As summer fades and autumn colours emerge, savvy travellers know this season offers unique advantages: fewer crowds, comfortable temperatures, and spectacular natural landscapes in transition. For adventure seekers looking to make the most of this magical time of year there's an abundance of opportunities. From the towering peaks of the Himalayas to the ancient wonders of Peru, here's your guide to the best autumn adventure holiday destinations.

Why travel in Autumn?

Autumn (September to November) is widely considered the best time to visit Nepal, with clear skies offering unobstructed mountain views and comfortable temperatures perfect for trekking. The monsoon rains have washed away summer dust, leaving the landscape vibrant and refreshed.

Highlights:

• Everest Base Camp Trek: Experience crisp air and crystal-clear views of the world's highest peak

• Annapurna Circuit: Walk among golden rice fields ready for harvest against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains

• Langtang Valley: Enjoy magnificent rhododendron forests and authentic local culture with fewer tourists

• Dashain and Tihar Festivals: Witness Nepal's most important cultural celebrations if traveling in October/November

Why Visit in the Autumn?

While Mediterranean favourites like Italy and Greece become quieter in autumn, Albania remains pleasantly warm through October, offering a perfect blend of mountain adventures and coastal charm without the summer crowds.

Highlights:

• Albanian Alps (Accursed Mountains): Trek through dramatic limestone peaks and traditional villages

• Ionian Coast: Enjoy empty beaches and warm sea temperatures well into October

• Lake Ohrid: Witness stunning reflections of autumn foliage on one of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes

Why Travel in the Autumn?

As the intense summer heat and monsoon rains subside, India transforms into a traveller's paradise from October through November. The weather becomes more comfortable while the cultural calendar fills with festivals of light and colour.

Highlights:

• Markha Valley Trek (Ladakh): Experience the "Little Tibet" with stable weather and fewer visitors

• Kerala Backwaters: Cruise through lush tropical landscapes as temperatures become more comfortable

• Rajasthan's Golden Triangle: Explore iconic cities like Jaipur and Udaipur without the scorching heat

Why Visit in the Autumn?

Autumn is ideal for exploring Morocco's diverse landscapes, with October and November offering pleasant temperatures in the otherwise scorching desert regions and comfortable conditions for mountain trekking.

Highlights:

• High Atlas Mountains: Trek to North Africa's highest peak, Mount Toubkal, with clear views and moderate temperatures

• Sahara Desert: Experience comfortable desert camping without the extreme heat of summer

• Marrakech Medina: Explore the bustling souks without sweating through the experience

• Coastal Essaouira: Enjoy milder Atlantic winds perfect for walking and water sports

• Harvest Season: Witness olive and date harvests in rural communities

Why Travel in the Autumn?

Autumn reveals Jordan at its most hospitable, with mild temperatures perfect for exploring archaeological sites and desert landscapes that would be uncomfortable during summer months.

Highlights:

• Petra: Experience the one of the great wonders of the world. An ancient city carved into the mountian.

• Wadi Rum Desert: Camp among towering sandstone formations without the extreme heat

• Dead Sea: Float in the mineral-rich waters with pleasant air temperatures

• Dana Biosphere Reserve: Hike through Jordan's most diverse natural ecosystem as migratory birds pass through

• Jordan Trail: Trek sections of this long-distance path with ideal temperatures for walking

Why Travel in the Autumn?

As Peru transitions from dry season to wet season, early autumn (September to early November) offers a sweet spot with fewer crowds, blooming orchids, and generally stable weather before the heavier rains arrive.

Highlights:

• Less Crowded Trails: Experience this bucket-list trek with more solitude
• Lush Landscapes: Witness the beginning of the greening season as early rains refresh the vegetation
• Orchids in Bloom: Spot colorful orchid species along the cloud forest sections

• Mystical Morning Mists: Photograph Machu Picchu emerging from atmospheric morning fog

• Comfortable Camping: Enjoy mild nighttime temperatures before the summer heat arrives

Why Travel in the Autumn?

The dry season peaks in early autumn across Southern Africa, creating ideal conditions for wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around dwindling water sources in countries like Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

Highlights:

• Okavango Delta (Botswana): Observe incredible wildlife concentrations as the floodwaters recede

• Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia): See the falls with a moderate water flow that allows better visibility of the gorge

• Etosha National Park (Namibia): Witness dramatic wildlife gatherings around waterholes

• Kruger National Park (South Africa): Spot the Big Five with greater ease as vegetation thins out

• Great Migration (Northern Tanzania): Catch the tail end of this spectacular wildlife event

Why Travel in the Autumn?

Autumn in Portugal offers the perfect combination of pleasant temperatures, fewer tourists, and cultural celebrations centered around the wine harvest.

Highlights:

• Douro Valley: Witness the spectacular vineyard terraces changing color during harvest season

• Lisbon: Discover Lisbon by getting lost in its calcadas (paved streets), its travessas (cross paths) and escadhinas (staircases)

• Madeira Island: Experience subtropical hiking conditions on the island's famous levada trails

Why Travel in the Autumn?

While Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, the autumn months (especially October) offer some of the most stable weather conditions for this challenging ascent.

Highlights:

• Clearer Skies: Increased chance of spotting Kilimanjaro's famous snow-capped peak

• Moderate Crowds: Experience the mountain with fewer climbers than during summer peaks

• Stable Weather Patterns: Lower likelihood of heavy rainfall on the lower slopes

• Unique Ecosystems: Progress through distinct climate zones, from rainforest to alpine desert

• Uhuru Peak Sunrise: Reach the summit for one of the most spectacular views in Africa

Why Travel in the Autumn?

Portugal's Atlantic island offers year-round mild conditions, but autumn brings particular advantages: stable temperatures, fewer tourists, and spectacular landscapes refreshed by occasional light rainfall.

Highlights:

• Levada Walks: Explore the island's unique irrigation canal trails with comfortable temperatures

• Pico Ruivo: Summit Madeira's highest peak with clear visibility and moderate conditions

• Botanical Gardens: Visit world-famous gardens still in bloom due to the mild climate

• Wine Harvest: Experience local wine traditions and festivals celebrating the annual harvest