I will be going to India from Oslo in May next with my cousins and parents. We all want to see India other than the usual hometown we go to. As we have not been to India on a regular basis and also have never been in the month of May, we need some advice on the places to visit in May in India. We were thinking about places like Goa or Kerala, but don't know what the weather would be like. Other options are hill stations and also Rajasthan. We are open to all options, as our travel mode would be by air and we would be in India for one month, apart from a few who will be returning back after 2 weeks.
Hi there, welcome to the forum. May is part of the summer season in India and the lowlands can be very hot and humid during this month. Beach destinations are good though as you can enjoy the calm seas and most water sports are available during this time. Hill stations are also good options as they bring some relief during the summer heat. The northwestern side of India, including Rajasthan, gets particularly high temperatures during May so it's not advisable to visit the region, except maybe for Mount Abu, the only hill station in the state. Here are the best places to visit during the month of May in India: Places to get some relief from the heat 1. Ooty - The Queen of the Hill Stations deserves to be at the top of this list. While the cities in the country reach the harsh temperatures of 40°C, Ooty barely exceeds the 28°C mark. Thus, if you are that person who gets uncomfortable with humidity and heat, Ooty is the perfect summer getaway for you. Summer season though is the peak tourist season in the hill station so book a hotel in advance before going to Ooty. Aside from the pleasant climate, you can indulge in many sightseeing activities around the hill station. The main attraction here is the Pykara Lake, where you can enjoy a boat ride with your loved ones. Take your pick with traditional row boats or maybe the more modern speed boats. If you want a less crowded lake, there's the Upper Bhavani Lake or even the Avalanche Lake. They're equally beautiful but attracts less throngs of tourists. If you're in for some adventure, trek to reach the Doddabetta Peak, the highest point of Ooty, and you'd be rewarded by beautiful mountain views at the end of your journey. The Rose Garden is another great attraction, where you can find different species of roses in bloom especially during spring and summer. Must visit attractions - Pykara Lake, Upper Bhavani Lake, Avalanche Lake, Doddabetta Peak and Rose Garden. Related thread - Ooty Travel Guide 2. Shillong - In the northeastern state of Meghalaya, its capital, Shillong, is steadily gaining popularity as a tourist destination. Why is Shillong a great summer destination? Because unlike other cities, it has pleasant summers, not even exceeding the 29°C mark in temperature. You might even experience rainfall during summer time here. Add to that the breathtaking scenery, visible from every part of the city and you know you're in for a treat as soon as you set foot in Shillong. Do visit Ward's Lake and indulge in boating. Or maybe just cross the bridge over the lake and enjoy the wonderful views below. Umiam Lake is yet another must visit here, it also has boating facilities and plenty of restaurants around. You can also enjoy a leisurely stroll around Lady Hydari Park, with its varying flora, giving colour to the surroundings. Excursions out of Shillong are also plenty where you can find places like Cherrapunjee and visit the living root bridges or maybe Mawlynnong, dubbed as the cleanest place on Earth. Another excursion you cannot pass is a visit to the Mawjymbuin Caves, where you need to trek through dark and slippery paths to explore it. Must visit attractions - Ward's Lake, Umiam Lake, Lady Hydari Park, Cherrapunjee, Mawlynnong and Mawjymbuin Caves. Related thread - Shillong Travel Guide Umiam Lake in Shillong 3. Wayanad - Kerala is well-known for its hill station of Munnar and because of this other hill stations in the state are left quite under its shadow. Take for instance Wayanad, equally stunning as Munnar, with its natural attractions and pleasant climate all-year round, but isn't as visited as the latter. Summers here are cool, with temperatures not exceeding 35°C. The Banasura Sagar Dam is a must visit here as you can enjoy boating amidst it. It is also a photographer's haven as you can certainly find the perfect mountain shot from here. If you're into trekking, you can visit the Soochippara Waterfalls, which includes about two kilometres of walking before you can reach its clear, cold water. Yet another attraction that needs trekking is the Edakkal Caves but more than that, once you reach the caves, you can see the carvings here, that can be traced as far back as 6,000 years ago. As you can see, Wayanad is more than just a hill station as it has plenty of trekking routes leading to beautiful attractions. If you're that adventurous, you