Planning guides
Practical advice that applies across destinations: tickets and timed entry, seasons, documents and packing.
Planning guideAngkor Wat travel guide: best time to visit and how to plan
Angkor is a landscape, not one building: when to go, how many days to give it, and the order that works.
Planning guideHow Machu Picchu was discovered, and what it means for your visit
The 1911 story behind Machu Picchu's global fame, who already knew the site, and how the history can shape your day there.
Planning guideKaziranga National Park: the best time to visit, month by month
Kaziranga is open for only part of the year. Here is how to match your dates to the season, the safari ranges and the weather.
Planning guideThailand by season: when to visit Bangkok, the islands and the north
Thailand has three seasons and two coasts that do not share a calendar. Here is how to match the month to the region.
Planning guideNorthern lights travel guide: best time to see them and how to plan
When the aurora is most likely, the best months and places, and how to plan around dark, clear skies.
Planning guideSri Lanka travel guide: best time to visit, regions and how to plan
How Sri Lanka's two monsoons split the year by coast, plus a region-by-region plan for 7 to 10 days.
Planning guideBoracay travel guide: best time to visit, beaches and how to plan
When to go to Boracay, how the two monsoons change its beaches and a simple plan for three to five days.
Planning guideVarkala travel guide: the cliff, best time to visit and how to plan
When to go to Varkala, how to reach Kerala's cliff-top beach town and a simple plan for two or three days.
Planning guideMunnar hill station guide: seasons, Eravikulam and days to stay
When to go to Munnar, how to reach Kerala's tea hills and a three-day plan with Eravikulam and Top Station.
Planning guideFort Kochi travel guide: best time to visit and how to plan
When to go to Fort Kochi, how to get there and a two-day walking plan for the old harbour quarter.
Planning guideKerala backwaters houseboat guide: Alappuzha, Kumarakom and seasons
How houseboats, shikaras and public ferries work on Kerala's backwaters, and how to choose safely.
Planning guideHow to plan a World Heritage site visit: tickets, crowds and rules
A practical checklist for famous heritage sites: official tickets, timing, heat, dress codes and site rules.