City Highlights: Tuesday/Thursday
Join us on a foray into the legacy of the colonial period. We will start by taking a morning stroll down the aisles of time to one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. Created in the early 18th century, the Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens house a richly abundant and diverse collection of plants. We will then take a drive into the middle of the following century to capture a panoramic view of the capital from the hilltop of Fort Adelaide (also known as the Citadel), a fortress erected under British rule to guard the entrance to the harbour. After a tour of some century-old historic landmarks across the city, this half-day visit ends at Le Caudan Waterfront, one of the best-known places in Mauritius for shopping or time at leisure.
Eastern Sailing Magic: Every day except Tuesdays
Come along for a splashing good time. Departing from the coastal village of Trou d’Eau Douce, the first leg of the journey will let you take in the scenery that unfolds on your way upstream along the longest river in Mauritius to a picturesque waterfall. After a refreshing dip and lunch on board, we will head for Ile aux Cerfs, a highly popular spot off the east coast of the island. After an awesome day, the cruise back to shore will provide another opportunity to get a glimpse of some of the wonderful coastal views.
Sail the Dolphin Coast: Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday
Having the opportunity of getting up close with dolphins is a moving experience and the highlight for many travellers visiting Mauritius. Board your catamaran at the pier in the fishing village of Black River and cruise across the western lagoon to treat yourself to a dolphin lover’s dream, with a fair chance of sighting these wonderful sea mammals. As a contrast, the skipper will also pick the best place for snorkelling which varies each day depending on the tide and sea conditions. As lunchtime rolls around, everyone gets back aboard for a scrumptious barbecue lunch and refreshing drinks. You will also enjoy a short stop on the uninhabited coral island of Ile aux Bénitiers as we head back to land.
Scenic South: Monday/Friday
Make the most of your time in Mauritius with this beautiful experience combining sightseeing and handicraft shopping. The journey starts with an introduction to the art of glass blowing in Phoenix before climbing to the upper plateau for a stunning panoramic view of the island from the top of Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcano. On the way down, we will stop for a glance into the country’s seafaring past at a model ship factory. As we drive southwards to Chamarel for a visit and lunch stop at a rum distillery, you will enjoy the breath taking landscape adorning the sacred lake of Grand Bassin and the Black River Gorges National Park. In the afternoon, you will discover the natural treasures of Chamarel, including the unusual geological phenomenon of the Seven-Coloured Earth and a spectacular waterfall.
Spirit of Tradition: Wednesday
Mauritius is a destination that offers much more than white-sand beaches and sugar cane fields. This is your chance to enjoy some delightfully uncommon scenery and experiences. Begin your trip by taking an eye-opening tour to a tea factory and museum that ends with a tasting session in a chalet with panoramic views. The journey then continues on to La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes, a nature park which specialises in the breeding of crocodiles and is home to one of the largest tortoise nurseries in the Indian Ocean region. The next stop is at the picturesque Andrea Lodge to enjoy a delicious lunch against a backdrop of wild and untamed coastal landscape. On the way back, take time to soak in the timeless charm of Saint Aubin, a 19th century period house with its vanilla house, flower greenhouse and spice garden.
Southern Treasures: Saturday
On this leg of your voyage, you will set foot on Ile aux Aigrettes after a short boat ride from the south-east coast of Mauritius. The remarkable work undertaken by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation on this tiny coral island to return the ecosystem to how it was before human occupation has been recognised worldwide. After heading back to the mainland, take a glimpse into the past at the Frederik Hendrik Museum in Vieux Grand Port, where Dutch sailors first landed more than four centuries ago. Your journey continues in the indigenous forest of Ferney Valley. After lunch, take a trekking tour to breathe in lungful’s of fresh air while taking stock of the exceptional diversity of native and endemic plant life. With a bit of luck, you may also have the opportunity of watching kestrels being fed, a fun an educational experience.
Sundowner Cruise: Tuesday
To make your stay in Mauritius even more special, don’t miss this golden opportunity to bask in the last glowing rays of the setting sun as your catamaran glides its way into the warm waters of the western lagoon of the island. A magical moment between day and night where you will feel the romance and excitement of being carried away by the wind as you sit back with a drink and a snack, taking in spectacular views of the coastal landscape and seascape in a different light.
Bring Dreams to Life
Sometimes your own ideas are best – and we can help turn dreams into reality. Whether you wish to indulge in a private champagne cruise aboard a luxury catamaran or to go off the beaten track and find the ‘real’ Mauritius, we know exactly how to arrange things for you. Our tour specialists will come to your hotel, listen to your requirements and use their expertise and experience to ensure that we exceed your wildest expectations. Plan the ultimate adventure that combines the very best of what Mauritius can offer and our local knowledge will help to do the rest. Whatever your dreams of this magical island, talk to us and they can happen, with our continuing support every step of the way.
Wonders of Casela
Explore your adventurous side at the Casela – World of Adventures, in the west of the island. This 14-hectare wildlife reserve is home to an amazing variety of birds and animals and provides an ideal playground for the entire family. While the little ones are happily occupied at the petting farm, grown-ups can indulge in some exciting outdoor pursuits in the heart of nature. The most intrepid will surely relish the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk and interact with big cats such as lions and cheetahs – one of the highlights of the wildlife park. There are plenty of other options available for thrill seekers, including a quad bike ride across the dry forest landscape, the adrenaline rush of flying a zip line, cannoning
and Via Ferrata, 4D simulator, toboggan rides or even a Segway tour around the nature reserve.
Hikers’ Paradise
While in Mauritius, venturing out on a guided hiking trip is an opportunity to take a breath of fresh air and sink into the natural beauty of the landscape. To get up close to the natural wonders of the island, you can choose from a variety of scenic trails from the thick endemic forest cover of the spectacular Black River Gorges National Park to the bushy undergrowth of Ferney Valley and the rugged coastal landscape of Andrea. If you are still undecided, you can try them all to get an idea of the great diversity of landscapes and views that Mauritius has to offer.
La Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park
There is an ample choice of activities at La Vallee des Couleurs Nature Park, tucked away in the thick forest of the South, including a walk to the waterfalls, the coloured earth, and the viewpoint offering a grandiose panorama, trekking, zip line cable rides and quad biking. Or you can just enjoy a relaxing time by the lakeside and fishing or having lunch at the hilltop restaurant. Do not miss also the animal farm, kid’s playground and geological exhibition hall.
