May is Uttarakhand at full throttle. The plains roast at 35-40°C+, every high route and temple in the state is open, the Char Dham Yatra runs at its fullest – and the hills answer with their highest crowds and highest hotel rates of the year. It is the month to escape the heat, and the month to book early.
Weather in May
| Band | Daytime | Nights | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plains | 30-40°C+ | 20-26°C | Extreme heat – the reason the hills fill up |
| Mid-hills (~2,000 m) | 20-28°C | 11-15°C | Warm days, perfect evenings |
| High Himalaya (2,800 m+) | 10-18°C | 0-5°C | All routes open; cool, clear |
What is open and closed in May
- Char Dham: open and in full swing – expect darshan queues and busy corridors; start days early.
- Valley of Flowers: closed until 1 June.
- Jim Corbett: all zones open (morning slots best as afternoons heat up).
- Rafting: open – book morning slots.
Best for
- Escaping the plains: Nainital and Mussoorie at their most complete
- The full-service yatra month: Char Dham Yatra
- High-meadow walking before the monsoon: Auli
Think twice if
- You are budget-driven – May rates run at their annual peak; compare the trip cost guide with a late-September trip.
- You want quiet anywhere within 8 hours of Delhi.
Events and dates
Summer school holidays run through May-June – the classic family-travel window. Book accommodation and Corbett permits well ahead; Dhikala sells out months in advance.
Part of our best time to visit Uttarakhand guide.
