Are you thinking of heading on a luxury group travel trip to experience different cultures worldwide? The great news is that you can travel to several places around the globe for culturally immersive experiences that will remain etched in your memory for a long while.
If you’re into cultural travel that will help you experience how locals live in different parts of the world and what makes their culture so meaningful to them, you can look into luxury travel companies that offer these culture-oriented global tours.
Here are some culturally immersive travel experiences you must enjoy across the world:
Attend the Durga Pooja in India
Durga Pooja is inarguably one of the biggest religious festivals celebrated in India. If you wish to witness the intoxicating fervour and devotion of Hindus to their deities, you have to head to Kolkata to see the celebration of the yearly visit of Durga from her home in the Himalayas. However, this festival isn’t merely religious; it’s an entire cultural phenomenon. It takes over the entirety of Kolkata for around ten days each autumn.
Each year, people from throughout the country clear their schedules, buy new clothes, devote their time to this festival, connect with their relatives, attend different Poojas in Kolkata, and partake in the grand celebration. You can connect with the locals, enjoy the festival food and witness the thousands of Durga pandals throughout the city.
Partake in a Traditional Tea Ceremony in Japan
Japan is known for the centre where modernity meets tradition, and you can visit many diverse luxury holiday destinations throughout the country. However, if you want a truly authentic look into Japanese culture and tradition, you must embrace its centuries-old practices.
A tea ceremony in Kyoto can help you do just that. A geisha can walk you through the varied components of this Japanese tradition and teach you the four distinct principles of the ceremony popularised by Sen no Rikyu, a famous Japanese great tea master in the 16th century.
The geisha will demonstrate the purification process, guide you through the whisking of the mocha powder and explain the significance of all rituals. This tea ceremony can help you get a deeper look into their attention to detail, a prominent aspect of Japanese culture.
Spend the Day at an Estancia Ranch in Argentina
Argentina is often known for its rural culture, cattle, gauchos, and more. If you want luxury adventure holidays, you can visit and work at a historic working ranch known as an estancia in Argentina. It will help you get a glimpse into the authentic rural life in the country. Many open ranches near Buenos Aires offer a full-day, immersive cultural experience known as a Dia de Campo, meaning, a day in the countryside.
You can enjoy wine and empanadas, savour a traditional asado (Argentinian barbecue), native horse taming, and horseback rides. You can also witness folkloric music, dancing, and brave gaucho games on horseback. Many of these ranches also offer bed and breakfast stays, so you can extend your experience if you want.
Celebrate Día de Muertos in Mexico
If you want to witness Mexican culture up close and personal, you have to visit the country during the Day of the Dead, or Día de Muertos in Spanish. It’s celebrated throughout the country, but some celebrations are more culturally immersive than others. Oaxaca City is one of the best places to celebrate and witness a culturally rich Día de Muertos.
The holiday is an essential part of Mexican culture with pre-Hispanic roots. It is celebrated to commemorate and remember the dead, whose spirits are believed to return to Earthside for this holiday. It’s celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, but many people arrive in the city beforehand to prepare for it. This holiday has lively parades, elaborate altars, numerous street parties, and an abundance of local food and cheer.
Spend a Day with the Maasai in Kenya
Even though Kenya is known for its wildlife and expansive savannah, it also has significant cultural pride and diversity. You can witness and experience this culture by spending some time with the Maasai, a Kenyan tribe with distinct traditions, lore, and lifestyle. The Maasai are semi-nomadic and spend their lives herding goats and cattle.
You can choose a Kenyan safari that offers you the opportunity to spend the day with the Maasai and visit their huts, schools, and cultural centres. Witness how the women cook food for the tribe, and how local ingredients are used in ancient healing techniques.
Paddle an Outrigger Canoe in Hawaii
If you want to experience Hawaiian culture, you have to paddle an outrigger canoe on its waters. Some of the earlier Polynesian outrigger canoes appeared in 200 AD and could carry 80 people along with animals, food, water supplies and more. You can stay at a hotel that offers an outrigger canoe ride. You can paddle the canoe along the south coast of Maui and witness the beautiful islands of Kahoolawe, Lanai, and Molokini.
You can also visit other countries throughout the world for culturally immersive experiences. Make sure to choose a travel company that can offer you authentic and luxurious holidays while ensuring your travelling does not harm the indigenous communities and landscapes in your chosen travel destination.