Summers in India can be very hot and May is the hottest month of all. Hence, it is only natural that one would want to escape the pollution and heat of the plains during this time and spend some quiet and pleasant days in the hills. Thankfully, there are a number of hill stations in India, both in the northern and the southern part of the country. While the mighty Himalayas in the north welcome everyone with open arms, the lush greens of the Eastern and Western Ghats cradles everyone in their lushness. The month of May sees tourists visiting these places in huge numbers. Here are some of the most popular spots that you visit during the month of May and spend a most splendid vacation:
The state of Himachal has many splendid hill stations and here are some of them:
Manali is one of the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh and if you want to experience fresh air and green mountains and also experience snow at the same time, then Kullu and Manali will give you exactly what you want. The best months to visit are from May to July during the summer, and if you want to experience snowfall then the best times are from the month of November to January. There are a number of activities that you can try out here, like enjoying adventure sports at Solang Valley, go for bird watching and visit the old temples of the town. If you want to go for trekking or camping, then there are a number of trails that start from Kullu and Manali.
Shimla happens to be one of the most important cities of Himachal Pradesh and it was established as a summer capital of India by the British. There are still a number of colonial style buildings here which are used as office spaces or have been converted into hotels or resorts. The space still retains its British sophistication and you will fall in love with the various landmarks around the city. Do not forget to visit the Jakhoo Hills and the polo lovers will find it to be an ideal location.
Dharamshala is great for those who are travelling solo or with friends and it happens to be a major location for the Tibetan refugees in India. You can enjoy a boat ride in the Dal Lake and do not forget to visit the royal Kangra Fort. The Bhagsunath temple is dedicated to Lord shiva and you must also visit the Bhagsu waterfalls. The Kangra Art Museum is also a great place to visit. However the most important location here is the temple of Dalai Lama and if you are fortunate, you may even find him in the city and listen to one of his inspiring speeches.
You will hardly find places more beautiful than Kasauli and it was also built during the British era. The Anglican Church here is the most important landmark and you can also walk till Monkey Point to view the scenery. The sunrise and sunset from here will leave you mesmerized and if you want to explore nature, then you can take a walk down the Gilbert trail. If you are visiting during the month of December and January then you can also experience snowfall.
Bir happens to be one of the most exciting places in Himachal Pradesh and it is a top location for backpackers and those who love parasailing. There are also a number of Buddhist monasteries in the neighbouring regions of Bhattu and Chogan. You will love the 13th century Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Palampur Tea Cooperative is a great place to experience tea making, and that too absolutely free. This is a great place for adventure seekers and there are a number of trekking trails here as well.
Known as the Mini Switzerland of India, Dalhousie is a great place to destress yourself and enjoy the tranquil and peaceful beauty of nature. This hill town is located in the Khajjiar Valley and there can be nothing better than taking a walk along its many trails. The Saint John Church happens to be the oldest church in town. You will really not feel the need to go to Switzerland once you have visited this mesmerizing city.
Chitkul is known to be the last inhabited village near the Indo- Chinese border of India and because it is so far away, not many people visit this village. The scenic beauty of this place will leave you stunned and because the population near is very low, you can enjoy the full impact of nature. It is one of the most unexplored places not only in the state, but also in the entire country and that is what makes it so special. You can take a walk down the Charan- Chitkul pass and you can simply sit by the Baspa rRver and enjoy the beauty of the region.
Shogi happens to be a small mountain town which is located not very from Shimla, and it is also known for its wonderful and great variety of flora and fauna. You must visit the old temples around this region, and it is a very affordable place to live in because of the numerous guesthouses that have come up here. Most people travel up to Shimla and do not go any further but once you go that extra mile, you are going to discover this amazing village. You must try the famous fruits of this region which are great to taste because of the incredible climate this region has throughout the year.
Uttarakhand is a beautiful state nestled in the Himalayas and there are a number of stunning places to visit during summers. Here are some of them:
Dehradun is the Capital of Uttarakhand, and it is a very beautiful location with a stunning view of the Himalayas and the River Ganga flowing on the other side of the city. Dehradun can be reached easily from Delhi by road and it is just a 5 hours drive. There are a number of lakes and temples to visit here. Do not forget to visit the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun and have a look at the army training school. You can visit this beautiful city throughout the year but the summers are always the best. The city is a wonderful and a very popular spot for those who want to get away from the busy city life at a short notice. Few places in India as amazing as this city.
