Join this eight-day tour to discover Mauritius Island. Get ready for a dream beach vacation on this exotic island, home of amazing wildlife and breath-taking landscapes. Lie down on the white sand beaches or dive into the world-famous sapphire waters to discover the underwater treasures of Indian Ocean. Mauritius is a fabulous culinary destination, exotic combinations of the tastes and flavors will undoubtedly satisfy your gastronomic curiosity. Capture these beautiful moments at the Trou-Aux-Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater, and visit Ganga Talao, a crater lake. Refreshing waterfall and the eye-alluring colours of the earth at Chamarel will leave a ton of memories last for a lifetime.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Mauritius: of volcanic origin and sheltered for its major by barriers of coral reefs forming natural, safe, crystal clear lagoons, Mauritius has for long been a dream destination. Inland features include a vast central plateau, subtropical forests, rivers, streams and waterfalls. The island nation is a crucible of diverse cultures and religions which the immigrant population brought from ancestral soils.
Day 1: ARRIVAL MAURITIUS – BALACLAVA (57 Km – 1 hr)
Upon landing at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, make your own way to the Desk No. 16, where a representative will greet and guide you to your transfer. After check-in at the hotel, settle in your room and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Balaclava.
Day 2: BALACLAVA – TROU-AUX-CERFS – GANGA TALAO – BLACK RIVER GORGES N. PARK – CHAMAREL – BALACLAVA (147 km – 8hr)
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel, before departing for a full-day tour at around 08:00 am. Hop on the bus and after one hour 30 mins drive, the first stop will be at Trou-Aux-Cerfs the dormant volcanic crater with its 360° panoramic view, a great spot for photos. Shortly after you will visit Voiliers de l’Ocean, where you can watch local craftsmen make painstaking replicas of authentic 18th Century sailing ships. A drive through the forest of the island’s interior will take you to ‘Ganga Talao’, a sacred lake to Mauritian Hindus in Plaine Champagne. Further down the winding road of the Black River Gorges National Park, you will reach a local restaurant with a breath-taking view over the coastline, where you will stop for lunch around midday (included). Continuing through pineapple and sugar cane fields, you can discover Chamarel: be mesmerized by its magnificent waterfall and unique 7 coloured Earth, which are evidence of Geological phenomenon. On the return journey, the impressive view is dominated by the iconic Le Morne Mountain and Ile aux Benitiers. Arrive at the hotel around 05:00 pm, to relax and unwind.
Overnight in Balaclava.
Day 3: BALACLAVA
In the morning, charge your batteries with breakfast at the hotel. This day is at your own leisure to relax by the pool or dive into Mauritius amazing crystal-clear waters. Free land and water sports activities are available at the hotel to make this experience unforgettable. If you are an adventure lover, you can take a banana ride, go water skiing, or scuba diving (not included). You may also indulge yourself with a range of therapies offered by the hotel spa (not included). Alternatively, you can book an optional excursion (not included):
Exotic North, full-day tour
You will be picked up at around 08:30 am from the hotel reception. This trip goes through Cap-Malheureux, a small village in the island’s far north, dominated by an attractive red-roofed Church and offering a splendid view over Gunner’s Quoin and the northern islands. A drive through Grand Bay leads to Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, a haven for some 500 rare exotic plants with giant water lilies, the Talipot Palm, flowering once every 60 years and various species. Enjoy a traditional lunch at l’Aventure du Sucre (drinks not included), situated on an authentic Sugar Factory which explores the history of sugarcane on the island. The trip continues to the Blue Penny Museum, which displays the famous Post Office stamps of 1847. The local Port-Louis market is a must for a glimpse of a colourful cross-section of Mauritian life, the guide will show you how to get to the market and you will have some free time to shop. You will be dropped off at the hotel at around 05:30 pm.
Simply Sailing, full-day tour
You will be picked up at around 08:15 am from the hotel reception. At 09:30 approximate, you will be boarding the catamaran at Four à Chaux. You will sail along the charming east coast of Mauritius to discover the wonders of this picturesque part of the island, its long-sheltered lagoon, the blue and green shades of the crystal-clear water and the breath-taking coastal scenery, set against a backdrop of mountains. Here you will have free time to swim and snorkel. Lunch will be served onboard followed by a stop at Île aux Cerfs. Settle down and enjoy the sun and breeze on your face as you cruise past locations that made history in Mauritius, from the arrival point of the early Dutch settlers to the naval battle between the French and the English navy that determined the island’s fate. You will be dropped off at the hotel at around 05:00 pm.
Overnight in Balaclava.
Day 4: BALACLAVA
In the morning, have breakfast at the hotel. This day is at your own leisure to enjoy this wonderful island. Alternatively, you can book an optional excursion (not included):
Simply Sailing, full-day tour
Overnight in Balaclava.
Day 5: BALACLAVA
In the morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, before preparing for another day at leisure. Alternatively, you can book an optional excursion (not included):
Charms & Flavours, full-day tour
You will be picked up at around 08:00 am from the hotel reception. Enjoy a taste of Mauritian Heritage with a visit at Les Aubineaux, a colonial mansion built in 1872. Drive along tea fields to Bois Cheri Tea Factory to discover the secrets of tea before proceeding to the chalet for a traditional tea break. Lunch is served at the Plantation house of Saint Aubin, dated 1819 (drinks not included). Visit an anthurium greenhouse with Mauritian vanilla growing among the distinctive blooms. The Domaine has its own rum distillery, so rum and sugar tasting is a must. It is then on to discover the exotic La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes where Nile crocodiles, geckos, monkeys & giant Aldabra tortoises and an insectarium are found among luxuriant tropical vegetation. You will be dropped off at the hotel at around 05:45 pm.
Simply Sailing, full-day tour
Overnight in Balaclava.
Day 6: BALACLAVA
In the morning, have a tasty breakfast at the hotel and start a new wonderful day at leisure. Alternatively, you can book an optional excursion (not included):
Exotic North, full-day tour
You will be picked up at around 08:30 am from the hotel reception. This trip goes through Cap-Malheureux, a small village in the island’s far north, dominated by an attractive red-roofed Church and offering a splendid view over Gunner’s Quoin and the northern islands. A drive through Grand Bay leads to Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, a haven for some 500 rare exotic plants with giant water lilies, the Talipot Palm, flowering once every 60 years and various species. Enjoy a traditional lunch at l’Aventure du Sucre (drinks not included), situated on an authentic Sugar Factory which explores the history of sugarcane on the island. The trip continues to the Blue Penny Museum, which displays the famous Post Office stamps of 1847. The local Port-Louis market is a must for a glimpse of a colourful cross-section of Mauritian life, the guide will show you how to get to the market and you will have some free time to shop. You will be dropped off at the hotel at around 05:30 pm.
Simply Sailing, full-day tour
Overnight in Balaclava.
Day 7: BALACLAVA
Wake up to you last full day at Mauritius, enjoy morning breakfast and make the best of your last moments on the island. Alternatively, you can book an optional excursion (not included):
Simply Sailing, full-day tour
Overnight in Balaclava.
Day 8: BALACLAVA – DEPARTURE MAURITIUS (57 Km – 1 hr)
After one last breakfast at your hotel, bid farewell to Mauritius as you hop onto a comfortable transfer to SSR Airport, where you will catch your flight to your following destination (departure from the hotel at least 4 hours before flight time). Our representative will provide assistance upon check-in at the Airport.
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Mauritius. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay. We advise to bring local currency for local shops.
