Wander Women Maldives:
Cultural Extension Package
Malé, Maldives
March 17-19
Join us for a two day pre-retreat extension to Wander Women: Maldives. Immerse yourself in Maldivian culture before boarding our ship and immersing in total luxury!
For this pre-retreat package we’ve partnered with a female-owned and operated local tour company to create a warm welcome to the Maldives. Most tourists rush right through the nation’s capital, missing a unique opportunity to experience the history, culture, and daily pulse of this fascinating island nation.
We’ll take a guided tour of Malé’s mosques and brightly colored buildings, share a traditional Maldivian meal, and visit Save The Beach, a successful marine conservation project run by local conservationists who will brief us on the underwater world we’ll experience in the week ahead. Along the way, our local guides will give us the inside scoop on Islam, teach us a few words of Dhivehi, and answer all our questions about life in the Indian Ocean. This is a rare chance to authentically experience the heart of the nation, a stark contrast to the remote atolls we’ll visit later in the trip.
The Details
The Cultural Extension takes place immediately preceding Wander Women: Maldives over March 17-19th, 2021. The cost, including just about everything, starts at $850.
What’s Included
• Two nights accommodation at the Samann Grand
• Two breakfasts and two dinners
• Guided tour of Malé
• Guided Marine Conservation tour on Villimale
• All local transportation, including airport transfers
• Professional photos
What’s Not Included
• Alcohol, which is in fact banned in the capital — we’ll have a drink when we board our yacht!
• Meals not included in the itinerary
• Tips for our local guides
• Transport to and from Malé
• Mandatory travel insurance
The Itinerary
Subject to change, and expect surprises, but here’s the general idea.
Day 1: Welcome to Malé! Get settled in our centrally-located accommodation and relax after a long journey. If you arrive on an early flight, take advantage of an optional add-on of a day pass to a local rooftop pool — or indulge in an optional spa treatment! In the evening we’ll gather for dinner overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Day 2: Get ready for a whirlwind city tour. We’ll dive into the sights of one of the most densely populated cities in the world, including the authentic Fish Market, the former Sultan’s palace, the Tsunami Monument, and The Old Friday Mosque, the coral-carved oldest mosque in the country. Most restaurants in the Maldives serve international cuisine, so at night, we’ll experience the treat of a traditional Maldivian meal!
Day 3: Our island adventures begin. We’ll head off the beaten path and spend the morning on Malé’s neighboring island of Villimale, where the conservation organization Save The Beach will teach us about the unique Maldivian ecosystem and the conservation challenges facing this fragile environment, discuss the progress at their coral nursery, and teach us safe snorkeling and dive practices.
In the afternoon, we’ll be whisked to our private yacht to kick off our liveaboard, feeling adjusted to the local time zone and ready to relax and explore in luxury!
Where We’ll Stay and What We’ll Eat
We’ll stay at the Samann Grand, a stylish four star boutique hotel in the heart of Malé. Double rooms have two twin beds, while Single and more spacious Superior Single rooms have one queen bed. All rooms boast balconies where you can sip your morning coffee looking out at the Malé skyline! We’ll enjoy breakfast each morning in the hotel’s chic rooftop restaurant.
For meals, we’ll mix it up — our first night, we’ll toast to the start of a new adventure at a popular waterfront restaurant. The next, we’ll be treated to a traditional Maldivian meal similar to what you’d find locals enjoying in their own homes. For lunch, you’ll have your choice of local cafes where you can order as you please. While the Maldivian fare is limited by the remote nature of the islands and heavily fish-based, all diets can be accommodated with advance notice.
Join Us
Full payment is required upon booking. Don’t hesitate to email us at retreats@alexinwanderland.com with any and all questions regarding this extension!
Wander Women Maldives: Cultural Extension Package
$850.00 – $1,250.00
