The Best Way to Experience the Heart of a Country
Travelling isn’t just about visiting new places — it’s about getting to the heart of a destination. And one of the best ways to do that? Join in on a local festival. These events offer a rare chance to see a country at its most vibrant, with traditions, music and celebrations that have been passed down for generations.
Whether it’s the masked dances of Bhutan, the thrill of Mongolia’s Naadam Festival or the ancient skill of eagle hunting in the Altai Mountains, attending a festival turns a trip into something truly special.
Here’s why....
Why Travel for Cultural Festivals?
Experience Traditions Firsthand:
Festivals give you an up-close look at centuries-old customs, from sacred rituals to lively street parades. This isn’t something you’ll find in museums — it’s culture brought to life.
Meet Local People in a Real Way:
Attending a festival connects you with the local community in a way that regular sightseeing can’t. You’ll share in their celebrations, enjoy traditional foods, and maybe even be invited to join in.
An Unforgettable Feast for the Senses:
From the rhythmic beats of drums to the sight of dancers in dazzling costumes, festivals are full of energy. Add in the smell of delicious street food, and you’ve got an experience that sticks with you long after you return home.
A Rare and Special Moment in Time:
Unlike landmarks that are always there, festivals only happen once a year. That makes them unique opportunities—you won’t get the same experience if you visit another time.
A More Meaningful Way to Travel:
Rather than just passing through, festivals let you immerse yourself in a country’s culture. It’s travel with a deeper purpose.
Life-Changing Festivals Steeped in Tradition
Some festivals are more than just celebrations — they are deeply rooted in history and offer a glimpse into a way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries. If you’re looking for a festival experience that will stay with you long after your journey ends, these are ones we highly recommend....
1. Bhutan's Paro Festival
Held at the magnificent Rinpung Dzong Monastery, Bhutan’s Paro Tsechu is one of the country’s most sacred Buddhist festivals. Monks perform masked cham dances, re-enacting ancient tales of good triumphing over evil. At dawn on the final day, a giant embroidered thangka (Thongdrel) is unfurled, revealing an image of Guru Rinpoche.
✔ See sacred cham dances performed by monks – Each dance tells a story from Bhutanese Buddhist mythology.
✔ Be part of an important spiritual gathering – Locals dress in their finest traditional clothing and gather to receive blessings.
✔ Witness the unfurling of the giant Thongdrel – A moment of deep religious significance, believed to bring enlightenment to all who see it.
Why go? Experience Bhutan’s deeply spiritual traditions in a setting of extraordinary natural beauty.
When? 📅 29 March - 2 April 2026
2. Bhutan's Thimphu Tshechu & Gangtey Tshechu Festivals
Bhutan’s Tshechu festivals are among the most significant religious events in the country. Dating back to the 17th century, they were introduced by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan, to celebrate Guru Rinpoche — the saint who brought Buddhism to the Himalayas. These festivals are held in different districts across Bhutan and are designed to purify sins, bless attendees and bring communities together.
These events are deeply important to the Bhutanese people, and attending one gives you a rare insight into their culture.
Thimphu Tshechu – Held in the capital at Tashichho Dzong, this is one of Bhutan’s biggest and most colourful festivals. Monks and dancers perform masked cham dances that tell stories from Bhutanese history and Buddhist teachings.
Gangtey Tshechu – A smaller, more intimate festival set in the stunning Phobjikha Valley, known for its serene beauty and black-necked cranes.
Why go? You’ll witness Bhutan’s living Buddhist traditions, surrounded by breathtaking Himalayan scenery.
When?📅 2 – 10 October 2025
3. Mongolia's Naadam Festival at Lake Khovsgol
The Naadam Festival has roots dating back over 800 years, originating from the military training exercises of Mongolian warriors. It became an official celebration during the reign of Genghis Khan, as a way to test the strength, skill and endurance of his soldiers. Today, Naadam remains a national celebration of Mongolian identity and heritage.
Known as the “Three Manly Games,” the festival features horse racing, wrestling, and archery — all skills that have been vital for Mongolian warriors and herders for centuries.
✔ Experience Naadam at Lake Khovsgol – Away from the busy crowds of Ulaanbaatar, this Naadam celebration happens in a more peaceful, remote setting, surrounded by stunning lakes and mountains.
✔ See traditional Mongolian sports up close – Cheer on the racers as they ride incredible distances, watch fierce wrestling matches, and admire expert archery skills.
Why go? It’s action-packed, deeply cultural, and completely unique — a true highlight of Mongolian heritage.
