East is far east

Luxury tour operator Ampersand Travel has announced the expansion of its portfolio into South East Asia and a new helicopter tour in the Himalayas. After five years of specialising in luxury travel on the Indian Subcontinent, Ampersand adds Thailand and Indo-China to its portfolio in late June.

“Our experts are out there now,” says managing director James Jayasundera.

“And we are so impressed by the sheer beauty of these countries, the sophistication of their hotels and the extraordinary levels of luxury they achieve. We’re focusing on hotels with great fitness and wellbeing facilities and fabulous pools – so you come back feeling even better than when you left”.

A two-week trip to Vietnam & Cambodia will start from £2980 (two sharing), including 12 nights’ hotel accommodation, private guides and international and internal flights.

High fliers’ Nepal

Time was when you had to walk for days to reach Everest. Now you can marvel at (and take incredible pictures of) the world’s highest mountain and several other 8000-metre-plus peaks on Ampersand’s new helicopter tour of Nepal. The week-long trip includes close-up heli-tours of the Everest and Annapurna regions and dinner at the famous mountaineers’ restaurant Rumdoodles, as well as sightseeing in Kathmandu and Patan.

From £5,850 person (two sharing), including international flights with Jet Airways, helicopter tours, domestic flights and transfers, guides and full board accommodation.

Wild times in Bhutan

You can’t beat Bhutan in the monsoon – from now until late September - when thunder rolls around the mountain tops and the rivers race with water. Spend a week freewheeling down from the high passes into the valleys on mountain bikes, rafting down the frothing Mo River and trekking up to the stunning Takstang Monastery. Afterwards sink into the laid-back luxury of Uma Paro, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful hotels, with its superb COMO Shambala Spa.

From £3,800 per person (two sharing), including 7 nights’ full board, return flights with British Airways, domestic flights, transfers, all activities, equipment and guides. Spa treatments extra.

For more information and bookings, visit Ampersandtravel.com.