Ampersand's Travels...

Welcome to Ampersand's travel blog. This is where you'll find out all the latest goings on from our travels across Asia, the Far East, and Southern Africa.

Our motto is that luxury is in the experience: watching tigers padding through the Kanha jungle in the company of an expert guide; camping out under the Ladakh stars wrapped in cashmere blankets; exploring the art galleries and fine dining restaurants in Cape Town... these are the things we adore.

All over Asia and Southern Africa – from Bhutan to Bali, Cape Town to Victoria Falls – we know the most charming privately-owned hotels, the best secret beaches, the prettiest temples, and the most exclusive safari trails in the untouched wilderness. Our Little Black Book contains the best textile buffs, the keenest foodies, the wittiest maharajas, the most expert guides and the loveliest spots to drink champagne in the moonlight.

But what we love most of all is revealing these treasures to our clients. In our blog we hope to inspire and inform you by providing the latest travel news, hotel openings and luxury holiday ideas across Asia, the Far East, and Southern Africa.

Asia’s Wild Wonders: Top Wildlife Itineraries

Asia’s Wild Wonders: Top Wildlife Itineraries

As the largest continent on Earth, Asia spans nearly a third of the planet's landmass, and is therefore home to an incredible range of natural wonders and biodiversity. To help plan your next luxury Asia wildlife itinerary, we’ve shared a summary of our tried and tested Asia wildlife itineraries.

2020: Hottest New Hotel Openings

2020: Hottest New Hotel Openings

2020 is poised to be a year of new beginnings. Not perhaps since the Millennium, has the turning of a calendar year seemed so notable. The constellation of hotels set to burst onto the wanderlust

15 Dream Honeymoon Spots in Asia (Romance Guaranteed...!)

15 Dream Honeymoon Spots in Asia (Romance Guaranteed...!)

Asia has an abundance of heart-stirring destinations and extraordinary experiences. From swimming in the gin-clear waters of Indonesia to discovering the majestic forts and palaces of Rajasthan, we have picked out the most dazzlingly romantic travel ideas for you and your loved one…

Beautiful Bhutan: A Himalayan Kingdom

Beautiful Bhutan: A Himalayan Kingdom

Ellie has just returned from beautiful Bhutan, the Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern fringes. She spent a week gallivanting and exploring the very best this breath-taking county has to offer; from monasteries and fortresses, to dzongs and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys. Here are her top highlights in a photoblog of her journey…

A mini-guide to Bhutan – Land of the Thunder Dragon

A mini-guide to Bhutan – Land of the Thunder Dragon

The mountain paradise of Bhutan, known as ‘the happiest kingdom on earth’ has always been a frontier land promising a unique adventure to any traveller. Land-locked between the goliaths of India and China, Bhutan is a diminutive treasure box of alpine scenery with pristine landscapes, intriguing architecture and perhaps its greatest asset – the gentle and gracious people...

Do things differently with Ampersand Travel

At Ampersand we don’t do cookie cutter tours. Each and every trip is tailor-made to provide our clients with a mixture of the best-of-the-best luxury accommodation (mixed in with a few charming

Bhutan: A Photographic Journey with Basil Pao * 11 – 20 February 2014 * Limited Availability

We have just heard of a very exciting opportunity for those interested in photography, luxury lodges and soul-stirring Himalayan landscapes…Amankora in Bhutan have teamed up with celebrated

Ampersand’s 7 Wonders of the Asian world

Ampersand’s 7 Wonders of the Asian world

As the much admired Indian independence hero Nehru once said, “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek

Ampersand's top 5 breathtaking holidays in Asia

Ampersand's MD, James Jayasundera, dips into his knowledge of Asia to find five breathtaking trips for Square Mile magazine1. Best for adventurous culture-vultures: Jodhpur, IndiaWant a dose of

Inspirational Bhutan

To celebrate the opening of the Uma Punakha by COMO Hotels on the 15th September 2012, Ampersand have a brand new Bhutan itinerary, Beyond the Sky. Combine a stay at this fabulous new luxury resort


Client Testimonials

We have just returned back from a wonderful trip. Thank you very much for organising everything. The transfer was excellent – for once they had perfect car seats. The villa was lovely, just what we needed and the hotel had helpfully put us as far away as possible from everyone else. The breakfast buffet was the best I have ever seen – and I am slightly obsessive over breakfast!! There was an incredible choice, something for everyone and so beautifully presented. A real highlight of the trip. Thank you again for sorting everything - and at such short notice!
- Redmayne family, Phuket
Difficult to choose the highlight of the trip, can’t choose between… 1) Taj Mahal & Oberoi Amarvilas. 2) Ranthambore. 3) Lake Palace. We have to say a particular thank you for selecting Parmod as our driver. He is a delightful and kind man who took our holiday and our enjoyment as his responsibility. Thank you for putting together such an amazing trip for us. The balance of city and rural destinations was perfect for us and the variety of rooms and hotel types brilliant. Our driver and guides also added so much to the trip with their knowledge of India’s history and culture and their willingness to discuss it both from a professional and personal angle.
- Carruthers family, North India
We had a wonderful holiday - everything was perfect. Thank you for helping us to make a thoughtful plan to enjoy and make most out of our trip. The places we visited, the guides, the transportation and driver, the hotels selected... Everything was great!
- Jaime Benitez, South India

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