May 2026 · Garhwal & Kumaon
Six May itineraries for school-holiday families, Char Dham pilgrims, lake stays, rafting breaks and high-Himalayan views — designed by a Dehradun team that knows how to avoid peak-season traffic and midday heat.
May is Uttarakhand's classic summer-travel month. The plains are hot, the hill stations are lively, Char Dham routes are active, rafting days are bright, and higher valleys open for longer stays. We build May plans around early starts, realistic driving time, family comfort, hotel availability and smart routing that avoids the worst holiday rush.
We plan early departures, parking-friendly sightseeing and transfer buffers for Mussoorie, Nainital, Rishikesh and Char Dham traffic.
Every Garhwal, Kumaon, Chopta and Auli route is handled by drivers who know summer diversions, hill bends and reliable meal stops.
Your plan is adjusted for school holidays, senior travellers, pilgrimage pace, rafting comfort, safari permits or slow mountain stays.
Six routes for May
Prices are per person, twin sharing, ex-Dehradun, Haridwar, Kathgodam or Delhi. GST and 5% TCS as applicable.
Leisure · Easy03 Nights / 04 Days
Dehradun → Mussoorie → Landour → Dhanaulti
A relaxed hill-station plan for families and couples who want Mall Road time, Landour cafés, Kempty or Bhatta Falls, and one cooler forest day in Dhanaulti without rushed sightseeing.
From
₹ 12,400
Family · Lake Stay04 Nights / 05 Days
Kathgodam → Nainital → Bhimtal → Mukteshwar
Built for school-holiday families who want boating, lakeside cafés, easy viewpoints and a quieter orchard stay in Mukteshwar after the busy Nainital evenings.
From
₹ 15,900
Trekking · Easy-Moderate04 Nights / 05 Days
Haridwar → Rudraprayag → Chopta → Sari Village
May brings green meadows, open trails and comfortable daylight for Tungnath and Chandrashila. We keep the trek morning-led so you descend before afternoon clouds build.
From
₹ 14,800
Himalayan Views05 Nights / 06 Days
Rishikesh → Joshimath → Auli → Badrinath/Mana
A cool high-altitude escape with cable-car views, relaxed Auli walks and an optional Badrinath-Mana day when road and temple conditions are suitable for your travel dates.
From
₹ 19,200
Adventure · Wellness03 Nights / 04 Days
Dehradun → Rishikesh → Shivpuri → Neer Garh
Bright river days, café evenings and active mornings. We pair rafting with yoga, Ganga Aarti and shaded waterfall walks so the plan stays comfortable in May heat.
From
₹ 10,700
Pilgrimage09 Nights / 10 Days
Haridwar → Yamunotri → Gangotri → Kedarnath → Badrinath
May is one of the busiest yatra months. We plan permits, night halts, pony/helicopter options, senior-friendly pacing and practical buffers for temple queues and mountain traffic.
From
₹ 34,900
WHERE TO GO
These destinations are among the most popular choices for an Uttarakhand trip in May, especially for summer holidays, hill stations, family vacations, trekking routes and Char Dham travel.
| Destination | Best For | May Weather | Ideal Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nainital | Family holidays, boating, lakes | Pleasant, peak season | 2–3 days |
| Mussoorie | Family, couples, summer vacation | Pleasant, crowded | 2–3 days |
| Auli | Meadows, views, quiet stays | Cool and scenic | 2 days |
| Chopta | Trekking, Tungnath, mountain views | Cool, pleasant | 2–3 days |
| Kedarnath | Pilgrimage, Char Dham Yatra | Cold evenings, active yatra season | 3–5 days |
| Badrinath | Pilgrimage, Himalayan temples | Cold to pleasant | 3–5 days |
| Rishikesh | Rafting, yoga, Ganga aarti | Warm | 2 days |
| Jim Corbett | Wildlife, resorts, jungle safari | Hot but good for safari | 2 days |
| Kausani / Ranikhet | Peaceful Kumaon, Himalayan views | Pleasant | 2–3 days |
| Mukteshwar | Nature stays, Himalayan views | Pleasant and calm | 1–2 days |
CHOOSE YOUR ROUTE
Best package: Nainital–Bhimtal–Mukteshwar
Safe, scenic and relaxed route with lakes, boating, viewpoints, family-friendly hotels and pleasant summer holiday weather.
