As 2024 comes to an end, it brings us great joy to look back over the year and all the incredible journeys that have been enjoyed. Thank you for your ongoing support. It’s because of you—and your valued guests—that we can continue our vision to leave our world a better place. In our final Asia Travel Update, we’ve got some exciting new products lined up, some of our favourite destinations showcased, and a few unbelievable offers designed to make any adventure even more extraordinary.
Sri Lanka | Bhutan | &Beyond Punakha River Lodge | India | Nepal
Sri Lanka – A tropical island nation known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant biodiversity
Take advantage of this special offer and enjoy an unforgettable 13-night escape, combining luxury, adventure, and stunning natural beauty. This package is specially curated for two guests from USD 9,735 per person sharing, for travel from May to June 2025, and includes complimentary flights between Kathmandu and Colombo.
Immerse your guests in the magic of Sri Lanka’s vibrant literary festivals, a perfect beginning to the cultural calendar. From enchanting poetry readings to thought-provoking panel discussions, let us help to curate a range of unforgettable experiences your guests will love.
The HSBC Ceylon Literary and Art Festival aims to bring a creative freshness to the literary landscape of Sri Lanka and infuse new energy to complementary creative streams such as architecture, art, film, culinary and music. The festival will take place in two cities – Kandy (the ancient hill capital of Sri Lanka, rich in history and culture) and Colombo (the modern commercial capital enabling ideas and debates to reach two entirely different audiences).
Within the ancient walls of Galle Fort, stories do a roaring trade. Fact, fiction and all that falls in between: Galle Literary Festival invites diverse voices in poetry and prose to drop anchor in the south of Sri Lanka. From philosophy to identity, cricket to crime thrillers, the festival’s vibrant events programme champions topics to get the town talking. Like the lighthouse on the bastion, it is a beacon for the curious on the shores of the Indian Ocean.
The region throbs with a vibrant calendar of festivals, each a unique kaleidoscope of dance, tradition, and joy. From the electrifying energy of music festivals to the soul-stirring solemnity of religious celebrations, these events offer a window into the heart of Asia’s revered cultures.
From beautiful forests to well-preserved forts, see what bounty this small island nation has to offer. While this is primarily a cultural excursion, it wouldn’t be an &Beyond adventure without wildlife. Fortunately, Sri Lanka boasts excellent viewing of leopard, sloth bear and a pantheon of birds.
The walking trail takes guests through some of the finest mountain terrain and varied habitats in South Asia. Beginning in Kandy, the trail makes its way to Nuwara Eliya, passing through Haputale, Hatton and Ella. There are 22 stages, which can be done as short sections, or as part of a multi-day experience.
The Pekoe Trail Organisation was formed in April 2024 and supported by the EU and USAid. It is a purely local non-profit organisation that will manage, maintain and promote the trail – all while being financially self-sustaining. Pass through patches of old forest filled with bird song, walk through tea estates and visit the captive factories, walk beside the late 19th century railway line built to take processed tea down to the Colombo docks, rest at small Railway Halts built in the 1890s, and visit 17th and 18th century Kandyian temples in small villages off the beaten track.
Our &Beyond Colombo team can incorporate day hikes or a longer multiday hike with overnight halts at small boutique properties in the Hill Country. Contact Petra Ismail at our &Beyond Colombo office.
Gampola offers guests easy access to one of Sri Lanka’s most culturally rich and historically significant regions with numerous fabulously decorated temples from the 16th to 19th centuries. A short 40-minute drive from Kandy places guests in the heart of lush greenery and rolling hills, with panoramic views of the Ambuluwawa forest and its iconic tower. For those travelling from Colombo the journey is a scenic 115-km (71-mi) drive that takes approximately 3.5 hours. The train journey from Colombo to Gampola offers stunning views of the central highlands, tea plantations, and verdant landscapes. W15 Ambuluwawa Hotel offers three standard rooms, four deluxe rooms and one master suite.
The surrounding Ambuluwawa forest is noted for it rich biodiversity and the high number of endemics including plants, birds and amphibians. This small accessible forested mountain ridge encompasses much of what make Sri Lanka paradise.
