You'll be hiking the Inca Trail in dry, sunny weather this month, and the Sacred Valley resounds with the color and clamor of near-constant festivities. No wonder July is such a popular time of year to visit the region—this is when the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu regularly meet their maximum visitor capacity. Read on for more about weather, crowds, and activities.
August is the final month of high season and a popular time for North American and European holiday-makers to converge on the Inca Trail (and all Sacred Valley sights, for that matter). The Inca Trail will still likely be at capacity for much of August. If you want to escape the crowds, there are plenty of hikes apart from the Inca Trail to enjoy the great weather and beautiful landscapes in solitude.
The end of the dry season is a great month for hiking: crowds in the Sacred Valley and on the Inca Trail are down, while bright, sunny weather predominates. Although the chances of rain are increasing, temperatures are sneaking up, too. Altogether, this is one of the best months for outdoor activities in the Sacred Valley before the rains commence in earnest next month.
October is still officially dry season, and sunny weather persists despite more frequent bursts of rain as the month wears on. Trekkers still descend on the region to make the most of the last spells of dry weather before the wet season kicks off at the end of the month. There are also, as always, important festivities in Cusco—read on for more on October events, weather, and more.
Wet season is here—but the rain does not stick around all day in the Sacred Valley. If you're one of the relatively few travelers coming to the region this month, you will enjoy sightseeing at the least-crowded time of year and probably still see the sun quite a bit. Trekking is wetter and muddier than usual, but flora is thriving and rising water levels increase the appeal of rafting. An activity that combines both, such as the Inca Jungle Trek, is ideal around now.
December is a mixed bag on the Inca Trail. The rain is coming down on an almost daily basis, but the flowers and plants are thriving, beautifying the trail views. Crowds can be very low (at the beginning of the month) or very high (over Christmas and New Year). A few memorable festivities take place this month to spice things up pre- and post-hike, too: read on for more about what to expect.
Many of the trekkers in the region this month have come here in hopes of summiting Mount Everest. Thus, trails to Everest Base Camp can get very congested in May. Unless you have your sights on the summit, we recommend trekking a quieter route in the area that allows you views of Base Camp and Everest, but without being in the thick of it.
With the arrival of monsoon rains by mid-June, the trails empty of most trekkers. The early part of the month usually marks the end of Everest-climbing season, so climbers and other expedition members retrace their steps along the Everest Base Camp trekking route and back to Lukla. Here's what to expect in the Everest region in June.
High rainfall across Nepal keeps most trekkers off the trails in July. But those who prepare well with good rain gear and who are prepared for some potential travel delays can still have a good time trekking to Everest Base Camp. Here's what to expect this month.
August is the last full month of Nepal's monsoon—this is the low season for trekking. While you'll certainly encounter rain, it's still possible to trek in the Everest Region. Read on for more on weather, recommended routes, a packing list, and more.
As winter sets in, the trekking trails clear of all but the bravest travelers. But, December is actually a lovely time to trek to Everest Base Camp, if you're properly prepared for cold temperatures. Read on to find out more about trekking in the Everest region in December.
Start in Croatia's capital, Zagreb, and learn about its history and culture before driving south to explore one of Croatia's most famous national parks, Plitvice Lakes. From here, you'll head to the coast of southern Dalmatia for a little sailing and wine tasting. Finally ending your trip exploring the narrow alleyways and fortress walls of the ancient city of Dubrovnik.
This 10-day itinerary of the Dalmatian coast features a perfect mix of culture, history, and relaxation as you discover ancient Roman cities, island villages, rugged landscapes, and coastal ramparts. Begin with a walking tour of Split before kayaking, sailing, and cycling the islands of Hvar and Korcula, working your way south through the Peljesac Peninsula to visit Ston. End your stay in medieval Dubrovnik, where you'll have the day to explore beautiful beaches and medieval villages along Montenegro's Adriatic coastline.
