Maldives cultural experience vacation
The affordable, authentic way to see the Maldives – staying on a local island in a small guesthouse, enjoying everyday life with lots of fun excursions, too.
Experience local island life Gulhi South Male Atoll Male City Tour ‘hedika’ small dishes meal Guided snorkelling Dinner with a local family Maldivian cooking class and cultural activities Optional diving, beach clean
Price
US $899 excluding flights
Description of Maldives cultural experience vacation
Price information
US $899 excluding flights
Price Per Person Includes:
3 Nights HB sharing double/twin room, Airport assistance & transfer by ferry, activities as per itinerary, Secret Paradise Tour Leader, Local Tax.
Departure information
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel guides
Visiting this gorgeous Indian Ocean archipelago can be about so much more than soaking up the sun in a luxury resort.
Providing you with a balance of rated, underrated and overrated things to do in Asia.
Vacation information
Dietary requirements:
We can cater for vegetarian and vegan diets.
Accessibility
Accessible tourism overview:
We are a team of can-do people, and we are able to customise our tours and experiences to ensure that anyone can make the most of our tour options.
We have welcomed a range of guests with different disabilities and ages and our guides are only too happy to help accommodate their needs. Our youngest guest has been 6 months old and our eldest guest has been in their 90s so the team are used to working with different age groups and adapting the tour and activities to be encompassing regardless of age, ability or experience. All we ask is that we are made aware of any specific requirements at the time of booking so that we can plan in advance.
Limited mobility:
We can offer ground floor accommodation options or properties with lifts and our activities can be adapted by our experienced and professional guiding team.
Wheelchair:
Guests with wheelchairs can be assisted to negotiate Male as well as most of the local islands we visit. We offer resorts where access around the property is on wooden board walks or paved pathways so there is no fear of wheels getting stuck in the sand. Some of our partner dive centers offer special days for locals with disabilities to try dive or snorkelling in safe and controlled conditions. If this is of interest then we maybe be able to accommodate this into your stay with us.
Cognitive conditions:
The people of the Maldives are naturally laid back and relaxed and you will find stays on local islands calm and peaceful. We select small family run properties and if you have specific requirements in regard to the activities included on our tours we are happy to tailor-make. We have a relationship with a local autism center which allows us to access accompanying support if necessary.
'Free from' food:
As you may expect from an island beach nation the Maldives imports over 90% of its food, discounting the abundance of tuna, chilli and fresh coconut that form part of our staple diet. We appreciate that our guests may have special dietary requirements and are used to dealing with allergies, intolerance and special requirements. Providing we know in advance either before or at the time of booking we will do our best to meet your dietary requirements or at the very least advise you on what alternatives will be on offer.
LGBT:
This trip ensures safe and welcoming travel for LGBTQ travelers. It allows everyone to enjoy and discover our island paradise.
Reviews
3 Reviews of Maldives cultural experience vacation
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 16 Dec 2024 by Nigel Hunt
Excellent trip from a company committed to environmentally friendly vacations Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Jan 2018 by Rosemary Chinchen
Our most memorable moment was being surrounded by a pod of around 300 spinner dolphins and seeing lots of fish while snorkelling. Sitting on a white sandy beach and walking out into the sea to snorkel in warm clear blue waters. Read full reviewResponsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) vacation so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your vacation to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
CARBON REDUCTIONWe are committed to reducing our environmental footprint while raising awareness of responsible travel. As a Travelife Partner certified company, we continuously measure and review our impact. We promote low-carbon activities such as public ferries, cycling, and walking tours, and we educate our supply chain through sustainability criteria, partnerships, and training. We are a Carbon Literate company certified by Carbon Literate Trust and our team undergoes climate literacy training, including the Tourism Cares Climate Justice Programme, to embed carbon awareness into our operations and guide practices.
ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
We actively support the protection and conservation of the Maldives’ delicate marine and island ecosystems. Our marine life education hub, conservation partnerships, and code of conduct for marine wildlife interactions encourage respectful snorkelling and diving. Our tours contribute directly to marine research and coral health through citizen science initiatives, beach clean-ups, and educational collaborations.
We support NGOs like Save the Beach Maldives, Maldives Resilient Reefs, MWSRP, and Olive Ridley Project, focusing on coral rehabilitation and protection of marine life, with donations made on tours where we engage with representatives of the NGO.
Guests receive pre-arrival resources and are guided on responsible snorkeling conduct, local threats, such as the introduction of invasive species (e.g., crown-of-thorns starfish), and how they can help mitigate spread through responsible behavior and awareness.
People
PEOPLEWe exclusively support and promote locally-owned guesthouses, restaurants, and community businesses. Our tours maximize local impact through community experiences, cultural exchange, handicraft visits, and the use of local guides and transport. We ensure our guests contribute directly to the Maldivian economy, with every tour designed to benefit the communities we visit.
EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
100% of our team is Maldivian, and we prioritise hiring from local communities, providing training and upskilling opportunities for our team. We comply with and exceed local labour standards, and as a female-led business, we foster a strong inclusivity ethos, promoting equal opportunities regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or background.
Our trips are LGBTQ+ friendly, and we actively create safe, welcoming experiences for all travelers.
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