Travellers who choose to live their lives free from animal-based products can do just that at Gili Lankanfushi, the award-winning eco-resort in the Maldives’ North Male Atoll that pioneered the over-water villa concept when it opened 20 years ago. On arrival, guests opting for the resort’s new Powered by Plants package will find vegan treats, feather- and wool-free bedding and a bottle of reef-safe Australian gold botanic sunscreen awaiting them in their villa; and a selection of plant-based menus created by executive chef Hari Govindaraj available at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The all-natural experience begins with a private Vinyasa Flow yoga class on the beach, followed by a guided snorkelling trip with a marine biologist, who will introduce the resort’s Coral Lines Project that nurtures and monitors new coral growth; one of several ecological programmes undertaken at Gili Lankanfushi and its Gili Veshi research centre.
During their stay, chef Hari will share his culinary know-how during a vegan cooking class, in which guests will learn to make Maldivian curries, juices and smoothies using fresh ingredients from the resort’s organic garden. Cap it all off with a treatment at Meera Spa using cruelty-free vegan products and you have the ultimate plant-based escape. Prices from $4,285 for five nights.