Festival holidays

To visit a country and meet its people during a festival can be an experience second to none: you will bring home not just life-long memories of colour, music, dancing and fun but also a richer understanding of the traditions and beliefs that make the country what it is.

Join one of our small group tours during a festival and experience a country in a whole new light. Our expert local tour leaders will take you under the skin of your destination, often enabling access to parts of a festival visitors wouldn't usuall see.

In Asia, experience India's Pushkar Camel Fair or the vibrant Holi, sometimes called the Festival of Colours, which takes place over two days each year, celebrating the victory of good over evil - and covering everyone and everything in wet paint along the way!

Elsewhere in Asia you could experience the three traditional sports of Mongolia (wrestling, archery and horse riding) at the annual Nadaam Festival, or witness the spectacular colours and centuries-old religious customs of Bhutan’s Thimpu Festival, or immerse yourself in the little-known mountain festivals of south-west China’s Guizhou and Yunnan provinces.

Africa is also rich in tradition and festivals abound, including the Akwasidae Festival in Ghana, where celebrations take place at the Royal Palace in Kumasi. In the Americas you can take part in Brazil’s most spectacular extravaganza, the Rio Carnival, or witness the ancient Inca Inti Raymi festival in Peru.

Read more about the best festivals to experience on our tours, from the Voodoo Festival in Benin to Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan.

New to Explore? We've answered some of the most-asked questions about our small group adventure tours.