ARTICLE
Where to go in January
Where to go in January: the best places to visit
In January, it’s safe to say that many of us are daydreaming about our next holiday. Christmas is over, the decorations are coming down, and the UK is firmly in its cold, dark season.Look beyond Europe, and January offers plenty of travel possibilities. You could be swimming in the Indian Ocean, exploring ancient temples in Cambodia, watching wildlife in Ecuador or trekking through the mountains of Chile.And importantly, January doesn't have to be about finding somewhere hot. The best destination depends on what you actually want from your holiday, whether that’s wildlife, beaches, culture, adventure or a combination of all four.Our experts know these destinations inside out, having returned to them countless times, year on year. So, rather than simply telling you where the weather is good, here are the places we think are particularly worth considering in January, and why.
These are our top picks on where to go in January
January is firmly within Cambodia's dry season, making it an excellent month for exploring. Around Siem Reap, cooler, drier conditions make visiting Angkor's temples considerably more comfortable than later in the year.Our Cambodia expert, Fenton, recently explored everything from the famous sights of Angkor Wat to the quieter beaches of Koh Rong island, and everything in between, with his wife and two young children. He says that January is a particularly good time to combine the two sides of Cambodia: a few days exploring its history and culture before heading south for some sunshine.
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[content] => Cambodia is a great standalone destination, often demoted to a ‘city break’ to tag on to a trip to a neighbouring country. Spend a bit of extra time here, and you will be rewarded with wildlife encounters, unforgettable scenery, delicious food, and the smiles of a nation.
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Cambodia is a great standalone destination, often demoted to a ‘city break’ to tag on to a trip to a neighbouring country. Spend a bit of extra time here, and you will be rewarded with wildlife encounters, unforgettable scenery, delicious food, and the smiles of a nation.
FentonHA Destination Manager, Cambodia.
”
And don't overlook the food. Cambodian cuisine is still strangely underrated, despite being every bit as interesting as its better-known neighbours. Our expert's personal verdict is Fish Amok for seafood lovers, or Beef Lok Lak if you're after something richer and peppery.
Taken by HA Cambodia specialist Lisa during the Angkor Cycling Tour.
If you're searching for where to go in January, Sri Lanka will probably come up near the top of the list, and for good reason. January brings some of the best weather to the island's south and west, with warm, sunny days that make it a brilliant time for beaches, wildlife, tea country, and cultural sightseeing.But there's something you won't always read in a generic “best time to visit Sri Lanka” guide: January will also be exceptionally busy.Our specialist Rebecca said that It's not just the beaches that feel it. The national parks, tea plantations and cultural sites can all be busy, and in some of Sri Lanka's smaller hill towns and national parks, there are only a handful of places to stay. Once those rooms are gone, there's very little flexibility.That's especially true if you're after the smaller, characterful hotels we love recommending. The difference between finding the right place to stay and having to compromise can come down to when you book and, sometimes, which month you choose.(Pst, we have just written about some of our favourite Sri Lankan hotels if you fancy taking a peek: "The best sustainable hotels in Sri Lanka".)So, would we rule out January? Absolutely not. Sri Lanka is still a wonderful choice, and we'd happily recommend it for 2028. But if you're flexible on dates, we'd probably point you towards this March instead.You'll still get excellent conditions across the south and west, but with a little more breathing room. And that can make a real difference when you're travelling around an island where some of the most special experiences and places to stay are deliberately small-scale.It's a good example of why we don't think there is a single answer to “When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?” The best month depends on what you want to do, where you want to go and how you want to travel.So, if you've got Sri Lanka on your January shortlist, talk to our experts. They can look at your dates, the experiences you're after, and the types of places you would like to stay in, and tell you honestly whether January is right for you or whether shifting the trip by a few weeks could give you a better experience.
Views of KK Beach, Galle, taken by HA's Head of Marketing, Gabs.
January is peak season in the Maldives, with the warmest and driest weather, which is why the price point tends to be much higher. The northeast monsoon generally brings the dry-season conditions that people picture when they imagine the Maldives: sunshine, warm temperatures and beautifully clear water. It's a particularly good time for snorkelling, diving and getting out on the water.
