Where to Travel on Vacation in October 2022

Himalayan hiking adventures await you with clear skies and mountain vistas

Where to go on vacation in October

October means autumn for much of the Northern Hemisphere so it's a wonderful time to visit the Far East, which is often carpeted in beautiful autumnal colours of red, orange and gold with countries like South Korea at their most scenic. Temperatures are cool but the skies are often clear and the Croatia sailing season will end mid-month. It's still the rainy season across Southeast Asia so expect showers if planning a visit to the region. For guaranteed dry weather and some sun, head to the Middle East where temperatures are pleasantly warm. And in India, Diwali takes place in October this year.

If you're looking for inspiration for where to vacation in October 2022, take a look at our top recommended destinations and experiences that this month offers around the world. We've also compiled our best October beach destinations for those looking for a bit of sun, sea and sand, as well as a guide to where best to head for wildlife adventures.

Our Top Travel Picks for October



Everest-Base-Camp-Itinerary-4-Trekking-Trips-Himalayas
Mountain vistas

Trekking in the Himalayas

With the end of the monsoon rains in October, the clouds clear across the Himalayas, making October and November two of the best months to trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Temperatures at this altitude will be cold but the days will be dry and clear. It's also a great time to explore neighbouring Tibet and Bhutan.

Recommended tour: Everest Base Camp →

Petra Treasury from above - Jordan Tours - On The Go Tours copy
Monuments and deserts

Exploring Jordan's attractions

With the intense heat of summer now subsiding, October is a fantastic month to visit Jordan. Daytime temperatures are manageable so you can explore the ancient city of Petra and ride the red sands of Wadi Rum without overheating. You can still expect blue, largely clear, skies and nighttime temperatures are still pleasantly warm for a desert camp. And it's just the right conditions for lazing in the Dead Sea.

Recommended tour: Totally Jordan →

Machu Picchu with woman in the foreground - Peru Tours - South America Tours - On The Go Tours
Inca citadels

Sightseeing in Peru

October marks the last month of the dry season in Peru. This means it's still a good time to tackle the popular Inca Trail to Machu Picchu before the summer rains arrive. It's also still drier in the Amazon, which means better wildlife spotting opportunities. And if your itinerary takes you to Lima you might be able to witness the colourful Lord of Miracles festival, one of South America's largest processions.

Recommended tour: Lima to La Paz →

Buenos Aires city - October holiday ideas - On The Go Tours
Tango and beer

Visiting the cities of Argentina

This time of year means spring for the Southern Hemisphere. In the north of Argentina you can expect warm temperatures and plenty of sun. It's just the right conditions for exploring the country's fascinating cities, from the capital of Buenos Aires where you can learn to tango, to culture and history-heavy Cordoba where you can participate in the annual Oktoberfest.

Recommended tour: Argentina, Atacama & Andes→

Best Festivals in October

Phuket Vegetarian Festival - October Holidays Ideas - On The Go Tours

Vegetarian Festival

Where? Phuket, Thailand

Devout carnivores will be surprised to learn that this is one of Thailand's most lively festivals. Held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, it's a time for the local community to cleanse their bodies and souls with ten days of strict vegetarian diet. A host of extraordinary events take place during this time including firewalking, body piercing and razor blade ladder climbing as well as less gruesome parades.

Diwali India

Diwali

Where? India

Celebrating the victory of good over evil and the triumph of light over dark, the ancient festival of Diwali is one of the most important Hindu festivals in India. Millions of candles are lit across the country and arranged alongside decorations made from coloured powder in front of family homes, temples and even shops. It's a particularly pretty and welcoming time to visit as families gather together to celebrate.

Abu Simbel - Egypt Tours - On The Go Tours copy

Abu Simbel Sun Fest

Where? Abu Simbel, Egypt

Twice a year the sun aligns to illuminate the inner sanctum of the incredible Abu Simbel temple. Built by King Ramses II, the temple was specifically designed so that this alignment would occur on the date of the king's coronation (22nd February) and his birthday (22nd October). This extraordinary feat of ancient engineering has to be seen to be believed and it's the perfect time to visit the rest of Egypt with pleasant temperatures for sightseeing.

Full Moon Celebrations in Hoi An-Secondary

Hoi An Lantern Festival

Where? Hoi An, Vietnam

Held on the night of a full moon within 15 days of the autumnal equinox, Hoi An's Lantern Festival is a celebration of the forthcoming harvest after the monsoon rains. It's also a time to gather together with friends and family and prayer for blessings. For travellers it's a wonderful time to visit with colourful lanterns decorating the streets and floating into the night sky, and plenty of tasty cakes and candies available to eat.

Best City Breaks in October

Slovenia - Ljubljana
Golden hues of autumn

Ljubljana

The autumn month of October is perfect for visiting the Slovenian capital, as the leafy green city turns a fiery orange. The setting gets even more beautiful when you're sat at a rustic restaurant sampling some of the region's fine wine. Plus, with beautiful Lake Bled just 30 minutes away, you aren't going to run out of things to do!

