30 Trips to Plan a Year in Advance
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There are as many reasons to plan a trip a year in advance as there are to embark on one spontaneously. In fact, trips where the perceived freedom and romance may be part of the appeal (a road trip across the United States, for example, especially if you’re dreaming of hitting any National Parks along the way) actually benefit from making arrangements far in advance. Diligence is not only rewarded, but essential.
“When thinking about travel that should be booked a year in advance, there are a few factors at play—notably, availability, access, and complexity of itinerary and experiences,” says Tom Marchant, the owner and co-founder of Black Tomato—consider strict tourism caps, group travel, the intricacy of a trip with multiple stops. Do not be intimidated, however. Taking the bull by the horns and doing your research, then making those reservations and booking those tickets is all work to be done now rather than later. Think of it as a favor to your future self—no scramble or last minute preparations needed, just a whole trip tied up with a bow that you can enjoy when the time comes.
With the help of our travel specialists, we've rounded up 30 trips worth planning at least a year in advance. Make no mistake, these are all epic in scope in their own ways—there's a reason they require such planning—but beneath the wide umbrella of the once-in-a-lifetime trip there is certainly something for everybody.
This gallery has been updated since its original publish date. All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Additional reporting by Bridget Hallinan.
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Widerness safari in Kenya
One of the most sought-after safari experiences is witnessing Kenya’s wildlife—whether that be the Great Migration, when millions of zebras, wildebeests, and other herd animals travel from Tanzania's Serengeti to the Masai Mara in Kenya, or just getting a group of loved ones to join you for the trip. Alice Daunt, a travel specialist at Daunt Travel, suggests catching the Great Migration from the Masai Mara, but cautions that the “there are literally eight beds at the best camps”—not to mention a narrow window of travel (typically August through September). Planning in advance is to your benefit year-round, though. Condé Nast Traveler editor Megan Spurrell, who recently visited Angama Mara in the low season of February, says, "The only trip I've truly planned a year in advance was a Kenya safari with three friends—balancing so many schedules already takes a bit of lead time, but that's even truer when you have a smaller window given a season you want to catch (for us, the dry season, when we'd see lots of baby animals and fewer fellow tourists; and escape New York's winter). The good news: Once we booked our accommodations and inter-country flights to Lamu Island, we could just kick back and wait for the trip to arrive."
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A Nile river cruise through Egypt
For any history buff, a journey to Egypt's ancient sites is the trip of a lifetime. There are a couple ways to do it—by land or by Nile river cruise —but we'd argue the best trip includes a bit of both. Hop on Viking’s Osiris, which drifts along the Nile with thoughtful stops in Esna, where you'll tour the red stone temples of the same name, Aswan for the High Dam and Temple of Philae, and Qena, home to the grand temple of Dendera. A few years ago, Nile cruises were so quickly spiking in popularity that local operators were struggling to keep up with demand, making planning ahead crucial to nabbing your itinerary and ship of interest.
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Visit Japan during cherry blossom season
If you're heading to Japan , don't think you can visit for five days and call it done. Few travelers are able to resist sticking around for a couple of weeks, making the journey from Tokyo to Osaka at the very least, as part of an itinerary that begs to be customized with the help of a travel specialist. Specialists are key if you’re planning a trip during the springtime, late March to early April, to enjoy the cherry blossoms in bloom–the fleeting beauty is best enjoyed in rural parts of the country, although Kyoto and Tokyo have some stellar viewing points of their own. To secure delivery to the best foliage by a competent guide, contact an agency in January of the year prior to your trip.
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Attend the once-in-a-decade Oberammergau Passion Play
Forget planning a trip a year out—you can get started on this one a decade in advance. The Oberammergau Passion Play is an epic reenactment of the Passion of Jesus Christ (his trial, crucifixion, death, and resurrection) staged once every ten years since 1680. Oberammergau itself, a tiny, quiet village nestled in the hills of Bavaria about an hour outside of Munich, is a wonder for its picturesque architecture. Come summer of 2030, when the next Passion Play will be staged (likely between May and October), the countryside’s smattering of hotels and inns will book right up with church groups making a pilgrimage from all around the world. Getting a room close by is advisable—the show generally runs from 2:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., a whopping eight hours. If your plan of entry is getting cast, you’re out of luck—participants, without exception, must have lived in Oberammergau for at least 20 years before being selected for the product. Make arrangements to move now and you could feature in the 2050 edition.
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Observe Tuscany's Palio di Siena
While many of our travel specialists resoundingly weighed in that just about any trip to Italy—the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Lake Como, and so on—is worth planning well in advance as the country’s tourism levels soar ever higher, one outing that would be nearly impossible to pull off on short notice is a trip to the Palio di Siena. This major horse race is held on only two days of the year, July 2 and August 16, and sees jockeys ride bareback thrice around Siena’s Piazza del Campo. The whole thing is over in less than 90 seconds, and yet Emily Fitzroy of Bellini Travel notes that it is one of Italy’s most “oversubscribed” outings. If you want to see it for yourself, book your ticket well out.
