July:
Iceland / Zambia / Peru recommended
Iceland
Pristine glacial lakes, fiery volcanoes, floating icebergs and stunning waterfalls: Iceland is what dreams are made of.
A land of contrasts, this country has lagoons and geysers, ice caves and hot springs, and the best time to experience it all is when you can drive across the country in July. Visit the hiker’s paradise: Skaftafell park, which boasts of breathtaking vistas, with icy lagoons, stunning glaciers, and the Svartifoss waterfall. Explore the magical Jokulsarlon with it’s floating icebergs and go ice caving in the enchanting Vatnajokull glacier.
Visit the horse shoe shaped Asbyrgi canyon with trees and tribes and the mystical black Reynisfjara beach, which has basalt rocks and black sands, and are nestling grounds to puffin colonies!
Wildlife lovers can explore Husey in East Iceland for several bird species like Great Skua, the Arctic Tern, the Whimbrel and take a whale watching tour to see Humpbacks and Minke whales.
Be awed by the Thingvellir national park, a blend of culture, history and geology, famous for it’s Rift Valley, the largest natural lake in Iceland, and dive between two continents at the Silfra diving spot.
End your Icelandic adventure with a relaxing Blue Lagoon spa, a natural spa with mineral rich waters!
Zambia
In July, game viewing is at its best in Zambia with thin vegetation and better wildlife visibility. Even though there are ample tourists starting to pour in, Zambia’s parks rarely feel overcrowded and one can have a great safari with super sightings with Big cats likely to be active all day. Nature lovers can enjoy walking safaris in South Luangwa National park.
With zero rainfall and dry roads, July is a great month to visit Zambia. You can fly into major parks and in late July, when the white rafting season opens, you can enjoy the rapids. Visit Livingstone to see one of the world’s widest water fall: Victoria Falls, and the magnificent gorges surrounding it.
For angling enthusiasts, July is a great month to go fishing. There are several lodges which specialise in fishing tours, and camps that help you explore Zambia’s lakes and rivers brimming with Yellowfish and Tiger fish.
Zambia also offers cultural experiences like the annual Umutomboko Ceremony hosted by the Lunda people which take place on the last weekend of July. The ceremony is a two day song and dance affair, celebrating the inclusion of the Lunda tribes into Zambia.
Peru
Fancy cruising the Amazon river through the Peruvian wild jungles without the fear of rain? Or do you wish to explore the Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley on a warm, sunny day?
Visit Peru in July for the best weather nationwide. With skies clear for hiking, no rain, the country’s dry season is definitely a plus point for those who love outdoor explorations.
Explore the cities of Lima, offering rich history, architecture, amazing nightlife, Peruvian cuisine, and the colonial city Cusco. For those wanting a beach vacation, head to the beach towns north of Lima.
Northern Peru offers gorgeous landscapes of lakes and waterfalls, Pre-Incan archaeology, bird species, trekking opportunities, while Southern Peru offers biking and rafting adventures.
Explore the ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo within the Secret Valley apart from the famous Inca trail of the Machu Picchu. If you wish to take an off-beat route, try the Salkantay trek where you can hike past glacial lakes, snow capped peaks, and coffee farms.
For the jungle lovers, the highest levels of biodiversity awaits, as you explore cloud forests, tribes, wildlife and rivers in the wildest place on earth.