Conscious Journeys. Sustainable Maldives

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1 Sustainable Maldives

2 DESTINATION Hanimaadho island is located in the North and it is one of the most beautiful islands of Maldives: lush vegetation, long beaches and turquoise lagoon. It opens the door for an adventure and genuine gateway where to be spoiled with a true Maldivian warm hospitality. Hanimaadho is a quiet fishing village with lots of treeshade and swings. Fishing and agriculture is what most of the 2000 habitants of the island do for work. It is a typical island custom that everyone finish their work by late afternoon, take their daily shower or bath near their wells, dress the children in fresh clothes and go for a stroll in the island, visiting friends and relatives, delivering small bowls of fresh homemade curry or taking some time to relax at the beachside, watching the late afternoon sun while children play around the beach. Hanimaadho community services: school, mosque, health center, climate observatory, local village, police station, airport. ABOUT THE ITINERARY 8 Days The Maldives has changed over the years and the private luxury islands are no longer the only option! Now we are able to offer you an alternative accommodation for cost and eco-conscious travelers wishing to discover the traditional lifestyle and dive one of the world s most amazing underwater realms, without giving up to the quality and standard typical of Maldivian beach resorts. The eco-resort that we have selected follows the Ecotourism principles of uniting Sustainability and Conservation, involving the Local Community within its activities. The newly founded Hanimaadho Conservation Center carries out activities of environmental supervision thought and developed to reduce the impact on one hand, and contribute to the monitoring of biodiversity and to the Local Community economy, on the other one. Here you will have the chance to concretely contribute to the process, for example joining the conservation snorkeling within a monitoring framework. You can join the center activities to discover its daily marine research efforts to carry out programmes within the structure and get involved by the marine biologists in their scientific work. The staff don t simply watch dolphins and mantas, they monitor them with tourists help! Thanks these activities they are able to gather biologically-significant evidence showing short and long-term population dynamics and behaviors of these wonderful species. Travelling with us you will not only enjoy a pearl of the Indian Ocean but will concretely contribute to Conserve Maldives learning tons of biological and ecological facts on the wildlife that inhabits this environment. The resort is located within an almost pristine forest on the local island of Hanimaadho, in the preserved deep North of Maldives. This 4 star Eco resort is well connected to Male International airport by numerous daily 45 minute flights. The dense vegetation allows not only privacy, but the opportunity to experience untouched nature and the genuine, natural Maldives along with all the amenities expected from a charming accommodation option. A half mile private sandy beach and a turquoise lagoon frame the hotel inviting you to experience an authentic and relaxing holiday at outstanding value.

3 ACTIVITIES relax on the beach, equipped with straw covered umbrellas and loungers for sun bathing, discover the marine diversity with snorkeling tours, guided by the resident marine biologists, experience diving at the diving center, which guarantees the highest level of quality and professionalism, enjoy Kayaking tour sas to explore the Hanimaadho lagoon experience daily yoga session in the open air, surrounded by nature, join our dolphin monitoring boat expedition, discover deserted islands on a daily trip, discover local life with our environmental and cultural bicycle tours, unwind at the saltwater swimming pool, discover the environmental activities of the Conservation Center, experience the night fluoro snorkelling boat trip, pamper yourself at the Spa, where treatments are combined with a spiritual and meditative experience to achieve total wellbeing of body and mind.

4 SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Conscious Journeys The Eco-resort follows the principles of ecosustainability and conservation of the environment as well as the involvement of the local community within its activities. The resort has built its structure including important green aspects, including: - The use of ecologically grown wood, respecting the sustainability of the forest of origin. - The use of solar photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, limiting the use of diesel generators (widespread and impacting in the Maldives). - The demand of electricity not covered by the panels is provided by Hanimaadhoo power house, avoiding the establishment of a second diesel power house on the island. - The use of a system recovering the heat generated by air conditioners to heat the water of the rooms. - The opening of the water bottling plant by 1st November 2015 in order to reduce the use of plastic bottles and thereby the negative effects that plastic pollution has on the oceans and consequently on the whole planet. - The establishment of a Conservation Center. The Center has developed a series of responsible activities for tourists (such as snorkeling, dolphin watch, etc.), so that a double goal can be pursued: fun for the tourists and environmental monitoring. Our marine biologists takes advantage of the excursions to carry out several projects of environmental monitoring, in order to collect data on the ecosystem and monitor the impact of the Eco Hotel activities on the environment. These activities, developed in a context of monitoring and conservation, also have a strong positive effect on tourists, who rise greater environmental awareness and feel more involved in a global change of attitude towards the environment. The involvement of the local community is done in several ways, including: - The direct economic involvement of the community, through the contracting of people from Hanimaadho for many work positions within the Eco Hotel. - The dissemination of knowledge on the environment and culture of Maldives, especially of Hanimaadho, through specific activities for tourists (cultural guided cycling tours, escorted exploration of the forest). - All goods (including food) available on the island are purchased on site, in order to promote the local economy and reduce the carbon footprint due to transportation. - The development of specific environmental education programs in collaboration with the local school. - The development of a project of waste sorting within the Maldivian families of Hanimaadho, the very first step towards recycling. In addition to this, all the staff at resort works every day to improve the environmental and social situation of the island. Moreover, your contribution of 70 euros will support development projects in favour of one of the most marginalised tribal communities of India. Tribal communities are still at the margin of Indian society and for this reason two are the main projects financed: 1) to conserve biological and cultural diversity 2) to promote the formal education of children belonging to Kattunaickan community of the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

