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| TROPICAL SPICES |
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(Half day to Pamplemousses Gardens & Port Louis)
Visit Pamplemousses’ famous botanical gardens. From there, head to the capital city of Port Louis, where panoramic views may be enjoyed from la Citadelle, an old fortress. Shop at le Caudan Waterfront, with its designer shops, duty free jewellery, craft market, spices and souvenirs, and discover the fascinating cross section of Mauritian life by visiting the exotic market of Port Louis. |
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| COLOURFUL SOUTH |
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(Full day to Curepipe, Grand Bassin, Plaine Champagne and Chamarel)
The day begins with a photo stop at the extinct volcano, Trou aux Cerfs crater, followed by a visit to a Colonial house, now the home of a duty free shop: “Private Collection”.
Drive to Grand Bassin, to visit the pilgrimage site of the Hindu, and continue through the forest reserve of Plaine Champagne to the spectacular view point at the Black River Gorges. Lunch will be served at the Varangue Sur Morne Restaurant. Then, discover Chamarel with its magnificent waterfalls and unique seven coloured earths. |
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| EXOTIC NORTH |
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(Full day – Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, Historic Marine & Port Louis)
Starting the day with duty free shopping at the Miraj in Port Louis, continuing to the Caudan Waterfront and a visit of the central market. The next highlight will be the visit of the Blue Penny Museum, which houses the famous Post office stamps. At Port Louis harbour, board a cabin cruiser to Trou aux Biches for lunch at the beach restaurant “la Cravache d’Or”.* Enjoy a view of the northern islands from Cap Malheureux, before proceeding to Historic Marine ship model factory shop. The day ends with the visit of the famous botanical gardens of Pamplemousses.
* Note that from hotels on the North coast, cruise is in the morning with lunch at “la Terrasse” restaurant at the Caudan Waterfront. Excursion also possible without cruise from South, East and West coast hotels. |
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| CHARMS & FLAVOURS |
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(Full day Tea Route, La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes and Bel Air Estate)
Discover the Tea Route starting with the visit of “Les Aubineaux”, a colonial house on the central plateau. Drive to Bois Chéri for a guided tour of the tea factory and its museum, ending with tea tasting at the Chalet. Visit the Vanilla house, the Rum distillery and Anthurium house at “St Aubin” before enjoying lunch in the Creole dining room. Drive to the “La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes”, a farm harbouring crocodiles, geckos, monkeys, giant Aldabra tortoises, and a fascinating Insectarium. Board the original “Mauritian train” and drive through the Paradis Valley to the Domaine de Bel Air. |
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| JOURNEY INTO THE PAST |
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(Full day at the Glass Gallery, Eureka, Domaine les Pailles & “L’Aventure du Sucre”)
Visit the Mauritius Glass Gallery and its ‘hands of fame’ in Phoenix, where glass is recycled to produce a wide range of goods. The next stop is at Eureka, a unique Creole house in a magnificent garden. Then proceed to “Domaine Les Pailles”, enjoy a ride in an authentic train, the “Lady Alice”, and the horse-drawn carriages. Visit a unique 18th century ox-driven sugar mill and its distillery. Enjoy lunch in one of the restaurants of the Domaine. The day continues with a visit to “L’Aventure du sucre”, the authentic site of the Beau Plan sugar factory, where you can discover the history of sugar cane in Mauritius. |
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| FERNEY VALLEY - THE SURVIVING FOREST |
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| Take stock of the richness of the flora and fauna during the two-hour walk through the Ferney Valley, a natural reserve inside one of the last indigenous forests in Mauritius. This 400 year old forest has been preserved from destruction and kept its natural and pristine state. After the walk, a typical Creole lunch will be served in the hunting lodge. You will then proceed to the coastal village of Mahébourg, with a stop on the historical waterfront and at the market. |
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| SHOPPING AND NATURE |
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(Shopping in Curepipe and lunch at ‘Le Domaine du Chasseur’, Nouvelle France)
Mauritius is a shoppers’ paradise at competitive duty-free prices. The first stop is in the dream world of duty-free jewellery at “Cledor” then “Voiliers de l’Océan” and its genuine 18th century sailing vessels. Watch experienced craftsmen at work and purchase miniature replicas. "Beautés de Chine" offers a choice of souvenirs, including decorative arts, exquisite embroidered linen and tablecloths and silk garments. At “Galerie des Iles”, host to a suite of 17 counters, you will find exclusive local designer clothing side by side with local handicrafts. A 15-minute drive will then take you to “Le Domaine du Chasseur” in Nouvelle France for lunch.
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