The Best Places to Visit in January

Bagan is an ancient city located in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar. It served as the capital of the Pagan Kingdom, which was the first kingdom to unify the regions that now make up the country. Between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries, builders constructed more than ten thousand Buddhist temples and monasteries on these plains. Today, the remains of over two thousand two hundred temples and pagodas survive. The Bagan Archaeological Zone is the main draw for visitors to this region. January is one of the best times to visit Bagan. The weather is dry and relatively cool compared to the scorching heat of the summer months. You can explore the vast archaeological zone without exhausting yourself in the sun. The main drawback is that getting to Bagan can be a long and tiring journey. Most travelers have to fly into Yangon or Mandalay first and then take a domestic flight, bus, or boat to reach the ruins.

The Moai are massive stone statues carved by the Rapa Nui people on Easter Island between the years 1250 and 1500. Nearly half of these monolithic figures remain at the main quarry of Rano Raraku. The rest were moved to stone platforms called ahu around the edge of the island. January falls during the southern hemisphere summer. This brings warm weather and clear skies, which are ideal for exploring the open landscapes of this remote territory. The island is windy, but January offers the calmest conditions of the year. These figures represent the living faces of deified ancestors. Most of the statues have very large heads that make up three eighths of their total height, and they do not have legs. The biggest hurdle is the cost and distance. Easter Island is one of the most isolated inhabited places on Earth, and flights from Santiago are often expensive and limited.

Mount Kilimanjaro is a massive dormant volcano in Tanzania and the highest mountain in Africa. It stands at five thousand eight hundred and ninety five meters above sea level. It is also the highest free standing mountain in the world, rising far above its plateau base. January is one of the dry seasons on the mountain. The clear days and relatively warm temperatures make it an excellent time for trekking. You will have better visibility and less mud on the trails compared to the wet months. The slopes of the mountain were once home to the Chagga Kingdoms until they were abolished in 1963. Today, travelers from all over the world come to attempt the climb. Altitude sickness is a major drawback and affects many climbers regardless of their fitness level. The park fees are also high, costing hundreds of dollars per day just for entry and camping.

The Taj Mahal is an ivory white marble mausoleum located on the right bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, India. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the building in 1631 to house the tomb of his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The complex also contains the tomb of the emperor himself. January offers cool and pleasant daytime temperatures for walking around the seventeen hectare complex. You can explore the formal gardens, the mosque, and the guest house without the intense heat of the Indian summer. However, January mornings often bring thick fog. This fog can completely block your view of the monument until mid morning. You should plan your visit for the afternoon when the air usually clears up. The site is closed to visitors every Friday. You must plan your itinerary around this weekly closure to avoid missing out.

Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world, stretching across more than ten thousand square kilometers in southwestern Bolivia. It sits high in the Andes mountains at an elevation of over three thousand six hundred meters. The flat was formed by the drying up of several ancient lakes. January is the start of the wet season. Rainwater accumulates on top of the eight meter thick salt crust, creating a giant mirror effect. This unique phenomenon attracts photographers who want to capture the reflection of the sky on the ground. Because of the water, some areas of the salt flat become inaccessible to vehicles. You might not be able to reach certain landmarks like Isla Incahuasi during this month. The high altitude can cause headaches and nausea. It is wise to spend a couple of days adjusting in a nearby city before starting your tour.

The Galápagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean, about five hundred miles west of mainland Ecuador. The islands are famous for their unique animal species. Charles Darwin studied these animals in the 1830s, which helped him develop his theory of evolution. January brings warm water temperatures and sunny skies to the islands. The ocean is calmer during this month, making it a great time for snorkeling and boat rides. You will see green sea turtles nesting on the beaches and land iguanas starting their mating season. The climate is tropical, with brief daily rain showers that keep the islands green. It is a popular time for families, so you should expect higher prices and busier visitor sites. Visiting the islands is highly regulated. You cannot explore most areas without a certified guide, which adds to the overall cost of the trip.

Angkor Wat is the largest religious complex in the world, located in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Built in the twelfth century by King Suryavarman II, it was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. By the end of the thirteenth century, it had transitioned into a Buddhist temple. January is the peak of the dry season in Cambodia. The weather is warm but lacks the humid, sticky heat of the monsoon months. This makes walking through the massive stone ruins and corridors much more comfortable. The dry weather also means that the surrounding moats are clear, offering reflection views at sunrise. However, January is the busiest month of the year for tourism in Siem Reap. You will share the temples with large crowds, especially at dawn. The sun can be intense even in January. There is very little shade among the stone structures, so you must carry plenty of water.

Queenstown is a resort town on the South Island of New Zealand. It sits on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, a long glacial lake shaped like an S. The town is surrounded by dramatic peaks, including the Remarkables mountain range. January is mid summer in New Zealand, offering long daylight hours that last until nine in the evening. This gives you plenty of time for outdoor activities like hiking, jet boating, and bungee jumping. The weather is warm, with average daytime temperatures around twenty two degrees Celsius. The town is known as the adventure capital of the country. If you prefer a quieter trip, the summer crowds might feel overwhelming. Accommodation prices peak during this month, and restaurants are often fully booked. Traffic can also build up on the single lane roads around the lake. Renting a car is expensive, so booking early is essential.

Fiordland National Park is the largest national park in New Zealand, covering over twelve thousand square kilometers on the South Island. The park features deep valleys carved by ancient glaciers and the peaks of the Southern Alps. It is a refuge for rare native birds like the takahe and the kakapo. January brings the warmest temperatures of the year to this wet region. While it still rains frequently, your chances of dry hiking days are much higher than in the winter. The waterfalls are full, and the forests are lush. The park is famous for the Milford Track and the Milford Sound. In January, these areas are highly popular, and tour boats can get crowded. You will need to book your cruise or hiking permits far in advance. Sandflies are a major nuisance in Fiordland. These tiny biting insects swarm near the water, and standard insect repellent is necessary to keep them away.

Torres del Paine National Park is located in southern Chilean Patagonia, about one hundred and twelve kilometers north of Puerto Natales. The centerpiece of the park is the Cordillera del Paine mountain group. The landscape transitions from subpolar forests to dry steppes. January brings the warmest weather of the year, with daytime temperatures reaching around fifteen degrees Celsius. This is the peak season for hiking the famous W Trek and O Circuit. The long summer days give you up to seventeen hours of daylight to complete your hikes. The wind in Patagonia is notoriously strong during January. Gusts can reach over one hundred kilometers per hour, which can make walking difficult and cold. You must pack high quality windproof gear. Because January is the most popular month, campsites and refugios along the trails sell out months beforehand. You cannot enter the overnight trails without a confirmed reservation.