When? 📅 7 – 20 July 2025
4. Mongolia's Sagsai Eagle Festival
The Sagsai Eagle Festival celebrates one of the world’s oldest and most remarkable hunting traditions: falconry with golden eagles. Practised by Kazakh nomads for over 2,000 years, this festival showcases the skill and deep bond between hunters and their eagles.
This incredible festival in the Altai Mountains is a celebration of eagle hunting, a skill that has been passed down through Kazakh nomadic families for generations.
✔ Watch skilled eagle hunters in action – Competitors put their golden eagles to the test, seeing how quickly and accurately they respond to their master’s call.
✔ More than just eagles – The festival also includes horseback races, traditional archery, and plenty of Kazakh music and dancing.
✔ A rare and intimate experience – Unlike the larger festivals in Ulaanbaatar, the Sagsai Eagle Festival is small and personal, giving you the chance to meet the hunters and learn about their way of life.
Why go? It’s raw, real, and truly unforgettable—a journey into a way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries.
When? 📅 11 – 20 September 2025
5. Ladakh's Tak Tok Festival
Held at Takthok Monastery, the only cave monastery in Ladakh, the Tak Tok Festival is one of the most significant Buddhist celebrations in the region. Monks perform masked cham dances, portraying mythical battles between good and evil, accompanied by the sounds of ceremonial horns, drums, and chanting.
✔ See sacred masked cham dances – Performed by monks in elaborate silk robes, these dances retell Buddhist legends in a vibrant, spiritual display.
✔ Visit Takthok Monastery – A rare chance to explore one of Ladakh’s most revered monastic sites, set within an ancient cave.
✔ Experience authentic Ladakhi culture – The festival is attended by local villagers in traditional dress, adding to the authenticity of the celebration.
Why go? Witness a high-altitude festival in a remote Himalayan setting, where ancient traditions remain untouched by time.
When? 📅 July – August 2025 (dates vary based on the Tibetan lunar calendar)
6. Ethiopia’s Genna Festival
Unlike the Western Christmas, Genna – Ethiopia’s Orthodox Christmas – is a deeply spiritual occasion. Celebrated on January 7th, the festival includes dawn church services, candlelit processions, and a traditional hockey-like game said to have been played by shepherds on the night of Christ’s birth.
✔ Celebrate Christmas the Ethiopian way – Immerse yourself in a tradition that has remained unchanged for centuries.
✔ Attend a candlelit service in Lalibela – Experience the awe-inspiring atmosphere as thousands of worshippers gather around the UNESCO rock-hewn churches.
✔ See the ancient game of Genna played by locals – A sport with roots in biblical folklore, still passionately played today.
Why go? A chance to witness an ancient Christian tradition in one of the most breathtaking religious settings in the world.
When? 📅 7 January 2025
7. Ethiopia’s Timkat Festival
Timkat, or Epiphany, is Ethiopia’s most vibrant and sacred festival. The highlight is the procession of the Tabot, a sacred replica of the Ark of the Covenant, followed by a mass blessing of water, where thousands immerse themselves in holy pools.
✔ Witness the grand procession of the Tabot – Carried by priests under embroidered ceremonial umbrellas.
✔ See thousands take part in the water blessing – A powerful moment of faith and devotion.
✔ Visit Gondar or Lalibela during the festival – Two of Ethiopia’s most stunning historic cities come alive with colour, music, and prayer.
Why go? Experience Ethiopia’s most spectacular festival, where faith, culture, and tradition merge in an unforgettable celebration.
When? 📅 19 January 2025
8. World Nomad Games – Kyrgyzstan
The World Nomad Games is the Olympics of the Silk Road, celebrating nomadic traditions from across Central Asia. This festival gathers Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Mongolian (and other Silk Road) cultures for a competition like no other, featuring horseback wrestling, eagle hunting and the legendary sport of kok boru (a high-adrenaline game similar to polo, played with a goat carcass).
✔ Watch horseback warriors in action – Witness dramatic displays of strength, agility, and centuries-old nomadic skills.
✔ See the ancient art of eagle hunting – A rare opportunity to watch Kyrgyz and Kazakh hunters work in harmony with their golden eagles.
✔ Experience authentic nomadic culture – The festival is more than just sports; expect traditional yurt-building, music, and dance performances.
Why go? A chance to see nomadic traditions that date back thousands of years, brought to life in an electrifying spectacle.
When? 📅 September 2026 (exact dates TBC)
Cultural festivals aren’t just something you watch – they’re something you feel. Whether you’re standing among the crowds at a Bhutanese monastery, cheering at Mongolia’s Naadam Festival or watching a Kazakh eagle hunter call his bird from the sky, these experiences become the moments you remember forever.