Bhutan – A serene Himalayan kingdom known for its breathtaking landscapes, Gross National Happiness philosophy, and rich cultural heritage
The ‘Mindfulness City’
Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck ambitious project ‘Mindfulness City’, planned at Gelephu town in southern Bhutan near the border with India is underway. This will be a “transformative project” for the Himalayan nation. The ‘Mindfulness City’, expected to be built in an area larger than Singapore, was announced by His Majesty on Bhutan National Day, 17 December 2023. It is envisioned to serve as Bhutan’s new economic hub and gateway to tourists to the rest of the country.
Many hope the city will be ready in the next five to eight years. It is designed to attract business and people businesses by invitation only that share the values of Bhutan. and have the core value of mindfulness. There will be different streams, for instance education, technology, finance, healthcare, tourism. Construction of a new international airport and a dry port have already started, however, there is no set completion date for the project as it will depend on how “business developments progress.
Dubai-Paro-Dubai fights
Druk Air’s new twice weekly connection between Paro and Dubai is now operational. While Druk Air does not yet have an interline agreement with Emirates, guests transiting Dubai should use the Marhaba Services at the airport. Marhaba have counters in the transit areas and on presentation of the Druk Air ticket will be assisted to their onward flight to Bhutan. Druk Air have an arrangement with Marhaba and passengers will not be charged.
Nestled deep within the lush embrace of the Punakha Valley, gracefully poised along the banks of the Mo Chu River, discover our first-ever owned lodge in Asia and all its hidden wonders.
This recognition is a testament to the breathtaking beauty of Bhutan and its commitment to world-class hospitality and sustainability. As Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, eloquently remarked, this achievement highlights Bhutan’s harmony of tradition and modernity while respecting its incredible environment.
We’re proud to be part of this journey, offering exceptional experiences that reflect the true spirit of the Kingdom of Bhutan. This honour inspires us to continue celebrating the landscapes, culture, and values that make Bhutan a beacon of excellence in global travel.
Enveloped by emerald paddy fields and forested hillsides and tucked deep in the lush green Punakha Valley and bounder by a bank of the Mo Chu River, the &Beyond Punkaha River Lodge is earning awards and acclaim.
We love sharing in your guests’ special occasions, which is why we’ve designed a few incredible offers to ensure these precious moments are even more memorable when celebrated with us.
Guests celebrating their next ‘milestone’ anniversary or birthday at &Beyond Punakha River Lodge will receive a 20% discount on their accommodation.
Save 50% on one partner’s accommodation when guests stay at &Beyond Punakha River Lodge – an idyllic and spiritually enriching honeymoon destination nestled amidst the majestic Himalaya mountains.
Guests can celebrate their union in the last remaining Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan on an intimate and romantic 6-day escape uncovering magnificent mountain scenery, incredible architecture and fascinating culture.
India – A diverse and vibrant nation, celebrated for its rich history, cultural tapestry, and dynamic contrasts
11 April to 21 April 2025
02 May to 12 May 2025
16 May to 26 May 2025
The iconic trams of Calcutta began operating in 1873 and became synonymous with the city. Sadly after running for 151 years they will soon cease their journey. One route through the Maidan will remain operational for nostalgic reasons. For many the trams were the backbone of a great city’s transport network.
Udaipur: Arq by the Leela, a refined, luxury villa collection at The Leela Palace has opened along the tranquil shores of Lake Pichola. Designed as an ultimate retreat, the Palace within a Palace featuring three heated pools offers a truly immersive experience, ideal for celebrations and intimate gatherings. Each private palace is nestled in between the lake and the main palace, combining modern amenities with India’s enduring heritage.
Goa: The Amaranath is a new 12 suite property in south Goa that marries Goan charm with world-class facilities. This was once a family home and those touches survive with manicured grounds, impeccable rooms with an intriguing mix of artwork. It is a five-minute walk from Fatrade beach. The spa is run by HVN a Knightsbridge (London) wellness destination, the menus have been created by Ritu Dalmia, and despite its small number of rooms, it has a stunning bar.
The fabulous Jaipur shop NILA has celebrated it fifth birthday opening a second atelier in Jodhpur. Located in The Corner House beside the ancient Toorj Ka Jhalra stepwell, near RASS in Makarana Mohalla the blue city now has an outlet for their exquisite indigo dyed handloom fabrics. These come from an initiative that connects heritage crafts, creativity and community.
Explore India’s rich cultural tapestry through its vibrant museums and captivating exhibitions, where history and art come alive.
