Destination
Find out more about the island paradise that is Mauritius
Mauritius
An Indian Ocean island of striking natural beauty, Mauritius is some 2,000 km off the southeast coast of the African continent. It sits on the Tropic of Capricorn near Madagascar and is 65 km long and 45 km wide. The island is surrounded by more than 150 km of white sandy beaches and the lagoons are protected from the open sea by the world's third largest coral reef. Together with Saint Brandon, Réunion, and Rodrigues, the island is part of the Mascarene Islands.
The land rises from coastal plains to a central plateau where it reaches a height of 670 m; the highest peak is in the southwest, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire at 828 metres. Streams and rivers speckle the island, formed in the cracks created by lava flows and sugar cane fields sprawl throughout.
Mauritius is one of the world’s top luxury holiday destinations, with award-winning hotels and famous beaches. With its benign climate and unique blend of cultures and peoples from India, Africa and Europe, Mauritius offers you an exotic, friendly and safe experience. Whether you seek the ultimate in relaxation and renewal, or crave a more active holiday, Mauritian friendliness, professionalism and know-how will ensure your visit is unforgetable.
Your tour will include visits to the following locations on this island paradise; Île aux Cerfs, Îlot Gabriel, Port Louis, Piton Chamarel, Vallée de L’Est, La Vanille Reserve, Mason Bel Air.
Île aux Cerfs
A paradise for water sports and has one of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius. You cannot afford to miss this tiny island, delicately poised in the ocean, a real pearl in the Mauritian landscape. You will have the option to do snorkelling, water-skiing, parasailing or just relax in the warm Indian Ocean for the day. This is a highlight for all tourists who visit Mauritius.
Îlot Gabriel
Îlot Gabriel, also known as Gabriel Island, is a small island at the extreme north of Mauritius, about 10 kilometres north of Cap Malheureux. It is a protected natural reserve which is most famous for its beautiful unspoiled beaches, with crystal clear water surrounding the entire island. It is a very peaceful island which is comprised of coralline sand on basalt lava-flows. Gabriel Island offers great dive sites and is a very popular site for snorkelers.
Port Louis
Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius and is the country's economic and political hub. It is the most populous city on the island and captures the melting pot of cultures which Mauritius is well known for. We will have a chance to visit the Blue Penny Museum located on the Caudan waterfront as well as the famous Central Market.
Piton Chamarel
Enjoy lunch at Le Morne (my favourite lunch spot on the island) and walk to the top of Piton Chamarel (option is to ride in a jeep to Sublime Point). Reward yourself with a cold Phoenix beer while soaking up the breathtaking views over the valley, from Le Morne across the coastal plains to La Gaulette and Île aux Bénitiers towards Flacq.
Vallée de L’Est
Spend a night (optional, included in price) in a hunting lodge at Vallée de L’Est, a privately owned chasée (flora and fauna reserve). The owners are recreating a 10-hectare endemic forest, including ebony trees, to what it was like 250 years ago. You can either walk to the lodge (about 45 minutes uphill) or simply go up in a van. If you walk you will see deer grazing and elegant White-tailed Tropic-birds. Reward yourself with a cold Phoenix beer on the lodge’s terrace and admire the panoramic views over the valley to the sea.
La Vanille Reserve
Visit the famous La Vanille Reserve where you can walk amongst the largest captive group of Aldabra tortoises in the world. The park houses over 2000 nile crocodiles, has one of the world's largest display of insect collections as well as housing many other animals such as monkeys, iguanas, bats, geckos and more. After visiting the reserve we will have lunch at Le Crocodile Affamé where you can try delicious crocodile dishes surround by the lushious greenery of the nature reserve.
Mason Bel Air
At an exclusive house, right on the ocean in Bel Air on the unspoilt south coast, enjoy a refreshing swim in a private chemical-free swimming pool filled by a waterfall. Then enjoy a Mauritian style afternoon tea complete with wine and beer. You will love walking in the lush gardens with crystal clear spring water fish pools.
More than Mauritius is all about immersing yourself in local experiences. Live like a local during your entire stay and eat at local restaurants at local prices.
Other Destinations
Rodrigues
An unspoilt island where you can go back to the days when hitching a lift was the norm and chatting to people in the street was par for the course, where plastic bags were banned 2 years ago, and where the friendliness of the people will bowl you over. The brightly-coloured houses and emerald beaches are a bonus. http://www.tourism-rodrigues.mu
Réunion
An absolute must if you are into serious mountain hiking. I have hiked in many magnificent places in the world and Réunion ranks with the very best of them. http://en.reunion.fr
