Weather in India in May

This article will give you some insight into the weather in India in May and the places to visit in India in May. The Indian summer begins in mid-March and lasts until mid-June. This means that by May, India experiences its peak-summer and temperatures will be extremely hot throughout the country.

However, there are destinations which are perfect to visit in May. Here is some inspiration on the best places to visit in India in May.

Also, find a detailed overview on what the weather would be like each month in India, in different regions of the country. Feel free to explore.

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

India can get extremely hot in the month of May

weather in north India in may

In the North of India, temperatures are generally mid 40°C in the afternoons, particularly in the favoured areas such as Varanasi, Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra. Usually, we recommend spending limited time in these regions during the summer because of such high temperatures and unpleasantly hot winds. Though if you wish to stay in luxury hotels, then you can get some fantastic discounted rates.

For safari enthusiasts, April and May are the best times to spot some tigers. As watering holes dry up, they are left with fewer places to hydrate, making the probability of sightings much higher. Safaris often open early in the morning, or in the late afternoon, so you are not likely to be in the scorching afternoon sun.

There are plenty of options to spot some of India’s striped cats, from Ranthambore in Rajasthan, to the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. For some inspiration on where you can go to experience a safari, check out Bernard’s 14 Day Safari Vacation with us.

Learn About: Rajasthan’s Premier Sites to Visit

Dive Deeper: North India’s Premier Travel Locations

Palaces in Rajasthan

weather in the mountains in may

Indian tradition at this time of the year is often to head for the Himalayas. There are plenty of opportunities to see some fabulous waterfalls as the enormous range is bathed in sunlight and as the snow starts to melt. The weather in May is pleasant here, ranging from 15 – 25°C.

Himachal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim or Arunachal allow you to experience the sweet cool air. These regions have plenty of friendly home-stays available in and around the areas. Explore sweet-tiled roof cottages, local chocolate and wool sweater economies. You’ll be sure to find whitewashed chapels and serene Buddhist monasteries at every turn. You can even enjoy a toy train to reach the summer capitals of Darjeeling and Shimla.

You can look at some of our mountain travel routes here.

Mountain view

weather in south India in may

South India is likely to be extremely hot and humid throughout the duration of summer. From the ruins of Hampi to the southern tip of India, Kanyakumari, the weather can vary energy-sapping. But this does not mean that there is nowhere to visit in this naturally beautiful region.

Visiting the backwaters, rainforests and tea plantations in Kerala. Whilst it can be a little sultry, a dip in a cool swimming pool can change that feeling quickly, especially with a cold drink! The higher-end hotel rates do come down during the offseason and it is a perfect way to enjoy the natural beauty of Kerala. Get some inspiration for travel routes in Kerala in one of our blogs. Alternatively, tea plantations of Munnar or the forests of Wayanad and Thekkady are all wonderful experiences.

If you’re interested in seeing some temples and getting some culture, places such as Tamil Nadu and the temple towns of Madurai, Mahabalipuram and even Pondicherry can get pretty hot and these should probably be visited once there have been a few rain showers and the temperature cools down. However, Tamil Nadu has some great hill stations in Kodaikanal and Coonoor, making ideal summer cities to visit. You could also visit the coffee plantations in Coorg in neighbouring Karnataka.

For more information, visit our blog regarding travelling around Southern India at this time of year.

Dive Deeper: Unveiling the Best Time for Kerala

For Beaches

Varkala or Marari are great options for sunbathing. Further, beach destination such as Goa is always popular with travellers, no matter which month or what the weather. Kick back and enjoy the sea on the beach, or even explore the rainforest. For all beach-lovers, check out our blog on some lesser-known beaches in India.

Summer’s greatest pleasure is going on vacation on a lake with friends and family (Photo Credit – Abhishek Prasad)

India someday recommends

We would suggest one of the best regions to travel in May is in the Himalayas. Further, the roads to reach Leh and Ladakh would just about be opening and the mountains have the perfect weather. Trying to spot some tigers in some of the national parks are certainly high up on our list for this time of year. For beach-lovers, the coastal regions of Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu are perfect this time of year. Lastly, the Andaman Islands are hot, humid and perfect for sunbathing and snorkelling.

Light and comfy clothes, cotton shirts and pants or even linen are ideal to wear. If visiting the mountains, especially Leh, carry a light jacket. Its also best to carry an umbrella, cap and plenty of sunscreens.

Discover the Best: Luxury Hotels in India

The smell of the ocean never gets old – Belyakovacat

For more detailed information about the best places to visit in India in May, or for any help planning your perfect trip to India, feel free to contact us!