A new gallery has opened in New Delhi’s Grafts Museum with more than 160 textile items on display. Drawing on the museum’s collection of over 2,500 pieces the exhibits are a portrayal of India’s diversity and skills. A centre-piece of kantha embroidery from Bengal dates to the early 1800s and uses cotton threads from even older discarded saris. Some of the articles may be centuries old but they demonstrate the living traditions from across India. Naga shawls from the northeast, batik work from Bengal, phulkari embroidery from Punjab, mirror embroidery from Gujarat, jamdanis from Andhra Pradesh, tie-and-die odhanis from Gujarat are a few of the items displayed. The museum plans to have occasional exhibitions within the gallery as well.
A new educational museum that is part of the Science Gallery International Network pioneered by Trinity College, Dublin, recently opened in Bangalore. Aimed at 16 – 28 year olds, young minds can look forward to exhibitions highlighting citizen science projects with NCF on bird habitats in the city as well as the development of Bangalore in maps. The planetarium projector showcasing stars and planets, the electron microscope showing a cross-section of a zebra fish’s brain, and an explanation of how fruit flies share 70% of a humans DNA can also be enjoyed. The museum is located on the Bellary Road that links the international airport with the city, and is about a 30-minute drive from the airport.
The Kochi Muziris Biennale 2024-2025 is a biennial international contemporary art exhibition that runs for four months on the island of Fort Kochi in Kerala. It begins on 12 December 2024 and run through to 29 April 2025. It is always an immersive experience with modern art forms from Indian and International artists portrayed through various mediums like contemporary art paintings, sculptures, installations and more. This edition will see works of over 90 artists with over 45 new commissions from more than 25 countries. The central exhibitions will be at Aspinwall House, Pepper House and Anand Warehouse will showcase art “embodying the joy of experiencing practices of divergent sensibilities, under conditions both joyful and grim…” as envisioned by the curator.
Nepal – A breathtaking Himalayan nation, renowned for its majestic peaks, spiritual heritage, and warm hospitality
Anguiculus dicaprioi is a member of the Colubridae, the largest family of snakes on the planet with 304 genera and 1,938 species. They account for almost two-thirds of all living snakes in the world. Scientists added the specific epithet “dicaprioi” as a patronym honouring Leonardo DiCaprio, an American actor, film producer, and environmentalist, who has been actively involved in creating awareness about global climate change, increased biodiversity loss, and more specifically conservation issues in the Nepalese terai region. In addition to this, he has made funds available for field conservation activities and research. The suggested common name is DiCaprio’s Himalayan snake.
The snake can be found in Chamba, Kullu and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, Nainital in Uttarakhand and Chitwan National Park in Nepal.
View our latest WILDwatch snow leopard sightings to inspire their next South Asia adventure.
The Mountain Mammals of The World is a comprehensive account of some of the world’s most interesting animals found in the most spectacular and often daunting landscapes. The Indian subcontinent incorporating the Himalaya, parts of the Karakoram and the Tibetan Plateau, and all but one of the world’s peaks over 8,000 m (26,247 ft), stretches east to include the tropical forests of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. These animals are unparallelled in their variety, diversity, size and splendour.
The Himalaya has by far the largest number of mountain mammals despite being one of the world’s shorted mountain ranges at about 2,500 km (1,553 mi). This richness is because it encompasses the Trans-Himalayan (Tibetan Plateau), the main range, and southern slopes of the Himalaya that receive the monsoon, and links to the Indo-Malayan and Indo-Chinese Oriental fauna in the east. Very few rivers cut through the Himalaya but the Sutlej in Himachal Pradesh and the Arun in eastern Nepal are faunal barriers with species found on one side but not the other.
Dr Ranjitsinh is an extraordinary individual and encyclopedia. He was a member of the Indian Administrative Service who retired as Secretary of the Govt of India. Much of his career was spent documenting and protecting India’s natural heritage. In 1972 he drafted and steered the Indian Wildlife Protection Act into law. He was also Secretary to the committee that established Project Tiger in 1973. During his long career he has been responsible for protecting over 100 sites as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries or reserves. This is his magnus opus.
The Lily and The Lion: The Rise and Fall of Awadh looks at the growth of Lucknow into a major cultural and political centre in the 19th and early 19th century. It is full of extraordinary characters. Mughal satraps, obese Nawabs, gorgeous begums, and French mercenaries who quickly became traders are all celebrated in fabulous portraits by Zoffany and others (just look at what is now hidden in Kolkata’s Victoria Memorial).
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