Secret Paradise WELCOME to the MALDIVES
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1 | Secret Paradise WELCOME TO THE MALDIVES The archipelago of the Maldives located 300 miles southwest of the southern tip of India and 450 miles west of Sri Lanka, is a string of 1,190 low lying coral islands nestled north to south in the vast expanse that is the Indian Ocean. Coconut palm fringed islands, sparkling white beaches, tranquil lagoons, turquoise blue waters filled with an abundance of marine life all combine to form breath taking beauty that will stay with you long after you return home. Visit the Maldives and you truly visit a tropical paradise. The 14th Century Moroccan traveller, Ibn Battuta, described the Maldives as ‘one of the wonders of the world’. This natural beauty together with the friendliness and warmth exuded by traditional Maldivian hospitality has made the Maldives the ultimate destination for sun lovers, beach wanderers, snorkelers, SCUBA divers, surfers and for those who just seek peace in the pleasure of doing nothing! Until recently, the Maldives experience has been restricted to an exclusive – in more ways than one – resort lifestyle. However, recent changes in local laws has permitted tourists to stay on all islands, allowing travellers the opportunity to experience the real Maldives everywhere in the archipelago and at a less than exclusive price. The Maldives now demands the attention not only of those looking for an indulgent break or exceptional snorkeling and dive locations but of those who are looking for adventure and discovery and the opportunity to experience the tradition and culture of living alongside a local. Secret Paradise | 2 INTRODUCING SECRET PARADISE Secret Paradise is committed to providing affordable Maldives holiday options. We believe the idyllic white beaches, turquoise lagoons, clear warm waters and coral reefs abundant with marine flora and fauna should be available to everyone regardless of budget. We offer what most operators in the Maldives don’t - Local Island Adventure, Discovery Cruises, and Local Island SCUBA Diving, as well as the options that the Maldives is famous for – Resorts and Liveaboards. Whichever your preferred option you can expect holidays that are affordable, fun and provide comfort along with a warm welcome allowing you, our guest, to experience the best from the paradise we call home. 3 | Secret Paradise LOCAL ISLAND ADVENTURE Secret Paradise local island adventure packages combine local island life with watersport activities, excursions and relaxation. Travelling by public ferry between local islands in North and South Male Atoll, travellers will be able to share breakfast and dinner with a local family; participate in traditional Maldivian singing and dancing; join in with a lesson at the local school and learn how a boat is built at the local boat yard. Other activities more commonly associated with the Maldives include discovering the abundance of marine life through snorkeling or SCUBA diving; windsurfing; surfing; sunset dolphin cruises; beach BBQs and fishing. We have also taken into account the restriction of the consumption of alcohol and the wearing of bikinis on local islands and ensure guests benefit from excursions to picnic islands and resorts where the laws do not apply. So if you feel like it is time to sit in the shade of a palm tree, slip off your shoes and adventure Maldivian style contact the Secret Paradise team at [email protected] or check out the website www.secretparadise.mv Secret Paradise | 4 SHORT STAY ADVENTURES For travellers who still wish to experience resort life in the Maldives or are planning a trip to Sri Lanka, our 3 & 4 day local island adventures offer an excellent way to combine both styles of holiday, particularly as all packages start and finish at Male International Airport and should a package not entirely suit the team at Secret Paradise are able to customize. THREE DAY ESCAPE 4 DAY DISCOVERY DAY ONE: DAY ONE: Arrive Male International Airport and transfer by local ferry to your Arrive Male International Airport and transfer by local ferry to your guesthouse on the local island of Maafushi, South Male Atoll. guesthouse on the local island of Maafushi, South Male Atoll. Meals – Dinner Meals – Dinner DAY TWO: DAY TWO: Local Breakfast, Local Island Tour, Sandbank picnic lunch, Local Breakfast, Local Island Tour, Sandbank picnic lunch, Cultural Dinner Cultural Dinner Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY THREE: DAY THREE: Transfer by early morning local ferry to Male where accompanied Half day snorkeling excursion, Dolphin and sunset cruise, Local by a guide you can discover the history of the capital city. family dinner Meals – Breakfast Meals – Breakfast, Dinner DAY FOUR: Transfer by early morning local ferry to Male where accompanied by a guide you can discover the history of the capital city. Meals – Breakfast PRICES FROM $349 PER PERSON Please check our website for departure dates and up to date pricing and offers. 