Best month · Himachal
Himachal in May
Peak plains-summer escape. Weather is excellent everywhere, but Shimla and Manali fill with families from mid-May and traffic queues form on the Mall Road approaches and at Solang. Go higher and further: Sangla and Chitkul, Tirthan, Chamba and Naggar stay calmer. Prices rise sharply in the big towns, so book early or stay outside them.
Photo: Ashish Gupta from Noida, India · CC BY 2.0 · CommonsWhere to go
Our picks for May
Photo: Ashish Gupta from Noida, India · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Sangla and Chitkul
The Baspa valley, from Kamru's fort-temple to the last village
Photo: Unknown author · Public domain · Commons
Tirthan Valley and GHNP
Trout river, timber villages and a UNESCO national park
Photo: Akshat Sharma · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Naggar
The old Kullu capital, with a timber castle and Roerich's home
Trips
Trips at their best in May
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch · CC0 · Commons
Comfort
Chamba, McLeodganj and Bir by private car
Private car with driver
Photo: Unknown author · Public domain · Commons
Comfort
Tirthan, Naggar and Manali by private car
Private car with driver
Photo: Navneet Sharma · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Saver
Kinnaur by HRTC bus: Sangla, Chitkul, Kalpa
HRTC buses and local shared taxis
Photo: Neerajsinghazm · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Saver
Manali, Naggar and Kasol on a budget
HRTC local buses and short shared taxis
Photo: Navneet Sharma · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Signature
Shimla and Kinnaur with Oberoi stays
Private SUV with driver and guide; toy train from Kalka
Photo: Navneet Sharma · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Signature
Shimla and the Kullu valley in luxury
Private car with driver
Elsewhere in May
Other hives this month
Questions
Himachal in May, answered
Is May a good time to visit Himachal?
Peak plains-summer escape. Weather is excellent everywhere, but Shimla and Manali fill with families from mid-May and traffic queues form on the Mall Road approaches and at Solang. Go higher and further: Sangla and Chitkul, Tirthan, Chamba and Naggar stay calmer. Prices rise sharply in the big towns, so book early or stay outside them.
What is the weather like in Himachal in May?
Shimla 13 to 24 °C, Manali 9 to 24 °C, Chitkul 5 to 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 Himachal in May?
We suggest Sangla and Chitkul, Tirthan Valley and GHNP, Naggar. Stay in Naggar or Old Manali instead of Mall Road to dodge May traffic.