World Expeditions, the adventure travel specialist with more than 35 years of experience, has written this guest post for us on the best time to trek in the world’s most celebrated destinations. Plus, there’s some alternatives for maximum bragging rights.
SPRING
Where: Nepal
Spring is one of the most popular and pleasant seasons for trekking in Nepal, with the national flower, the rhododendron, in full bloom.
The mornings are mostly clear with the temperature in the lowlands mildly warm, while the high passes are snow free and offering spectacular views of the world’s most celebrated mountain range.
The alternative: South Africa
The European spring means it is autumn in South Africa, offering in many ways the best – and most comfortable – weather for trekking.
Dry and with very little rain falling over the whole country, it is warm without getting too hot, balancing between the high temperatures in the summer and the cold weather during the winter.
SUMMER
Where: Peru
Dry conditions and sunny weather make June to August the most popular months to do a trek in Peru.
Days are usually clear in the highlands (for trekking in the mountains, such as the Inca Trail, these are by far the best months) but it is also the best time of the year to visit the Amazon Basin: mosquitoes are fewer and the fauna tends to stay close to the water.
The alternative: Alaska
Summer in Alaska brings long days, salmon running upriver, nature in full bloom and people energised by the limitless daylight.
Temperatures are surprisingly pleasant (daytime highs range in the mid-20s), while on June 21, the longest day of the year, in some parts the sun dips below the horizon for only a couple of hours!
AUTUMN
Where: Australia
Australia is a wild land, with extremes of climate, terrain and weather.
To immerse in its arid beauty head to the Red Centre, which, unlike other parts of the country, experiences the four typical seasons. Come here in the autumn, the Australian spring, and you will enjoy warm weather during the day, with night temperatures rarely dropping below 15 degrees!
The alternative: China
Spread over such a vast area, China experiences a rather broad temperature range and weather patterns throughout the year. Despite a slight chance of rain, in the autumn the days tend to be rather warm and dry and October is the month the Chinese describe as “golden” because of the pleasant weather conditions.
WINTER
Where: Patagonia
Winter in the northern hemisphere equals with summer in Patagonia, the mildest and most popular time to visit South America’s southernmost region.
Although the weather in Patagonia can be unpredictable, temperatures can reach in the early to mid-20s and the national forests are in bloom with fresh growth and flowers.
The alternative: Kilimanjaro
Due to Mount Kilimanjaro’s proximity to the equator, this region does not experience the extremes of winter and summer weather but rather dry and wet seasons.
Therefore, the best time to climb Kilimanjaro tends to be the warmest and driest months, January and February, when you are bound to enjoy clear skies in the mornings and evenings.
(Featured image is of Tre Cime di Lavaredo (the three peaks of Lavaredo), Dolomites, Italy by MAMJODH)
