How about using the time we’re at home to plan a big trip in 2022? Next year promises to mark the return of many international trips. So, nothing better than taking the time at home to think about scripts that need a long planning. Based on an article in Condé Nast Traveler magazine and a controversial choice by this editor, we’ve separated 20 trips that take months to plan and book – perfect for planning the 2022 vacation with a lot of ease!
Golden Eagle Festival
Mongolia is rarely at the top of the list of the most dreamed of travels, but the country hides charms and breathtaking landscapes to be discovered. A good time to travel there is in October to follow the famous Golden Eagle Festival. The event brings together thousands of hunters with their trained eagles that demonstrate their skills for two days. A unique festival that requires long planning to get excursions, hotels and transport.
Bhutan
A visit to Bhutan can be intimidating. Independent travel is discouraged and traveler visas must be obtained through a tour company. There is a limit on the number of tourists that enter. In addition, the government sets minimum tourism prices for those visiting the country (starting at US$200 (R$180) per person per day, and going up to US$290, depending on when you visit and how many people you are with). Despite all the investment and planning, a visit to Bhutan is unique and rewarding.
Silk Road
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan may be off the tourist path, but it’s worth a visit. Tracing the region’s ancient Silk Road trade networks is the perfect way to connect it all. There is impressive Islamic architecture, deep historical roots and several UNESCO World Heritage sites.
North Korea
If your business is adventure and travel to unusual places, North Korea might be a good one for you! Yes, it is possible to travel to the most closed country in the world. Of course, you will be accompanied by a 24-hour patrol throughout your stay. The trip to North Korea can only be made with excursion (Young Pioneer Tours, Koryo Tours and Uri Tours) and the flight to Pyongyang departs from Beijing, China. A good time to visit the country is during the big festivals. The games
Arirang, in August, is ranked by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest gymnastics exhibition on Earth with its 109,000 participants that combine acrobatics, theater, music, military march and cultural dance. It is good to remember that all festivities worship the great leader, but the beauty and grandeur of the shows make up for the trip.
India
There are so many iconic destinations across India that it can be difficult to choose the perfect itinerary. From south to north, this ancient culture has a lot of history and attractions for tourists who visit it. However, it is not easy to plan a trip there, especially if you want to do it yourself. I see in India one of those destinations where an excursion or tour, to certain places, is essential. So, take this into account when defining which cities to visit and start planning as soon as possible.
Indonesia
Traveling to the other side of the planet, between Asia and Oceania, requires a lot of planning. Even more so if you want to explore the islands of Indonesia. In total there are more than 17 thousand to choose from. Of course, some are already part of the dream route of many travelers like Bali.
But beyond this famous destination there are a multitude of beaches and fantastic landscapes such as relaxed Lombok with the surf town of Kuta and Mount Rinjani volcano, as well as the Gili Islands which attract many divers with their crystal clear waters and sea turtles. There is also Raja Ampat, a remote archipelago off West Papua with one of the richest marine biodiversity on the planet, where it takes a year of planning to go on your own.
White Truffle Festival
Any international trip requires planning, if only a little. Going to Italy is easy, much easier than traveling the world to Asia or booking a safari in Africa. But if your goal is to follow the White Truffle Festival, it’s good to start organizing to find a place in the best hotels. The annual festival brings the celebration of the most famous export product from the Piedmont region in northern Italy. The series of events takes place during the peak of the autumn truffle season, often spanning several weeks in October and November, during which truffle hunters sell their finds and market stalls fill the streets with this incredible flavor. The truffle hunt is so spectacular that it has already ended up in the movies (see trailer below).
Northern Lights
Taking a trip to far-off Iceland is not so commonplace. For this, planning is essential, especially if the objective is to see the so-dreamed Northern Lights. To avoid higher prices and even crowds of tourists, it’s worth planning ahead.
Keep an eye on the calendar, as our editor Monique Renne, who has already visited Iceland, warns. “Although the Northern Lights phenomenon occurs throughout the year, it can only be observed when the nights are very dark, which happens especially between the months of September and April. As winter in Iceland is not for amateurs and the country tends to have a lot of snow, cold and strong winds, the best period to combine the Northern Lights with a trip with pleasant weather is the months of September and October, when the cold is still mild , the roads are not covered with snow and the Northern Lights is already visible in the sky.”
Camino de Santiago
Taking one of the pilgrimage routes to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in Spain, can be transforming for many people – even for the most skeptical. It doesn’t matter if the motivation is faith, mysticism or sport, after walking for several days at a time carrying everything you need in a backpack, sleeping in hostels and sharing your journey with other pilgrims, nobody comes back like this.
