American World Traveler Spring 2018 Issue

21
Best
Cultural Festivals
in Asia
Summer 2018
Looking for the best time to visit Asia?
World Expeditions has selected three
of the most colorful festivals that are
sure to make your next trip an adventure of
a lifetime. Travel to Tibet for the Saga Dawa
festival, reach higher spheres during the
Hemis festival in Ladakh or celebrate the
biggest festival of the year in Mongolia, the
Naadam Festival attended by locals and
visitors alike.
Saga Dawa Festival | Tibet
Why? To pay homage to Mount Kailash
The sacred mountain has long been
regarded by Hindus and Buddhists as the
Mythical Mount Meru, the cosmic centre of
the universe from which all life flows.
Thousands of pilgrims will gather and pay
homage to the mountain by performing a
kora, or clockwise circumambulation
around the base of the mountain. People
from all over flock to Tibet to attend the festival
and attach their small prayer flags to
the new pole. It is believed that good
deeds and prayers are multiplied thousand-fold
during the event.
Want to join? Take the ‘Journey to Mount
Kailash’ departing Kathmandu on
May 17, 2018
Hemis Festival | India
What? Birth of Guru Rinpoche (or Lord
Padmasambhava)
Celebrated at the Hemis Monastery, located
in a gorge in the north-Indian province
of Ladakh, the festival is famous for the
masked dances that represent the good
prevailing over evil which is performed by
gompas that follow tantric traditions. The
festival is said to originate in the 8th
Century with activities including the offering
of food, playing of traditional music
(think cymbals, trumpets and drums), and
numerous spiritual ceremonial performances.
Joining the festival is believed to
give spiritual strength and good health.
Want to join? Experience the ‘Hidden
Valleys of Ladakh’ departing Delhi on
June 20, 2018 centered around the festival.
Naadam Festival | Mongolia
What? Three Games of Men Festival
Locally known as “The Three Games of
Men”, Mongolia’s Naadam Festival is an
ancient cultural spectacle that combines
colorful costumes and performances with
an exciting tournament of three traditional
sports: archery, wrestling and bareback
horse riding. The festival is held throughout
the country in midsummer, from July 11-
15. In capital Ulaanbaatar visitors are presented
with an incredible opportunity to
experience the culture and people of this
amazing land.
Want to join? There are several opportunities
to visit Mongolia for the Naadam
Festival including the epic ‘Trans-Siberian
Adventure’ departing Beijing on July 7,
2018.
World Expeditions crafts creative itineraries for
its travelers’ unique needs and style.
For detailed information, bookings, or tailored
private departures, visit:
worldexpeditions.com
American World Traveler Spring 2018