This 9-day self-drive adventure is a great alternative to the full Ring Road loop, especially during summer months when Iceland tourism hits its peak. With more than a week, you'll experience a range of incredible landscapes all over the island, like rugged peninsulas, hot springs, volcanoes, lava fields, small fishing towns, and waterfall hikes with only a fraction of the crowds. To shorten this itinerary, skip the East Fjords and fly back to Reykjavík from Akureyri.
This active, 13-day adventure is designed for those who want to experience Colombia’s vast, cultural interior. Start off in Colombia’s second-largest city, Medellín, with a scenic gondola and its year-round spring-like weather. Next, you'll head to Cali, the salsa capital of the world, and Popayán, with its stunning Baroque architecture. Finally, you’ll explore archaeological parks in San Agustín and Tierradentro, while finishing the trip in the Tatacoa Desert.
Discover the best of Croatia's Dalmatian coast in a week. Starting in the historic port city of Split, you'll wander through Diocletian's Palace and ancient Roman ruins before taking off for the islands of Hvar and Korčula, Marco Polo's former home. End the trip with a scenic drive through the Pelješac Peninsula—Croatia's famous wine region—before enjoying two nights in the fortressed city of Dubrovnik.
This two-week guided route takes you north through Croatia, taking in many of the popular highlights at a relaxed pace. Begin in the southern Dalmatian city of Dubrovnik before working your way up the coast through the Pelješac peninsula and to the islands of Korcula, Hvar, and Vis, ending your stay in the capital of Zagreb. Along the way, you'll sample wine from the Konavle Valley, kayak around the Pakleni Islands, and tour impressive medieval fortresses and gardens in Šibenik.
Eleven days will allow you to encounter many of the highlights of the Western Cape with this itinerary. You'll start off in Cape Town with scenic city tours, wine tastings, and a shark dive before you set out on the Garden Route. This classic road trip will wind you through wilderness, wildlife, and more wine before loop back to Cape Town to depart.
Combine a city break and a classic road trip with this 12-day itinerary. Stroll through Cape Town's many attractions, whether on sandy Bloubergstrand Beach or the shops of the V&A Waterfront, before you duck under the vines of the Winelands' vineyards. Then get in your car for a drive filled with whale-watching, wildlife, and more.
Thirteen days through the Western Cape will thrill you with all that this region has to offer. Your trip begins in Cape Town, where you can enjoy views from on the shore, atop Table Mountain, and amidst the city streets. Venture into the vineyards of the Winelands and rocky coasts of Hermanus before you embark on a Garden Route drive that will bring you from one of the world's highest bungee jumps down into glittering caves, and so much more.
Take a two-week adventure from one of the world's highest bungee jumps down into a cage next to a great white shark with this trip plan. Start on Table Mountain in Cape Town, followed by a culinary tour, treetop walkway, and wine tastings. Once you get onto the Garden Route, you'll make your way around canoeing through lagoons, hiking in national parks, and spelunking through caves.
This itinerary combines culture, history, and adventure. Begin in southern Croatia and work your way up the coast, stopping along the way to explore the Pelješac Peninsula, Pakleni and Hvar islands, and the stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park. Cap off the trip with a night in Zagreb, the Croatian capital, and wander its pedestrianized sections around Bogovićeva and Preradovićeva.
Take 10 days to tour South Africa's top spots with this trip plan. Take in the tantalizing views from Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope or on top of Table Mountain, travel to Franschhoek to taste their time-honored vintages, and traverse the Kalahari on safari.
Frolic through the fynbos for 11 days of some favorite South African attractions. You'll drive the scenic coastal roads outside Cape Town, dive into a shark cage encounter, and gaze out from Table Mountain over the city. Follow it up with the famous vineyards of Franschhoek and a safari to find the many flora and fauna of the Kalahari.
Take 12 days to saunter through South Africa with this itinerary. You'll start in Cape Town, driving the scenic route out to the Cape of Good Hope and penguins of Boulders Beach, before you get in the water on a great white cage dive and sunrise sea kayak (separately, of course). From there you'll continue to Franschhoek for some time among the grape vines, followed by a safari through the Kalahari reserve before you return home.
