Nepal
The Mustang region of Nepal is best visited in summer. With remote hiking valleys, framed by sharp snowy Himalayan peaks, the isolated land teeters on the Tibetan plateau retaining the culture of this ancient kingdom. Centuries-old monasteries and cut caves dot the red and brown moonscape of gorges, pillars and plateaus. The temples pointing towards the ever-blue clear sky exhibit stunning Tibetan art as the old king still welcomes guests into his palace.
Pakistan
Bountiful harvests are celebrated through late August in northern Pakistan as the Uchal Kalash Festival explodes in a vibrant mix of folk dancing, extravagant processions and an abundance of local drink and food. Gods are worshipped while as dictated by tradition young men and women choose their future spouses. Centred on the stunning Kalash Valleys, the doors to unique stacked hillside houses are thrown open in the green-flecked craggy uplands.
Peru
August is peak dry season in Peru and so a great time to experience the Inca Trail. The 80-something mile (depending on which route you take) hike culminates in Machu Picchu passing ancient sites, small settlements through contrasting landscapes. Elsewhere, the coast south of Lima will have shrugged off La Garua low-lying fog and is hot with wonderful swimming and watersport opportunities in the clear waters.
Indonesia
As well as Independence Day, August in Indonesia is notable for festivals celebrating family. The Forefathers Festival sees a procession reach the summit of Mount Kelimutu, believed by the Lio people to be the resting place of all souls, and offerings made. Also in August, in Java, children reaching puberty have their dreadlocks shaved as part of the Dieng Culture Festival.
United Kingdom
A trip to the UK in August is notable for its generally pleasant weather throughout the island. Of course, rain in the UK is hard to predict, but summertime is the best chance to experience warmer temperatures and sunny days, so make of the most of it with walks in the countryside and pub garden breaks. It is also the month in which the Edinburgh Festival takes place which involves huge showcase of opera, live music, comedy and performing arts.
Tajikistan
An August trip through Tajikstan makes for a wondrous experience along one of the lesser-travelled branch routes of the Silk Road. The precious pearls of Pendzhikent, Istaravshan, and Khujand have for 2,000 years been important trading points on the roads to the Far East. Once the stop-off for merchant caravans and nomadic peoples, the Tajik cities are some of the oldest in Central Asia.
Kenya
August is the second coolest month of the year in Kenya with a pleasant average temperature in the mid-20s Celcius. Highlights include the culmination of the great Wildebeest migration as the animals settle in the Masai Mara while lions hungrily prowl. The International Camel Derby takes place late in the month for one of the more quirky ways to see African animals in action.
Kyrgyzstan
August makes for a great month to visit Kyrgyzstan and its capital Bishkek as the initial wave of summer tourists turns to a trickle once more. A short trip from the cultural city reveals alpine mountains and countless lakes. Locals offer their services to guide trekkers onwards while a return to Bishkek offers the opportunity to bag a bargain in the sprawling Osh Bazaar market as traders barter furiously before the end of peak season.
Kazakhstan
Much of Kazakhstan is very hot during August but the shiny new capital of Astana in the north benefits from cooler climes and an even cooler vibe. The cosmopolitan city boasts many monuments and museums interspersed between its impressive modern architecture. The waterfront is stunning while the largest mosque in Central Asia of Hazrat Sultan is a wonder. For city hoppers, the contrasting former principal city of Almaty is just over an hour’s flight away.
Namibia
While the desert areas of Namibia can be harsh in August with freezing nights - the very north of the country remains warm and humid with rainfall creating a lush, tropical landscape. This is jungle-exploring country where hippo and crocodiles rule the river systems. The Caprivi strip feels like a forbidden territory - a narrow tract of land that stretches along the top of Botswana - with swamps, wetlands and fertile soils where locals herd goats and cows.
Nepal
The Mustang region of Nepal is best visited in summer. With remote hiking valleys, framed by sharp snowy Himalayan peaks, the isolated land teeters on the Tibetan plateau retaining the culture of this ancient kingdom. Centuries-old monasteries and cut caves dot the red and brown moonscape of gorges, pillars and plateaus. The temples pointing towards the ever-blue clear sky exhibit stunning Tibetan art as the old king still welcomes guests into his palace.
Pakistan
Bountiful harvests are celebrated through late August in northern Pakistan as the Uchal Kalash Festival explodes in a vibrant mix of folk dancing, extravagant processions and an abundance of local drink and food. Gods are worshipped while as dictated by tradition young men and women choose their future spouses. Centred on the stunning Kalash Valleys, the doors to unique stacked hillside houses are thrown open in the green-flecked craggy uplands.
Peru
August is peak dry season in Peru and so a great time to experience the Inca Trail. The 80-something mile (depending on which route you take) hike culminates in Machu Picchu passing ancient sites, small settlements through contrasting landscapes. Elsewhere, the coast south of Lima will have shrugged off La Garua low-lying fog and is hot with wonderful swimming and watersport opportunities in the clear waters.
Indonesia
As well as Independence Day, August in Indonesia is notable for festivals celebrating family. The Forefathers Festival sees a procession reach the summit of Mount Kelimutu, believed by the Lio people to be the resting place of all souls, and offerings made. Also in August, in Java, children reaching puberty have their dreadlocks shaved as part of the Dieng Culture Festival.
United Kingdom
A trip to the UK in August is notable for its generally pleasant weather throughout the island. Of course, rain in the UK is hard to predict, but summertime is the best chance to experience warmer temperatures and sunny days, so make of the most of it with walks in the countryside and pub garden breaks. It is also the month in which the Edinburgh Festival takes place which involves huge showcase of opera, live music, comedy and performing arts.
Tajikistan
An August trip through Tajikstan makes for a wondrous experience along one of the lesser-travelled branch routes of the Silk Road. The precious pearls of Pendzhikent, Istaravshan, and Khujand have for 2,000 years been important trading points on the roads to the Far East. Once the stop-off for merchant caravans and nomadic peoples, the Tajik cities are some of the oldest in Central Asia.
Kenya
August is the second coolest month of the year in Kenya with a pleasant average temperature in the mid-20s Celcius. Highlights include the culmination of the great Wildebeest migration as the animals settle in the Masai Mara while lions hungrily prowl. The International Camel Derby takes place late in the month for one of the more quirky ways to see African animals in action.
Kyrgyzstan
August makes for a great month to visit Kyrgyzstan and its capital Bishkek as the initial wave of summer tourists turns to a trickle once more. A short trip from the cultural city reveals alpine mountains and countless lakes. Locals offer their services to guide trekkers onwards while a return to Bishkek offers the opportunity to bag a bargain in the sprawling Osh Bazaar market as traders barter furiously before the end of peak season.
Kazakhstan
Much of Kazakhstan is very hot during August but the shiny new capital of Astana in the north benefits from cooler climes and an even cooler vibe. The cosmopolitan city boasts many monuments and museums interspersed between its impressive modern architecture. The waterfront is stunning while the largest mosque in Central Asia of Hazrat Sultan is a wonder. For city hoppers, the contrasting former principal city of Almaty is just over an hour’s flight away.
Namibia
While the desert areas of Namibia can be harsh in August with freezing nights - the very north of the country remains warm and humid with rainfall creating a lush, tropical landscape. This is jungle-exploring country where hippo and crocodiles rule the river systems. The Caprivi strip feels like a forbidden territory - a narrow tract of land that stretches along the top of Botswana - with swamps, wetlands and fertile soils where locals herd goats and cows.