Mussoorie is known as the Queen of Hills and attracts many visitors around the year. During the summer months the hills are full of students who are taking a break from their schools or college. Mussoorie is just about an hour drive from Dehradun. Do not forget to visit the Jwalaji Temple and there are a number of waterfalls here as well. There are some delightful hidden trees that are great for hiking and you will find that the morning are full of different birds chirping and waking you up. The cafes in Mussoorie serve delicious food and there can be nothing better than spending a laid-back evening with great conversation and beautiful scenery to keep you company.
Located by the famous Naini Lake, this hill station is surrounded by mountains on all size and you cannot get enough of the beauty of nature. During the months of May, the mountains turn a lush green and you can go for amazing walks. Whether you are travelling with your friends, family or your partner, you can always find something interesting to do here. You must visit the Nainital zoo and boating in the Naini Lake is really wonderful. The wildlife sanctuary here will offer you a glimpse of various kinds of deer, hares, butterflies and of course, birds. The exotic beauties of the Himalaya is best enjoyed from here. Most importantly, the people are also very warm and welcoming.
A little way from from Nainital is the beautiful hill station of Ranikhet, and if you are passionate about camping, then this is the best place you can go to. You will be able to sleep under the stars and the night sky has never seemed better. There are number of trekking trails that start from here and you can also go for adventure activities like rock climbing. If you want to spend some time away from the extreme chaos of other tourist places, then Ranikhet will of you tranquility like few other hill stations.
Your visit to Uttarakhand will not be complete if you do not visit the adventure capital of India, Rishikesh. Rishikesh is now a magnet for adventure lovers and people not only come here from all parts of the country but also from rest of the world. The most exciting sport here is the white water river rafting and the many waterfalls and rapids of this region provide you with a most thrilling experience. There are also other kind of adventure activities organized here and trekking, mountain biking and rock climbing are some other activities. On the other hand, this is also known as the yoga capital and there are a number of holistic centres here that practice yoga. Staying few days at the yoga ashram will definitely act as a fuel to rejuvenate your mind and body.
Haridwar is the spiritual capital of India and there are many temples here which date back to the mediaeval times. In fact even if you are not a religious person you must definitely visit Haridwar because of the architectural wonder of this place. The temples are specimens of astounding art and many students of architecture come here to study about the history. If you are looking for spiritual enlightenment than visiting the Ashrams of Haridwar could help. The Ganga Aarti in Haridwar should not be missed. One of the most wonderful activities that you can undertake air is to take a Boat Ride in the evening and watch the sunset and then the Ganga Aarti from the river after a while. It is truly a heavenly experience.
If you are looking for an adventurous place to visit and you love the wild life then the Jim Corbett National Park is the place for you. The park is home to over 600 species of birds and an equal number of animals and around 500 varieties of plants and trees. You must go for the Safari is at the park and if you are lucky you can even come across a tiger crossing your path! The park is closed from June to August during the monsoon months but the rest of the year is open. During the summer months you can see a number of flowers blooming and the birds will take your breath away. You can also hike through the trees inside the forest with the guide.
Leh and Ladakh lie in the extreme north of India and you are catch a glimpse of the wild and untamed beauty of the mountains here. Here are some of the most important places in this region:
One of the most prominent places to visit in the in the Ladakh region is Kargil. It is the second largest town in Ladakh and is located by the banks of the Indus River, which in itself has tremendous historical importance. There are a number of roads that lead to Leh, Zanskar and Srinagar from here. This is a major spot for adventure enthusiasts and you can enjoy trekking and mountain climbing here. Do not forget to visit the memorial which has been constructed in honour of the jawans who lost their life in the Kargil War. The month of May is the best time to visit because the temperatures are tolerable. At other times it is extremely cold to be here.
This pass is known as the Gateway which leads to the Nubra and Shyok Valleys and it happens to be one of the best tourist places in Ladakh. This pass is managed by the Border Roads organization and is considered to be the gateway to the extreme north of India. It is a very thrilling pass to ride on and mountain bikers come here frequently. The pass is open from May to September and is closed at other times due to snowfall.
It is one of the best places to see in Ladakh and is a tri- fork Valley towards the North East. It is hard to find sand dunes in the mountains but this is exactly what you will see here and you will have a very Arabian experience. The famous two humped camels can be seen here and the Samstaling monastery is the important landmark which cannot be missed. Another attraction of the Nubra Valley is the panoramic village where there are the hot Sulphur Springs. The beauty of this beautiful region will leave you stunned.
This is quite an interesting place to visit because it is said that if one leaves their vehicle with their brakes unlocked at the foot of the hills, then it starts climbing uphill. It is probably because of the high level of magnetic field beneath the hill and so the vehicles have to be parked within a box which is marked by white paint on the ground.
Ladakh is known as the land of monks and there are a number of monasteries and Spituk happens to be one of them that you can visit, because it is open to visitors. The monastery is famous because it is beautifully carved and is located on the top of a hill. You can stay here for a night also but be careful to carry warm clothes because the night air is extremely chilling. The mornings are really beautiful with the surrounding landscape being revealed slowly as the sun rays fall from one point to another.
There are quite a few hill stations in South India as well and the Western Ghats will leave you mesmerized with their one of a kind beauty. Here are some places to visit here during May.
Munnar is located in Kerala and is filled with beautiful lakes and waterfalls and rolling green valleys. During the month of May, the hills are lush and green and you will find the plantations hard to resist. It is one of the best places to visit in South India and you will come back with bags of spices because the spice tours are the most interesting. The waterfalls of Munnar provide the perfect backdrop for some really beautiful pictures.
Coorg is located in the Western Ghats and is a perfect hill station to get away from the chaos of the cities during summers. Coorg is known as the gateway to down south and there are a number of waterfalls and tea valleys here. There are number of little streams which can be crossed on foot and the trails are ideal for first time trekkers because they are not very difficult at all and yet provide the right dose of adventure.
Ooty is known as the Queen of Hill Stations in south, and it has been a very popular location since anyone can remember. Established by the British to escape the heat of the plains, is also filled with many colonial style buildings. The tea gardens are a joy to walk through and you can also go to one of the teal mills is to see how it is processed. Do not forget to take a ride on the famous toy train here which connects Ooty with Mettupalayam and Coonoor and provides you a stunning glimps of the hills as you travel through tunnels and winding hill tracts.
Devikulam is not just a beautiful location, but it is also a region filled with mythology and history. It is said that the Goddess Sita herself bathed in the lake here and which is why the lake is believed to have curative powers and is considered very sacred among the locals. There are a number of viewing points from where you can get a stunning view of the little towns around. The nearest hill station near is at Kottayam. Do not forget to bring your camera to capture the beautiful waterfalls.
Coonoor is located on the eastern side of the Southern tip of Doddabetta range and is known for its exotic flora and fauna. It happens to be the largest hill station on the Nilgiri Mountains. The coffee plantations here are a joy to explore and you can also replenish your stock when you come back. This place is a very popular location for the newlyweds because of the privacy at offers. The cool mountain breeze at night will really so your mind body and soul.
Another popular location to visit in India, and which falls in the north- eastern part of the country, is Shillong. It is the capital of Meghalaya, and there are a number of places of interest here. The Elephant Falls is the most noted waterfalls in the vicinity. The Bishop and Beadon Falls are another important falls. You can trek right up to the Shillong Peak and enjoy the great view that unfolds from the top. The Shillong Golf Course is one of the largest in the country and a frequent haunt of golfers. The Lady Hydari Park is great for taking a stroll and is adjacent to a mini zoo. A number of flower festivals are also frequently organized here and seeing some rare orchids in bloom is quite an experience.
So, if you want to enjoy a summer vacation and want to travel somewhere in the month of May, then visiting any of these hill stations in India at this time will leave you full of joy. Enjoy the great views, the splendid view and explore the culture of the hills and have a most memorable holiday.
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