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Visit Rio de Janeiro for Carnaval
Carnival needs no introduction: The vibrant festival, with iterations all around the world, is an over-the-top celebration you have to see to believe. Carnaval in Rio is the largest of them all, meaning you'll have to compete with other travelers for tickets to February's famous Sambodrome parade, and the very best hotel (Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana, with its proximity to the beachside parties, will book up quick) and restaurant reservations. The reward? A week of samba dancing in the streets, elaborate costumes, and live music filling the city—basically, one enormous block party. Work with a connected travel specialist, and you can sign up to march alongside performers in full costume on the big night. New Year’s is just as big a catch, by the way, if you're too late to book for carnival.
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A trip to Botswana's Okavango Delta
There are a million different ways to do a safari in Africa, but a trip to Botswana's Okavango Delta stands out from the rest. Not only are floodplains home to endangered species like white and black rhinoceroses, but the sprawling marsh offers the rare opportunity to do a safari by boat, with a landscape that shifts depending on water levels. Typically, the best time to visit is from May to September—snagging a spot at the camp you want during that window, of course, requires the right amount of foresight.
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A trek to Machu Picchu
Arriving to Machu Picchu on foot is on many travelers' lists for a reason. But because visiting the site, by trek or otherwise, has become so popular—with the ancient Incan ruins suffering from overtourism in recent years—the Peruvian government has placed caps on how many people can visit daily. They've also limited trekker capacity on the historic Inca Trail, a journey that can take anywhere from a couple days to a week. Book in advance to visit during the dry season (from roughly April to October), which will also help you secure one of just 400 daily tickets to climb up the iconic peak of Huayna Picchu, offering great views over the ruins for a lucky few. While there, balance out your Wonders of the World itinerary and explore the rest of the Sacred Valley—there's a treasure trove of underrated ruins and Andean cuisine.
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Naadam Festival in Mongolia
Mongolia is always on our must-visit list, but specialists caution that the “relatively uncharted destination” requires planning ahead, given that “domestic flights and accommodations are extremely limited and constantly in-demand,” says Jessica Wells of Black Tomato. Tyler Dillon of Trufflepig advises that summer is the sweet spot because of the Naadam Festival—an ancient-style Olympic games featuring wrestling, archery, and horse racing. Planning a year out will ensure you and your group—it’s always more fun with friends, Dillon says—will have access to the wide open spaces of luxury spots like Genghis Khan Retreat, a favorite amongst those who want to do some riding for themselves.
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December festivities in Ghana
“#DecemberInGhana as it's becoming known is a super festive time of the year,” says Cherae Robinson, founder of Tastemakers Africa, who runs an annual group trip to Ghana at the end of each year. “Small business owners bank their entire earnings on what happens in December and anybody who's anybody descends on Accra during the holiday season.” From the Afrochella festival to beach club pop-ups, Robinson says that getting the read on the events and snagging tickets can take time—and a seasoned expert—so it's important to plan ahead and book your hotel early, too, especially if you're coordinating with a group of travel buddies.
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Get to Lagos for Afro Nation and Detty December
Robinson also advises booking your trip to Lagos a year out, especially if you’re planning on hitting the newly-announced Nigerian branch of worldwide music festival Afro Nation. Lagos is a major cultural capital—Detty December sees the city taken over for an entire month by block parties, all-night concerts, and street festivals—and with such plum status comes an abundance of people. While there’s room for everyone in the proverbial sense, booking a year out ensures you and your people can lock down your accommodations.
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Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
If you want to come face to face with the largest living primates—and one of our closest relatives—a gorilla trek in Rwanda must be on your list. It'll take at least a few months of planning to execute the bare bones of this trip, from securing required gorilla trekking permits to getting a reservation at the best lodges like Wilderness Safaris Bisate Lodge. But be ready for competition: There's always high demand to visit during the dry seasons from mid-December to early February, and June to September, when hiking conditions are best and malaria risk lowest.
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Christmas markets in Europe
Some of the best flight deals tend to be to Europe—but just because you can plan a cheap, last-minute trip to the continent doesn't mean you should bank on that when it comes to certain events. To experience Europe's fantastic Christmas markets, for example, which fill city squares with mulled wine and seasonal cakes come December, you'll want to plan a full calendar year beforehand to snag conveniently located hotels (not to mention reservations at festive destination restaurants). The good news? From Prague to Berlin to Edinburgh, the markets are plentiful and open to all, so you don't have to snag tickets in advance.
