5 Reasons why it pays to book ahead

Tour hotel full, permit limits reached, cabins sold out, trip fully booked, currency crashed - don’t let this be the story of your 2018 holiday. Here's our July list of 2018 holidays to book early - make sure you get the adventure you want next year.

>> All holidays for 2018

1) Trips which sell-out early

Which: High Peaks of the Balkans, 8 days full guided trek

• Summit the highest peaks in Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and Macedonia on this European trekking holiday in the Balkans.
• Climb the mighty three – Korab (2751m), Gjeravica (2656m) and Zla Kolata (2534m)
• Boat across Lake Koman and overnight in bustling Tirana, Albania's capital

Why book 2018 now? The Balkans are an extremely popular destination for adventure travellers, and this trip summits some of the highest peaks in 4 of the most remote - Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and Macedonia. A complete sell-out for 2017, places are already being snapped up for 2018, so don’t miss out.

Price: From £995 or $1,455

Other advantages: You’ll find very good value for money in this region, whatever the currency in your wallet

Easier options: If that sounds a little ambitious, check out all our trips in the Balkans, which start with a Grade 2 - leisurely walking & sightseeing on Tito’s Trail from Bosnia to Croatia to a more challenging Grade 6 - Walking the Balkan Borderlands.

2) Hotel rooms in hot demand

Which: Best of the Tour du Mont Blanc, 8 day fully guided tour & trek

• Hotel based one week hiking holiday around Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps
• Experience the Swiss chocolate box village of Champex
• Enjoy the stunning Bovine Trail on this vehicle supported trek

Why book 2018 now? Hotel rooms in the Alps sell out quickly on the route of this iconic trek especially at peak times such as July and August

Price: From £1,095 and $ 1,525 land only

Other advantages: 2017 Prices held for 2018 both in US Dollars and UK sterling

Extra challenge: KE offers two other alternatives of the Tour of Mont Blanc - the Complete Classic Circuit (Grade 8) and the Ultimate Tour du Mont Blanc (Grade 9) which crosses 3 Alpine passes that are completely unique to this KE trek.

3) Cabins during penguin chick season already limited

Which: Antarctic Classic, Polar Cruise. 12 days fully guided adventure

• See penguins, whales and magnificent Antarctic wildlife
• Options for kayaking and camping on the Antarctic Peninsula
• Travel through the Drake Passage to the South Shetland Islands
• Expert team of expedition polar leaders onboard

Why book now for 2018? Standard, twin birth and superior suites on board do sell out quickly (and are already limited for the hatching season) and it’s well worth booking as soon as possible to take advantage of cheaper flight prices to Ushuaia Airport, Argentina.

Price: From £3,699 and $5,325 land only

Other advantages: Get a free Yukon PHD -35C rated down jacket worth £300 when you book

Special interest: KE offers four other classic Antarctica expeditions, all with specialist focus - choose to follow in the footsteps of the British hero of Antarctic exploration, Sir Earnest Shackleton, take an in-depth look at the magnificent wildlife of Antarctica or get adventurous at an Antarctic basecamp and challenge yourself to camp, snowshoe, kayak and even scuba-dive in this amazing environment.

4) Limited flight options available

Which: The Druk Path Trek Bhutan with Thimpu or Paro festival, 12 days fully guided tour & trek

• The ‘Tiger’s Nest’ monastery and the dzongs of Punakha, Wangdue & Tashichho
• A great introductory level, fully supported 5 days trek from Paro to Thimpu
• Breathtaking views of the Himalaya, including Chomolhari & Jitchu Drake

Why book now 2018? With only two airlines operating flights into Paro from Kathmandu, seats are limited and in high demand. Book early to guarantee your place on your chosen departure. We strongly advise booking a year in advance where possible.

Price: From £3,545 and $4,030 land only

Other advantages: April and September departures timed so you visit the Timpu or Paro festivals - places already selling fast for these two departures

Gentle introductions to Bhutan: KE offers more leisurely walking & sightseeing introductions to this undiscovered country. Choose from Spirit of the Dragon - a complete tour of the iconic sights of Bhutan, or pick a masterclass in photography with Colin Prior and immerse yourselves in the vibrant unforgettable festivals of the region.

5) Permits restricted - allocated months in advance

Which: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, 8 day fully guided trek

• Trek into Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate
• Includes a guided visit to magnificent Machu Picchu
• Explore vibrant Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Why book now 2018? It is more important than ever to book early if you want to secure your place to trek the Inca Trail in 2018. It is rumoured that registration for 2018 Inca Trail permits will be opening as early as October 2017 and with only 500 permits per day on offer (including those required for your trek crew), they will be disappearing fast!

Price: £1, 225 and $ 1,785 land only

Other advantages: 2017 Prices held for 2018 both in US Dollars and UK sterling. What’s more, if you book your place on our Inca Trail to Machu Picchu holiday before the end of October 2017 we’ll also offer you free sleeping bag hire.

Other Inca Trail trips: Our classic Inca Trail is a best-seller, but equally popular is the extended Inca Trail trek and our new Inca Active - Machu Picchu Multi-Sport, which gives adventure junkies a new perspective on this amazing part of Peru. Early booking is essential for these two trips too as they will also be affected by the rumoured changes in issuing of the Inca Trail Permits.

>> All Adventure holidays for 2018