The Ultimate April Bucket List: Unmissable Adventures Around the World

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Spring is in full bloom, and April is the perfect time to chase once-in-a-lifetime experiences across the globe. Therefore, you need an April Bucket List!

Whether you’re witnessing nature’s most stunning transitions, attending legendary festivals, or tackling iconic outdoor adventures, this month offers endless possibilities. 

Here are epic bucket list experiences you can only do—or are best done—in April!

Outdoor & fitness Adventures

This section is going to be jam packed because April is prime time to go hiking in warmer destinations! Plus, I’m an adventure blogger – I am extremely nerdy for this stuff.

Climb Mount Hood in Oregon, USA

April marks the start of the best climbing season for Mount Hood, Oregon’s highest peak.

This snow-capped volcano offers a thrilling ascent for mountaineers, with clear weather and stable snow conditions making for an epic summit experience.

Trek the Atlas Mountains in Morocco

Avoid the summer heat and hike through the Atlas Mountains in April, where the temperature is perfect, and the landscape is lush with spring blooms.

The tours for various activities in the Atlas Mountains are highly rated on GetYourGuide, so I would check that out if you don’t want to brave it alone👇

Explore Spiti Valley in India

Often referred to as India’s Little Tibet, Spiti Valley is at its most accessible in April as the snow begins to melt, revealing jaw-dropping Himalayan landscapes.

Visit ancient monasteries, experience remote mountain villages, and drive through some of the most breathtaking roads in the world.

go Biking in Moab, Utah, USA

April is prime season for mountain biking in Moab, thanks to mild temperatures and perfect trail conditions.

Whether you’re tackling the famous Slickrock Trail or exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, this is a bucket list-worthy adventure.

Only one day in Moab and want to visit Arches National Park?

Climb the Volcanoes in Iceland

While many visit Iceland in summer, April offers a quieter experience, and you can hike on volcanoes like Hekla or explore the vast geothermal areas around the island before the tourist rush starts.

There are some incredible Iceland Tours, so pick something that suits your needs.

Hike to Everest Base Camp

April is one of the best months for trekking to Everest Base Camp, with stable weather and blooming rhododendron forests along the trail.

The journey to the base of the world’s tallest mountain is both physically demanding and spiritually rewarding.

Check current regulations, but it is required to do this with a guide! You can check out some options below and don’t forget to use my code (ALEXANDRA1GURU) for up to 5% off!

Hike in the Faroe Islands

Hiking the Faroe Islands in April is a wild and breathtaking adventure, with lush green cliffs, dramatic waterfalls, and unpredictable weather creating a rugged, dreamlike landscape.

As the shoulder season, April offers fewer tourists but a mix of spring and winter conditions, meaning strong winds, misty rain, and occasional frost at higher elevations.

Hike the Inca Trail in Peru

April marks the start of the dry season, making it the perfect time to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu without heavy rains or summer crowds.

This makes it a perfect addition to your travel April bucket list!

Note that I can’t do anything normal, so I ended up doing a 7 day trek (over 50 miles and above 17,000 feet!) through Salkantay and the Inca Trial through Alpaca Expeditions.

Climb the Active Stromboli Volcano in Italy

April offers ideal hiking weather to summit Stromboli, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

This trek takes you up rugged lava fields to witness glowing lava eruptions against the night sky.

The island itself is a hidden paradise with black sand beaches and quaint villages.

Trek the Great Wall’s Wild Sections in China

April is perfect for hiking the wild, unrestored sections of the Great Wall, like Jiankou or Gubeikou, before the summer heat kicks in.

You’ll experience jaw-dropping views and an untouched, rugged beauty that the heavily restored sections lack.

This was one of my highlights when visiting China!

Flowers for Your April Bucket List

Watch the Cherry Blossoms in the Himalayas (Bhutan & Nepal)

While Japan gets all the attention for cherry blossoms, the Himalayas have stunning pink and white blooms too!

Bhutan and Nepal are perfect for trekking among these high-altitude blossoms with fewer crowds and dramatic mountain backdrops.

They also have some stunning rhododendrons, magnolias, and azaleas that bloom during this time if you can’t catch the cherry blossoms.

Spot the Blooming of Bluebells

April is prime time for witnessing the magical bluebell blooms, as these vibrant purple-blue flowers carpet ancient woodlands across Europe.

Spots like the Ashridge Estate, Hallerbos in Belgium, the Bluebell Woods of England, and Scotland’s Loch Lomond area, becomes a fairy-tale scene!

The best time to see them is mid to late April, when they’re at peak vibrancy before the tree canopy fully shades them. Early mornings are ideal for capturing their beauty.

See the Poppy Super Bloom in Antelope Valley

If conditions are right, April brings a breathtaking poppy super bloom to California’s Antelope Valley, covering the hills in vibrant orange flowers.

Experience Japan’s Wisteria Tunnels

April is peak time for Japan’s breathtaking wisteria tunnels, particularly at Kawachi Fuji Garden, where cascading purple blooms create a magical scene.

Best April Nature Escapes

Kayak/Sail to Hidden Caves in Croatia

Explore the lesser-known caves and coves in Croatia’s coastline around Split or Dubrovnik with a kayak or boat tour, perfect for a quieter spring getaway for your April bucket list!

Experience the Lyrid Meteor Shower in a Dark Sky Reserve

The Lyrid Meteor Shower peaks in April, and one of the best places to see it is from a certified Dark Sky Reserve in the Northern Hemisphere.