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The ultimate national park road trip across the U.S.
A road trip to a national park or two might seem like an easy last minute trip. And while it is true that pandemic-era entrance restrictions to the likes of Zion and Yellowstone have relaxed in recent months, according to Sam Highley of All Roads North, access remains limited especially during peak summer months. “It is essential to plan ahead,” says Highley. Accommodations are limited, whether you’re seeking a campsite or lodge, and most parks require reservations in some form (whether that be entrance to the park itself or to popular areas like Cadillac Summit Road in Acadia). Do some research and set a calendar alert for reservation drops. It’s worth noting that you can bypass reservations in some cases with the right hired guide, but said guides are accordingly in high demand—don’t count on calling one up a few days prior to your trip.
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Island hopping Raja Ampat in Indonesia
Indonesia has over 17,000 islands—which is to say, the hardest part of planning your trip will be narrowing down which to see for yourself. Daunt says a voyage through Raja Ampat, a remote archipelago off of West Papua with some of the richest marine biodiversity on earth, requires a year of planning on its own. Carve out a multi-stop itinerary that'll make the most of your time in the region. Casewhit adds, “It’s a dream destination for snorkelers, divers, and nature lovers.”
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A cruise to Antarctica
Cruising to Antarctica, with its short season of December to January and its limited number of itinerary options, requires twelve months of planning minimum—that people generally don’t want to make the journey over the holidays, when the holidays take up half the season, is part of why. Expedition cruise specialist Ashton Palmer of Expedition Trips has been planning voyages to the region for over twenty years, says of the increasing demand that “people want to make up for lost time.” He adds that making your reservations a year in advance ensures you can get the cabin you want on the ship you want—no small consideration when you think about how much time you’ll be spending on the boat. There are also generally only a couple itineraries to choose from, Palmer notes—the straightforward two weeks to Antarctica proper and back, and the three-plus week excursions that touch the Falklands and South Georgia as well.
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See the Northern Lights on an Arctic cruise from Norway
Already ballooning in popularity as an alternative to the Antarctica cruise, sailing to the Arctic requires just as much foresight—especially if you’re trying to catch the Northern Lights. Trips from the Russian Far East are, at this time, not happening, and so Palmer suggests shipping out from Northern Norway with Svalbard as the destination.
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The Camino de Santiago in Spain
This historic pilgrimage, with a handful of trails that all converge on the town of Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain, is what bucket lists are made of. The journey—now popular among Catholics and non-believers alike—can take anywhere from a week to a month or two, depending on where you start, with nightly stops in tiny villages throughout northern Spain and Portugal. Trufflepig's Lapostol says, “[This trip] has to be planned at least a year in advance because the ideal windows for walking in this part of the world are narrow: April to June and September to October.” Plus, he adds, the best guides and hotels “a cut above the typical pensions and inexpensive hostels” are in high demand. Booking last minute could make for a very different experience—and you probably don't want to skimp on comfort when you're walking 10 to 15 miles per day.
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Faroe Islands in the summer
The Faroe Islands, a remote territory of Denmark that sits between Iceland and Norway, is one of many destinations that has put limits on visitor numbers in an effort to combat overtourism. So, if you want to witness the archipelago's colorful seaside villages, endangered puffins, or rushing waterfalls, you'll need to secure your visit well in advance, says Black Tomato's Marchant. Doing so will also make it easier to visit during the coveted summer months, when the weather is warmer and drier, and you'll get long days with nearly 20 hours of sunlight—perfect for maximizing your time on the islands.
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A cruise through the Galápagos
The Galápagos Islands in Ecuador offer travelers the rare opportunity to see endemic species that informed Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Visitor numbers are strictly regulated to ensure that we don't trample the 9,000 species that still call the archipelago home out of existence. The best way to visit is by hopping on an expedition cruise, though it's also possible to visit by land. Just note that there are caps on visitors entering the national park itself, in addition to rules on how many ships can sail the waters each year, and there are calls to further limit those visitor numbers. Sarah Casewit of Origin notes that the seasick or otherwise cruise-averse can opt to traverse the area via propeller plane instead, gaining direct access to Isabela Island.
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A tour through Nepal and Bhutan
Though a visit to Bhutan can be intimidating—independent travel is discouraged, and visas for travelers must be obtained through a tour company—there’s never been a better time to go. The country has added an incentive to its trademark $200 entry fee, allowing anyone paying for four days to stay for four days more at no additional cost and those paying for 12 to stay a whole month through the end of 2024. Plan now, save later. A visit to the country, which uses that money to promote economic wellbeing, sustainable living, and national welfare, is rewarding, particularly when paired with a trip to Nepal's holy temples. Carolyn Addision, the head of product at Black Tomato, calls the pairing a “luxurious, spiritual journey of self-discovery.” Addison advises that a year of planning ahead makes it possible for travelers to have rare experiences like “a private audience with the Kumari in Kathmandu,” which the company can arrange.
