| 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)
This excursion is an insight into a different taste of Mauritian scenery. From Curepipe, a road leads gently up
around Trou-aux-Cerfs, an extinct volcanic crater full of dense vegetation. From there, enjoy a panoramic view over
the island and its mountain ranges.
Proceed then to "Voiliers de l'Océan" to see expert craftsmen working to create models of genuine 18th century sailing
vessels. You can choose choice from the miniature replicas on display for sale and have your purchases neatly packed
for your journey home.
The drive South takes to Ganga Talao, the Ganges reincarnate and pilgrimage place for Hindus and through the forest
reserve of Plaine-Champagne, with a photo stop at a viewpoint over spectacular Black River Gorges. Further on,
amidst Chinese Guava groves, Varangue-sur-Morne welcomes you for a typical Mauritian lunch. Originally a gamekeeper's
lodge, it offers a breathtaking view over the South and West coastlines.
Down the fertile valley, a road, lined with plantations of sugar cane, pineapples and other tropical fruits,
leads to Rhumerie de Chamarel. The distillery, with its warmth and authenticity, has a guided visit,
rum tasting and an exclusive souvenir shop.
Proceed then to the magnificent waterfall and the unique seven-coloured earths of Chamarel. The unusual mounds of
undulating land stretching in contrasting rainbow coloured layers of earth are believed to be of volcanic origin.
On the way back, stop at a viewpoint overlooking Morne Mountain and Benitiers Island.
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| EXOTIC NORTH |
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(Full day - Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, Cap Malheureux & Port-Louis)
You can't miss that visit of Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens created by famous botanist Pierre Poivre in 1767 on the estate of French
Governor Mahé de Labourdonnais. His Chateau de Mon Plaisir, built in 1735, is still there. The garden is famous for its 500 rare
plant species - giant Victoria Regina water lilies, 80 palm varieties, including the talipot, which flowers once every 60 years
before dying; spices - nutmeg and clove - introduced by Poivre. The garden also houses the "samadhi" (funeral shrine) of the Father
of the Nation, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam.
Drive north to Cap-Malheureux via Grand Bay. Stop near the village church known for its red roof and splendid view on Gunner's Quoin.
Then proceed to Restaurant La Table du Chateau, in the eco-friendly Green Leisure Park for lunch. Its cuisine mixes tradition and gastronomy.
The day ends in Port-Louis. Visit the Blue Penny Museum, which houses the famous "Post Office" stamps, issued in 1847, and a
collection of documents, prints and paintings on the island's discovery. Its boutique offers souvenirs and reproductions from the
museum collection.
Take advantage of shopping opportunities in Caudan Waterfront with its numerous boutiques that display beautiful collections of
local designers and famous brands. Its Craft market is an open bazaar, impregnated by exotic scents of spices, souvenirs and
basket work… The recent extension, Dias Pier, named after a famous Portuguese explorer, houses shops, cafés and bars. You can
also walk to the covered market of Port-Louis with its colourful cross-section of Mauritian life.
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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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(Half-day with visits to Glass Gallery, Eureka & L'Aventure du Sucre)
For more than ten years, the Mauritius Glass Gallery has through its 'Hands of Fame', assembled an extraordinary collection of glass
hand-castings of personalities who have visited the island... You can have your own hand cast in 100% recycled glass. This recycling
conscious world combines with art, craft and charity in beautiful objects available in the souvenir boutique.
The next stop is Eureka, a Creole house in a magnificent garden nestled between the Moka Range and a Ravine with dense vegetation and
sweet fragrances. Walk along the riverbank and discover its waterfalls. Step into the 109-door house built in 1830 and filled with
antique furniture and rare objects.
After refreshments, enjoy the drive through Les Mariannes below Pieter Both Peak to "L'Aventure du sucre". In the authentic site of
Beau-Plan sugar factory, episodes of the great Mauritian epic unfold through images, colours and sounds: sugar trade routes, history
of settlers from East and West, sugar technologies and know-how. The Village-Boutik offers the opportunity to sample special sugars
and Mauritian rum and buy exclusive gifts and souvenirs.
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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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| ISLAND SOUVENIR |
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(Shopping in Floréal and Curepipe)
Curepipe is a shoppers' paradise with goods at duty-free prices. The first visit is in Floréal at Adamas Diamond and
Jewellery Duty Free Boutique and Diamond cutting factory, which sells diamonds, semi precious and precious jewelleries
along with 18 carat gold jewellery pieces renowned for their colour, carat, clarity and cut, and available in both
modern and traditional designs. It also displays a large collection of Italian, French, Swiss and American pieces.
Adamas is the official representative of Mont Blanc line products.
On the way to Curepipe, stop at a colonial house built in 1888, which now houses Private Collection of Cottage
Industries Exposition. It displays a wealth of duty free collectibles and art objects: Cashmere shawls, fine silk,
wool, cotton, rugs and carpets, gold and silver jewellery and perfumes,
Then proceed to the commercial centre in the midst of the town. On the ground floor, Beautés de Chine offers a wide
choice of souvenirs, including decorative arts, exquisite embroidered linen, tablecloths and silk garments.
Galleries des Iles, a department store on the first floor houses a range of counters where you will find exclusive
local designer clothing, side by side with local handicrafts, knick-knacks, souvenirs, gold as well as silver jewellery.
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| LOCAL ENCOUNTERS |
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This is a special day where you meet a few local people in their typical environment. It starts with Rajcoomaree, a pensioner,
who shares her recipe for "dholl puri" (pancakes suffed with dhall). Then Rosemay, a seamstress, shows you around her house and
her own models of wedding dresses and offering a fresh homemade Tamarind juice.
Drive then to Phoenix where Premila gives a demonstration of "samoussa" cooking and chutney prepared on a "curry rock".
This is followed by lunch at the Bhowany's. The menu is a typical Indian meal made of seven curries served on a fresh banana leaf.
After lunch, drive back to Rose-Hill for the visit of a Tamil temple and free time for sightseeing and shopping in this non-touristic town.
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