12 Epic Trips You Need To Plan a Year in Advance

While the best experiences and trips are the ones we go on spontaneously, occasionally, some of life’s finest adventures require more patience, careful planning, and saving. Admittedly, planning a trip can be tedious, but the results can be extraordinary. Imagine seeing penguins in Antarctica or observing East Africa’s Great Migration in person.

You can do these things, but they require more planning than a quick city break or an all-inclusive vacation. To show you what’s possible with careful planning, here are 12 epic trips you must plan at least a year in advance for a successful adventure.

East Africa’s Great Migration

Let’s kick this list off with one of the most spectacular sights in Africa. The Great Migration is an annual and circular movement of more than one million wildebeest between Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The earth shakes when wildebeest herds travel between the two destinations, and millions of hooves make thunderous sounds.

This is one of the most impressive mammal migrations in the world, so don’t miss it by expecting to turn up a few days before. While the wildebeest’s journey typically lasts all year, you need to be in the right place to see it, and as you would expect, safaris get booked up quickly during peak season (July through November).

Antarctica Expedition

Antarctica, the world’s southernmost continent, is a haven for outdoor adventurers. The vast ice-covered land mass might be largely uninhabited, but that doesn’t stop it from being a site of remarkable discovery and impressive natural beauty. On a cruise expedition to Antarctica, you can spot mind-blowing ice structures, penguins, orcas, and much more.

However, you can’t expect the best experience without planning your trip. While a year is an acceptable time frame to plan a trip to Antarctica, most expedition companies offer trips as far in advance as two years. Booking this far in advance gives you more choices regarding cabin availability and departure dates.

Amazon Rainforest Tour

The Amazon Rainforest is the biggest and most famous rainforest in the world. It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty and wildlife featuring incredible species like the jaguar and capybara. There’s arguably no better place to visit to watch wildlife. However, due to its sheer size, planning the perfect trip requires a lot of planning.

The Amazon Rainforest spans eight South American countries, including Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. Therefore, deciding where to see it is a challenge in itself. Then, you have to do thorough research to find the best jungle lodge and reliable guides. We recommend giving yourself at least a year so you can find the tour that suits you best.

A Nile River Cruise in Egypt

For history buffs, a journey to Egypt and its world-famous ancient sites is the pinnacle of travel. There are several ways to experience the allure of ancient Egypt, but one of the best is a Nile River cruise. Drifting along the Nile searching for Egypt’s most iconic landmarks is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s hard to top.

Every day, you’ll live and breathe Egyptian life, eating, drinking, and sleeping on the river for three to seven days. During your trip, you’ll visit fascinating places like the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Edfu, and the Temple of Sobek and Haroeris. Book your Nile River cruise a year in advance to secure the best cabins, departure dates, and itineraries.

Take the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located high in the Peruvian Andes in Southern Peru. Generally, you can book your tickets to enter the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the New World a few months in advance. However, if you want to complete the classic Inca Trail route, you need to get planning now.

The Inca Trail is a challenging four-day hiking trail that starts in Piscacucho at Kilometer 82 and leads to Machu Picchu. You must book this hiking experience in advance because the Peruvian government has limited the number of hikers on the trail to 500 daily. As a result, high season books out very quickly. Furthermore, the trail is closed in February for cleaning.

Cruise the Galápagos Islands

Epic Trips Cruise the Galápagos Islands — © Harold Stiver / Shutterstock

The Galápagos Islands are a breathtaking archipelago hidden away in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador. They are considered one of the best places in the world to view wildlife. Due to the island’s isolated terrain, delicate ecosystems, and popularity, trips to the archipelago should be planned a year in advance to avoid any disappointment.

You need to book your cruise to the Galápagos Islands in advance if you hope to visit in the warm sunny months and during peak season (December to March). A cruise to the island that inspired Charles Darwin’s evolution theory is about experiencing natural beauty and wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for giant tortoises, Darwin’s finches, marine iguanas, and bottlenose dolphins.

Experience the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

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If you want to experience one of the world’s biggest and most famous celebrations, plan a trip to Rio de Janeiro during the Carnival. The Carnival is an annual festival held over five days in Rio de Janeiro before Lent. With more than two million people flocking to the streets daily to experience the festivities, you don’t want to be the one who misses out.

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During the festival, which first occurred in 1723, you’ll encounter vibrant parades, public street parties, traditional music, and samba competitions. What’s not to like? The sheer popularity of the Carnival means you need to book a year in advance to secure the best flights, sought-after hotels, and seats in the grandstand for the main parade.

Hiking the Milford Track in New Zealand

New Zealand is a beautiful island nation with rugged landscapes and dense forests perfect for hiking. In a country full of exciting hiking trails, Milford Track is one of, if not the most iconic. Located amidst the temperate rainforests and mountains of Fiordland National Park in the South Island, this 33-mile (53-kilometer) trail links a series of remote huts and offers spectacular views.

However, plan a year in advance if you want to hike the hut-to-hut route during peak hiking season (October to April). You must buy a ticket from the Department of Conservation and make hut reservations to guarantee a successful trip. Be warned that only 40 independent walkers can access the trail daily.

Watch Tuscany’s Palio di Siena

The next trip on our list is one of the most unique events in Europe. The Palio di Siena is a fascinating horse race that occurs twice a year, on 2nd July and 16th August, in Siena, Italy. This major horse race sees ten jockeys ride bareback around Piazza del Campo three times.

This annual tradition has occurred annually since its inception in the 17th century. Each rider wears colors that represent one of the city’s wards. The race is over in 90 seconds, but that doesn’t stop thousands of people from flocking to the city. Book your tickets and accommodation well in advance if you want to see the race for yourself.

Boat Safari in the Okavango Delta

Safaris in Africa are generally pretty spectacular, but they don’t get much better than a safari in the Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is an enormous inland river delta located in Northern Botswana. It’s best known for its vast grassy plains and biodiverse wildlife.

The delta’s floodplains are home to many beautiful species, such as white and black rhinoceroses, hippopotamus, and elephants. At certain times throughout the year, the floodplain’s water levels rise enough to allow travelers to explore the delta by boat safari. The best time to visit is usually between May and September. Book your trip well in advance to snag the best tours and accommodations at the best camps.

Naadam Festival in Mongolia

The penultimate trip on our list is a fun-filled adventure to Mongolia to watch the Naadam Festival. Mongolia is a beautiful East Asian country known best for its unique history, stunning landscapes, and nomadic culture. Generally, even a simple trip to the country requires a lot of planning because domestic flights and accommodation are limited in many places.

However, if you decide to visit Mongolia during the Naadam Festival, you need to plan your trip even further in advance. The Naadam Festival is an ancient Olympic Games-style event that features archery, horse racing, and wrestling. Planning your trip to watch the games will ensure you can find the best transportation options and most sought-after accommodation.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Sitting alongside gorillas in the Rwanda forest is arguably one of the most magical experiences on earth. Coming face to face with the largest living primates and one of our close relatives is also quite nerve-wracking, but it’s not something you’ll soon forget. Simply organizing the bare bones of this trip is a challenge.

You’ll want to allow yourself at least a year to plan the best experience. By booking a year in advance, you can secure your gorilla trekking permits in plenty of time, get a reservation at the best lodges, and book in with the best trekking guides. This is particularly important if you want to visit Rwanda in the high season (December to February or June to September) when demand is higher.