Introducing the Maldivian eco resort’s “Powered by Plants” package, for the environmentally conscious traveller.
With travel restrictions starting to ease, allowing us to dream a little more and get those long-haul butterflies fluttering in our stomachs, much-loved Maldivian eco-resort, Gili Lankanfushi has announced their new “Powered by Plants” package; a series of plant-based offerings and nature based experiences to continue to strive to reduce the resort’s impact on the planet and further facilitate responsible travellers in honouring their natural surroundings.
With most of Europe experiencing some form of lockdown over the last few months and the emerging environmental benefits of such, many of us are starting to consider travelling differently, in a better, sustainable fashion. Gili Lankanfushi, a resort with powerful eco-principles, has been flying the flag for sustainable travel for several years now: their buildings are constructed using sustainably sourced wood, bamboo, palm fronds, and recycled telegraph poles. They’ve their own organic garden where they grow much of the food consumed on the island. Their own team of resident marine biologists monitor the marine life and work with The Coral Lines Project, rehabilitating the reef by nursing coral on ropes and transplanting them to degraded reef areas. Sustainability and social conscience is at the heart of Gili Lankanfushi, and their new package will ensure you leave nothing but footprints behind.
Arriving at the resort, you will be settled into your villa with a selection of sweet vegan treats, feather and wool-free bedding, and a complimentary bottle of reef-safe Australian Gold Botanic sunscreen so you can take a dip in the crystal clear ocean safe in the knowledge that you are protecting the surrounding eco-system. Located in the languid waters of the North Malé Atoll, just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé , the resort’s 45 villas offer open-air living spaces, roof terraces, and private decks with direct access to the lagoon below. Its furnishings are inspired by the island and made by skilled craftsmen using upcycled materials and recycled wood. Did I also mention that you get your own Mr. Friday? Named after Robinson Crusoe’s loyal assistant and friend, your personal guest experience host and organise anything from setting up a bed under the stars to keeping little ones entertained, leaving you to soak up the peace and tranquillity of this very special island.
Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you will be treated to an abundance of colouful and balanced plant-based dishes, drawing inspiration from Maldivian culinary traditions and carefully crafted by Gili Lankanfushi’s executive chef Hari Govindaraj using organic herbs, vegetables, and fruits, lovingly grown in the resort’s very own organic garden without the use of harmful pesticides. Hari’s signature dishes include aloe and beetroot tartar with arugula, and seared radish and spinach cannelloni. 100% of the resort’s food waste is processed in an advanced rocket composter, producing natural fertiliser which will continue to nurture the island’s extensive organic garden.
Each of your blissful, nature based days will begin with intention as you enjoy a private vinyasa flow yoga class on the beach before accompanying a local marine biologist on a guided snorkelling session, learning about Gili Lankanfushi’s pioneering Coral Lines project which provides a nursery for corals to grow, bolstering the house reef and monitoring survival across coral genotypes. The island’s dedicated marine biology team monitor the health and biodiversity of the ecosystems, measure light intensity and sea temperature, whilst also identifying and tracking manta ray and turtle population, to educate guests about the underwater world via guided trips. They will also offer a new programme of additional lectures at their dedicated research centre, Gili Veshi.
For those eager to try their hand at a new skill to take home, there is the opportunity to learn plant-based tricks of the trade from Chef Hari in a private Vegan Gili Cooking Class where you will prepare Maldivian curries, juices and smoothies using fresh ingredients from the resort garden. Following the resort’s principles of low food miles and growing as much of your own food as possible, you’ll learn to cook in a way that can help you live a more responsible lifestyle while moving towards a zero food waste existence.
After a full day of good food and outdoor pursuits, you can retreat to the blissfully secluded Meera Spa and enjoy a holistic and healing treatment using cruelty-free vegan products such as Voya’s “Serenergise Oil” and “Feel the Heat” warming gel to rejuvenate the body. This holistic haven includes six over-water treatment rooms, an Ayurvedic Treatment Champa, steam and sauna rooms, and an open-air relaxation area offering breathtaking views. The seaside yoga and meditation champa, where you can salute the sun come dawn or dusk, lies not too far away.
If you’re looking to travel in a more environmentally-friendly fashion but don’t want to give up the little luxuries that make a trip to the Indian Ocean so undeniably special, Powered by Plants is the package for you. This is a resort with both conscience and heart, where you will be embraced by luxury without damaging the delicate eco-systems this part of the planet is known for. More than a beach break, this trip could well change the way you cook and live when you get back home. What a wonderful legacy to walk away with.
To book: “Powered by Plants” at Gili Lankanfushi starts at £3,416 per person for five night’s accommodation including all meals during your stay from Chef Hari’s plant-based menu, plant-based in-room amenities, a Gili Vegan Cookery Class, a private dinner under the stars, a 60-minute treatment of choice, a private vinyasa flow yoga class, a guided snorkel with a marine biologist, and domestic transfers. Bookings can be made direct at www.gili-lankanfushi.com
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