can add in a trek to the Brahmagiri Hills too while in this hill station. Must visit attractions - Banasura Sagar Dam, Soochippara Waterfalls, Edakkal Caves, Brahmagiri Hills and many more. Related thread - Wayanad Places to Visit For enjoying the sun and beach 4. Goa - Goa is synonymous with Indian beaches and thus, also deserves a spot on this list. During May, the state receives its highest temperatures although it doesn't exceed 36°C. Its proximity to the sea allows for some respite from the heat though. If you do enjoy adventure and partying, head on over to Goa and you'll have the best summer experience of your life. If partying is your thing, then Baga Beach and Calangute Beach are suitable for you. You can also indulge in water sports here like jet skiing, windsurfing and parasailing. If sightseeing is always in your list, then head on to Panjim and see sights like Old Goa and Fontainhas. If you're looking for more remote beaches, then South Goa is the place to be. You can enjoy places like Betalbatim Beach, Cavelossim Beach and Palolem Beach. Excursions can lead you to more remote beaches like Cola Beach and Butterfly Beach. Goa is not all about parties or crowded beaches only so even families can enjoy their summer vacation in this state. Must visit attractions - Baga Beach, Calangute Beach, Old Goa, Fontainhas, Betalbatim Beach, Cavelossim Beach, Palolem Beach, Cola Beach and Butterfly Beach. Related thread - Goa Travel Guide 5. Andaman Islands - Craving to get your tan on? Then why not take a flight and reach the Andaman Islands. Andaman has the best beaches in India and with its rich marine life, you won't find any excuse not to snorkel or scuba dive here. Summers can get pretty humid here though with temperatures reaching 37°C to 40°C. However, summer is not the peak tourist season of the islands. And with such clear weather conditions, you can indulge in all the water sports you'd like. Seeing the rich marine underwater life is also quite easy during summer. Just make sure to pack your sunscreen though and be prepared to get home with at least two to three shades darker of skin tone! But anyway, when in the Andaman Islands, be sure to visit Havelock Island. There are seven beaches here with the last beach, Radhanagar Beach, being the most popular one. It has even been named as the best beach in Asia by Time magazine. Neil Island is yet another must visit place, where the Bharatpur Beach is located. You can indulge in snorkelling here. Take a ferry ride and reach Barren Island, where the only active volcano is South Asia can be found. Or maybe take a ferry ride to Baratang Island and explore the limestone formations in the caves here. More than just the beaches, Andaman Islands has plenty more to offer to travellers which is why it has landed into this list. Must visit attractions - Havelock Island, Neil Island, Barren Island, Baratang Island and many more. Related thread - Andaman Islands Travel Guide Barren Island in Andaman 6. Alleppey - Alleppey is known for its houseboat cruises but it is also home to some of the best beaches in Kerala. Thus, after an enjoyable houseboat cruise, why not visit the beaches of Alleppey? They're not as crowded as the Kovalam beaches, yet they exude beauty, the same way that the other beaches here does. A cult favourite here is the Marari Beach, with its golden sands and calm waves. The numerous beach shacks provide the tourists with some kind of refreshment too. For the best sunset view, there's the Alappuzha Beach, where you can enjoy strolling around as well. Another must visit here is the Andhakaranazhi Beach, more secluded although smaller in size than the other beaches. Thottappally Beach, with its black sands, is quite different but also warrants a visit due to its serenity and rural vibe. Must visit attractions - Marari Beach, Alappuzha Beach, Andhakaranazhi Beach and Thottappally Beach. Related thread - Alleppey Places to Visit For wildlife spotting 7. Kaziranga National Park - Summer means that more animals come out of their hiding to find watering holes. And so, a visit to the Kaziranga National Park would be duly appropriate during this season. Nestled in the state of Assam, the national park is home to the greatest number of one-horned rhinoceroses in the world. Because the national park has done well to preserve that natural habitat of the animals in the region, it has been granted as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But aside from the one-horned rhinos, you can also spot other animals like wild boars, pangolins, sambars, barking deers, Assamese macaques and many more in the national park. The habitat itself is worth exploring, with the wetland and dense forests covering, along with the flowing of the Brahmaputra River in the area. There are daily jeep safaris and elephant safaris in the national park. Outside the national park, there are numerous resorts and hotels that can mimic the authentic wildlife