Skip to main content
Elitech TravelsHolidays · Visas · Forex
CallWhatsAppVideo callFree quote
A view of Pangong Tso , an endorheic lake in Ladakh, India

Month-by-month planner

Where to travel in May

Where to travel in May from India: Ladakh, Kashmir and Sikkim for the summer holidays; Switzerland, Bali and Singapore abroad, with weather and prices.

Fact-checked 5 min readBy the Elitech Travels editorial desk
KennyOMG · CC BY-SA 4.0

Quick answer

May is the peak of India's summer holidays, so the hills and family-friendly trips abroad are busy and priced to match. In India, head to Ladakh as the roads open, Kashmir for green meadows, or Sikkim for cool weather and clear mornings. Abroad, Switzerland, Bali and Singapore suit families, with mild or dry weather and easy itineraries.

Best places in India in May

A view of Pangong Tso , an endorheic lake in Ladakh, India5–20°C (Leh), dry

Ladakh

Flights into Leh fill with families from mid-May, and the Srinagar–Leh highway via Zoji La is usually open by then. Pangong and Nubra are reachable, though nights are still cold. Spend your first 36–48 hours in Leh resting to acclimatise.

An empty shikara floating on the Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.11–25°C, mostly dry

Kashmir

Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gulmarg are green, and the Thajiwas Glacier at Sonamarg still has snow for sledging. It is one of the busiest months of the year, so book houseboats and Gulmarg hotels six to eight weeks ahead.

Kanchenjunga range viewed from Zoological Park in the town of Gangtok , capital of the Indian state of Sikkim.13–22°C (Gangtok), some rain

Sikkim

Gangtok is about 20°C, Lachung and Yumthang are green with the last of the rhododendrons, and Gurudongmar Lake is usually reachable again. Pre-monsoon rain builds late in the month, so travel early if you can.

Kee monastery Spiti Valley (edited)4–20°C (Kaza), dry

Spiti Valley

The Shimla–Kinnaur route into Spiti is open, and late May is quieter than the June–July rush. Kunzum Pass usually opens only in June, so plan to enter and exit via Kinnaur.

Badrinath is a holy town and a nagar panchayat in Chamoli district in the state of Uttarakhand, India.Kedarnath 2–14°C, cold nights

Char Dham

Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri open for the season in late April or May, and May–June is the main pilgrimage window. Registration is compulsory, and Kedarnath helicopter slots sell out quickly once bookings open.

The tea estate situated in the beautiful Nilgiri hills of tamilnadu. Also known fondly by tourists as Ooty.12–24°C, some showers

Ooty

The Flower Show at the Government Botanical Garden is usually held in mid-May as part of the Nilgiris summer festival. Expect heavy weekend traffic on the ghat roads, and an e-pass requirement for vehicles that has applied in recent summers.

Sela Lake is a high-altitude lake located near Sela Pass in Arunachal Pradesh, India, at an elevation of approximately 13,700 feet.5–18°C (Tawang), some rain

Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

Tawang is green and cool, Sela Pass is clear of heavy snow, and Sangetsar (Madhuri) Lake is reachable. Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit, which can be applied for online.

Eravikulam National Park - Munnar - Tea Plantations15–25°C, afternoon showers

Munnar

Munnar stays at 15–25°C while Kochi is humid, and pre-monsoon showers keep the tea estates green. Eravikulam National Park has reopened after its February–March calving closure, and rates are below the winter peak.

Best places abroad in May

Lauterbrunnen Valley and Staubbach Falls, Switzerland, 20128–20°C, some showers

Switzerland

Meadows in Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald turn green, waterfalls are full, and Jungfraujoch and Titlis still have snow. Book your Schengen appointment eight to ten weeks ahead for travel in May.

Rice terraces, Bali24–31°C, mostly dry

Bali

The dry season starts properly in May, with clear days for the Mount Batur sunrise trek and Nusa Penida day trips. It is one of the best weather-for-price months of the year, ahead of the July–August peak.

ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore26–32°C, humid, showers

Singapore

A reliable pick in the Indian school holidays: Universal Studios, the zoo, Night Safari and Sentosa all have indoor or shaded fallbacks for the heat. Late May is the busiest period for Indian families, so book early.

Lower Kolsay lake. Kolsay lakes national park, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan.11–24°C, mild, some rain

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Almaty is warm, Charyn Canyon and the Kolsai Lakes are accessible, and Shymbulak still has snow at the top of the gondola. Indian passport holders can visit visa-free for short stays at the time of review.

Gergeti Trinity Church. Kazbegi, Georgia.11–23°C, some rain

Georgia

Tbilisi is warm at about 22°C and the road to Kazbegi is open, with snow still on Mount Kazbek. It is cheaper than western Europe and less crowded than in July and August.

Tower Bridge London Dusk Feb 20069–18°C, mild, showers

United Kingdom

Long days, flowering gardens and mild weather make May one of the best months for London and the Scottish Highlands. The Chelsea Flower Show usually takes place in the second half of the month.

View of sea and tourist boats from Titov Island, Ha Long Bay, Vietnam25–34°C, mostly dry

Da Nang and Hoi An, Vietnam

Central Vietnam is in its dry beach season from May to August, and resort rates are lower than in winter. The north and south get hot and humid, so base yourself in the centre.

