ACTIVE MAURITIUS (10 Days / 9 Nights Itinerary)


Multi-activity programme with hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and canyoning

It is easy to run out of adjectives when attempting to describe the natural beauty of the small tropical Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. Covered with lush forest, streams and waterfalls, and fringed with palms, dazzling white sands and teeming coral reefs, Mauritius is the archetypal dream destination for an idyllic holiday, equipped with modern resorts that have been carefully developed to preserve the island's beauty and ecology. 

Although most people who visit Mauritius come for the sandy beaches and blue lagoons, some are delighted to realise that the island has plenty of other attractions too. The active approach to discovering this ‘treasure island’ and its breathtaking views is on foot, by bike or in a kayak. This approach also means coming into contact with the warmth and friendliness of its multi-cultural population whose languages, traditions and religions are smoothly blended together. Mauritius will no doubt uplift your soul, making you feel part of the spirit that many have yet to discover. 


Day 1: Flight to Mauritius – Grand Bay
Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to Grand Bay, the biggest tourist centre of the island. Check in to your hotel and unpack. 
Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Sea kayaking – Ile d’Ambre
After an early breakfast at the hotel and a security briefing on technique, embarkation in two-seater kayaks, open-sea paddling to Ile d’Ambre, situated off the coast of Grand Gaube, north-east Mauritius. Navigation amongst the small, uninhabited islands, various creeks and untouched bays to the mangroves of Ile d’Ambre, where fish and birds live in undisturbed paradise. A stroll around this small island after lunch, then paddle on to a second small island known as Ile aux Bernaches, where the beach is still virginal and the surrounding waters clear and warm.
Back to hotel late afternoon for dinner and overnight. 

Day 3: Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens and the Sugar Museum
After a relaxed breakfast, a stroll in the Pamplemousses Gardens, an extra-ordinary botanical garden known to naturalists throughout the world for its large collection of indigenous and exotic plants, is arranged. The 60-acre garden boasts 600 different species of plants, of which 80 are palms. Of particular interest are the giant water lilies, a spice garden and the Talipot palms, said to flower once every 60 years, after which they die.
After lunch, you will visit l’Aventure du Sucre, an interactive and ultra-modern exhibition situated at the heart of an ancient sugar mill. Here, discover the fascinating history of Mauritius’ sugar cane adventure and see all the stages in the process of sugar manufacture.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 4 : Mountain biking – La Nicoliere
After a 9am pick-up, enjoy a great biking trail in the Reserve of La Nicoliere, where you may come across monkeys, deer and wild pig. A relatively easy ride, which will take you on a round trip with river crossings and forests with break taking views, onto the lake of La Nicoliere and the northern islets.
Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Hiking – Le Pouce
After almost an hour of ascension, you will summit Le Pouce Mountain (811 metres) which overlooks Port Louis and Moka. This summit is also a splendid site offering a 360-degree view of the capital city on one side and the Moka landscape on the other. Hike down to Port Louis, where the 4x4 vehicle will meet you and take you back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Port Louis
The entire day, after a leisurely breakfast, will be spent in the economic and administrative capital of the island, a noisy and colourful town. Symbolic of its multi-faceted colonial history, the city boasts some fine French buildings dating back to the 18th century, an Anglican and a Catholic cathedral, a mosque and a fortified citadel. The lively Caudan Waterfront features the Blue Penny Museum, which is primarily devoted to Mauritian art and history, but whose place of pride is given by two of the rarest stamps in the world. Mauritius, it must be noted, was the fifth country in the world to begin issuing postage stamps, back in 1847, and some of the few remaining early island stamps are of significant value internationally. The highlight of this visit will surely be the sight of the Mauritian 1847 ‘Post Office’ Penny Orange and Two Pence Blue. 
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Hiking – Chamarel
Early breakfast and transfer by car to the south of the island. A narrow track through prime forest will lead you to the highest mountain of the island. The view that opens up at the top of the Piton de la Riviere Noire (828m) is well worth the hour-long hike. Descent to Chamarel. In late afternoon, transfer to a charming lodge, built amongst plantations of sugar cane, bananas and pineapple.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge. 

Day 8: Canyoning – Chute des Sept Cascades
The entire day will be spent in and close to water! Alternation of river trek, walking and swimming, jumping and abseiling to finally arrive at the beautiful Sept Cascades waterfalls. The highest waterfall goes down from a height of 55m.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 9: Mountain Biking – Baie du Cap
A leisurely outing, essentially downhill, passing through the valley of Chamarel to discover the extraordinary coloured earth (7 different tones in sand colour) before heading down towards the wild south with its fabulous views.
Transfer back to the hotel in Grand Bay late afternoon.

Day 10: Return flight
Morning at leisure. You will be transferred to the airport in the early afternoon for your return flight home.

NB. Mountain biking and canyoning may be replaced with walking trips. Options on request.

This itinerary includes:

• Accommodation in a 3-star hotel in Grand Bay;
• Breakfast and dinner each evening;
• Transfers airport-return in air-conditioned minibuses;
• Daily transfers to and from activity sites;
• Accommodation at lodge in Chamarel, south coast
• Lunches where stipulated during day trips;

This itinerary does not include:

• Meals where not stipulated;
• Drinks where not stipulated;
• Laundry service;
• Items of a personal nature – i.e. Telephone calls, gratuities etc.
  

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