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[content] => There is nothing better than finishing a Sri Lankan adventure with a few nights on a tiny island.
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There is nothing better than finishing a Sri Lankan adventure with a few nights on a tiny island.
Gabrielle Morley-HamHA Head of Marketing
”
On her most recent research trip with our specialist Rebecca, she said, “After the amazing rush of temples, wildlife and road journeys. Then being able to move on to nothing more complicated than a stroll along the beach or enjoying a glass of wine in the jacuzzi. It feels like mental preparation before having to head home to face the post-holiday blues!”January is one of the most popular times to travel to the Maldives, particularly around New Year, so keep in mind that the best resorts and room categories can disappear quite quickly.
HA's Gabs watching the sunset from the jacuzzi in the Maldives.
According to India specialist Clare, January has a classic North India itinerary written all over it.The monsoon has long gone, and the worst of the summer heat is still a long way off, making places such as Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur far more comfortable to explore.But January isn't simply about pleasant temperatures; you can actually enjoy the places you're travelling so far to see. You can spend more time wandering through Rajasthan's forts and markets, explore the Taj Mahal without the oppressive summer heat, and make time for the smaller experiences that can get lost when you're rushing between major sights.
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[content] => Take a guided walk through the town at the right time of the day; the scene is something else. The farmers have returned from the fields, women are busy in their homes, and the shopkeepers have opened their doors. Production has started in the cotton mills, and the cows are returning home in the evening from their day of grazing.
[name] => Clare Burkey
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“
Take a guided walk through the town at the right time of the day; the scene is something else. The farmers have returned from the fields, women are busy in their homes, and the shopkeepers have opened their doors. Production has started in the cotton mills, and the cows are returning home in the evening from their day of grazing.
Clare BurkeyHA Destination Manager, India.
”
And this is where our specialists' first-hand knowledge really comes into play… Clare returned from her most recent trip and makes a brilliant point about slowing down rather than trying to cover the whole country. India is enormous, and she recommends spending at least two nights in each location because journeys often take longer than expected. Her newest article focuses entirely on how to begin mapping out a trip to Rajasthan. She highlights the hidden gems she likes to sprinkle into an itinerary after locking in the major cities, such as her visit to Ramathra Fort, which she describes as “pretty unique, totally unexpected, off the beaten track, and preserved from development.” Read the blog here: "Where to go in Rajasthan"
Taken by HA's specialist, Clare, of her son meeting the elephants at Dera Amer.
Tanzania in January can be overlooked in favour of the famous June–September safari season, but our Tanzania specialist, Cat, has a very good reason to put it on your radar.Calving season begins in January.Across the Serengeti, zebras, wildebeest and antelope begin giving birth, making it one of the most fascinating times of year to be on safari! And, naturally, where there are thousands of newborn animals, predators aren't far away…Another little extra that January brings is the occasional shower that keeps the landscape green and clears the dust from the air, resulting in beautifully crisp conditions for photography. Temperatures are also pleasant, and compared with the huge rush of June to September, January can feel considerably more relaxed.So while the Great Migration's dramatic river crossings get most of the attention, in January you can witness new life arriving across the plains, green landscapes, and predators keeping a close eye on the herds.For keen wildlife photographers in particular, this is a month worth talking to our Tanzania specialists about.And if you're considering a Tanzania safari followed by some winter sun with time on the beach, January also works beautifully for combining the Serengeti with Zanzibar.Cat's January tip: “Don't overlook the quieter dry season. The migration is a year-round phenomenon, and January gives you a very different and incredibly rewarding perspective on it.”
A little zebra foal in Tanzania.
