inca splendour
+ click to read moreInti Raymi, the week-long celebration of the Sun God Inti, comes just as the Sacred Valley of the Incas is bursting into green after the rainy season. In Cuzco, the Inca capital of South America, dancing, parades and music fill the streets. It culminates with a procession to Sacsayhuaman, the ancient Inca fortress outside the city where a traditional ceremony is re-enacted in exquisite costumes. Combine your visit with trekking, mountain biking or river rafting, staying in some of the country's excellent new boutique properties. You travel between the different sights by private vehicle as well as via the Orient Express train network that covers much of the southern part of the country, including Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.
June
When considering South America, somewhere like Peru looks its very best. July/August attract huge numbers of tourists to the main ‘must see’ sights, so it is a joy to see them just before the peak season and the Andes are green and fresh and the crops are abundant in the fields.
Thinking of Asia, the window of travel to Ladakh is a narrow one and June is a spectacular time to see these harsh mountains and stark light just after it has emerged from the long winter.
Although in June we focus a bit on Africa+Indian Ocean countries in the destination spotlight below, much of South America can be fabulous in June as can be parts of the Himalayas in Asia and also much of South East Asia.
just three ideas of many
malawi
heart of africa?
Highland plateaux with the dazzling shores of Lake Malawi not far away. Bush and (inland) beach in close proximity so keeping costs and travel time down. The days are typically balmy and dry. Game-viewing is more relaxed with game less dense but scenery very special. For the Africa-sophisticate.
seychelles
paradise islands
A year round destination but little visited in June. The sea can get a bit choppy but the temperatures are still pleasantly warm and the chance of rainfall is less than in more popular months.
zambia
wild africa
Wild landscape and great, small lodges with guiding a priority. And some of the best walking safaris in Africa. Water is still abundant after the rains, the landscape is a photogenic green and the animals are abundant and healthy.
