Where to Travel in October 2024Himalayan hiking adventures await you with clear skies and mountain vistas
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Where to go on holiday in October
October means autumn for much of the Northern Hemisphere, so it's a wonderful time to visit the Far East, which is often carpeted in beautiful autumnal colours of red, orange, and gold. Countries like South Korea are at their most scenic at this time. Temperatures are cool, but the skies are often clear, and the Croatia sailing season will end mid-month. It's still the rainy season across Southeast Asia, so expect showers if planning a visit to the region. For guaranteed dry weather and some sun, head to the Middle East, where temperatures are pleasantly warm.
If you're looking for inspiration for where to travel to in October, take a look at our top recommended destinations and experiences that this month offers around the world. We've also compiled our best October beach destinations for those looking for a bit of sun, sea and sand, as well as a guide to where to head for wildlife adventures
Our Top Travel Picks for October
Trekking in the Himalayas
With the end of the monsoon rains in October, the clouds clear across the Himalayas, making October and November two of the best months to trek the Himalayas in Nepal. Temperatures at this altitude will be cold, but the days will be dry and clear. It's also a great time to explore neighbouring Tibet and Bhutan.
Exploring Jordan's attractions
With the intense heat of summer now subsiding, October is a fantastic month to visit Jordan. Daytime temperatures are manageable, so you can explore the ancient city of Petra and ride the red sands of Wadi Rum without overheating. You can still expect blue, largely clear skies, and nighttime temperatures are still pleasantly warm for a desert camp. And it's just the right conditions for lazing in the Dead Sea.
Sightseeing in Peru
October marks the last month of the dry season in Peru. This means it's still a good time to tackle the popular Inca Trail to Machu Picchu before the summer rains arrive. It's also still drier in the Amazon, which means better wildlife spotting opportunities. And if your itinerary takes you to Lima, you might be able to witness the colourful Lord of the Miracles festival, one of South America's largest processions.
Visiting the cities of Argentina
This time of year means spring for the Southern Hemisphere. In the north of Argentina, you can expect warm temperatures and plenty of sun. It's just the right conditions for exploring the country's fascinating cities, from the capital of Buenos Aires, where you can learn to tango, to culture- and history-heavy Cordoba, where you can participate in the annual Oktoberfest.
Best Festivals in October
Vegetarian Festival
Devout carnivores will be surprised to learn that this is one of Thailand's most lively festivals. Held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, it's a time for the local community to cleanse their bodies and souls with ten days of strict vegetarian diet. A host of extraordinary events take place during this time, including firewalking, body-piercing, and razor-blade ladder climbing, as well as less gruesome parades.
Abu Simbel Sun Festival
Twice a year, the sun aligns to illuminate the inner sanctum of the incredible Abu Simbel temple. Built by King Ramses II, the temple was specifically designed so that this alignment would occur on the date of the king's coronation (22nd February) and his birthday (22nd October). This extraordinary feat of ancient engineering has to be seen to be believed, and it's the perfect time to visit the rest of Egypt with pleasant temperatures for sightseeing.
Hoi An Lantern Festival
Held on the night of a full moon within 15 days of the autumnal equinox, Hoi An's Lantern Festival is a celebration of the forthcoming harvest after the monsoon rains. It's also a time to gather together with friends and family and pray for blessings. For travelers, it's a wonderful time to visit, with colourful lanterns decorating the streets and floating into the night sky and plenty of tasty cakes and candies available to eat.
The Melbourne Festival
First staged in 1986, the Melbourne Festival is now one of the leading international arts festivals in Australia. Over 17 days, the festival sees a diverse program of events covering everything from theatre and music to dance and visual arts. It has an outstanding reputation and is known for attracting top names. But you don’t need to pay an arm and a leg to enjoy it; there's a variety of venues where many of the events are free.
Best City Breaks in October
Ljubljana
The autumn month of October is perfect for visiting the Slovenian capital, as the leafy green city turns a fiery orange. The setting gets even more beautiful when you're sat at a rustic restaurant sampling some of the region's fine wine. Plus, with beautiful Lake Bled just 30 minutes away, you aren't going to run out of things to do!
Reykjavik
Summer is turning to winter in Iceland in October, which means the return of snow and a good chance of spotting the magical Northern Lights. You'll want to head out of Reykjavik for the best view, but the charming Icelandic capital is a lovely place to explore before the extreme cold sets in, and the country's natural wonders are as spectacular as ever.
Seoul
October sees mild weather in Seoul, a much better time to visit than the stifling summer months, and before the cold of winter sets in. The cost of travelling is also lower at this time of year as the crowds thin out and the trees will be turning a gorgeous gold.
Amman
The Middle Eastern country of Jordan sees incredibly hot summer temperatures, making October a great time to visit the ancient sites and bustling markets of Amman. Further afield, you've got the legendary city of Petra and the red desert of Wad Rum, which has claimed recent fame after starring in the blockbuster movie Dune, starring Timothée Chalamet.
Best Beach Destinations in October
It's the final month of the monsoon season in Southeast Asia, so there'll still be high rainfall across the prime beach destinations; however, East Africa's coast is still a reliable option, as is the Middle East with pleasant temperatures and lots of sunshine. Central America is best avoided at this time of year, as hurricanes and typhoons are likely to be hitting the region.
Best Wildlife Destinations in October
If you're wondering where to go in October for wildlife, then you've come to the right place. Peak safari season in Africa is coming to a close as October marks the final month of the dry season. Elsewhere, the Amazon is still relatively dry with great fishing and jungle trekking opportunities, while the cool and dry season across the Galapagos is ideal for diving, and there's always some activity in the wildlife world. In Costa Rica, it's nesting season for Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles.
Recommended Tours for October
If you need even more help to decide where to travel in October, then why not browse our selection of recommended tours for the month? From the mighty Himalayas to the wildlife-rich plains of southern Africa, there's sure to be the right trip for you!
See more of our Travel Calendar
Tours for different traveller types
We offer hundreds of tours, and there are some tours that are best suited to certain travellers. To help you, we've put together guides to travelling in your 30s, 40s and seniors, plus tours for solo travellers, families, couples and private groups. You can thank us later!
