Short answer: For May and June the coolest and best-known choices are in the Himalaya — Shimla, Manali, Mussoorie, Nainital, Darjeeling and Gangtok. In the south, Ooty, Kodaikanal and Munnar are mild but start getting monsoon rain from June. Mount Abu is the warmest of the group. The famous names are also the most crowded in school holidays, so we add a quieter alternative for each region.
Ten hill stations compared
| Hill station | State | Height (approx.) | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shimla | Himachal Pradesh | 2,100–2,200 m | Families, first-time visitors, the toy train |
| Manali | Himachal Pradesh | 2,050 m | Snow views, adventure, onward trips to Lahaul |
| Dalhousie | Himachal Pradesh | 2,000 m | Quiet walks, older travellers |
| Mussoorie | Uttarakhand | 2,000 m | Short trips from Delhi |
| Nainital | Uttarakhand | 2,000 m | Lake town, families |
| Darjeeling | West Bengal | 2,040 m | Tea estates, Kanchenjunga views |
| Gangtok | Sikkim | 1,650 m | Monasteries, base for Sikkim |
| Ooty | Tamil Nadu | 2,240 m | Nilgiri railway, gardens |
| Munnar | Kerala | 1,600 m | Tea country, couples |
| Mount Abu | Rajasthan | 1,220 m | Short break from Gujarat and Rajasthan |
Heights are rounded published figures. For exact monthly temperatures, check the India Meteorological Department for each town.
North: Himachal and Uttarakhand
- Shimla is the easiest first hill station: a walking-only centre and the Kalka–Shimla railway. See the Shimla and Kufri guide.
- Manali has the most to do. Published June temperatures are roughly 10–25°C. See Manali in summer.
- Dalhousie and Khajjiar are calmer than both — guide here.
- Mussoorie and Nainital are the closest big hill stations to Delhi, and fill up on weekends.
Quieter instead: Jibhi, Sissu or the hills beyond the main towns in Uttarakhand.
East: Darjeeling and Gangtok
Both are cool in May. Rain becomes more frequent as June goes on, and mountain views depend on clear mornings. They combine well in one trip, with the hill road between them taking several hours.
South: Ooty, Kodaikanal and Munnar
May is the main season in the Nilgiris and the Kerala hills. The south-west monsoon reaches Kerala around the start of June, so travel in June means green hills, mist and regular rain. Coonoor, Chikmagalur and Coorg are less crowded alternatives.
West: Mount Abu and the Sahyadris
Mount Abu is Rajasthan's only hill station and noticeably warmer than the Himalayan towns — a break from the plains, not a cold-weather escape. Mahabaleshwar and Lonavala are better once the rains begin.
How to choose
- With small children or grandparents: Shimla, Dalhousie, Nainital or Ooty — lower altitude, short drives.
- For snow in summer: Manali, for the high passes and Lahaul beyond the Atal Tunnel.
- To avoid crowds: travel midweek, avoid the last week of May and the first half of June, or pick a smaller town.
- Book early: trains, the toy trains and good rooms sell out weeks ahead for school holidays.
For a wider list including non-hill destinations, see best places to visit in India in summer.
Check before you go
- Himachal Pradesh Tourism — official destination information.
- India Meteorological Department — forecasts and warnings.
- HRTC online booking — state bus timetables and fares.
Plan a summer hill holiday
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Frequently asked questions
Which is the coolest hill station in India in summer?
Among the well-known ones, the Himalayan towns at around 2,000 m or more — Manali, Shimla, Darjeeling — are the coolest. Higher places such as Lahaul and Ladakh are colder still.
Which hill station is best for a family?
Shimla, Nainital, Dalhousie and Ooty are easy with children and older travellers because the altitude is moderate and distances are short.
Which hill stations are near Delhi?
Mussoorie, Nainital, Shimla, Kasauli and Lansdowne are all within a day's drive.
Are hill stations crowded in May and June?
Yes, especially on weekends and in school holidays. Travel midweek or choose a smaller town.
Is June a good month for southern hill stations?
It is green and cool, but the monsoon arrives in June, so expect rain and mist.
Compiled by the Funtoor team from published sources and official pages, last reviewed in October 2026. It is a planning guide, not a first-hand trip report; distances, fees, rules and timetables change and sources differ, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you travel.
Written by
Funtoor Travel Team
Travel planners based in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. We plan and arrange trips — stays, transport and experiences — across the Himalayas.
