Where to go in October: our experts' favourite destinations

You’re thinking about getting away for a holiday in October, but you’re unsure about where exactly to go? You’re in good company; our trusty HA experts have pulled together a list of exactly where's great to visit in October.Around the world, many places are at their best as our autumn rolls around. In Canada and Japan, the lovely autumn colours are starting to show. Across much of Africa, wildlife viewing is excellent, while Egypt and Peru are both pleasantly warm and much quieter than during the busiest months.Whether you’re looking for a safari, stunning scenery, cultural experiences, or a wildlife-spotting adventure, October is a great time to visit some of our favourite places.

Canada is bursting with those gorgeous Autumn colours in October. Across Quebec, Ontario and the Atlantic provinces, forests glow with reds, golds and fiery oranges, creating (what we'd say!) is some of the most spectacular autumn scenery anywhere in the world.The cooler temperatures make those long road trips through the dramatic scenery particularly enjoyable, and the quieter roads are a real highlight of visiting at this time of year.October in Canada is also prime time for polar bear viewing around Churchill on Hudson Bay, where you might just be lucky enough to spot bears gathering as they wait for sea ice to form.Best for: Autumn colours, road trips, wildlife, photography.

October marks the arrival of autumn and a welcome break from summer's heat and humidity in Japan.The weather gets a lot cooler and clearer, making it far more comfortable to explore the temples, gardens and cities on foot. You'll be doing a lot of walking on your Japan holiday!Peak autumn colour arrives a little later in some regions, but October offers the perfect balance of pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds and those first magic hints of seasonal colour.It's a wonderful month for travelling between regions at a relaxed pace, and taking a bit of a breather between the neon lights and sushi feasts.Best for: Culture, food, autumn scenery, first-time visitors.

October is a great month to visit South Africa. The weather is pleasant with lovely bursts of sunshine and there's plenty going on both along the coast and inland.Whale season is still in full swing along the coast near Hermanus, where southern right whales can often be spotted just offshore. (Hermanus is the spot to head to!)Inland, spring is taking hold and temperatures are warming up before the intensity of summer hits. October is a fantastic time of year to combine Cape Town, the Winelands and a safari into one seamless itinerary. We'd say this is one of South Africa's biggest strengths. Few destinations offer such a rewarding mix of wildlife, scenery, food, wine and family-friendly experiences, within such a relatively short flight from the UK.Best for: Whale watching, safari, food and wine, first-time visitors, varied itineraries.

October is a great month to visit Borneo if you want to explore the rainforests, spot wildlife and take things at a gentler pace.Of course, the chance to spot orangutans, pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys in the wild is always going to be high on the wish list. But what also makes Borneo so special is the feeling of being completely immersed in one of the oldest rainforests on Earth.On a sunrise walk in Danum Valley, Erin heard the gibbons calling as the day began, spotted a rhinoceros hornbill high in the trees, and later came across a wild orangutan called 'Kate'. Some mornings in the rainforest really do deliver one surprise after another.Beyond the rainforest, October is also a lovely time to explore Sarawak. Erin recommends spending time in Kuching, one of Borneo's most charming cities.Best for: Orangutans, rainforest adventures, wildlife enthusiasts, families and travellers looking to get off the beaten track.

October is hot in Namibia, but that's exactly what makes the wildlife viewing so rewarding at this time of year.Across Etosha National Park, animals congregate around waterholes, often creating extraordinary sightings throughout the day. Combine this with Namibia's dramatic desert scenery and vast open landscapes, our clients often say it feels like travelling across another planet. If you're after an unforgettable October holiday, Namibia would be up there with our top picks!Best for: Wildlife, self-drive adventures, photography, dramatic landscapes.

By October, Egypt is finally cooling down after a long, hot summer. It's the perfect time to visit and take your time exploring the historic wonders that Cairo, Luxor and Aswan have to offer, in much more comfortable temperatures, without the draining summer heat to contend with.Days floating along on the Nile are warm and pleasant, perfect for a sundowner (or two) on deck. Egypt is one of our newest destinations, and our experts Cat and Ian are ready to design you a historic holiday to remember.Best for: Ancient history, Nile cruises, winter sun, first-time visitors.

October is a quieter and really lovely time to visit Peru. The conditions are perfect for exploring the ancient streets of Cusco, meeting the local people in the Sacred Valley, and catching your first ever glimpse of the famous Machu Picchu.October offers a great mix of good weather and smaller crowds. With lush, green scenery and fewer other people to share the magic with.It’s a great time for travellers who want to experience Peru at a more relaxed pace. Have a read of Radders’ blog (from our HA finance team), to find out what she thought of Peru after her very first visit.Best for: Gorgeous scenery, fewer crowds.

October signals the start of Chile's warmer season, but crucially, you'll be squeezing in your visit before the peak summer crowds arrive.Stretching from the glaciers of Patagonia to the deserts of the north, Chile is one of the world's most geographically diverse countries, and October is a fantastic month to experience it. In Patagonia, longer daylight hours return, wildlife becomes more active, and hiking trails begin to open up, while the famous granite peaks of Torres del Paine provide a spectacular backdrop for spring adventures.Further north, the Atacama Desert offers clear skies, comfortable temperatures and extraordinary landscapes of salt flats, volcanoes and flamingo-filled lagoons.If you're looking for a holiday that features dramatic scenery, wildlife, adventure and a little more breathing room before the busy summer season, Chile is hard to beat in October.Best for: Patagonia, epic landscapes, hiking, wildlife, road trips and avoiding peak-season crowds.

October is a great time to visit Argentina. Spring has properly arrived, the weather is warming up right across the country, and you’ll notice the landscapes starting to green up again after winter.Early in the season around Bariloche, you’ll start to see wildflowers coming through, which makes it a lovely time for walking, kayaking or just getting out on the lakes. The mountain views are clear, and the air feels fresh. If you head further south into Patagonia, you’ll notice the days getting longer and the trails are still fairly quiet, so it’s a good window before things get busy for summer.This is a great time of year for anyone who loves wildlife. In Peninsula Valdés, October is one of the best months to see southern right whales, and Magellanic penguins are coming back to nest along the coast.Best for: Wildlife, Patagonia, spring scenery, active adventures and shoulder-season travel.

October is a great month for travel, with plenty of options and very little need to make sacrifices.You might be thinking about watching whales off the coast of South Africa, seeing the autumn colours in Japan or Canada, tracking wildlife in Namibia, or exploring ancient sites in Egypt or Peru without the crowds. October gives you the chance to take your pick.If you fancy escaping the UK autumn or squeezing in some sunshine before winter rolls around, October is a great time to do something different. Give us a call, and we can chat through some ideas for your next adventure.