The experience provides contact with nature and with Iberian culture, and requires good planning. Knowing details of the way, where to stop, eat, rest, are essential items for one to be able to make this long pilgrimage. The best times for an ideal walk are between April to June and September to October. It is worth noting that the Camino de Santiago is one of the destinations that will change the way you see the world for sure.
Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands, a remote territory of Denmark that lies between Iceland and Norway, is one of many destinations that has imposed limits on visitor numbers in an effort to combat excessive tourism. So if you want to witness the archipelago’s colorful seaside villages, puffins or waterfalls, you’ll need to secure your visit well in advance especially to visit the Islands in summer.
Australia
How about a trip to vast Australia? The country is the size of a continent and a trip to its main destinations requires a bit of planning and willingness for the long journey by plane. Attractions abound in the country, such as the famous cities of Sydney and Melbourne and the wonderful Great Barrier Reef. But you can organize a trip along the 240 km of Great Ocean Drive in the state of Victoria. Cross the country’s arid interior to admire the Uluru monolith. Attractions will not be lacking in your script.
Trekking with Gorillas
If you want to come face to face with the biggest living primates, a journey to the Gorilla Mountains of Rwanda should be on your list. It will take you at least a few months of planning to do the basics of this trip, from getting the necessary permits for gorilla hikes to getting a reservation at the best hotels. Watch out for a high demand from visitors looking to travel to the country during the dry seasons, from mid-December to early February, and from June to September.
Okavango Delta
There are a million different ways to go on safari in Africa, but a trip to Botswana’s Okavango Delta stands out above the rest. The floodplains are not only home to endangered species such as white rhinos, but the extensive swamp offers the rare opportunity to go on a boat safari, with a landscape that changes depending on the water level. Usually, the best time to visit is from May to September.
A trip to the Okavango Delta is on Condé Nast Magazine’s 2021 Best Destinations List.
Great Migration
One of the most sought after safari experiences is witnessing the Great Migration, when millions of zebras, wildebeests and other herd animals travel from Serengeti, Tanzania, to Masai Mara, Kenya. However, to get the best places, you must book a trip to the region in advance. The best time to see animals in Kenya is between July and September, the last two months being the “high season”.
Kilimanjaro
In the same area as the Great Immigration, between Kenya and Tanzania is the highest mountain on the African continent, Kilimanjaro. There are some epic peaks around the world, like Everest, that you can spend a lifetime getting ready to climb. Kilimanjaro Peak, however, is a much more accessible adventure. Excursion fitness trainers generally advise on a three to six month training plan to get in shape. So when booking this big adventure remember this.
Dia de los Muertos
The Day of the Dead is celebrated across much of Latin America, with traditions and rituals that vary widely from place to place. The celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico, is perhaps the most popular among travelers. The day attracts large numbers of Oaxacans who transform the city’s cemeteries with flowers, ornaments, incense and more. Oaxaca is also home to lively parades that run through the historic city. Finding a hotel room during this period is often quite challenging if not done in advance.
Greenland
Navigating Greenland, you can spot polar bears in the wild, visit ancient archaeological sites like Qilakitsoq (with mummies dating back to 1475) and dock in small seaside villages. And, if you get the time right, with a visit between April and August, you can even catch the midnight sun. A short expedition-style cruise is one of the best ways to get close to the Arctic Circle, so you’ll want to book early to get a seat on this itinerary.
Carnival
This is one of the most sought after dates by Brazilian and foreign tourists to visit the cities that are bustling with the Festa do Rei Momo. Whether in Salvador, Recife or Rio de Janeiro, it is important to start planning in advance. So you’ll have time to choose the best blocks, pay less on airline tickets and hotel reservations. Whoever leaves to schedule at the last minute pays more!
South Pole
Believe me, it’s possible to explore the icy and white wonders of the South Pole. Every year a very exclusive tour leaves South Africa towards Antarctica. It’s a 5 hour flight to the frozen continent and then another 7 hours to reach the exploration point at White Desert camp. The trips take place between November 29th and January 31st. Each departure takes only 12 people aboard a Gulfstream jet. Unfortunately the trip is only for affluent pockets!
Cruise to Antarctica
Another trip to the frozen continent requires long planning. Departing from Chile or Argentina, there are ships that sail to Antarctica every year. But according to Expedition Trips expedition cruise expert Ashton Palmer, “it takes a year to plan a trip to Antarctica because there are a limited number of departures during peak season and demand is high.” Only with a long planning will the tourist have the chance to choose the best ship, confirm the departure and define the cabin of his choice.
