Ladakh
In July the weather in Ladakh is as welcoming as its people and the high mountain passes to the region are entirely crossable. So too are trekking routes meandering through the enchanting beauty of the area and its many lakes glistening in the late summer sun. The vegetation of the Hemis National Park blooms offering grazing for the tribespeople’s livestock and wild herds of bharal. The highlight is the annual festival held at the serene Hemis Monastery.
Pakistan
The summer sees Pakistan at its most vibrant. The north west frontier bursts into a kaleidoscope of natives and tourists escaping the stifling heat of the south. The July Shandur Festival is held on the pass sharing its name. Barely reachable for much of the year, the highest polo ground in the world hosts a cacophony of wild free-style matches that take the breath away as much as the stunning backdrop that beats with traditional music and dancing.
Kyrgyzstan
There’s but a fleeting summer window to take in the best of Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous areas. July is the hottest month of the year in the country but a freshening breeze is always present in the high-altitude south. The slopes are flushed with flowers and lower pastures awash with branches weighed with wild apples and berries. Descending to the historic monument-rich cities is a joy as the bazaars teem with life and rooftop terraces clink with shubat.
Madagascar
The start of Madagascar’s July marks midwinter on this ‘megadiverse’ land, home to a plethora of wildlife that exists nowhere else on earth. This month, the days are warm and the nights cool so hiking in the rainforests is an airy, refreshing experience. Off the coast, from the tiny surrounding islands, this is the time of year to witness the significant colonies of humpback whales who gather in the food-rich waters to breed. It’s a wondrous sight.
Tajikistan
Hike in high peaks, linger by cascades of glacial meltwater, spend nights in makeshift shepherd’s yurts and cross the Pamir Highway, the second-highest in the world, during July and be rewarded with the best of Tajikistan. The ethereal plains will be very hot but the eastern cities of this mysterious land awake with festivals of Pamiri customs while the capital Dushanbe is a muted rumble of teahouses and chattered gatherings in Rudaki Park as the sun sets.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan truly experiences each season with July the hottest month. The land is bathed in warm sunshine and this is the time to enjoy outdoor pursuits. The Kazakh steppes vary through green forest bordering vast swathes of arid grassland, wetlands and swamp. Traditional home of Asiatic nomads, antelope, wolves and marmot throng the plains. In the cities, the populace gathers to celebrate Capital City Day on the 6th, birthdate of the president.
Tanzania
With the rains of the ‘green season’ long passed, the Great Migration of huge herds of migrating zebra and wildebeest thunder through Tanzania from July to September. The grasses and bush are at their least dense offering jaw-dropping viewing of this annual pilgrimage across the Serengeti. July is cooler than the early part of the year making it a comfortable time to make Zanzibar a beach holiday base.
Azerbaijan
Capital city Baku is a fab sunshine destination in summer thanks to the hot weather cooled by the ever-present breeze off the Caspian Sea. The ancient Old City bakes as open terrace Azeri refresh visitors along the shoreline. The famous sights of Baku burst to life at night. The natural Yanardag Eternal Flame dances on the hillside as the stunning Flame Towers light up the cityscape. July is also the best time of year for hiking in the Caucasus Mountains.
Mongolia
The biggest national holiday in Mongolia, July marks the Naadam Festival. Semi-naked wrestlers, horses racing kicking up dust and archers in colourful national dress compete in the ‘Three Games of Men’. You can literally trek around Mongolia from the capital Ulaanbaatar and take in the celebrations that spring up in the provinces this month on dates traditionally noted to celebrate local anniversaries and the end of harvest gatherings.
Ladakh
In July the weather in Ladakh is as welcoming as its people and the high mountain passes to the region are entirely crossable. So too are trekking routes meandering through the enchanting beauty of the area and its many lakes glistening in the late summer sun. The vegetation of the Hemis National Park blooms offering grazing for the tribespeople’s livestock and wild herds of bharal. The highlight is the annual festival held at the serene Hemis Monastery.
Pakistan
The summer sees Pakistan at its most vibrant. The north west frontier bursts into a kaleidoscope of natives and tourists escaping the stifling heat of the south. The July Shandur Festival is held on the pass sharing its name. Barely reachable for much of the year, the highest polo ground in the world hosts a cacophony of wild free-style matches that take the breath away as much as the stunning backdrop that beats with traditional music and dancing.
Kyrgyzstan
There’s but a fleeting summer window to take in the best of Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous areas. July is the hottest month of the year in the country but a freshening breeze is always present in the high-altitude south. The slopes are flushed with flowers and lower pastures awash with branches weighed with wild apples and berries. Descending to the historic monument-rich cities is a joy as the bazaars teem with life and rooftop terraces clink with shubat.
Madagascar
The start of Madagascar’s July marks midwinter on this ‘megadiverse’ land, home to a plethora of wildlife that exists nowhere else on earth. This month, the days are warm and the nights cool so hiking in the rainforests is an airy, refreshing experience. Off the coast, from the tiny surrounding islands, this is the time of year to witness the significant colonies of humpback whales who gather in the food-rich waters to breed. It’s a wondrous sight.
Tajikistan
Hike in high peaks, linger by cascades of glacial meltwater, spend nights in makeshift shepherd’s yurts and cross the Pamir Highway, the second-highest in the world, during July and be rewarded with the best of Tajikistan. The ethereal plains will be very hot but the eastern cities of this mysterious land awake with festivals of Pamiri customs while the capital Dushanbe is a muted rumble of teahouses and chattered gatherings in Rudaki Park as the sun sets.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan truly experiences each season with July the hottest month. The land is bathed in warm sunshine and this is the time to enjoy outdoor pursuits. The Kazakh steppes vary through green forest bordering vast swathes of arid grassland, wetlands and swamp. Traditional home of Asiatic nomads, antelope, wolves and marmot throng the plains. In the cities, the populace gathers to celebrate Capital City Day on the 6th, birthdate of the president.
Tanzania
With the rains of the ‘green season’ long passed, the Great Migration of huge herds of migrating zebra and wildebeest thunder through Tanzania from July to September. The grasses and bush are at their least dense offering jaw-dropping viewing of this annual pilgrimage across the Serengeti. July is cooler than the early part of the year making it a comfortable time to make Zanzibar a beach holiday base.
Azerbaijan
Capital city Baku is a fab sunshine destination in summer thanks to the hot weather cooled by the ever-present breeze off the Caspian Sea. The ancient Old City bakes as open terrace Azeri refresh visitors along the shoreline. The famous sights of Baku burst to life at night. The natural Yanardag Eternal Flame dances on the hillside as the stunning Flame Towers light up the cityscape. July is also the best time of year for hiking in the Caucasus Mountains.
Mongolia
The biggest national holiday in Mongolia, July marks the Naadam Festival. Semi-naked wrestlers, horses racing kicking up dust and archers in colourful national dress compete in the ‘Three Games of Men’. You can literally trek around Mongolia from the capital Ulaanbaatar and take in the celebrations that spring up in the provinces this month on dates traditionally noted to celebrate local anniversaries and the end of harvest gatherings.
Madagascar
The start of Madagascar’s July marks midwinter on this ‘megadiverse’ land, home to a plethora of wildlife that exists nowhere else on earth. This month, the days are warm and the nights cool so hiking in the rainforests is an airy, refreshing experience. Off the coast, from the tiny surrounding islands, this is the time of year to witness the significant colonies of humpback whales who gather in the food-rich waters to breed. It’s a wondrous sight.
