Which Hill Stations in India Are Cold in May? Temperature Comparison Guide 2026
In May, the coldest hill stations in India include Auli (8–18°C), Dalhousie (10–20°C), Tawang (10–20°C), Gulmarg (10–20°C), and Ladakh/Leh (10–22°C). These five destinations consistently stay below 22°C throughout the month. Shimla, Manali, Darjeeling, and Gangtok remain comfortable at 15–25°C. Stations in peninsular India like Ooty and Kodaikanal range from 18–28°C in May.
In this Blog
Quick Temperature Comparison: 15 Hill Stations in May
Data sourced from IMD historical averages. Sort by column header. Shade indicates temperature category.
| Leh–Ladakh | Ladakh | 22 | 4 | Cold (<20°C) | Leh Kushok Bakula (direct) | None (nearest Jammu, 700 km) |
| Auli | Uttarakhand | 18 | 8 | Cold (<20°C) | Jolly Grant (250 km) | Haridwar (250 km) |
| Dalhousie | Himachal Pradesh | 20 | 10 | Cold (<20°C) | Pathankot (70 km) | Pathankot (80 km) |
| Tawang | Arunachal Pradesh | 20 | 10 | Cold (<20°C) | Tezpur (320 km) | Tezpur (320 km) |
| Gulmarg | Jammu & Kashmir | 20 | 10 | Cold (<20°C) | Srinagar (56 km) | Banihal (100 km) |
| Manali | Himachal Pradesh | 25 | 10 | Cold (<20°C) | Bhuntar (50 km) | Joginder Nagar (165 km) |
| Shimla | Himachal Pradesh | 25 | 12 | Mild (15–25°C) | Chandigarh (115 km) | Kalka (80 km) |
| Darjeeling | West Bengal | 22 | 12 | Mild (15–25°C) | Bagdogra (88 km) | New Jalpaiguri (88 km) |
| Nainital | Uttarakhand | 24 | 12 | Mild (15–25°C) | Pantnagar (65 km) | Kathgodam (35 km) |
| Gangtok | Sikkim | 22 | 14 | Mild (15–25°C) | Bagdogra (124 km) | New Jalpaiguri (124 km) |
| Mussoorie | Uttarakhand | 25 | 14 | Mild (15–25°C) | Jolly Grant (60 km) | Dehradun (35 km) |
| Ooty | Tamil Nadu | 28 | 14 | Mild (15–25°C) | Coimbatore (88 km) | Mettupalayam (46 km) |
| Kullu | Himachal Pradesh | 28 | 14 | Mild (15–25°C) | Bhuntar (10 km) | Joginder Nagar (100 km) |
| Shillong | Meghalaya | 24 | 15 | Mild (15–25°C) | Shillong Airport (30 km) | Guwahati (104 km) |
| Mount Abu | Rajasthan | 30 | 18 | Warm (>25°C) | Udaipur (185 km) | Abu Road (28 km) |
The 5 Coldest Hill Stations in India in May (Below 22°C)
These stations offer the most significant relief from summer heat, with nighttime temperatures sometimes requiring a jacket even in May.
Leh Ladakh
Leh–Ladakh is the coldest place in India in May, with temperatures ranging from 4°C to 22°C. High altitude, dry air, and minimal humidity keep the region consistently cold even during peak summer.
What to do: Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, monasteries
Travel note: Acclimatise for 48 hours due to altitude
Where to stay:
The best stays in Leh–Ladakh are boutique villas and premium homestays with mountain-facing views, offering quiet, immersive experiences suited for high-altitude travel.
The best escapes:
Auli
Auli remains one of the coldest hill stations in May, with temperatures between 8°C and 18°C. Its elevation and open meadows keep the climate cool, especially in the mornings and evenings.
What to do: Gorson Bugyal trek, ropeway rides
Where to stay:
Choose hillside villas near Joshimath that provide valley views, bonfire setups, and peaceful surroundings—ideal for travellers looking for a quieter alternative to crowded hill stations.