Sip, spin, safari and more on this 13-day itinerary. You'll take in the highlights of what Cape Town has to offer with outings including the Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain, and a full day to explore on your own. Then travel to the Winelands, where you can sample the food and wine of Franschhoek and see the scenery from a bike tour; sail over the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site with a hot air balloon tour out of Johannesburg; and venture into the Kalahari desert in search of wildlife on safari.
This trip takes a two-week tour of some of South Africa's most popular attractions. Five nights in Cape Town will start you off with an exploration of the city, from its busy streets to the open landscapes of the Cape of Good Hope, and down into the water on a sea kayak tour. Continue to Franschhoek to sample its famous wines, tour the historic streets, fly over the Johannesburg countryside, and cap it off with a safari across the Kalahari.
Along with March, April is a popular month for trekking in Nepal. Temperatures are generally warm (or at least, not too cold in the high Himalaya) and the monsoon rains are still several weeks away. Here are some important things to know about traveling to Everest Base Camp in April.
An elephant's trunk can contain more than 40,000 muscles, while your tiny human frame only holds up to 600. Consider practicing your lifting before you embark on this safari through the expanse of Kruger National Park, with six days of game walks and drives, barbecues, wildlife rehabilitation, and more.
The African continent is home to thousands of species of animals, including the heaviest and tallest land mammals (respectively) in the world. See if you can spot them on this week-long safari through Kruger National Park, filled with game-sighting opportunities and interactive experiences.
June is high season in every sense on the Inca Trail and in the Sacred valley surrounding it. Weather is at its best for hiking (sunny and dry, although chilly at night) and the daily trekkers on the trail are at their maximum levels. In addition to this, it is big party time as the Sacred Valley celebrates Inti Raymi, the ancient Incan festival of the sun.
Follow a classic South Africa route for eight days on this itinerary. Start off on Cape Town's scenic seaboard and wine country, then go north for a night in Johannesburg accompanied by a tour of the Soweto Township. From there you'll head to Kruger National Park for a safari across its famous territory.
Shoulder season segues into high season as May goes on, which means higher numbers of trekkers on the Inca Trail. But trail conditions are improved dramatically: it is largely dry underfoot and generally sunny during the day, although camping out at night is colder than it has been in recent months. Overall May is one of the best months for hiking the trail, though, and interesting festivals throughout the Sacred Valley add to the color of the experience this month.
Nine days will give you a nice amount of time to nourish your understanding of South Africa on this itinerary. Spend your first three nights in Cape Town on a walking tour through historic city highlights, out sampling in the Winelands, and driving the scenic coast. Stop in Johannesburg for an interactive dinner evening, then keep going to Kruger National Park for a classic safari.
Take a 10-day trek through the tales of South Africa with this trip plan. Listen to the wind blowing in across Cape Town from atop Table Mountain or rustling through the vineyards of the Winelands, then get in touch with the country's human history on a Cape Town city tour and over dinner in Johannesburg. You'll end your trip listening to the bird calls and animals of Kruger National Park on safari.
Spend eleven days exploring some of South Africa's essential spots on this itinerary. You'll start off in Cape Town with day trips out to the Winelands and up the coast, then head over to Johannesburg for engaging dinner experiences and a tour of the Soweto township. Venture into Kruger National Park for an extensive safari before following the Panorama Route back to Johannesburg.
It is hard to envisage a better time to hike the Inca Trail than April. Wet season is over by the middle of the month, and crowds are nowhere near the levels they will be in high season. Flora is thriving across the region after the rains, brightening almost every view, and communities of the Sacred Valley put on colorful Semana Santa celebrations (should Easter fall after the first week of April).
The Inca Trail reopens this month, seeing a surge of visitors to the hike and to Machu Picchu not seen since the previous October. This is still wet season in the Sacred Valley, but the rains are beginning to subside as the month wears on, bringing better hiking weather. If Easter falls this month, Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations bring even more visitors to the region.
The Inca Trail is closed this month for maintenance, but the good news is that Machu Picchu is still open, as are some of the other classic Inca Trail alternative treks, such as the Salkantay trek. The year's heaviest rain this month makes hiking muddier and less appealing that at other times of the year: time, perhaps, to divert to some of the Sacred Valley's indoors attractions.