5 | Secret Paradise LOCAL ISLAND HOPPING 8 DAYS Travel on a Secret Paradise’s local island adventure to discover culture and tradition, deserted islands, beautiful sunsets and the beauty of the underwater world. Enjoy the hospitality of the Maldivian people whilst experiencing those things the Maldives is renowned for; diving, snorkeling, sunset safaris and relaxation. Staying in local island guesthouses the accommodation on this tour is designed to provide a balance of comfort, local atmosphere and value for money. These are not luxury properties, but are clean, comfortable, have friendly staff, and provide some excellent local food. DAY ONE: Arrive in Male Upon arrival at Male International Airport you will be greeted and transferred to your guesthouse on Hulhumale. Settle in after your flight before taking your first steps on the sands of this tropical paradise. DAY TWO: Male Tour, public ferry to Guraidhoo This morning your guide will accompany you on a tour of the capital city before transferring by local ferry to the local island of Guraidhoo, South Male. Upon arrival you will have time to settle in before either relaxing on the beach or on the terrace of your guesthouse to watch the sun go down, followed by dinner freshly cooked at the guesthouse. Meals – Breakfast, Dinner Secret Paradise | 6 DAY SIX: Free time. Sunset Dhoni trip with evening fishing Today is yours to enjoy as you please, relax on the beach or for those feeling energetic participate in the various optional watersport activities on offer. Optional diving trips can be organised for certified divers. Just before sunset you will board a traditional Maldivian fishing dhoni in order to cruise the Indian Ocean and weather providing enjoy a Maldivian sunset with the possibility to catch a glimpse of schools of dolphins. You can also try your hand at fishing Maldivian style. The Maldives is unique in that DAY THREE: Breakfast with local family, its history depends on tuna fishing and the locals Guraidhoo tour, sandbank visit with dinner are excellent fishermen using pole and line and are Breakfast this morning is taken with a local family happy to share their line fishing skills with you. Your allowing you true access to Maldivian local life before catch will be freshly prepared for you to enjoy as a exploring Guraidhoo with the opportunity to learn about BBQ dinner. the local way of life including a visit to the Mosque, Meals – Breakfast, Dinner perhaps participate in a lesson at the school and at the boatyard learn how the common wooden boat known DAY SEVEN : Free time locally as a ‘dhoni’ is built. Following breakfast served at the guesthouse today The afternoon is at your leisure before being taken to a is a day of relaxation on the beach. In the afternoon, deserted sandbank where you will be able to swim and visit a local cafe to sample traditional ‘hedika’ - snorkel before enjoying dinner served Robinson Crusoe Maldivian savoury and sweet short eats served with style! black tea. Meals – Breakfast, Dinner Meals – Breakfast DAY FOUR: Picnic Island, BBQ lunch, dinner with local family Your day is spent on an uninhabited picnic island where you have the opportunity to swim, snorkel or just lie back and relax before enjoying a BBQ lunch and then more of the same! Dinner this evening is spent with a local family just don’t expect silver service as traditionally meals are eaten without the aid of a knife and fork! Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY FIVE: Transfer to Maafushi, Snorkeling half day boat trip, Free time, Bodu Beru dinner DAY EIGHT: Transfer to Male airport for Transfer by local ferry to the local island of Maafushi departure before a half day snorkeling excursion takes you to After breakfast you are transferred back to Male by some of the best reefs to discover this underwater world public ferry and on to Male airport where the tour for yourself. ends. Following an afternoon at your leisure dinner will be a Meals – Breakfast selection of local dishes accompanied by traditional dancing and the beat of the ‘bodu beru’. PRICES FROM $749 PER PERSON Meals – Breakfast, Dinner Please check our website for departure dates and up to date pricing and offers. 7 | Secret Paradise DISCOVERY CRUISES Our vessels differ in their design; size and services offered but all provide a truly magical experience. The crew familiar with the local waters will navigate you through the beautiful reefs and channels of the Maldives. Awake to the sun rising over the azure ocean, snorkel areas that are famous throughout the world for their stunning beauty and abundance of marine life, surf waves that will accommodate every level of experience, visit unspoiled islands and sample the local way of life and by night relax on deck gazing at the millions of stars above you. DAY ONE: Board Safari, cruising Upon arrival at Male International Airport you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your safari dhoni; home for the next 7 days.