Country(ies): Maldives
Tour type: Small Group
Group size: Min: 2 | Max: 8
Accommodation: Guesthouse/small hotel
Meals:
Transport: Minivan & speedboats
Highlights: Snorkel marine rich tropical waters, Learn how to make mashuni roshi, Discover mangroves, seagrass and lakes, Delve into the history and culture of the people, Make an impact. Complete a community beach clean.
This Maldives itinerary offers a wonderful blend of cultural immersion and natural exploration, taking you beyond the typical resort experience to discover authentic island life. Your adventure begins with an arrival at Hulhumale, providing a relaxed introduction to this tropical paradise with easy access to beaches, local cafes, and water sports.
The journey quickly delves into the heart of the Maldives, with a captivating Malé city tour where you'll explore historical sites like the Friday Mosque and vibrant local markets. From there, you'll transfer to Goidhoo Island, a culturally rich haven with ancient landmarks and unique freshwater lakes. This island also offers your first taste of Hedika, a delightful Maldivian afternoon tea tradition, and serene sunset swims. Throughout your stay, you'll embark on breathtaking underwater adventures with guided snorkelling tours around both Goidhoo and Fehendhoo, where you'll encounter a vibrant array of marine life, from colourful fish to turtles, sharks, and rays, with expert guidance for all experience levels.
Beyond the aquatic wonders, the itinerary thoughtfully incorporates unique cultural and environmental experiences. You'll have the chance to kayak through mangrove lakes, learning about their vital ecological role. You'll also explore Fehendhoo, an island steeped in history, known for its connection to the 17th-century castaway, Francois Pyrard. A truly immersive cultural experience awaits with a breakfast cooking class led by the Women's Development Committee, followed by an idyllic sandbank hopping adventure culminating in a Robinson Crusoe-style fish and coconut BBQ on an uninhabited island. You'll also gain insight into vital conservation efforts with a visit to a coral nursery and contribute to the community through an island clean-up, all rounded off by a charming cultural dinner under the stars. The trip concludes with a speedboat transfer back to Malé International Airport, with flexible options for onward travel or extended stays.
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Scheduled small-group departure dates are given below. The tour is also available for booking privately for travel anytime through the year, and we can also customise the itinerary to fit your personal requirements.
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The hotels and accommodations listed below are the ones we most often use on this tour. From time to time we may exchange these for similar properties at the same level. In general, specific hotels cannot be guaranteed on our group tours, but you may select your preferred options if you are booking a tailor-made trip.
Our tours are designed to include all that you need to enjoy a really special time in the destination youre visiting. However, we do also offer some extra options to complement the tour and add some additional sightseeing or activities, or some extra time at either end of the tour.
All accommodation based options (e.g. Single supplements, extra nights, cruise upgrades) should be booked and paid for in advance so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. Other options may either be booked and paid for in advance or while you are on the tour, though we recommend booking in advance to ensure there are no issues with availability.
Many options are priced the same throughout the year, but some may incur single or high season supplements - full details are given on the tour reservation form or on request.
The detailed Tour Notes below have been written to give you some more detailed information about how the tour runs, what to expect, and how to prepare for your holiday. We recommend downloading an up to date copy of these shortly before you travel in case of any changes.
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