Mauritius19–27°C, mostly dry

Mauritius

May sits between the cyclone season and the windy winter months, with warm days and lower resort rates. It is a strong honeymoon pick when the Maldives enters its wet season.

Festivals and events in May

  • Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, Uttarakhand

    Char Dham temple openings

    Late April or May. Dates are announced by the temple committees, Badrinath's on Basant Panchami and Kedarnath's on Maha Shivratri.

  • Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur, Kerala

    Thrissur Pooram

    Usually late April or May. Caparisoned elephants, percussion ensembles and an overnight fireworks display.

  • Government Botanical Garden, Ooty

    Ooty Flower Show

    Usually mid-May, as part of the Nilgiris summer festival. Weekend traffic on the ghat roads is heavy.

  • Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Sikkim and Ladakh

    Buddha Purnima

    Usually in May. Prayers and processions at monasteries; Sikkim also marks Saga Dawa in May or June.

  • Colombo and across Sri Lanka

    Vesak

    On the May full moon. Lanterns, illuminated pandals and free roadside food stalls across the country.

  • UAE, Oman, Qatar and India

    Eid al-Adha

    Expected around 16–17 May 2027, subject to the moon sighting. Gulf fares and hotel rates rise.

How busy is May for Indian travellers?

May is the busiest month of the year for hill stations and family trips abroad. Most north Indian schools close for summer in mid-May, south Indian schools are already on holiday, and colleges finish exams. Demand for Shimla, Manali, Mussoorie, Nainital, Kashmir, Leh, Dubai, Singapore, Bali and Europe peaks from about 15 May to the end of June.

Book six to eight weeks ahead for domestic hill trips and two to three months ahead for Europe, including time for a Schengen visa appointment. Buddha Purnima and Eid al-Adha (expected around 16–17 May 2027) are public holidays that can make long weekends, depending on the weekday. Our family tour packages are built around the school-holiday window.

Where is the weather best in May?

Above 2,000 m. Ladakh opens up as the highways clear; see the best time to visit Ladakh for road-opening patterns. Kashmir, Sikkim, Spiti via Kinnaur and Tawang are cool and mostly dry. In the south, Munnar, Ooty and Kodaikanal stay in the low 20s while the coast is humid.

Abroad, May is a sweet spot for Europe before the July peak, for Bali's dry season and for central Vietnam's beaches. Central Asia and the Caucasus are green and mild.

Where should you avoid in May?

  • The northern plains: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi regularly reach 42–46°C. Sightseeing is limited to early mornings.
  • Goa and the Konkan coast in late May: It is humid, and many beach shacks close before the monsoon arrives in early June.
  • Phuket and Krabi from mid-May: The south-west monsoon brings rough seas, and some island trips are cancelled.
  • Dubai and the Gulf: Highs pass 38°C. Hotel rates are low, but you will spend most of the day indoors.
  • Shimla, Mussoorie and Nainital on weekends: Traffic on the approach roads can add three to four hours. Travel mid-week or pick quieter places nearby.

What does a May trip cost?

TripStarting priceNote
Himachal, 5 nights₹15,000+Peak rates from mid-May
Kashmir, 5 nights₹17,000+Book six to eight weeks ahead
Ladakh, 6 nights₹28,000+Rest day in Leh included
Singapore, 4 nights₹38,000+Family rooms cost more
Bali, 6 nights₹32,000+Before the July peak
Switzerland, 7 nights₹1.3 lakh+Swiss Travel Pass extra

Prices are per person, twin sharing, excluding flights. For full estimates, see Ladakh trip cost and Singapore trip cost.

Flights to Leh and Srinagar can cost twice as much in the last two weeks of May. If your dates are fixed by school holidays, book flights first and hotels second.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best place to visit in India in May?
Ladakh and Kashmir are the strongest picks: Ladakh opens up as the highways clear, and Kashmir's valleys are green and mild. Sikkim, Tawang and Spiti via Kinnaur are cooler and less crowded alternatives. In the south, Munnar and Ooty stay around 20°C. Avoid the northern plains, where highs pass 42°C.
Is Ladakh good in May?
Yes, especially from mid-May. The Srinagar–Leh highway is usually open by then, Pangong and Nubra are reachable, and days are about 20°C. The Manali–Leh highway often opens later, in late May or June. Spend the first 36–48 hours in Leh resting to acclimatise, because the town is at about 3,500 m.
Which international trip suits families in May?
Singapore is the easiest: short flights, almost no time difference, English everywhere and attractions with indoor fallbacks. Bali works for families who want a pool villa and beaches in dry weather. Switzerland is the classic summer choice if your budget allows about ₹1.3 lakh per person for land costs, plus flights and visas.
How far ahead should I book a May holiday?
For hill stations and Kashmir, book six to eight weeks ahead; for Ladakh flights, eight to ten weeks. For Europe, start the Schengen visa process two to three months ahead, as appointments in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru fill quickly before summer. Singapore and Dubai visas are quicker, but flights still rise sharply after mid-April.
Is May a good time to visit Bali?
Yes. May is the start of Bali's dry season, with lower humidity, clear mornings for the Mount Batur trek and calm seas for Nusa Penida trips. It is quieter and cheaper than July and August, when European and Australian holidays push up villa rates. A 6-night land package starts from about ₹32,000 per person.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.