Remote Festivals of Asia

To highlight the unique cultures and extra special experiences that Asia has to offer, World Expeditions has put together a number of unique journeys and departures that take in some of the most interesting festivals throughout the world. Here we are just looking at some of our favourite festivals in Asia that are well off the beaten track.

May: Saga Dawa Festival - Tibet

Journey to the roof of the world at the time of the Saga Dawa festival and you will have the chance to join many thousands of pilgrims from throughout Tibet as they gather to pay homage to the Mt. Kailash, one of the most sacred places in the Buddhist and Hindu religions.
Many of the pilgrims may have spent up to a month travelling across Tibet to attend the festival, which involves monks offer their prayers and blessings to the huge gathering before a huge prayer pole is erected. The event takes several hours creating a feeling of awe and expectation before the pole is finally put into place. It is then time for the more devout pilgrims to commence the ‘kora’ or pilgrimage around Mt Kailash.

Get there in 2016 on our Journey to Mount Kailash (20 Days) >>

June: Hemis Festival - India (Ladakh)

Hemis commemorates the Indian sage Padmasambhava who introduced Tantric Buddhism to this region of the Himalaya in the 8th century. The festival consists of an elaborate series of masked dances depicting the life of Padmasambhava and the moral victory of knowledge over ignorance etc. Several hundred Ladakhi villagers from throughout the Indus Valley attend the festival. Besides its religious significance it is a time to renew acquaintances, visit the
many stands and drink large quantities of butter tea and barley beer. In essence it is more of a medieval fair than a religious festival that reflects much of the contemporary cultural life of Ladakh.

Get there on our Hidden Valleys of Ladakh (20 Days) >>

July: Naadam Festival – Mongolia

This UNESCO listed festival is a mass gathering of local tribesman in Ulaan Baatar. See local contestants put their courage, strength and daring to the test with the three “manly” sports of archery, horse racing, and wrestling. Discover a unique nomadic culture and traditional hospitality at its best in the land of Genghis Khan.

Get there on our Trans Siberian Adventure Naadam Festival (23 days) >>

October: Jambay Lakhang Festival - Bhutan

A hugely popular religious festival which takes place every autumn at one of the most sacred Buddhist temples in Bhutan. Considered one of the most spectacular, the festival lasts for five days and the highlights of the festival are the fire blessing ceremony ‘Mewang’ , where devotees attempt to jump across flames to ensure good luck and the ritualistic naked dance (‘Tercham’, the ‘Dance of Treasure’), designed to bless fertile women and allow them to conceive.

Get there with our Bhutan Festivals - Land of the Thunder Dragon (13 days) >>

December: Hornbill Festival – India (Nagaland)

Celebrated every year in the first week of December the Hornbill festival brings together 12 Naga tribal groups including Konyak, Ao, Angami, Sema and Rengma, who gather to transform the festival ground to a traditional Naga village with their different and unique style of housing. The sound of log war drums and the song of the head hunting ceremony with the ferocious traditional dresses with tattoos makes for an exciting atmosphere. Every day will be traditional Naga dance, song, games and other activities performed by different Naga tribes, which highlight the cultures and traditions of the tribal peoples.

Get there with our Assam, Nagaland & The Hornbill Festival (9 days)>>