experience. Famous for - One-horned rhinoceroses. Related thread - Kaziranga National Park Travel Guide 8. Gir National Park - In the state of Gujarat, the world's largest number of Asiatic lions reside. And it is here in the Gir National Park that you can view them in their natural habitat. These majestic animals were once on the brink of extinction due to illegal poaching. The national park has done well to conserve this specie and now, there are more than 500 of them living in the national park. Their habitat is a variation of deciduous forests, rugged terrains and grasslands. Thus, spotting them during the summer season is a bit more easy, just make sure that you ask the driver to go to nearby watering holes. Aside from the Asiatic lions, you can also spot other animals here like the black-naped hares, chitals, striped hyenas, marsh crocodiles and plenty more. You must book a ticket for the safari online, as this is one of the most popular national parks in the country and there is always a rush here. Famous for - Asiatic lions. Related thread - Lions and Tigers in India Asiatic Lion in Gir National Park 9. Kanha National Park - This is the largest national park in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Did you know that the Jungle Book was based off of the jungles of Kanha National Park? If that is not reason enough to visit the national park, then if you must know, it is also home to the royal Bengal tigers. And you can also spot animals like blackbucks, barasinghas, barking deers, sloth bears, hyenas and plenty more here. The entire national park is surrounded by lush forests consisting of sal and bamboo trees. During summer, coverings are sparse and it's easier to spot these wild animals. During this season though, temperatures reach 40°C and above so it's a must to wear light cotton clothes. Do bring your own water as well to hydrate you while you're on a wildlife safari. Famous for - Royal Bengal tigers. Related thread - Kanha Versus Bandhavgarh Must visit offbeat places 10. Tawang - Barely reaching 25°C even during the peak of summer, Tawang is an offbeat destination in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Although it falls under one of the restricted areas in the country and you need a permit to visit it, it's all worth it. Home to the Monpa tribe, teeming with beautiful landscapes and natural attractions, Tawang can captivate the heart of any traveller. While we spend most of our time at home, engaged in our gadgets and internet life, you'd find that the people in Tawang have been removed from all these distractions. And this adds to the unique culture and heritage of the town. You won't find luxury hotels here as well, only small hotels, guest houses and home stays. Tawang truly takes you back to simpler times and it would surely make you appreciate life even more. When in Tawang, one of the first attractions you must visit here is the Tawang Monastery. With the sights of monks and children running around, along with the views of the surrounding mountains, the monastery would certainly lift your spirits up. There's also the Nuranang Waterfalls, very picturesque and can be accessed but the climb to reach it is quite steep and slippery. An attraction that has captured the heart of many tourists is the Pangateng Tso, a high altitude lake where you can also find surrounding flowers and wildlife. Must visit attractions - Tawang Monastery, Nuranang Waterfalls and Pangateng Tso. Related thread - Tawang Travel Guide Nuranang Waterfalls in Tawang 11. Kohima - The capital of the Nagaland, Kohima, experiences a pleasant climate all-year round. Summers here are very cool, with temperatures not exceeding 30°C. Kohima is a charming hill station in the northeastern region of India. Its beauty is not as well known as compared to the other hill stations of the country. As such, it has retained most of its pristine attractions and is a place to be for those tired of excessive commercialism or crowds. A must do when in Kohima is trekking and even the beginners can enjoy the trails here. Such trails like the Dzukou Valley and Japfu Peak can lead you into the most breathtaking views. Right from the paths laden with green meadows and colourful flowers, up to the peak itself where you get a commanding view of the surrounding mountains. The Naga Heritage Village is also a must visit here so you can learn more about the different tribes of the region. Here you can see huts decorated the way that an actual tribal hut is and also the utensils used by the tribes. The annual Hornbill Festival is also held here. And lastly, a visit to the Kohima War Cemetery can ignite the patriotic side in you, this is the place where the Indian soldiers and Naga warriors who fought the Japanese during the World War II are buried. Must visit attractions - Dzukou Valley, Japfu Peak, Naga Heritage Village and Kohima War Cemetery. Related thread - Kohima Travel Guide Enjoy your vacation.