Reykjavik in winter - Iceland Golden Circle - On The Go Tours
return of the northern lights

Reykjavik

Summer is turning to winter in Iceland in October, which means the return of snow and a good chance of spotting the magical Northern Lights. You'll want to head out of Reykjavik for the best view, but the charming Icelandic capital is a lovely place to explore before the extreme cold sets in, and the country's natural wonders are as spectacular as ever.

Streets of Seoul - South Korea
Good weather and low rates

Seoul

October sees mild weather in Seoul, a much better time to visit than the stifling summer months, and before the cold of winter sets in. The cost of travelling is also lower at this time of year as the crowds thin out, and the trees will be turning a gorgeous gold.

Amman Roman amphitheatre - Jordan - On The Go Tours
escape the heat

Amman

The Middle Eastern country of Jordan sees incredibly hot summer temperatures, making October a great time to visit the ancient sites and bustling markets of Amman. Further afield you've got the legendary city of Petra and the red desert of Wad Rum, which has claimed recent fame after starring in the blockbuster movie Dune, starring Timothée Chalamet.

Best Beach Destinations in October

It's the final month of the monsoon season in Southeast Asia so there'll still be high rainfall across the prime beach destinations, however, East Africa's coast is still a reliable option as is the Middle East with pleasant temperatures and lots of sunshine. Central America is best avoided at this time of year as hurricanes and typhoons are likely to be hitting the region.

beach

Zanzibar

It's spring in the Southern Hemisphere and this means cool and dry weather perfectly suited for a Zanzibar holiday. The sandy shores are drenched in sun, the waters are warm and there will be little rain. October is also a great time for diving off the north coast of the island and if you're thinking of combining beach with a safari adventure, the Great Wildebeest Migration is in full swing in Tanzania so an ideal time.

Hurghada Highlight

Egypt

October brings with it much cooler temperatures across Egypt so it's a great time to head to the Red Sea for some sun, sea and sand. Expect sunny, dry days perfect for sunbathing and snorkeling with great diving opportunities year-round. With the bi-annual Sun Festival happening in Abu Simbel, it's an ideal time to combine beach with culture and the delights of the Red Sea with the ancient wonders of Egypt from Cairo to Luxor.

Taghazoute 1 - surfer

Morocco

With a sizeable slice of Mediterranean and Atlantic coastline, Morocco has a great selection of beach resorts to choose from whether it's Tangier on the Strait of Gibraltar or Essaouira with its beautiful walled medina only a few hours' drive from Marrakech. October is also a good time for surfing with Taghazoute the country's premier surfing destination providing large swells and plenty of surf points to try.

Best Wildlife Destinations in October

If you're wondering where to go in October for wildlife, then you've come to the right place. Peak safari season in Africa is coming to a close as October marks the final month of the dry season. Elsewhere, the Amazon is still relatively dry with great fishing and jungle trekking opportunities while the cool and dry season across the Galapagos is ideal for diving and there's always some activity in the wildlife world. In Costa Rica it's nesting season for Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles.

tiger

India

The monsoon rains have petered out come October and India's national parks reopen for business. The landscapes are lush with foliage and rivers full with water so it's a great time of year for landscape photography with the added bonus of the chance to spot a Bengal tiger in the wild along with plenty of other wildlife including sambar, chital, nilgai, wild boar, leopard, sloth bear and myriad birdlife.

Wild elephants at Minneriya National Park

Sri Lanka

October is the final month of Sri Lanka's wildlife spectacle - the annual 'gathering' of hundreds of elephants that flock to Minneriya National Park looking for a reliable water source as the rains stop across the North Central & Eastern provinces. The majestic creatures gather around the centrepiece reservoir and come November will disperse across the region as the approaching rains create more varied water sources.

Safari-In-The-South-Itinerary-8-Southern-Safaris-Africa

Southern Africa

It's the last month of southern Africa's dry season so it's a good time to head to the region on safari before the rains begin. In Botswana you'll find large herds of elephants gathering in Chobe National Park while in Namibia the Namib-Naukluft is a good choice with the coastal winds keeping it cooler. By now many habitats have gone without rain for almost five months so vegetation will be at its thinnest, ideal for spotting wildlife.

Wildebeest Zebra Migration - Africa Overland Safaris - Africa Lodge Safaris - Africa Tours - On The

East Africa

By and large this is the last month that herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle will attempt to cross the Mara River from the northern region of the Serengeti into the adjacent Masai Mara. This is one of the most impressive times to visit Kenya and Tanzania during the Great Migration as come November short rains will begin, encouraging the growth of vegetation that makes wildlife viewing more challenging.

See more of our Travel Calendar

Yi-Peng-Lanterns-of-the-Night-Itineraries-Main-Thailand

November

December Holiday Ideas - Lapland - On The Go Tours

December

New-Years-Red-Square-Itinerary-Main-Xmas-And-New-Years-Russia

January

Abu Simbel temples - Holiday ideas for February - On The Go Tours

February

Holi festival hands and colour image

March

Cherry blossom and castle - Bucket List

April

St Petersburg during White Nights - On the Go Tours

May

Croatia Brac Beach-Croatia Tours-On The Go Tours

June

Turkey-Discovered-Itinerary-Main-Group-Tour-Turkey

July

Exclusive-Adventures-Jordan

August

Soujourn to Sapa

September