Best month · Garhwal
Garhwal in May
Peak yatra month. All four shrines are open, Hemkund Sahib opens late in the month, and snow walls still line parts of the Kedarnath path. Kafal fruit is on sale along the roads. The plains heat pushes crowds to Mussoorie and the dhams, so roads jam at Sonprayag and Badrinath and car parks fill by 8 am. Rishikesh is hot but the river is cold and rafting is in full swing.
Photo: Sharmaprakharr · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsWhere to go
Our picks for May
Photo: Sharmaprakharr · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Kedarnath
The highest Jyotirlinga, a 16 km walk above Gaurikund
Photo: Arpita Tripathy · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Badrinath & Mana
Vishnu's shrine on the Alaknanda, and the village before Tibet
Photo: Harshit SR · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Harsil
Apples, deodar and the Raja of Harsil on the Gangotri road
Trips
Trips at their best in May
Photo: McKay Savage from London, UK · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Comfort
Kedarnath, Tungnath and Badrinath by car
Private car with driver
Photo: Paul Hamilton · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Commons
Comfort
Landour, Harsil apples and Gangotri
Private car with driver
Photo: McKay Savage from London, UK · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Saver
Deoria Tal, Tungnath and Chandrashila
UTC and GMOU buses, shared jeeps and a shared taxi
Photo: McKay Savage from London, UK · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Signature
Kedarnath by helicopter, Badrinath and Ananda
Private car with driver and helicopter shuttle
Elsewhere in May
Other hives this month
Questions
Garhwal in May, answered
Is May a good time to visit Garhwal?
Peak yatra month. All four shrines are open, Hemkund Sahib opens late in the month, and snow walls still line parts of the Kedarnath path. Kafal fruit is on sale along the roads. The plains heat pushes crowds to Mussoorie and the dhams, so roads jam at Sonprayag and Badrinath and car parks fill by 8 am. Rishikesh is hot but the river is cold and rafting is in full swing.
What is the weather like in Garhwal in May?
Rishikesh 22–38 °C; Badrinath 6–18 °C. Conditions differ by altitude and coast, so check the forecast for each stop a week before you travel.
Where should we go in Garhwal in May?
We suggest Kedarnath, Badrinath & Mana, Harsil. Start every yatra drive before 6 am to beat the queues at checkposts.