From lodge updates and rate changes to new openings and cultural experiences, we’ve rounded up the latest travel news from Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives. Consider this your quick, clear guide to what’s new, what’s changed, and what’s worth knowing when planning your guests’ journeys across the region.
LODGE UPDATES | TRAVEL UPDATES | WHAT TO DO | WHERE TO STAY | FURTHER READING
We’ve made a few key updates to our 2026 Lodge Rate Sheets:
Please ensure your systems and collateral reflect these updates. For the full rate sheet or further clarification, reach out to your regional sales manager.
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.
Designed to elevate the lodge’s existing year-round wellness offering, this seasonal wellness programme welcomes leading holistic practitioners to guide guests on a deeply personal journey of transformation through scheduled group and individual sessions.
Guests celebrating their next ‘milestone’ anniversary or birthday at &Beyond Punakha River Lodge will receive a 20% discount on their accommodation.
Stay for three nights or more at &Beyond Punakha River Lodge, and we’ll cover your guests’ Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), allowing them to become immersed in the wonders of this Himalayan kingdom without the added cost.
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.
Two major new airports are opening soon:
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) has expanded with new taxiways and parking. While overnight closures remain (01h00–06h00), more routes are being introduced — including new services to Colombo and Bangalore.
Sri Lanka
SriLankan Airlines is enhancing its long-haul offering with the addition of Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The airline plans increased frequency to London, Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Melbourne, and Sydney, while maintaining strong regional links to nine Indian cities.
Maldives
After nearly a decade of development, Malé’s Velana International Airport has opened its new international terminal — a transformative step forward in capacity and service. The new facility features 47 check-in counters, 20 immigration desks, 12 aerobridges, and space to accommodate up to seven million passengers annually. A full transfer of airline operations is expected by 26 October 2025. The terminal is located adjacent to the existing airport, with easy access to ferries, speedboats, and the polished seaplane terminal used by most luxury resorts.
Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum, Bumthang
Featured on TIME’s World’s Greatest Places of 2025, this is Bhutan’s oldest palace and the birthplace of the country’s first king. Now restored and reopened, it offers 27 gallery rooms filled with rare artefacts, manuscripts and interactive displays. The only modern addition is a serene café — a perfect spot to reflect after exploring the museum.
Ran Baas Palace, Patiala
Once one of Asia’s largest private residences, this palace has been transformed into a heritage hotel by The Park group, led by Priya Paul. Honoured in the Prix Versailles 2025 as one of the world’s most beautiful hotels, it currently offers 34 suites, two restaurants, a bar, and a spa. A second phase will introduce more suites and an expanded wellness centre. Centrally located within the old fort walls of Patiala, it’s also just steps from vibrant local bazaars.
Framji Dadabhoy Alpaiwalla Museum, Mumbai
Recently restored and reopened, this hidden gem showcases the rich heritage of India’s Parsi and Zoroastrian communities. The collection includes rare trade artefacts, a replica of the Cyrus Cylinder, cuneiform tablets, Chinese embroidery, and a faithful recreation of a Fire Temple — open to all. Entry is free; open Tuesday to Sunday.
Delhi’s art circuit
For culturally curious travellers, Delhi and the wider National Capital Region offer a dynamic art scene:
Coming soon…
The new Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), designed by Sir David Adjaye, is set to open in 2027 as India’s largest cultural centre.
Kathmandu Valley
Following post-earthquake restoration, Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur and outlying towns like Bungmati, Khokana, and Kirtipur now offer a cleaner, more walkable experience. Our &Beyond Nepal team is curating new journeys to reflect this fresh chapter — more updates to follow soon.
This 15-day expedition spans two kingdoms, each with its own rhythm and soul.
From Bhutan’s cliff-clinging Tiger’s Nest Monastery to Nepal’s serene Kathmandu Valley, the journey balances sacred tradition with moments of stillness in nature. A rare opportunity to experience the Himalayas not as borders, but as bridges between worlds.
This 13-day adventure brings India’s wild heart into focus.
Walk in the footsteps of Kipling’s tales as you search for tigers in Ranthambhore and Kanha, then witness the marble majesty of the Taj Mahal. A journey that blends untamed wilderness with cultural icons, it’s an exploration that awakens both awe and wonder.
This 19-day journey weaves together the cultural riches of three extraordinary kingdoms.
From Kathmandu’s timeless stupas and the sacred halls of Lhasa, to Bhutan’s emerald valleys crowned by monasteries, each step reveals a deeper connection to the spiritual heart of the Himalayas. Guests return not only with memories, but with perspectives that stay long after the journey ends.
Venture deep into the wild corners of India and Nepal on this 11-night adventure ideal for adventurous, wildlife-loving travellers. Track red pandas through cloud forests and rhododendron ridges, then descend to tiger-rich teak jungles for private safaris in Tadoba.
Taj Resort Phobjikha
A boutique 34-room sanctuary set on 1.4 hectares (3.5 acres) of pristine highland landscape in the Phobjikha Valley. Designed with traditional Bhutanese aesthetics in mind, the resort offers understated luxury, a serene spa, a fitness centre, and immersive local experiences, from visits to the revered Gangtey Monastery to black-necked crane sightings in winter.
Taj Paro Resort & Spa
Located just 14 km (8.5 mi) from the airport, this 45-room retreat blends Bhutanese charm with the Taj Group’s signature hospitality. Guests can enjoy sweeping views of the Paro Valley, refined dining, and holistic spa treatments drawing on local healing traditions.
Kalkudah Beach House by Teardrop Hotels
A newly restored five-bedroom villa on Sri Lanka’s east coast, now operated by Teardrop Hotels. This beachside property offers peaceful, fully serviced stays with airy interiors, antique touches, and a focus on sustainability. The à la carte menu, led by Chef Sumudu Kadawata, sources nearly all ingredients locally. Ideal for families and small groups, it’s a short drive from Passikudah Bay and the historic city of Batticaloa.
Cape Weligama by Resplendent Ceylon
Fresh from a major renovation, this 36-villa cliffside resort overlooks the Indian Ocean from Sri Lanka’s south-west coast. Located less than an hour from Galle and close to Mirissa, a key departure point for dolphin and whale watching, Cape Weligama is now open and welcoming guests.
At last, a definitive, up-to-date guide to Sri Lanka’s remarkable natural diversity. This single-volume reference is a must-have for nature-focused travellers, guides and consultants seeking to deepen their understanding of one of Asia’s most biodiverse destinations. While Sri Lanka’s human history is well documented, its flora and fauna are still being discovered. The island is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot, home to a remarkable number of endemic species, and this book captures more than 90% of them.
Covering everything from cloud forests and rainforests to mangroves, wetlands and marine ecosystems, the guide includes:
Recent discoveries include new species of freshwater fish, reptiles, crabs, amphibians, birds, and even a few mammals, making this a living landscape of scientific potential. Whether you’re planning a specialised itinerary or simply want to understand the magic behind Sri Lanka’s wild beauty, this guide makes an excellent resource.
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