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 ride on till the wee hours with plenty of dancing and music. 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

8 Days From 3235

Experience the festive markets of Central Europe. Go Christmas crazy in the market...

5 Days From 2080

Immerse yourself in Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) celebrations in Mexico...

9 Days From 4985

Travel deep into Papua New Guinea on a 9-day adventure to experience local culture and...

5 Days From 1645

Be a part of the Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) celebrations in Mexico City,...

5 Days From 3110

Take a five-day expedition to the islands of Vanuatu, explore the origins of land...

7 Days From 2270

In Bucharest, Sighisoara, Brasov and Cluj Napoca, get beneath the history, mythology...

7 Days From 2270

In Bucharest, Sighisoara, Brasov and Cluj Napoca, get beneath the history, mythology...

6 Days From 4665

Experience the famous Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro and join the biggest...

15 Days From 5755

Embrace the festive atmosphere at the Naadam Festival, with visits to the region's...

9 Days From 7030

Spent 9 unforgettable days exploring Rwanda and Uganda, including a special gorilla...

2 Days From 395

Travel from Istanbul to Gallipoli for the Anzac Day Dawn Service. Sleep out under the...

11 Days From 6985

Immerse yourself in Vanuatu’s raw beauty and breathtaking local traditions on this...

Browse Festivals by region

Festival & event highlights 

Two colourfully dresed women during Carnival in Rio.

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. 

A baby gorilla peeking through lush rainforest foliage

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. 

The high wooden platform used for the land diving ceremony 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. 

A collection of traditional Day of the Dead costumes used in parades.

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.  

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Reviews

FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy

Our trips are guaranteed to depart once they have one fully paid customer unless the minimum group size listed in the Essential Trip Information and/or Special Conditions states otherwise.

We’ll try our very hardest to accommodate all dietary requirements, but it can be difficult to guarantee in some out-of-the-way places. We'll let you know if there are places on your itinerary where this is the case. Please let us know your dietary requirements at the time of booking and we’ll pass the information on to your leader.

You sure do. Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips if you’re travelling internationally. Your leader will take down your insurance details on the first day in case they are needed during the trip, so make sure to bring your policy documents.

Learn more about travel insurance.

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid