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Event Tours

Some destinations are worth visiting any time of year. Others have one moment that changes everything. Browse our event tours below, each one timed around a phenomenon, festival, or ceremony that only happens once a year.

What
Where
When
02 AUG 2027
2027 Total Solar Eclipse Tunisia
ASTRONOMY

2027 Total Solar Eclipse Tunisia

Tunisia

Experience the 2027 Total Solar Eclipse from Tunisia, where the eclipse path passes across North Africa. This event offers travellers a chance to pair a dramatic astronomical moment with historic sites, desert scenery, and Tunisian culture. It works well as an event-led travel card for people interested in rare natural phenomena.

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02 AUG 2027
2027 Total Solar Eclipse Morocco
ASTRONOMY

2027 Total Solar Eclipse Morocco

Morocco

See the 2027 Total Solar Eclipse in Morocco as the eclipse path crosses North Africa. This event combines a remarkable skywatching moment with Morocco’s colourful cities, desert landscapes, and rich cultural atmosphere. It is ideal for travellers who want a special-interest journey with a memorable natural event at its centre.

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08 OCT - 10 OCT 2027
Wangdue Phodrang Tsechu
CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Wangdue Phodrang Tsechu

Bhutan

Wangdue Phodrang Tsechu is a traditional Bhutanese festival featuring religious rituals, masked dances, and community celebrations. It gives travellers a vivid look at Bhutan’s living Buddhist culture and the importance of festivals in local life. This event is a useful card for highlighting cultural travel experiences connected to Bhutan tours.

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10 OCT - 12 OCT 2027
Thimphu Tsechu
CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Thimphu Tsechu

Bhutan

Thimphu Tsechu is one of Bhutan’s major cultural festivals and is held in the capital city. The festival features masked dances, religious ceremonies, traditional dress, and a strong sense of national and spiritual identity. It is a strong event entry for travellers who want to experience Bhutan’s culture in a lively and memorable setting.

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What Is an Event Tour?

Timed Around What Matters

Standard tours visit a destination. Event tours arrive at exactly the right moment. Every date on our calendar is chosen because something extraordinary is happening, a festival, a celestial alignment, a seasonal natural event that only occurs once a year.

Small Groups, Genuine Access

Most of the world's great events are best experienced up close. Our groups of 6 to 16 people move with flexibility that larger tours cannot match, reaching inner courtyards, front-row ceremony positions, and remote dark-sky sites that coaches and crowds never reach.

Everything Handled

Festival permits, local guides with insider knowledge, accommodation chosen for proximity to the action, and ground transport that gets you there before the crowds. Flights are typically not included, but our team advises on the best connections for every departure.

Three Events Worth Planning Your Year Around

Paro Tsechu

Bhutan

When: March / April (lunar calendar)

Masked monks dance across a sacred courtyard as thousands of pilgrims circle the dzong. The giant thangka silk painting is unfurled at dawn, only once a year.

Why it matters: Festival access is tightly managed. Small groups reach inner courtyards that larger crowds cannot.

Perseid Meteor Shower

Wadi Rum, Jordan

When: Peak 11–13 August annually

Up to 100 shooting stars per hour streak across one of earth's darkest skies. Sleep in a Bedouin desert camp directly beneath the display.

Why it matters: Light pollution kills meteor showers. Wadi Rum is rated among the world's top dark sky destinations.

Abu Simbel Sun Festival

Egypt

When: 22 February and 22 October

Twice a year, sunrise light travels 65 metres into the inner sanctuary and illuminates the face of Ramesses II. It happens for just 20 minutes.

Why it matters: Only around 4,000 visitors attend each alignment. Tickets and logistics require advance planning.

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How an Event Tour Works

1

Choose Your Event

Browse our calendar by date, destination, or event type. Each tour page explains what makes that specific event worth travelling for, and what you will actually experience on the ground.

2

Reserve Your Place

Event tours have fixed dates and limited group sizes. Once you have chosen your tour, our team walks you through availability, inclusions, and any permits or specialist requirements. A deposit secures your spot.

3

We Handle the Rest

Logistics, local guides, accommodation, ground transport, and event access are all arranged. You arrive knowing exactly what to expect, and with room to be surprised by what you cannot plan for.

Why Travel to Events with Encounters Travel

We go beyond the guidebook to get you to the heart of extraordinary events, with expert local knowledge and seamless planning.

20+ years

Running specialist event and adventure tours

40+ countries

Event tours across six continents

6–16 people

Maximum group size on all event departures

“

Timing the Perseid tour to peak night was something I could not have organised independently. The dark sky in Wadi Rum was unlike anything I had seen, and the guide knew exactly which dunes to climb for the best view.

Solo traveller, Perseid Meteor Shower Jordan tour

Frequently Asked Questions About Event Tours

What is an event tour?
An event tour is a trip built around a specific, time-limited happening, a cultural festival, astronomical event, religious ceremony, or seasonal phenomenon. Rather than visiting a destination on any date, you time your journey to coincide with something that only happens once a year. Encounters designs small-group itineraries around these moments, handling logistics so you can focus on the experience.
How far in advance should I book an event tour?
For high-demand events like Bhutan's Tsechu festivals, Holi in India, or the Abu Simbel Sun Festival, we recommend booking 9–12 months in advance. These tours fill quickly because dates are fixed and group sizes are capped. For astronomy events like the Perseid meteor shower, 6 months ahead is typically sufficient, though earlier is always better.
Are event tours suitable for solo travellers?
Yes, the majority of our event tour travellers are solo adventurers. Our small-group format (typically 6–16 people) means you share the experience with like-minded travellers without the isolation of independent travel. Solo supplements are available on most tours, and we can advise on room-sharing options to reduce costs.
What types of events can I travel to with Encounters?
We cover four main categories: cultural and religious festivals (Tsechu in Bhutan, Holi in India), astronomy events (Perseid meteor shower, solar phenomena at Abu Simbel), food and nature festivals (Gangtey Mushroom Festival in Bhutan, Black-necked Crane Festival), and sporting events (Marathon des Sables in Morocco). Our event calendar spans 40+ countries.
What is included in an Encounters event tour?
Most tours include accommodation, ground transport, guided excursions, some meals, and, critically, access to the event itself, including any permits or tickets required. International flights are generally not included but our team can advise. Each tour page lists inclusions in full.
Can I attend Bhutan's Tsechu festivals as a tourist?
Yes. Bhutan's Tsechu festivals are open to visitors, though access to certain areas depends on timing and group size. Bhutan requires all international visitors to travel with a licensed operator and pay a daily Sustainable Development Fee. Encounters handles all Bhutanese visa arrangements and festival access as part of the tour.
When is Holi Festival in 2026 and 2027?
Holi falls on the full moon of the Hindu month of Phalguna. In 2026 it falls on 3 March, and in 2027 on 22 March. Our India festival tours are timed to put you in Rajasthan or Mathura, two of the most celebrated locations, for the main day of colour.
What is the Perseid meteor shower and where is the best place to watch it?
The Perseids are an annual meteor shower peaking each year around 11–13 August, producing up to 100 meteors per hour at peak. The best viewing requires dark skies away from city light pollution. Encounters runs a dedicated meteor shower tour to Wadi Rum in Jordan, one of the world's premier dark sky locations, with overnight camping under open desert skies.
Are there event tours suitable for families?
Several of our event tours work well for families with older children (12+). The Black-necked Crane Festival in Bhutan, Holi in India, and cultural festivals in Morocco are good starting points. We recommend contacting our team to discuss your specific situation, group composition, ages, and interests all shape which tour fits best.
What makes a small-group event tour better than going independently?
Logistics around major events are complex, permits sell out, transport is overloaded, and insider access matters. Our local guides know which vantage points to reach first, which local ceremonies are open to respectful visitors, and how to navigate crowds. You also share the experience with other passionate travellers, which amplifies it.

Traveler Reviews

4.7
Excellent
Based on 1,738 reviews
5
80.9%
4
12.6%
3
3%
2
2.2%
1
1.3%
92% of travelers recommend this tour
A
Andrea
Tour review
Apr 25, 2026
I love how this tour has a lot of free time cuz we get to see other places that wasn’t included on the tour package, but it’s totally fine. Our tour guide CheongAn is super nice, friendly, knowledgeable and so thoughtful!
M
Mypster
Egypt
Feb 01, 2026
We had such a fantastic vacation in Egypt! We couldn’t it have planned this ourselves - so many venues, all smoothly scheduled with all transfers arranged. There was always a guide to make sure things went well, and they did indeed make everything work. From the pyramids to Luxor and the new amazing Grand Egyptian Museum, we always had a knowledgeable local certified guide who added immensely to our understanding. The Nile cruise boat was excellent as well, comfortable and fun!
I had many questions prior to and after booking, and the company provided excellent communication and support. Highly recommend!!
a
ashleyblack1212
Egypt
Sep 01, 2025
My friend and I purchased the 'Egypt Express Tour' provided by Encounters Travel and I must say, it was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life! We were assigned an agent from the company by the name of 'Mariska Knoesen'. She was very professional, proficient, and answered all of my questions and concerns, via e-mail, in a timely fashion. Upon our arrival in Egypt, we were greeted by a friendly team from Encounters Travel, who were all fluent in English. They assisted us with getting Egyptian visas and made exiting the airport easy. In total, it ended up being 9 of us grouped together. Our main tour guide was a gentleman by the name of 'Ashrafbehairy', whom we all referred to as "Ash" for short. HE WAS AMAZING!! We could not have asked for a better tour guide for our trip. He was very humble, kind, and knowledgeable. He accompanied us from Cairo to Aswan and then to Luxor and back to Cairo, via train. We visited several attractions such as the Pyramids, Philae Temple, Edfu Temple, and the Valley of the Kings (just to name a few). While at each sight, Ash explained its history to us and was able to answer all questions. He assisted with translation (Arabic and English) when needed, got us snacks, provided water, and took me to the shop to get items I desperately needed (sunblock and aloe lol). He even gave everyone a souvenir keychain at the end of our trip. Most importantly, we all felt SAFE! There is so much more I could say about this trip, but I will end by saying that it was honestly a great experience! I highly recommend purchasing this tour from Encounters Travel.
I
Inspire15809026809
Bhutan
Aug 01, 2025
Encounters Travel, you did it again! We had an amazing and very memorable trip to Bhutan. It was very well organized. The tour company did a wonderful job. Our journey through Bhutan was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, the country's serene landscapes and deep-rooted culture wrapped us in a sense of peace and wonder. The hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery) was a breathtaking hike and an even more spiritual reward at the top. The view was surreal, and the monastery seemed to float on the cliffside. The trip leaves you with a calmer heart, a clearer mind, and memories that feel timeless!
K
Kim
Tour review
Jul 16, 2025
It was awhile ago that I took this tour but it was absolutely FANTASTIC! Wonderful guide and driver. He was AMAZING.. It was very well organized & I can’t say anything but great things about it.

Traveller Reviews

Read what travellers say about their experience

4.7
Excellent
Based on 1,738 reviews
5
80.9%
4
12.6%
3
3%
2
2.2%
1
1.3%
92% of travellers recommend this tour

Your event. Your year. Book before dates fill.

Every tour on this page runs once a year, with group sizes capped to protect the experience. Speak to our team to check availability and reserve your place.

Speak to Our Team Browse All Event Dates →