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A cruise along the Alaskan coast
The most popular way to visit is Alaska by cruise—which means, though there are many ships and outfitters that will get you there, there are plenty of other travelers hoping to do the same. The cruises themselves don't usually require booking twelve months out, but the tours—like on-land excursions through Denali National Park's pristine wilderness, or smaller boat jaunts to witness glaciers up close and personal—do sell out far earlier, says Linda Allen-Spear of Cruises By Linda. She also cautions that the best cabins ("the low midship location is the most stable" for anyone concerned about getting seasick) also go quickly.
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A trip to Patagonia
Traveling to Patagonia is, essentially, a voyage to the ends of the earth. You'll need to first connect through a South American hub, like the tango capital of Buenos Aires or metropolitan Santiago, Chile—arguably warranting a few days of their own—before you reach the alpine lakes and glaciers of Patagonia. Explore Torres del Paine National Park, one of Chile's most iconic landscapes, and hang with Magellanic penguins at the Otway Sound, on the way to Puerto Natales (also in Chile). Or, listen to the cracks of Argentina's Perito Moreno Glacier, which is constantly moving. Plan ahead to hit it all, with stays in world-class lodges like Explora Patagonia.
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See Brazil's desert beach
Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses, located on the Northern Coast of Brazil, is not easy to get to. Fly into São Luís (and stay a few days—this is an old city, formerly a French capital, and the architecture is beautiful) before making the five hour drive down the coast. You'll want to book a year in advance if you're going between May and August—and you should be—to swim in the turquoise pools of water that take over the vast white sand. Snag a spot now in an eco resort like La Ferme de Georges, secure the car rental, and get everything in order so that you can hit the road without delay upon arrival.
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Following the Silk Road
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan may be off the well-trodden tourist path, but they're well worth a visit. Tracing the ancient Silk Road trade networks through the region is the perfect way to connect it all. There’s stunning Islamic architecture, deep historical roots, and several UNESCO World Heritage sites. You can even get a private calligraphy lesson with a master in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, if you book with a travel company like GeoEx far enough in advance.
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A multi-stop tour through India
There are so many iconic destinations throughout India, it can be hard to choose. Take the time to plan an extended trip so you don't have to. In just northern India alone, you can spend a couple weeks bouncing between Delhi and Jaipur, taking a sunset cruise along the Ganges in ancient Varanasi, and visiting the Taj Majal in Agra—to name just a few must-have experiences.
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Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Day of the Dead is celebrated throughout much of Latin America, with traditions and rituals that vary greatly from one place to the next. Oaxaca's celebration is perhaps the most sought-after among travelers: not only do a large number of Oaxacans participate in the event, transforming the city's graveyards with marigolds, votives, and incense smoke, but there are lively parades that run through the historic city, which anyone is welcome to participate in. Finding a hotel room during this time is usually quite challenging, but Luis Vargas, the founder of Modern Adventure, says that demand for post-pandemic iterations is higher than ever due to a two-year break.
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A safari in the Amazon
The Amazon is one of those nearly mythical places, whose untamed wildlife and mind-boggling biodiversity could take a lifetime to explore. (It houses over 10 percent of all species known on Earth, to give you an idea.) Take the time to research which areas you most want to visit—entering through Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, or Colombia—and whether you want to use a lodge deep in the jungle as your homebase, book a spot on a boutique Amazon river cruise that'll follow the winding river through the rainforest. Or, do a bit of both. There's no shortage of activities to choose between, from night safaris, to canoeing alongside pink Amazonian dolphins, to visiting cities like Peru's Iquitos or Brazil's Manaus for a taste of Amazonian street food and local culture.
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Climbing Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
There are a few epic peaks around the world, like Everest, that you could spend a lifetime preparing to climb. Summiting Kilimanjaro, however, is a much more accessible adventure—local outfitters typically advise a three- to six-month training plan for getting in shape. In addition to the time needed to physically and mentally prepare, it'd be impossible to leave Tanzania without a safari in the sprawling Serengeti or a few days of letting your muscles loosen up on the beaches of Zanzibar.
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A drive across Australia
If you haven't made it to Australia yet, don't worry: Though the sprawling continent can be intimidating to traverse in one go, many of the destination's greatest hits can be fit into a two-week trip if you plan it right. To knock off highlights like the Great Ocean Drive, surfing at Bondi Beach, and diving the Great Barrier Reef, plan to rent a car for a most memorable road trip. Getting your itinerary nailed down in advance will make it easier to track flights and save on the lengthy trans-Pacific journey as well (who knows, you might even be able to work in a stopover in Hawaii with enough foresight).