Best package: Auli–Chopta–Mussoorie
Romantic mountain views, cool hill stays, peaceful scenery and beautiful routes before the monsoon season begins.
Best package: Nainital–Ranikhet–Kausani
Easy drives, calmer hill towns, Himalayan views and comfortable sightseeing with relaxed travel planning.
Best package: Kedarnath / Char Dham
May is an active yatra month with popular pilgrimage routes open and high demand for hotels, transport and permits.
Best package: Rishikesh–Chopta–Tungnath
Great for rafting, trekking, mountain views, nature trails and active outdoor experiences in the hills.
Best package: Nainital–Mussoorie–Rishikesh
A classic Uttarakhand route with lakes, hill stations, temples, Ganga aarti and easy access from Delhi.
Not sure which route suits your dates?
WhatsApp Your Travel PlanDAY-WISE PLANS
Arrive in Nainital and check in to your hotel. Enjoy boating at Naini Lake, visit Naina Devi Temple and explore Mall Road in the evening. Overnight stay in Nainital.
Visit Snow View Point, Himalaya Darshan, Eco Cave Garden, Tiffin Top and nearby viewpoints. May is ideal for summer family holidays in Nainital. Overnight stay in Nainital.
After breakfast, visit Bhimtal, Sattal, Naukuchiatal and Mukteshwar. Explore Mukteshwar Temple and Chauli Ki Jali before returning to Nainital.
Check out after breakfast and proceed for your onward journey with beautiful Kumaon memories.
Reach Mussoorie and check in to your hotel. Spend the evening at Mall Road, Gun Hill or Camel’s Back Road. Overnight stay in Mussoorie.
Visit Kempty Falls, Company Garden, Lal Tibba, Mussoorie Lake and local viewpoints. Overnight stay in Mussoorie.
Drive to Rishikesh and visit Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula, Beatles Ashram, Parmarth Niketan and Triveni Ghat. Attend evening Ganga Aarti.
After breakfast, drive to Jim Corbett. Check in to your wildlife resort and enjoy leisure time or resort activities.
Enjoy an early morning jeep safari, subject to permit availability. Later visit Garjiya Devi Temple and Corbett Museum. Overnight stay in Corbett.
Check out after breakfast and proceed for your return journey.
Arrive at Rishikesh or Haridwar and check in to your hotel. Attend evening Ganga Aarti and relax before the mountain journey.
Drive towards Chopta through scenic Garhwal routes. Check in and enjoy peaceful mountain surroundings. Overnight stay near Chopta.
Start early for the Tungnath trek and continue towards Chandrashila if weather and fitness allow. Return by evening for overnight stay.
Drive to Auli or Joshimath. Enjoy Himalayan views and local sightseeing. Overnight stay in Auli or Joshimath.
Explore Auli viewpoints, meadows and ropeway area subject to operations. Enjoy cool weather and Himalayan scenery.
Drive back towards Rishikesh or Haridwar. Check in and relax after the long journey.
Check out after breakfast and proceed for your onward journey.
Arrive in Haridwar, check in and attend evening Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri. Overnight stay in Haridwar.
Drive towards Barkot via Mussoorie route. Check in and rest for the Yamunotri visit.
Proceed to Janki Chatti and complete the Yamunotri trek by pony, palki or on foot. Return to Barkot for overnight stay.
Drive to Uttarkashi and visit Vishwanath Temple if time permits. Overnight stay in Uttarkashi.
Drive to Gangotri for darshan and return to Uttarkashi by evening.
Travel towards Guptkashi or Sitapur. Check in and prepare for Kedarnath darshan.
Proceed to Kedarnath by trek, pony, palki or helicopter option, subject to availability. Overnight stay near Kedarnath route as per plan.
Continue towards Badrinath via Joshimath route. Visit Badrinath Temple and nearby sights as time permits.
Drive back towards Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun for onward travel.
BUDGET GUIDE
| Package Type | Approx. Price Per Person | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget family trip | ₹11,500–₹18,500 | Hotel, cab, sightseeing |
| Standard honeymoon trip | ₹18,500–₹32,000 | Better hotels, private cab |
| Premium hill vacation | ₹32,000–₹52,000 | Resorts, curated stays |
| Char Dham Yatra | ₹24,000–₹60,000 | Transport, hotels, meals |
| Trekking package | ₹13,500–₹32,000 | Guide, stay, transport |
Hotel category, starting city, private cab type, number of travellers, summer vacation dates, Char Dham demand, route difficulty, hotel availability and whether meals are included can change the final Uttarakhand package cost in May.
