Continuation from - https://mybudgettrips1.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-last-trip-before-covid-crisis.html
Hello Travel mates,
Welcome to my blog, I am Aniket and today i am going to tell you about preparation, how i steal the cheap flight & hotels deal and how to reach Maldive by cheapest way.
Just i mention in previous blog Maldive is just name enough to dreaming about the place. From many years i am actual dreaming for go there and enjoy the each moment. But always whenever i see for any package from travel companies for Maldive i thought every time my dream will be dream forever.
First time i planed to go Maldives in 2017 but i never travel overseas and i thought that Maldive is not a place for solo or travel with friends. So i skip the same and travel to Thailand, Malaysia & Indonesia in that 2 years of period. & last year after getting the Marriage Maldives again comes in front of my eyes and that time i decided that i would go to Maldive this year.
After successfully grab the lowest flight, next major expenses is accommodation. Maldive is island country and well known for ultra luxurious resorts you can book per night stay in lakhs.
Hello Travel mates,
Welcome to my blog, I am Aniket and today i am going to tell you about preparation, how i steal the cheap flight & hotels deal and how to reach Maldive by cheapest way.
Just i mention in previous blog Maldive is just name enough to dreaming about the place. From many years i am actual dreaming for go there and enjoy the each moment. But always whenever i see for any package from travel companies for Maldive i thought every time my dream will be dream forever.
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| A price of Maldive package from one of OTA |
*Preparation-
Flights is the main cost in any overseas trip. From August 19 i started daily flight search through different sources like skyscanner.com or wego.com. But never seen price below 18,000 INR for Mumbai- Male - Mumbai return rout until the October 2019. Suddenly i saw the offer on FLIPKART about they are offering 35% discount on international flights (up-to 5000). and at next second i started search for cheap dates for Maldive ticket and found February 2020 suitable dates as Direct flight ticket for Rs. 17000 (less flipkart discount is Rs. 5000 ) Total price i got included all fess is INR 13,500 ($180PP)
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| flipkart offer 2019 |
After successfully grab the lowest flight, next major expenses is accommodation. Maldive is island country and well known for ultra luxurious resorts you can book per night stay in lakhs.
I m looking for budget accommodation as i am not going for stay whole day in rooms also i need to consider meal plan included because as per information gather a single budget meal will you cost around 10 to 15 $ . Also you need to choose island very carefully cause many island don't have public transfer options and private transfer may you cost more than price of accommodation.
Finally after lot of study i finalized mafushi island will be my base cause public ferry from male city convenient and lots of budget hotels situated there.
1st deal i got that is velana resort maafushi on MMT and total price cost me 16,000 INR (210$) for 4 night per couple with half board meal plan . Without any hesitation i booked that and after the booking next minute i got a confirmation from hotel about booking on mail with remark you need to pay mandatory Green tax 6 USD per night per person. It mean hotel cost total around 20,000 for me now. I said no worries still its in my budget.
Few days later suddenly in midnight i m searching for hotels in Maldive on Goibibo just for time pass or comparing rates . I found a crazy deal for hotel named White sand lodge Mafushi and its totally cost me around 10500 for 4 night included breakfast and dinner also for this hotel green tax applicable is USD 3 only . as my earlier booking was refundable, cancelled that and book this deal
which cost me total 12,300 ($ 165) & save around 8000 INR (hotel reviews i will give in upcoming blogs)
Now all set to fly Maldives February 2020 . Till January start all things are looks OK. But Covid crises start the show his games world wide many countries suffering from corona crises many flights are cancelled but luckily Maldive was still safe.
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| Maldive immigration and Corona virus health declaration form |
23.2.2020.
Finally a date is arrive and our journey going to start with little bit fear of world lock down.
Still we are very excited our dream vacation in magical island nation of Maldive
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| me and my wife sneha at CSIA Mumbai |
The journey to Maldive itself a nice experience as soon as you leave the Indian territory and enter in Maldive you can spot a magical crystal clear water and island which make you more excited
And after stunning 2 and half hour journey we reached Velana airport Maldive at 1.15 PM local time.
In next blog i am going to tell you about how to buy a local sim card in Maldive and price also how to reach mafushi island and all fun having on Day -1.
Thanks please feel free to ask question and give feedback in comment section.
