Divali - India's Festival of Lights itinerary
Divali - India's Festival of Lights itinerary 1 - NORTH INDIA

Jodhpur's Umaid Bhawan Palace is the perfect hotel to enjoy Diwali in style and opulence.

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SINGAPORE The 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Logo Singapore (1)

Fireworks light up Marina Bay for the opening ceremony of Singapore's Youth Olympic Games.

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SINGAPORE 2010 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix Logo Singapore (1)

Visitors and locals alike come roaring to life during the Singapore's annual Singtel Grand Prix.

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SOUTH INDIA Snake Boat Race Every August Backwaters Kerala Logo Southindia

Head to the Kerala Backwaters in August to watch the lively annual Snake Boat Races.

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Sri Lanka - Perahera Festival Logo Srilanka

Visit during the spectacular Perahera Festival in Kandy, which comprises of ten nights of lively festivities, involving bejewelled elephants, street dancers and drummers.

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Sri Lanka - Perahera Festival (1) Logo Srilanka
Take in the Perahera Festival at the Temple of the Tooth, Sri Lanka's most holy Buddhist temple where it is said that Buddha's tooth is buried 7/20
SRI LANKA -Perahera Festival Logo Srilanka

Experience the Perahera Festival in July / August to witness a fiery procession of bejewelled elephants and traditional costumed dancers

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BHUTAN - Amankora Paro traditional Bhutanese dancing Logo Bhutan

Experience some of Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage with a cham, a traditional masked dance, at Amankora Paro.

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BHUTAN - Butter lamps Logo Bhutan

You’ll find rows of butter lamps a common sight in religious places and monasteries in Bhutan. Monks light a butter lamp every day to help focus the mind.

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BHUTAN - Festival  scene Logo Bhutan

Watch a religious dance take place, called a cham, in the courtyard of a Buddhist monastery during the annual Paro Teschu festival. Monks perform festival dances and act out dramas as a form of meditation to personify their deity. Masked and dressed in elaborate silk brocade costumes, dancers demonstrate the triumph of good over evil and the power of compassion.

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BHUTAN - King's Birthday Celebrations Punakha Logo Bhutan

The King’s Birthday is a national holiday in Bhutan and it is customary to dress in traditional clothing. The Bhutanese partake in parades and festivities including eating emadatse and drinking home-distilled spirits.

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BHUTAN - traditional clothing and mask Logo Bhutan

All Bhutanese are required to wear national dress everyday but at festivals, locals can be more creative with carved masks and unusual costumes that depict scenes from their rich cultural history.

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BHUTAN - Traditional dancer Logo Bhutan

Watch a traditional masked dancer at the annual Paro Tsechu, one of the most spectacular and deeply symbolic Buddhist festivals celebrated in Bhutan.

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BURMA - Bagan - Shwezigon Paya Logo Burma (1)

There are often offerings and blessings ceremonies with special costumes happening around the stunning gold-leafed circular stupa at the Shwedagon Pagoda. 

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BURMA - Yangon - Shwedagon Pagoda 2 Logo Burma (1)

Watch a holy procession snake its way through Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, one of Burma’s most sacred sites.

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BURMA New Moon Festivities Logo Burma (1)

The New Moon Festival is celebrated in Burma with traditional clothing, processions and offerings. If you’re lucky enough to witness a festival in Burma you’ll notice towns get very busy and the Burmese are in a playful mood!

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BURMA Yangon Shwedagon Pagoda Logo Burma (1)

Shwedagon is a beautiful, glittering gold 2,000 year old temple in Yangon. It is Burma's most sacred Buddhist site and draws in local people from within the city and afar. Yangon's early history is tied very closely to its magnificent Pagoda, where eight of Buddha's hairs are said to be enshrined. 

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CAMBODIA Monks Logo Cambodia (1)

Not just for honeymoons, Song Saa is able to put on exclusive and intimate weddings for its guests.

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INDONESIA Uma Ubud Procession 2 Logo Indonesia (1)

If you stay at uber-cool Uma Ubud, you can easily venture out to experience the local culture - here is a religious procession where traditional clothing is worn to take offerings to the temples.

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Client Testimonials

So many highlights to choose from! The hotels were amazing but Maya Villa was a highlight… I loved just hanging out in the hammock reading my book and watching the peacocks chase the cows!
- Krista Weir, Sri Lanka
Everything you did for us whilst we were away was hugely appreciated, and Ampersand has been exemplary in every way. I'll always recommend you!
- Mr Richard Stoughton, Sri Lanka
Getting to Amanpulo from Manila was very simple and the beach was the most beautiful I’d ever been on; pristine white sand, not a single piece of rubbish in sight. You get your own solar powered golf buggy to drive around resort (and a butler at request). The views from the Hillside Casita were spectacular!
- Mr Wyburd, Philippines
Without question, you put together the best trip I have ever taken. We were shown around like visiting dignitaries, the hotels were fantastic and the itinerary was just right. Everybody I know will hear about how amazing Ampersand is!
- Leslie Siben, 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
I thought the Ampersand team was outstanding. We couldn’t have hoped for anything more.
- Mr Geoffrey Johnson, India
Difficult to articulate just how good the service from you and your team really was. We know you will continue to do well and hope we have the chance to seek your assistance again before long.
- Mr & Mrs Manson, North India
Ampersand’s preparation, attention to detail and interaction before and during our trip show exactly why good travel agents have a role in today’s internet booking age. They were a delight to deal with!
- Mr David Wallace, North India
Ampersand provided a bespoke and flexible holiday, tailored to my every whim. Their highly professional staff had only one goal which was to arrange an exceptional holiday and some unforgettable experiences in India. I have no hesitation in fully recommending them and they will be the first company I approach in the future - 10/10
- Anonymous, India
I barely know where to begin... though a sincere 'thank you' would be the best. You have organised this trip perfectly. May was an inspiring and delightful companion in Myanmar – thoroughly professional and friendly at the same time. My accommodation throughout has been superb, especially The Governor's Residence and The Mandarin Oriental. The view from the cottage at Inle Lake was beautiful and I loved every moment of being there. And here I am now on the last leg of this extended holiday at my favourite place. I could stay here for ever, the peace, silence and surroundings all amazing, plus the people and the whole aura of Vana. Thank you for much, and I look forward to speaking to you on my return.
- Ms Margulies, Burma, India & Thailand
We really enjoyed the trip and were happy that we squeezed so much into a few short days. The Burmese people were lovely and the sites were fantastic. We really enjoyed the balloon ride and would highly suggest it to others in the future. The trip went super smoothly and a good time plus learning happened for all. Yangon was nice as the Strand was quite amazing and we of course loved the giant gold temple. Many thanks for all of your help and look forward to future travel with you.
- Wallace Family, Burma
Ballyfin was great - we loved it! Best things were the amount of space, it felt like you had the whole place to yourself, the history of the house, and the staff. We'd definitely recommend it. Thanks very much for all the help getting it booked!
- Mr Wyburd, Ireland
I would recommend Ampersand without any hesitation!!! The best travel agent that I’ve ever had. Everything – from the individual care and attention in planning the trip, through to the efficiency of the agents on the ground in India – was handled brilliantly. An absolutely first-class service all round!
- Matthew Annable, Rajasthan, India
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
I had a very lovely time and was looked after splendidly. My first visit to India could not have been better, save for being longer! But I shall return at some point and I shall look to you to make the arrangements.
- Matthew Nicklin, North India

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