How Far in Advance Should I Book an Adventure Holiday?
(And Why Last-Minute Doesn’t Work on the World’s Best Trails)
There’s a certain romance to the idea of just throwing a bag together, grabbing your passport, and heading off into the wild.
Adventure, after all, is supposed to be spontaneous… right?
That’s the story a lot of people buy into.
And then they try to book a permit for the Inca Trail two months out. Or grab a Kilimanjaro slot a few weeks before climbing. Or find out the desert trek they wanted runs only twice a year-and they’ve missed both windows.
Real adventure-the kind that involves high passes, local guides, tight logistics and wild places-doesn’t reward last-minute planning.
It rewards foresight, training time, and getting in early before the best dates and routes are gone.
So let’s get into it properly: how far in advance do you actually need to book your adventure trip, and why does it matter?
Permits, Peak Season and the Planning Pyramid
Let’s look at this properly, because not all adventure trips operate the same way.
Some have strict permit systems, others are open but fill quickly, and some are seasonal with only a few viable departure months per year.
Here’s what that actually looks like on the ground:
Inca Trail, Peru – Permits or Nothing
• Max 500 people per day allowed on the trail
• That number includes guides, porters, cooks
• Realistically, only ~200 trekkers get spots each day
• Permits release months in advance and sell out fast, especially for April–October
If you want to walk the Inca Trail in the dry season (the best time), you’ll need to book at least 6–8 months in advance. For May or June, we suggest closer to 9–12.
And don’t forget: you’ll want time to acclimatise in Cusco and explore the Sacred Valley too.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania – Availability Without Permits (But Still No Room for Slack)
Kili doesn’t use a strict permit quota like the Inca Trail, but…
• The best guides and routes fill early
• Dry season climbs (Jan-Feb and Aug-Oct) are most popular
• You need time to train properly, especially for altitude
• Flights and visa processes add more moving parts
Kilimanjaro’s success rate is much higher when you’ve trained well, picked a good route (Machame or Marangu), and acclimatised properly.
Give yourself 6–9 months, minimum. That gives you time to build fitness, get your gear sorted, and arrive feeling prepared, not panicked.
Mount Toubkal, Morocco – Quicker to Plan, Still Worth Booking Early
Toubkal is more flexible than Peru or Tanzania, but that doesn’t mean you should leave it too late.
• Best climbing windows are spring and autumn
• Snow conditions in early spring may require crampons
• Summer is possible, but hot
• Local guides book out fast, especially around October
3–6 months out is a good rule. Want to combine it with time in Marrakech or a longer Morocco itinerary? Then book even earlier to allow for route planning.
But Can’t I Just Book Last-Minute?
Technically, yes.
But here’s what happens when you wait too long:
• The group you wanted is full
• You’re stuck with awkward flights or expensive fares
• Your fitness prep gets squeezed, and you’re undertrained
• You’ve got no time for vaccine appointments, visa applications or gear shopping
• You panic-buy the wrong kit, forget something important, or get overwhelmed
• You feel rushed rather than excited
For something like a guided walking holiday in the UK? Sure, there’s room for flexibility.
But for big treks or international expeditions? The sooner you commit, the smoother your experience will be.
The Other Perks of Booking Ahead
Beyond logistics, booking in advance gives you:
• Time to train gradually, not cram
• Early access to the best routes and guides
• Ability to budget over time, not just all at once
• Better chance of joining small group departures that haven’t filled yet
• Confidence. You’ve got a plan. You’re working towards it. That matters.
It’s also one less thing to think about-and gives you something to look forward to.
Here’s What to Do Next
1. Choose the destination that excites you most
(If you’re stuck, message us at Jake@ultimateadventuretravel.co.uk and ask—we’ll help you decide.)
2. Pick a travel window at least 6 months out
Think about weather, permits, and work/family schedules.
3. Lock in your place with a deposit
We only need 10% upfront to reserve your spot.
4. Use the lead-up to train, plan, and prepare
We’ll guide you every step of the way.
See our full trip calendar and upcoming departures
(Machu Picchu, Kilimanjaro, Toubkal & more)
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