With almost zero light pollution, you’ll witness shooting stars streaking across the Milky Way in one of the world’s best stargazing destinations.

Take an ATV Up to Rainbow Mountain In Peru

April is one of the best months to see Peru’s Rainbow Mountains after the rainy season, when their stripes of color are at their brightest.

When visiting this, I ended up taking an ATV tour and then we hiked up to the mountain itself👇

Be careful of altitude sickness! It stands at 17,060 feet (5,200 meters).

Wildlife Encounters for April

Safari in South Africa’s Eastern Cape

While the famous Kruger National Park is a top destination, the Eastern Cape offers less crowded but equally impressive safari experiences in places like Addo Elephant Park and Shamwari Game Reserve.

April is right before peak season, so you might beat some of the crowds by going during this time.

Spot Flamingos at Laguna Colorada, Bolivia

April is an excellent time to see thousands of pink flamingos wading in the surreal, red-colored waters of Laguna Colorada in Bolivia’s Altiplano. 

This is right on the cusp of rainy and dry season, giving you a mix of just the right conditions.

The high-altitude air is crisp, the crowds are low, and the scenery looks straight out of a sci-fi movie.

Go Whale Watching in Sri Lanka

Head to Mirissa or Trincomalee for a chance to see blue whales migrating through the Indian Ocean in April, a less-crowded alternative to more famous whale-watching spots.

Keep your eyes open for blue whales, sperm whales, and pygmy blue whales.

Dive with Whale Sharks in the Philippines (Donsol, NOT Oslob)

April is peak whale shark season in Donsol, where you can snorkel alongside these gentle giants in a responsible, ethical setting.

Unlike Oslob (where feeding alters their behavior), Donsol’s encounters are natural, offering a more authentic and eco-friendly experience.

Festivals for Your April Bucket List

Easter in Vatican City

Experience Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square, led by the Pope himself, in one of the most spiritual and grand religious ceremonies in the world.

Go to Bhutan’s Paro Tsechu Festival

Celebrate Bhutan’s rich culture at the Paro Tsechu Festival in April, with masked dances, vibrant costumes, and a beautiful Himalayan backdrop.

It’s a cultural experience off the beaten path that not many have even heard of!

Celebrate Kings Day in The Netherlands

On April 27, the Netherlands erupts into a massive street party for King’s Day, celebrating the king’s birthday.

Amsterdam becomes a sea of orange, with live music, boat parties, and open-air markets filling the streets and canals.

Get into a water fight with an elephant at the Songkran Water Festival

Ring in the Thai New Year with Songkran, a nationwide water fight that takes over the streets of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

Held from April 13-15, this festival is one of the wildest ways to celebrate, as locals and tourists alike drench each other in a symbolic cleansing of the past year.

What makes this extra special is that elephants are often a part of the celebration!

Here, elephants join in the fun, playfully spraying water at festival-goers. It’s a mix of culture, conservation, and good-natured chaos!

Go Wild at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival

One of the most famous music festivals in the world, Coachella draws music lovers and adventurers alike to the California desert in April.

From legendary headliners to epic art installations, this festival is the place to be for an unforgettable weekend of music and culture.

Dance at the Walpurgis Night Fire Festival in Germany

On April 30th, Germany’s Harz Mountains come alive with fire dancing, witch costumes, and eerie folklore in the Walpurgis Night Festival!

National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., USA

I know I mentioned this in my March Bucket List as well, but the National Cherry Blossom Festival extends into April and is absolutley stunning!

Take a stroll around the Tidal Basin, snap photos of the Jefferson Memorial framed by blossoms, and enjoy cultural performances celebrating the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. 

Cultural Experiences to Check Off This April

Swim with Submerged Roman Architecture in Cleopatra’s Pool

The ancient city of Hierapolis, perched above Pamukkale’s famous white terraces in Turkey, is a remarkable Greco-Roman site dating back to the 2nd century BCE.

One of its highlights is Cleopatra’s Pool, a stunning thermal spring where visitors can swim among submerged Roman columns, believed to have fallen during an earthquake.

The mineral-rich waters are said to have healing properties, making it a unique and relaxing way to soak in thousands of years of history.

Book a Kyoto Samurai Experience in Japan

Step back in time and take part in a traditional samurai experience in Kyoto.

Learn the art of the katana from skilled instructors and immerse yourself in Japan’s ancient warrior culture.

Visit the Ancient Temples of Bagan, Myanmar

April is the start of the hot season in Myanmar, and while it’s less comfortable for some, visiting the ancient temples at sunrise or sunset offers an unforgettable experience with fewer crowds.

go on a Hanami Picnics in Japan

April is peak sakura (cherry blossom) season in Japan, and locals celebrate with hanami picnics under the blooming trees.

Visit Tokyo’s Ueno Park, Kyoto’s Maruyama Park, or Osaka Castle for the best views.

Explore the Underground Cities of Cappadocia, Turkey

April is a perfect time to visit Cappadocia’s underground cities, like Derinkuyu, before the summer crowds arrive.

Check These Off Your April Bucket List!

April is a magical month for travel, offering everything from iconic festivals to awe-inspiring outdoor adventures.

Whether you’re dancing at Coachella, hiking your heart out, or biking through Moab’s epic red rock trails, there’s no shortage of bucket list-worthy experiences.

Which of these April adventures are you adding to your list? Let me know in the comments!

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