Full Day Male' Walking Tour

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Highlights

Discover the Maldivian capital with a professional and experienced guide.
Get an insider’s view of the history and culture of the Maldives.
Visit key sites as well as off the beaten track points of interest.
Visit Villimale and learn about the unique Maldivian ecosystem and the conservation challenges faced.
Enjoy traditional evening tea.

Summary

Spend the day accompanied by your guide. Discover Male City through the eyes of a local, visiting the fish market, local market, President's Palace and Friday Mosque, as well as discovering a few points off the beaten track! Stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants overlooking the water front before taking the public ferry to Villimale’. Here join Save the Beach and discover the quieter side of city life by exploring the smaller island of Villimale’, located south west of Male. Wander the quiet streets, learn the names of local trees and learn more about the conservation work being carried out by Save The Beach. Before returning to Male’, sample traditional ‘hedika’ at a local café on the beach. Hedika is traditional sweet and savory snacks served with black tea and taken between 3.00 and 5.00pm.

Tour info

Duration

7 hours

Group Size

Pricing (From)

Adult: (12-99 years)

$95.00

Child: (6-11 years)

$47.00

Infant: (0-5 years)

$0.00

Commentary

English

Meeting Point

Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Malé, Male, MV

Why take this tour?

Spend the day exploring two of the capital islands with TripAdvisors' leading Hulhumale tour company. Your morning will be spent visiting key points of interest in the capital including the fish market, local market, Sultan Park, Presidents Palace, Friday Mosque with an optional museum visit as well as discovering a few points off the beaten track! Stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants overlooking the water front before taking the public ferry to Villimale’ to discover the quieter side of city life. Before returning to Male’, sample traditional ‘hedika’ at a local café on the beach.

Safety has always been important to our business, this is why our guides are Emergency First Responders & Life Guard Certified. We are now working on ensuring our tours will meet the criteria required in a post COVID world including but not limited to social distancing and sanitation.

Your tour starts with an overview of Male and the harbour area, a very important aspect of any island nation.

Passing by the oldest school in the city, learn about the education system and why the Maldives has a 98% literacy rate. Visit Hukuru Miskiiy - Old Friday Mosque and the tomb of Abu -al - Barakaath and learn why the Maldives converted to Islam and how the Islamic faith underpins everyday life.

Stop for a refreshing cup of traditional black tea at Royal Garden Café, a popular spot for locals. Housed in a rare example of a ‘ganduvaru’ a nobleman’s house, it provides a great example of traditional dark carved wood interiors.

Stopping at the November 3rd Memorial, hear the story of how 8 brave military servicemen died in the protection of their country from a terrorist attack in 1988. Wander through Sultan Park, a reference to the time the Maldives was governed by a sultanate with an optional visit to the National Museum. (Note: Entrance fee not included.)

Walking back towards the harbour area, pass by the Grand Friday Mosque and the Islamic Centre, Male's famous architectural landmark and onto Jumhooree Maiden - Independence Square. From here, learn the meaning of the Maldives national flag and pick out key government buildings.

Heading west along the harbour, visit the bustling fish market and the local market, where the sights, sounds and smells will fill your senses. Chat with the local stall holders and taste tropical produce and homemade sweets.

Your guide will provide a selection of lunch time restaurant options based on your tastes.

Following lunch jump into a taxi with your guide in order to reach the terminal where your ferry departs to Villimale from.

The island, once a resort and also a prison, was 'developed' to assist with the ever growing population of Male. It offers the ideal escape from the ever busy capital city. Wide, open streets, an abundance of greenery so unlike Male, two local beaches and peaceful almost tranquil atmosphere.

Stepping off the ferry in Villimale, you may not be stepping back in time but you will be able to understand and visualise how the city islands would have been prior to urban modernisation. A 60-minute walking tour of the island will allow you to understand and appreciate the local way of 'city' life and learn how the local community work together to protect their environment.

Sample 'hedika' local savoury snacks served with black tea and allow your taste buds to discover Maldivian flavors. Before returning to the 'big city,' we take time to sit back and relax in true Maldivian style and watch the sunset colours fill the sky.

What’s included?

Round-trip shared transfer from Male to Villimale
Local guide
Afternoon tea and snacks
Local taxes
Bottled water
Donation to Save the Beach NGO
Gratuities
Lunch

Things to know

Before you book

While participating in tours & activities provided by Secret Paradise Maldives social distancing must be practiced and face coverings worn at all times to reduce the risks of exposure to COVID-19. Secret Paradise has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, however, Secret Paradise cannot guarantee that its guest's, partners, or others will not become infected.
By joining the tour you knowingly and freely acknowledge all such risks related to illness and infectious diseases, such as COVID-19.
Guests agree to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and contact Secret Paradise by email if he/she experiences symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days after participating in a Secret Paradise tour or activity.

Before you go

Face Mask
Hand Sanitizer
Re-fillable water bottle
Insect repellent
Camera
Money for personal expenditures

Covid Policy

Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms

All our guide team are: * Have been trained on HPA (Maldives Health Protection Agency) How to Identify & Manage Suspected cases of COVID19 for Tourist Operations. * Emergency First Responder Certified * Level Three International Life Guard Certified. Our guides receive monthly PCR test. Guides will conduct a health screening questionnaire and check your temperature at time of meeting.

Cancellation Policy

Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Redemption information

• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
• A dress code is required to enter the grounds of the mosques. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
• For cruise passengers: If you have not already specified, you MUST advise supplier as soon as possible your Ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and departure time so that appropriate arrangements can be made

Tour departs within walking distance of the cruise port

Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 - 60 minutes prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation.

Hotel pickups in Greater Male' are an additional charge and commence.

We are unable to collect from resorts and local islands outside of the Greater Male' Area.

Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption

Operator Website

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About operator:

Traveling with Secret Paradise isn’t just about exploring the Maldives and enjoying the natural beauty, it’s about discovering authentic experiences and off-the-beaten-path locations that you didn’t even know were there to discover.

Secret Paradise guides enable you to connect with both Maldivian culture, local communities and the environment, going beyond the realms of a traditional Maldives holiday.

Based in the Maldives we ensure our sustainable actions are not just limited to our tours. Our team and our guests are involved with local NGOs – Nonprofit making organizations that are independent of the government and focus on environmental and social issues. We support coral planting and reef rehabilitation programs, the protection of seagrass, local island clean up events and plastic recycling to just name a few.

So if you are looking to discover the Maldives beyond the luxury resorts as the team at Secret Paradise say #letusguideyou.