If there was only one word to describe Mauritius, the word would be “colour”. From its national flag to its diverse heritage and the wide range of experiences that Mauritius has to offer, you can be sure that your time spent here will certainly be a colourful one. Surf the pristine clear waters, snorkel among the excellent marine life, soak up the island's immigrant and colonial past, or simply indulge in the many top-notch beaches all over the island. Find out from Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours today how a trip to this lovely destination will be the ideal holiday customised for you.
Port Louis Capital to Mauritius, Port Louis is a good starting point for a taste of all the “colours” of the island. The city feels like a kaleidoscope of countries and cultures with influences from Africa, India, Europe, Asia and the Middle East all rolled into one. Take a tour of the churches, mosques, Indian and Chinese temples and marvel at the diversity on the island. Port Louis also has a number of cultural attractions where visitors can acquaint themselves with Mauritian history. See the world's first colonial stamp at the Blue Penny Museum, or the skeleton of the infamous bird endemic to Mauritius – the dodo – at the Natural History Museum. Include a visit to UNESCO World Heritage Site Aapravasi Ghat, or “immigration depot” in Hindi, which pays tribute to the indentured labour system. For a spot of shopping, be sure to stop by the Caudan Waterfront in the Port Louis harbor. It is one of the best shopping havens on the island with over 100 boutiques, designer labels and duty-free shops alongside craft stalls. Lastly, don’t miss the Central Market, where there is a wide array of local specialties produce and the buzz of daily life in Mauritius.
Ile Aux Cerfs
This paradise island slightly off the east coast of Mauritius was once where many deer roamed, which is how its name – french for “Deer Island” – came about. Today, there are no more deer on the island but instead there are throngs of tourists and locals who visit for the picture-perfect emerald blue waters, sandy beaches and many activities. The beaches here offer the full range of water sports activities, with snorkelling being the most highly recommended because of the beautiful coral reefs and teeming marine life in the area. Golf enthusiasts should also try their hand at the impressive 18-hole golf course on the island that overlooks the lagoons and the Indian Ocean.
Grand Baie Dubbed the hub of northern Mauritius, the once-fishing village bobbing with boats is now the main tourism hub of the island. Grand Baie has plenty of attractions, beaches and excursions to cater to different interests. Discover a wealth of tropical fruit trees and flowers at the Labourdonnais Orchards, visit the interactive L'Aventure du Sucre museum, marvel at the historic Red Roof Chapel, Cap Malheureux, visit the largest Hindu temple in Triolet Shivala, the Maheshwarnath Temple, or simply take a leisurely stroll in one of the world's famous gardens, the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens. Indeed, Grand Baie has something for everyone and it is guaranteed not to disappoint.
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Experience some of the Mauritian colour today, let Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours customise a tour package for you and your friends. Call 6212 9935 or email privatetours@chanbrothers.com.sg to find out more.
Highlights
Every itinerary can be fully customised according to needs, special interests, personal preferences and defining style of just about anyone who wants to travel privately and exclusively.
Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for your flight to Mauritius. Upon arrival at the airport, meet your driver and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel.
After breakfast, drive towards the southern part of Mauritius along Bois Cheri Road and Grand Bassin Road heading to the direction of Black River Gorges. Along the way, you will pass by some stunning tea plantations. Stop by the Bois Cheri Tea Factory and Museum to sip on some fine teas before you continue on your journey. You will also pass by the Grand Bassin, one of the most sacred sites in the island. A background on how the lake turned sacred – in 1972 a Hindu priest brought water from the Ganges River and poured it into the lake. In the afternoon, continue your sightseeing by visiting the Seven-Colored Earths . The quirky land formation sits within a private property so you will need to pay admission to enter. The entrance fee also includes access to a view point of Chamarel Waterfall as well as some tortoise pens. The area is best visited during the dry season when the various shades of red, purple and brown and more prominent.
Tea Plantations
Free day and enjoy the hotel facilities.
Beach View
Spend at least a day checking one of the outlying islands of Mauritius. The most popular for excursions are Ile aux Cerfs with its amazing beaches and turquoise lagoons or Ile aux Aigrettes for those wishing to glimpse some rare wildlife such as the Pink Pigeon and the Mauritius Fody. The latter is the last place in Mauritius where you can see wildlife just as the first explorers did centuries ago.
lle Aux Cerfs
Visit Aapravasi Ghat a transit point for slaves back in the day before they were transported to various points of the British Empire, Jummah Mosque with its striking blend of Indian, Creole and Islamic architecture, the bustling Central Market, Blue Penny Museum with its display of one of the world’s rarest stamps and the Chinatown which has a host of shophouses built in the French style. For a bird’s eye view of the city, head up to Fort Adelaide to admire the skyline of Port Louis.
Jummah Mosque
Enjoy a private airport transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight home.