TRAVEL ACCESS
Nearest airports include Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport and Pantnagar Airport. These airports are useful for Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Nainital, Jim Corbett and Kumaon routes.
Popular railway stations include Kathgodam, Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh and Ramnagar. These stations connect well with Delhi, Lucknow and other major cities.
Travellers from Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Jaipur and nearby cities usually connect via Delhi, Dehradun, Haridwar, Haldwani, Kathgodam or Rishikesh.
Delhi, Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kathgodam and Ramnagar are convenient starting points for Uttarakhand tour packages in May.
WHY BOOK WITH US
Routes planned with practical knowledge of Kumaon, Garhwal, Char Dham, Nainital, Mussoorie, Auli and May travel conditions.
Comfortable stays and route-specific vehicle planning for busy summer holiday routes and hill travel.
Family, honeymoon, group, pilgrimage, wildlife and adventure trips planned around your travel dates.
Local guidance for weather, route timing, Char Dham movement, safari bookings and travel coordination.
Reviewed by: All Seasonsz Uttarakhand Travel Team
Last updated: May 2026
Experience: Uttarakhand holiday planning, Char Dham Yatra, Kumaon and Garhwal itineraries.
QUICK ANSWERS
Yes, May is a popular time to visit Uttarakhand for summer holidays, hill station trips, family vacations and Char Dham Yatra. Destinations like Nainital, Mussoorie, Auli, Chopta, Rishikesh and Jim Corbett are commonly included in May tour plans.
The best places to visit in Uttarakhand in May include Nainital, Mussoorie, Auli, Chopta, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Jim Corbett, Kausani, Ranikhet, Mukteshwar, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
Snow is generally not expected in most popular tourist towns in May. However, some very high-altitude areas or upper Himalayan routes may have old snow patches depending on the season and weather conditions.
May is one of the main months for Char Dham Yatra. Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri routes usually see high demand during this period, so advance planning for hotels, transport and permits is recommended.
Yes, May is a popular month for Kedarnath Yatra. The route can be busy, and weather may still be cold in the evening, so travellers should carry warm clothes and plan buffer time for traffic or weather delays.
Carry light cotton clothes for lower regions, light woollens for hill stations, comfortable shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen. For Kedarnath, Badrinath, Auli or Chopta, carry jackets and warmer layers for evenings.
A 4 to 6 days trip is ideal for hill station holidays in May. Char Dham Yatra usually needs 8 to 10 days, while Nainital–Mukteshwar, Mussoorie– Rishikesh or Jim Corbett–Nainital can be planned in shorter itineraries.
Yes, advance booking is strongly recommended for May because it is a busy summer vacation and Char Dham season. Hotels, private cabs, safari permits and pilgrimage route stays can sell out quickly.
A field note
May roads into Mussoorie, Nainital, Rishikesh and the Char Dham belt get busy quickly. Morning transfers save time and keep travellers fresher.
May is school-holiday season. We use stay locations, parking access and realistic sightseeing blocks to reduce time lost in crowds.
Auli, Chopta, Mukteshwar, Dhanaulti and Kausani usually feel cooler than lower towns, making them better for families who want relaxed afternoons.
Temple opening dates, registration rules, helicopter slots and road conditions should be checked before booking. We confirm the latest operating details for your exact dates.
May is sunny overall, but mountain clouds and short showers can appear later in the day. Treks, viewpoints and rafting work best when planned earlier.
Good family rooms in Mussoorie, Nainital, Rishikesh and Char Dham halts sell out early. Midweek travel usually gives better value and smoother availability.
“We booked a May family trip with Allseasonsz for Mussoorie, Rishikesh and Chopta. The route avoided late drives, the hotel locations were practical, and our driver knew exactly when to leave before the holiday traffic started.”
— Neha S., Delhi · May 2025
Share your traveller count, arrival city, budget and must-do experiences — hill-station stay, lake holiday, rafting, safari, pilgrimage, trek or slow cafés. Our Dehradun desk will send a personalised May itinerary within one working day.