Festival tours

For us, festivals are the smell of incense, the fizz of fireworks and the twinkling lights of a Christmas market.

They arrive with the thunder of bespeckled dancers and wind down like a Munich beer hall hangover. They’re the lantern-lit, confetti-filled, mud-slinging reminder that life is there to be enjoyed to the max, and that there’s no such thing as too much fun in the name of pomp and ceremony.

From the embers of a fire pit in Papua New Guinea and the graveyards of Mexico to the tulip fields and orange groves of Europe, festival season never truly dies – and we’ve got your private pass all ready to go. It’s time to strap on your sandals, pick up some maracas and dive right in.

Our festival trips

Festival highlights

Two dancers at the Rio Carnival, Brazil
Get lost among the bright colours of Carnival in Rio

You haven’t partied properly if you haven’t done it in Rio during Carnival – and that’s a promise. Whether you want to watch a parade of elaborate floats featuring costumed dancers showing off their best moves, join a conga line of colourfully clad locals snaking their way through the surging streets or perfect your samba steps so you can blend in with the Carioca crowds, prepare your mind, body, and soul for the biggest party on earth. 

Baby gorilla in the jungle in Rwanda
Take part in a gorilla naming ceremony in Rwanda

As if your 9-day trek through the steamy rainforests of Rwanda in search of wildlife you’re used to seeing in books wasn’t good enough, you’ll also get the opportunity to participate in the Kwita Izina ceremony; a naming ceremony for the baby gorillas born in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park during the year. Celebrate this park’s protection efforts and revel in the festivities that encompass this special and unique conservation event. 

Jumping tower in Vanuatu
Witness the unique land-diving festival in Vanuatu

There are few experiences that could make an unforgettable trip to the tropical island of Vanuatu any better but witnessing the incredible naghol festival – where local, indigenous men jump from high platforms as part of a coming-of-age ritual - is definitely one of them. Paving the way for present-day bungee jumping, this land-diving ceremony will undoubtedly take your breath away and give you an insight into the Melanesian culture that few visitors ever get to see. 

Colourful skulls in Mexico
Experience Day of the Dead festivities in Mexico

Discover a different side of Mexico on one of two trips that’ll lead you straight into the heart of this haunting celebration. From visiting local cemeteries to see how families decorate the graves of their ancestors and creating a traditional altar in TIahuac to watching the colourful and incredible Day of the Dead parade as it spills through the streets of Mexico City, your trip will be filled with all of the cultural experiences that make this ceremonial festival one to remember.  

Where you can go

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 based on 91 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Mongolia's Naadam Festival

Nina · Traveled June 2024
This tour was so great!!!! If you ever have to chance to visit Mongolia during Nadaam, you must go. Big thanks to Ulzi for being a GREAT guide!
Review submitted 16 Jul 2024

Mongolia's Naadam Festival

Luke · Traveled June 2024
I was on a once-in-a-lifetime edition of this trip (sorry, there is 0 chance it will ever be repeated), which I think all of my fellow travelers will agree made any other issue we encountered worth it (well, almost). The people and culture are amazing, and the festival is out of this world. GO. Be aware that the Gobi visit is very trying. Ask for the VAN or SUV transports... go with something other than a mini-bus (our driver was terrific, but the mini-bus is just too slow to transit over roadless areas, which is 99% of the trip)
Review submitted 16 Jul 2024

Mongolia's Naadam Festival

Wasim · Traveled June 2024
Considering the circumstances, overall good experience.
Review submitted 19 Jul 2024

Mongolia's Naadam Festival

Anne · Traveled June 2024
Very disappointing. The Naadam training camps and the festival were outstanding. The 8 day road trip on a broken down bus while everyone else we came across was in a 4WD van or SUV was not worth the effort. Our guide was indifferent at best. I would recommend doing Naadam but with another company.
Review submitted 21 Jul 2024

Mongolia's Naadam Festival

Anne · Traveled June 2024
We loved the Naadam training camps and festival but the rest of the road trip was not good. We travelled through the desert in a broken down school bus instead of the 4WD vans and SUVs that everyone else had. This caused us problems with getting stuck, breakdowns and extremely rough rides. It also added 2-3 hours of drive time every day. I’d recommend Naadam but not with Intrepid.
Review submitted 21 Jul 2024

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