Self-Guided Nippon & Maldives Escape

Enjoy a day exploring Tokyo at your leisure, getting to know the shopping districts of Akihabara, known for its anime culture and camera bargains, or Shibuya, where you can see its iconic crosswalk and eclectic restaurants. 

Today, board a bullet train to Kyoto, the capital of the Japanese Empire for 11 centuries. The trip takes only around 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the train can reach speeds of 300 km/h! Once settled in Kyoto, we recommend exploring the emblematic neighborhood of Gion, known for its traditional architecture and admired geishas. Overnight stay in Kyoto.

Set off this morning on a Kyoto Highlights Full-Day Bus Tour to discover the beautiful and historical ‘cultural capital’ of Japan. On this exciting excursion you’ll visit the Fushimi Inari, the most important of the many shrines dedicated to Inari, the deity of good harvest and success, known for its emblematic red ‘gates’. Next visit the Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site. Pay a visit to the Kinkakuji Temple next, known as the temple of the Golden Pavilion as the top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Finally, experience the immense natural beauty of the Arashiyama bamboo forest. Lunch included. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Kyoto. 

Spend today at your leisure, exploring the delights of Kyoto at your own pace. Why not discover the historic Nijo Castle or the Philosopher's Walk, a beautiful footpath along a cherry-tree-lined canal? We recommend an optional afternoon excursion to the peaceful city of Nara.* Overnight stay in Kyoto.

*Optional Nara Excursion: Head to Nara for a tour of two World Heritage Sites: Todai-Ji Temple and Kofukuji Temple. Encounter wild deer up close while walking through Nara Park, a rarity in Japan and worldwide and discover Todai-Ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's largest wooden structures.

Today, take a local train* to travel to Osaka. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is free to discover this charming city. We recommend visiting the Kuromon local market and its Floating Garden Observatory in the Umeda Sky Building, from which there is an unforgettable panoramic view of the city. Overnight stay in Osaka. 

*The local train transfer Kyoto - Osaka does not have a fixed schedule. Passengers can exchange their ticket at any time during the transfer day and choose the departure time that best suits their plans. The local train departs from Kyoto station.

Spend the day at your own pace for a self-guided visit of Osaka. You will have at your disposal an Osaka Metro + City Bus card to discover the city's main areas. You will also have an admission ticket for the Osaka Castle, where you have the chance to learn about the history of one of Japan's most famous landmarks. Overnight stay in Osaka.

Spend the day at your leisure. exploring the cultural delights of Osaka. Get to know the local area and sampling the iconic local cuisine. Overnight stay in Osaka.

Spend the last day in Japan at your leisure. At the indicated time, self-transfer to the airport for your flight* to the Maldives. Night on board.

*The usual departure time for Osaka-Malé flights is around midnight (Japan time). We recommend arriving at the airport at least 3h ahead of your flight departure. Please bear in mind that most public transportation services between Osaka and Osaka airport end around 9-10 PM. 

Touch down in Malé, the capital of the Maldives. From here, take an exciting speedboat transfer to your resort, situated on an island in the beautiful North Malé Atoll. Arrive, get settled in and begin your All-inclusive stay. Overnight stay in the Maldives.

All-inclusive. Enjoy a day at your leisure in the Maldives, soaking up the breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean from the comforts of a white-sand beach or exploring the abundant sea life on a snorkelling excursion. The facilities at the resort are there to make your stay as blissful as possible, so make the most of them as you begin to unwind from the stresses of daily life. Overnight stay in the Maldives. 

All-inclusive. Spend the day at your leisure in the Maldives. If you'd like to know more about Maldivan culture and life in these paradise isles, we recommend a visit to Malé. Owing to its small size, it's one of the most densely populated cities in the world and amongst its bustling streets, you can find mosques, bazaars and cafes and get a sense of the everyday life of the locals. Overnight stay in the Maldives.

All-inclusive. Another day at your leisure in paradise. Why not take a cruise on a traditional Maldivan dhoni boat to explore the surrounding islands and atolls or arrange a diving trip to discover the colourful underwater world. Enjoy the delicious cuisine offered at the resort and kick-back with a cocktail at sunset. Overnight stay in the Maldives. 

Breakfast* at the hotel. Sadly, it's time to bid farewell to the paradise shores of the Maldives. At the indicated time, take a speedboat transfer to Malé to catch a flight back to Canada. Night on board.

*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.