Despite rainy season being here in earnest, January can be a surprisingly good month to hike the Inca Trail. Once Christmas and New Year crowds have dispersed, there will be fewer hikers on the trail or sightseers in the Sacred Valley than at almost any other time of year. And the sun still comes out between the showers to capture the region in all its beauty, sometimes all the more dazzling for being part-covered in mist and cloud.
In the northwest of Italy is a stretch of ruggedly beautiful coast that gives the nation's other hotspots a run for their money. This is Cinque Terre, and it comprises five villages spread over two miles, all with a history as deep as the Ligurian Sea. Let this guide be your roadmap to the vast lemon groves, terraced vineyards, and colorful seaside homes that define a region.
Experience the best of Peru with this comprehensive tour. Spend three days at an ecolodge in the Amazon Rainforest, where you'll view wildlife like the giant river otter and multiple parrot species. Next, travel to Cusco and the Sacred Valley to learn about its ancient ruins and take short treks to Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu. End your trip at Lake Titicaca, immersing in the culture of this region's famous Islands.
This 15-day itinerary starts in Lima before heading east to Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the Amazon Rainforest. Spend three days viewing wildlife while enjoying a comfortable stay at an eco-lodge. From there, head to Cusco and the Sacred Valley, where you'll visit Rainbow Mountain and trek to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail. Finally, travel to Lake Titicaca to explore the region's history and beautiful islands.
This exciting, yet easy-going itinerary is the perfect introduction to France—especially for groups and families (ages 10 and up). Over the course of two weeks, you'll spend quality time in Paris, the Loire Valley, Provence, and the French Riviera with a fun mix of educational tours led by local guides and free time to explore on your own.
The "big five" are just a few of the animals you can see in South Africa, and you'll meet plenty of the country's residents both human and animal on this classic 13-day trip. You'll start off in Cape Town, where the city's human residents will guide through the city's cultural and culinary scene, and out to the Cape of Good Hope and penguin colonies of Boulders Beach. Then head to Johannesburg to hear stories of the city's complicated history before you set off on safari through Kruger National Park.
Take two weeks to see some of the most famous spots in South Africa on this tour. Start in Cape Town, home to mountaintop views, classic wine vintages, and historical, natural, and consumable attractions. Head over to Johannesburg to learn more about the history of the country, then keep going to Kruger National Park to meet the country's animal residents before you take a scenic drive back to Johannesburg and depart.
Whether you're looking down the colorful buildings of Bo Kaap or out at the traditional house-shaped mountains of the Three Rondavels, you'll find plenty of views to take in on this 15-day itinerary. Look down from Table Mountain or the cliffs of the Cape of Good Hope in Cape Town, up at the skies during an outdoor dinner and storytelling experience in Johannesburg, or across the plains on a safari through Kruger National Park to see some of the highlights of South Africa.
Explore some of South Africa's highlights on this 16-day trip to two iconic cities and the Kruger National Park Reserve. Take a cable car up Table Mountain in Cape Town, go on a road trip along the Cape Peninsula, and sample local wine in the Winelands. Then, fly to Johannesburg to explore the Maboneng Precinct and learn more about the Apartheid era in Soweto. Look for the Big Five in the reserve on bush walks and game drives before taking a scenic drive back to Johannesburg via the Blyde River Canyon.
Get a glimpse of some of the biggest draws in South Africa on this six-day itinerary. You'll start off in Cape Town, experiencing highlights like Table Mountain, coastal drives, and the Winelands. Then head to Kruger National Park to meet some of the local wildlife on a safari before you depart.
Spend a week exploring South Africa's Cape Town and Kruger National Park. You'll begin in Cape Town, discovering its highlights and history before driving along the Atlantic and False Bay coasts to reach destinations like Chapman's Peak, Cape Point, and Boulders Penguin Colony, ending the venture with stops at a couple of world-class wineries. Next, you'll have three days to go on day and night safaris to see Big Five animals, like elephants, leopards, lions, and rhinoceros, as well as plenty of avian species.
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