilling white rapids to the Ganga, and an energy that blends peace with pulse.

Why Visit in May?
Because the water is wild, the ashrams are alive, and the vibe is somewhere between boho and spiritual.

Must-Experience:

• River rafting through Grade III+ rapids.

• Attend the glowing Ganga Aarti at twilight.

• Try bungee jumping from India’s highest platform.

Travel Vibe: Adventurous, meditative, electric.

Also read: 2 days in Rishikesh: The ultimate Rishikesh Itinerary

7. Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Tropics, Turquoise & Tranquility

In May, before the monsoon sets in, Andaman glows under the tropical sun. The sands are white, the water is crystal, and the coral reefs dance in rainbow hues beneath the waves.

Why Visit in May?
Because it’s your last chance to soak in island bliss before the skies turn moody. And oh, the sunsets? They’re like postcards from paradise.

Must-Experience:

• Dive or snorkel at Havelock Island.

• Explore colonial ruins on Ross Island.

• Watch the eerie yet incredible Cellular Jail light show.

Travel Vibe: Breezy, beachy, barefoot luxury.

8. Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra: Monsoon’s Prequel

Just before the rains, Mahabaleshwar wears a golden-orange glow. Fruit carts brim with strawberries, the roads meander through thick forests, and waterfalls begin to gurgle with excitement.

Why Visit in May?
Because it's that sweet spot,cool enough to stroll, dry enough to explore, and vibrant enough to refresh your senses.

Must-Experience:

• Eat strawberries and cream at a local farm.

• Visit Arthur’s Seat, Maharashtra’s “Queen of Points.”

• Ride horses near Venna Lake at sunset.

Travel Vibe: Fresh, nostalgic, family-friendly.

9. Coorg, Karnataka: Coffee and Calmness

Coorg in May is like a whispered lullaby for the senses. Morning mists, chirping birds, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, it's the perfect countryside escape before the rains arrive in full swing.

Why Visit in May?
Because it’s cool, green, and waiting to wrap you in its earthy charm.

Must-Experience:

• Sip coffee at an estate homestay.

• Hike up Tadiandamol, Coorg’s highest peak.

• Visit Namdroling Monastery for a dash of Tibetan tranquility.

Travel Vibe: Slow travel, romantic, eco-conscious.

10. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand: Where the Wild Things Are

When the plains heat up, the jungle stirs. In May, wildlife comes out to play, and you just might catch a royal Bengal tiger taking a dip. For wildlife photographers, this is the season.

Why Visit in May?
Because the animals are more active near shrinking waterholes, and the forest is alive with sounds of summer.

Must-Experience:

• Go on a jeep safari at dawn or dusk.

• Stay in a treehouse lodge with a view of the wild.

• Take nature walks along the Kosi River.

Travel Vibe: Raw, thrilling, immersive.

Final Word: When the Sun Calls, You Must Wander

May is not just summer, it's a gentle reminder that life is best lived with sand in your shoes, mist in your hair, and mountains in your eyes. Whether you want to chase tigers, taste tea, or touch clouds, India in May is full of possibilities.

So where will you go when the mercury rises?