Dalhousie
Dalhousie stays cool in May, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C. Dense forests and elevation help maintain a consistently pleasant climate throughout the day.
What to do: Khajjiar, Kalatop Sanctuary
Where to stay:
StayVista villas in Himachal offer wooden interiors, fireplaces, and scenic decks, making them ideal for travellers seeking comfort and privacy in the mountains.
Tawang
Tawang is a cold and less crowded destination in May, with temperatures between 10°C and 20°C. Its high altitude and remote location ensure a crisp, cool climate even in summer.
What to do: Sela Pass, Tawang Monastery
Permit: Inner Line Permit required
Where to stay:
Accommodation in Tawang is best experienced through boutique stays and homestays that offer local architecture and uninterrupted mountain views.
Gulmarg
Gulmarg remains cold in May, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C. Snow patches often persist into early summer, especially at higher elevations.
What to do: Gondola rides, alpine trails
Where to stay:
Private chalets and villas near Gulmarg and Srinagar offer spacious layouts and scenic surroundings, making them ideal for relaxed, high-altitude stays.
The best escapes
Are Manali and Shimla cold in May?
Manali
Manali is cool but not very cold in May, with temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. It offers comfortable weather rather than extreme cold.
What to do: Solang Valley, Rohtang Pass
Where to stay:
StayVista villas in Manali, including riverside and valley-view homes, are ideal for group stays, offering privacy, open spaces, and scenic backdrops.
Shimla
Shimla has mild weather in May, with temperatures ranging from 12°C to 25°C. It is better suited for relaxed sightseeing than cold-weather travel.
What to do: Mall Road, Kufri
Where to stay:
Heritage-style villas in Shimla and Mashobra offer colonial charm, forest views, and spacious layouts suited for family vacations.
Are there cold hill stations near Mumbai?
There are no extremely cold hill stations near Mumbai in May. Nearby destinations remain cooler than the city but do not drop below 20°C.
- Mahabaleshwar (20–30°C)
- Lonavala (22–32°C)
- Matheran (20–30°C)
Where to stay:
StayVista villas in these locations are ideal for weekend escapes, offering private pools, valley views, and flexible group-friendly experiences.
FAQs: Cold Hill Stations in India in May
The coldest hill station in India in May is Leh–Ladakh, where temperatures range from 4°C to 22°C. High altitude and dry climate keep it significantly colder than other hill stations during peak summer.
Hill stations like Auli, Dalhousie, Tawang, and Gulmarg often stay below 20°C in May, especially during mornings and evenings.
Manali is cool but not very cold in May, with temperatures between 10°C and 25°C. It offers pleasant weather suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities rather than extreme cold conditions.
Shimla is generally slightly warmer than Manali in May. Shimla ranges from 12°C to 25°C, while Manali can drop closer to 10°C due to its higher elevation.
There are no very cold hill stations near Mumbai in May. Nearby destinations like Mahabaleshwar and Lonavala remain between 20°C and 30°C, offering mild relief but not cold weather.
Auli is colder than Manali in May. Auli experiences temperatures between 8°C and 18°C, while Manali typically ranges from 10°C to 25°C.
Some high-altitude destinations like Gulmarg and Auli may still have patches of snow in early May. Snow is more likely at higher elevations rather than in town centres.
Gulmarg is one of the best places to see snow in May in India. Higher gondola phases and alpine areas often retain snow even when lower regions transition into spring.
May is a good time to visit Leh–Ladakh as roads begin to open and weather remains cold but accessible. However, travellers should plan for altitude acclimatisation and limited early-season connectivity.
For cold hill stations like Auli or Dalhousie, pack light thermals, a jacket, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Even in May, temperatures can drop below 10°C, especially at night.
For cold hill stations like Auli or Dalhousie, pack light thermals, a jacket, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Even in May, temperatures can drop below 10°C, especially at night.