5 PROGRAM DETAILS Conscious Journeys DAY 1: Malé - Hanimaadho island Arrival at Malé international airport. Resort representative will meet you at the International airport and transfer to domestic airport for a flight to Hanimaadho Airport and then with car to the resort. Check in in the resort and take rest after the journey. DAY 2: Hanimaadho island After breakfast discover the beautiful atmosphere of the eco-resort. Discover all the facilities available such as the well equipped fitness center, the private beach, the saltwater swimming, the SPA, the Conservation Center and diving center. Take some time to plan or organize your week in the Maldives. DAY 3: Hanimaadho island - Coral House After breakfast join the resident marine biologist for a snorkeling trip to the coral house. You will have the chance to concretely contribute to the activities of the Coservation Center, while joining this conservation snorkeling within a monitoring framework. In this way you can join the activities of the center as to discover our daily marine research efforts to carry out programmes within the structure and get involved by the marine biologists in their scientific work. The Conservation Center has developed a series of responsible activities for tourists (such as snorkeling, dolphin watch, etc.), so that a double goal can be pursued: fun for the tourists and environmental monitoring. After the tour relax on the beach or explore on your own the activities of the resort. DAY 4: Hanimaadho island In the morning you start at the discovery of the cultural diversity of Hanimaadho island by bicycle. Hanimaadho island is authentic and locals warmly welcome all visitors. During this cycle tour you will discover the tradition and cultural of the people living in the island. You will have the chance also to get to know specific environmental education programs in collaboration with the local school. Rest of the day feel free to relax on the beach or go for snorkeling. DAY 5 / 7: Hanimaadho island Spend these days to explore the island, rest on the beach or snorkel. You can also join the dive center or the Spa if you wish to organize on your own any extra activities. DAY 8: Hanimaadho -Malé International airport Checkout and transfer to Malé International airport for your international flight.

6 TIPS BEFORE DEPARTURE Maldives, despite being a famous tourist destination, is a very orthodox and conservative state, therefore when outside the resort it is advised that you following carefully a code conduct which respects local culture to avoid any hassles or unwanted troubles along your journey. In particular, avoid to show affection in public places, such as hugging, kissing etc., as this behaviour is not appreciated by local people. Practical and informal summer clothes, without forgetting a sun hat, sun glasses, sun cream and rubber shoes. Dress code: both in daytime and in the evening, it is not permitted to enter the bar and restaurants in bathing suits or with wet clothes and guests are requested to always wear at least a T-shirt in these areas. In the evenings and after dinner, bermuda shorts and wraparound skirts are allowed. Guests are more than welcome to go barefooted anywhere on the hotel. Nudity is strictly forbidden. Maldives time zone is GMT/UTC +5, so chances of jet lag cannot be ignored. In order to make full use of the hours of sunlight the hotel is one (+1) hour ahead of Male Time. It is advised that you get onto Maldives time zone as soon as you leave home and try to eat and sleep on Maldivian time. Children are most welcome. Parents are kindly requested to look after their children avoiding situations which could spoil the tranquility and atmosphere which is typical of the resort. We also recommend to avoid situations and activities which may lead to dangerous consequences. Children, who must be at least 8 years old, can take part in the Padi bubble-maker courses, whereas children, who must be at least 10 years old, can take the junior open water diver license. It is absolutely forbidden to import underwater spear guns; sacred images or statuettes; pork meat or sausages; alcohol of any type; pornographic magazines; videos and DVDs (except for unused videos and DVDs still in their packaging). Nor is it allowed to bring in domestic animals of any kind. Very severe penalties are in force against the importation and use of drugs. It is strictly forbidden to export turtle shells, coral and shells not bought through legitimate commerce. In the interests of the environment, it is forbidden to break or walk on coral. The reef appears to be like a rock, but in reality it is a collection of millions of organisms: the touch of a fin for example may be sufficient to destroy many years of nature s work. Some species of coral can cause injuries like cuts and blisters. For your safety and the one of the reef, we would like to encourage you not to stand, walk or swim too close to the barrier. It is forbidden by Maldivian law to collect coral, shells or sand from the Maldivian waters. The government is very strict about it and ignorance might very well end up in cash penalties. Alcohol is not allowed in local islands. It is kindly requested that the guests bring back with them certain wastes such as empty tubes, used batteries, etc. that could damage the environment.! Conscious Journeys CONSCIOUS JOURNEYS PVT. LTD. 7/8 b, Bijoygarh, Kolkata, West Bengal, India info@consciousjourneys.it