January is peak summer in Chile, and if Patagonia is high on your list, this is one of the months when conditions are most convenient. By this, we mean longer days give you more time outside, trails are open, and it is the season for hiking, kayaking, and exploring the dramatic landscapes of the south.But there is a catch: January is busy.Chile's most famous areas, particularly Patagonia and Torres del Paine, can be considerably more expensive and harder to book during their summer months. So if space and quieter trails matter to you, we'd look at the shoulder seasons instead, which are just as fulfilling.If you do travel in January, planning ahead is essential, but it really is an excellent time to travel. You can combine the south with the Atacama Desert, Santiago, wine country or even Easter Island, creating a trip that feels completely different from beginning to end.On Louise’s most recent trip, she spent three weeks exploring Chile from top to bottom. Visiting coastal towns, wineries, and trendy neighbourhoods in the capital. She travelled solo through the scenic Lake District, passing volcanoes, araucaria forests, and islands. Then went far south to Torres del Paine, seeing wildlife, glaciers, granite peaks, and ranches. Finishing in the Atacama Desert, admiring lunar landscapes, more volcanoes, salt flats, and flamingo-dotted lakes.
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[content] => High summer is December- February, which is peak holiday season for locals; the capital city and desert are very hot. Although you absolutely have to expect four seasons in a day in Patagonia – at any time of year!
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High summer is December- February, which is peak holiday season for locals; the capital city and desert are very hot. Although you absolutely have to expect four seasons in a day in Patagonia – at any time of year!
Louise MumfordHA Destination Manager.
”
Lou's advice: if January is your only option, don't let the high season put you off; just get in touch early and secure your Chilean adventure.
Ha's Lou in Castro, Chiloé Island.
January is an interesting time to visit Ecuador, particularly if you're planning to combine the mainland with the Galápagos Islands. It's the beginning of the warmer, wetter season in the Galápagos, which can actually make it a particularly interesting time for wildlife lovers.The lovely warm water and calmer seas are perfect for snorkelling and swimming. You can count on eastern and northern routes for the best clarity when snorkelling. Our Galápagos specialist Dawn says it’s the best time to see marine iguanas grazing underwater and Green sea turtles nesting on the warm beaches.On the Ecuadorian mainland, you can combine the Galápagos with Quito, the Andes, or the Amazon, creating a truly varied trip that lets you hop from one environment to another.A useful little timing tip: if you can travel in the second half of January, you're avoiding the Christmas and New Year rush. Visitor numbers begin to ease, and availability can improve, while you still retain the characteristics that make this season so appealing.Aditionally, Galápagos cruises do need to be planned well in advance, particularly if you have a particular boat or cabin in mind.
Llama in Equador, taken by HA's specialist, Dawn.
January is high summer in Argentina, like Chile, making it a particularly good month for exploring Patagonia and getting properly outdoors. Argentina isn't a destination we'd recommend simply because January is warm.In January, you can make the most of the country's huge landscapes. Patagonia is great this time of year for walking and exploring, while around Mendoza, the vineyards are green and the wine valleys come alive in the summer.And there are plenty of ways to make a trip to Argentina feel much more personal than simply ticking off Buenos Aires, Iguazú, and Patagonia.Our specialist Louise, says that La Bamba de Areco, around two hours from Buenos Aires, is a particularly lovely addition. “A relaxed estancia where guests can ride with gauchos at any level. Watch a horse whisperer at work, take cooking classes, swim, walk and experience traditional asado”. Lou recommends two nights here at the end of a trip as a chance to slow down before travelling back home. There's also the atmosphere of Buenos Aires itself. Louise describes it as “a beautiful, clean, laid-back city” that works particularly well on foot, with weekends bringing the parks, Recoleta and La Boca to life. One thing to know: January is a popular time to travel to Argentina, particularly for Patagonia, so the best accommodation and experiences can book up well in advance.
HA's Lou horse riding in Argentina.
So, where should you go in January?
You have so many options for where to go on holiday in January.You could be walking through Rajasthan one week and snorkelling in the Maldives the next, exploring the temples of Cambodia, hiking beneath the mountains of Patagonia or heading over to the Galápagos to see wildlife found nowhere else.The important thing is that January doesn't work equally well everywhere. Some destinations are at their absolute best, some are busy and need planning well ahead, and others become considerably more appealing if you travel later in the month.That's where our specialists come in. They don't just know when a destination can be visited; they know what it actually feels like to be there at that time of year, which places are worth your time, where to slow down, and what is worth booking early.Thinking about getting away in January for some much-needed winter sun? Talk to one of our travel specialists, and we'll help you work out where makes the most sense for you.
Holidays at their best this January
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