7 Trips You Need To Book a Year in Advance

Some destinations are so remarkable — and so popular — that last-minute planning simply won’t do. Whether it’s to witness a natural wonder, partake in a historic seasonal tradition, or even set sail to the end of the world, these experiences require early commitment. Booking early doesn’t just secure your spot — it also saves money and gives you the best choice of accommodations, tours, and flight itineraries. Below are seven unforgettable adventures experts recommend you plan at least a year in advance.

Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail is a famous four-day hiking journey through the Andes mountains of Peru that culminates at the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. This bucket-list destination is relatively remote and protected by the Peruvian government, so reaching it requires serious planning. Only 500 permits are issued per day (200 for trekkers and 300 for guides and porters), and they’re usually snapped up within days of release each October for the following year. The trail itself is open year-round, except in February, but May and June are the most popular months.

Be warned that securing a guide and a spot on the trail may not include entry to Machu Picchu, as the site itself has limited daily tickets. There are four “circuit” routes to choose from, which the local government designed to protect the ruins from overcrowding. Booking all of these activities as early as possible ensures you’ll have your trail permit and site access for the same dates.

Japan’s Cherry Blossoms

Japan’s cherry blossom (sakura) season unfolds each spring with a brilliant display of pink flowers. Between March and April, depending on weather, trees bloom throughout the country, but the most popular viewing spots for visitors are in major cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. This is Japan’s busiest tourism season — hotels, rail passes, and activities sell out months in advance, especially in these hot spots.

For a less-crowded experience, consider visiting smaller towns like Kinosaki, known for its stunning blossoms, hot springs, and charming ryokan (traditional inns). While you should still book well in advance, it may not be as crowded here compared to larger cities. 

Still, it’s easy to understand why tourists flock to places like Kyoto — there’s nothing quite like seeing the famous imperial palaces and gardens decorated with blossoms. But with popularity comes limited availability: The Fushimi Canal Boat Ride, one of the most picturesque ways to enjoy cherry blossoms in Kyoto, regularly sells out during peak bloom, but you can reserve your spot online ahead of time.

Antarctica Expedition

To visit one of the most remote places on the planet, it’s best to plan at least a year in advance. That’s because reaching Antarctica is an adventure in itself. Most travelers depart from the resort town of Ushuaia, Argentina, nicknamed the “End of the World” for its position at the southern tip of South America. From there, they embark on a cruise ship that crosses the Drake Passage, but because only a handful of licensed tour operators run these trips, spots are limited and fill up quickly.

Also of note: Antarctic voyages operate only during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer (November through March). Some cruise lines occasionally offer last-minute deals to fill empty cabins, but planning ahead helps secure your preferred itinerary, cabin type, and excursions. Seabourn, a luxury cruise line, is currently booking Antarctica expeditions as far out as 2028, offering excursions such as penguin viewing, ice walks, polar plunges, and zodiac boat cruises.

Great Migration African Safari

For many travelers, experiencing Africa’s great migration is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each year, more than 2 million animals, including wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles, move through Tanzania’s Serengeti in the largest mammal migration on Earth. To see the animals in action, you’ll need to be near the migration routes, which vary depending on the time of year. Between May and July, for example, the place to be is the Western Corridor, and accommodations and tours book quickly.

The Four Seasons Lodge Serengeti, one of the most luxurious safari stays in the region, is located in the Central Serengeti, north of the Seronera River Valley, an area known for year-round wildlife viewing. However, availability is already limited for June through August 2026, which is considered peak season for the area. To streamline tourist itineraries, many lodges coordinate guided safaris directly for their guests, so securing your stay early helps lock in those coveted excursions, too.

Northern Lights in Lapland

From December through March, Lapland is Finland’s premier northern lights viewing region. Due to its popularity during this time, hotels here often book up more than a year in advance, but fortunately, Lapland offers a variety of accommodation options. In Rovaniemi, Apukka Resort lets visitors sleep under the stars in glass igloos and Aurora suites. Nearby, the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel boasts floor-to-ceiling windows in its forest tree houses for epic views of the sky and surrounding scenery.

Due to the remote nature of the region, spots are also limited for activities in Lapland. If you plan to visit, be sure to book tours such as reindeer safaris and snowmobile adventures well ahead of time. Even spa treatments and fine dining often have limited availability, which is why locking in your complete itinerary well before arrival will allow you to make the most of your Arctic getaway.

Faroe Islands in Summer

While these remote and wild islands in the North Atlantic Ocean are off most tourists’ radars (for now), capacity for visitors is still relatively limited. Peak season runs from June to August, and during this time, hotel rooms, car rentals, and ferry tickets between islands can sell out many months in advance. Some popular activities are also limited in availability, especially guided tours of Mykines, the westernmost of the archipelago’s 18 islands. It’s home to thousands of puffins, drawing many visitors to see the unique seabirds.

This also means that activities can be expensive, so booking in advance may help you snag an early-bird rate. You’ll be glad you did: From riding Icelandic horses through green Faroese valleys to exploring ancient cliffs and caves on a sea kayak, adventures in the Faroe Islands are unforgettable.

Amazon Jungle Adventure

The Amazon rainforest offers immersion in nature unlike anywhere else in the world, but getting to its remote lodges and small-boat river cruises requires plenty of planning. The dry season (June through August) is peak season for tourism, when popular stays, including luxury boutique hotels and eco-lodges, are often booked months in advance. Take, for instance, the highly rated Juma Amazon Lodge, located on Brazil’s Juma River, a remote, eco-friendly hideaway that has only 20 bungalows. Also in Brazil, the popular Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge is a luxury boutique hotel that can accommodate only 20 guests at a time.

One of the best ways to tour the jungle is by boat. These tours are typically multiday excursions, which require early reservations. For example, G Adventures’ eight-day Amazon River cruise explores Peru’s Pacaya Samiria Reserve, a biodiverse area of Peru where pink dolphins, spider monkeys, and macaws thrive. But there’s no time to waste: Cruise dates for 2026 peak season are already limited.