Enchanting Mauritius - An Island Discovery
Enchanting Mauritius - An Island Discovery
Enchanting Mauritius - An Island Discovery
From:
$5495 (USD) including Flights from the UKTour Overview
Mark Twain once said, “Heaven was copied after Mauritius". And heaven looks like forest-cloaked mountains, white beaches and sparkling topaz lagoons. But Mauritius is more than just an exotic beach destination. A rich tapestry of cultures and influences, on this tour we get to its authentic heart - staying in two locations around the island and visiting tea plantations, markets, temples, reefs and rainforest. Returning each day to the swaying palms and lapping waves of our luxury beachfront accommodation.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Uk - In Flight
Our VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your overnight flight to Mauritius.
Day 2 : Bel Ombre
We transfer straight to the blinding white sands, rustling palms and sugar-cane clad backdrop of our all-inclusive base for the next seven nights.
Commanding a privileged beachfront position on the unspoilt south-west of the island, we're sure to be blessed with some of the best sunsets in Mauritius.
Day 3 : South Mauritius
Home to soft white sands and crystalline waters, Mauritius understandably wears the crown as one the best beach destinations in the world. But beyond the beach lies an island rich in history and culture - where Hindu temples sit comfortably amongst Creole fishing villages, and melting pots of mouth-watering cuisine smell like French, Indian, African and Chinese flavours.
Today we feel the spray of the mighty Chamarel Waterfalls - one of the island’s greatest natural wonders. Surrounded by thick jungle, at 100m high it’s the tallest waterfall in Mauritius. Turning water into rum, we finish our adventure with a tour and tasting at a local rum distillery. Later, we head for the hills, winding our way deep into the forests and mountains to Grand Bassin (or Ganga Talao) - a deep green crater lake surrounded by colourful Hindu statues and temples. One of the most sacred temples on the island, Hindu’s believe it was formed after Shiva spilled a drop of water from the River Ganges.
Excursions & visits:
• Excursion to Chamarel Waterfalls, rum distillery tour and Grand Bassin (morning)
Day 4 : Bel Ombre
The day is free. Spend it relaxing by the pool - or snorkelling in the lagoon’s sheltered turquoise waters.
Day 5 : The Tea Route
This half-day tour is everyone’s cup of tea. For a start, despite it being a tea tour, it also includes rum tasting. We explore the green patchwork of tea plantations, colonial mansions and salon de thé of three producers, including Bois Chéri - Mauritius’ oldest tea producer dating back to 1892.
Excursions & visits:
• Tea Route tour (morning)
Day 6 - 7 : Bel Ombre
Two free days to enjoy the resort. Sandwiched between Frederica Nature Reserve and a protective wall of coral reef, the sheltered beaches and warm waters of Bel Ombre are the perfect place to relax. Or, if you haven’t already, why not head to the spa for a pampering treat or two.
Day 8 : Mahébourg
Getting a taste for true island life, today we head to the south-east of the island to Mahébourg - a traditional town home to candy-coloured fishing boats, local markets and museums. Housed in a beautiful 18th-century French mansion, we learn about the island’s colonial and maritime past at the Naval Museum, before sweetening the deal with a visit to a family-run cassava biscuit factory.
Excursions & visits:
• Mahébourg Naval Museum and biscuit factory tour (morning)
Day 9 : Bel Ombre - Souillac - Balaclava Bay
Leaving Bel Ombre for the north of the island, we first stop at the picturesque seaside village of Souillac. After exploring the historic centre and visiting Telfair Gardens - oceanfront gardens curated by the Irish botanist, Charles Telfair - we have lunch and head north.
Our home for the next few nights is located on the palm-dotted white sands of exclusive Balaclava Bay, each beautifully decorated room has views across the Indian Ocean. Paradise also comes with its own private island, two pools including a shimmering oceanfront infinity pool, a swim-up bar and wellness spa.
Excursions & visits:
• Tour of historic Souillac (morning)
Day 10 : Pamplemousses Botanic Garden
This morning it’s time to smell the roses - plus over 650 other species of plants and flowers including three-metre-wide giant lily pads. Over 300 years old, this exotic plant-based paradise is the oldest botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere and is also home to giant tortoise, deer and stags.
Set in a historic sugar mill within the luscious surroundings of a sugar cane plantation, we also visit nearby L’Adventure de Sucre. More than just a sweet treat, this museum is critical to understanding the island’s three centuries of colonisation, the role of the slave trade, and its rum production.
Excursions & visits:
• Pamplemousses Botanic Garden and L’Adventure de Sucre (morning)
Day 11 : Balaclava Bay
Today is free to relax, take advantage of the watersports at the resort.
Day 12 : Cap Malheureux
We head for the northernmost tip of Mauritius and the fishing village of Cap Malheureux. Named ‘Cape Misfortune’ by the French after the number of ships that were shipwrecked here, the scenery is anything but - with immaculate white beaches and aquamarine waters dotted with sail boats and distant islands.
After visiting the Historic Marine model ship factory, we travel to nearby Grand Baie -a lively town that’s home to dazzling beaches, luxury hotels and sunset bars. A place where all the island’s influences meet under one roof, there’s time to shop for Indian patterned scarves, Creole batik fabrics and Chinese herbs at the Grand Baie Bazaar.
Excursions & visits:
• Excursion to Cap Malheureux and Historic Marine model ship factory (morning)
Day 13 : La Vallée De Ferney Nature Reserve
Today we take a walk on the wilder side of the island on a guided hike through La Valleé de Ferney - a 200-acre protected reserve that’s a refuge for native flora and fauna, including the rare Mauritian Kestrel. There are some steep steps and inclines, so the walk requires a good level of fitness, but it will reward you with breathtaking views across the south-east of the island. Plus, there’s the promise of lunch and free time at the resort to spur us on.
Excursions & visits:
• Guided walk through La Vallée de Ferney Nature Reserve (morning)
Day 14 - 15 : Balaclava Bay
The last couple of days are free for ‘me’ time.
Day 16 : Balaclava Bay - Mauritius - In Flight
Grabbing some final moments and saying goodbye to new friends, we make our way to the airport for your overnight flight home.
Day 17 : Uk
Upon arrival your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
What's Included
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42 meals
14 breakfasts, 14 lunches, 14 dinners
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All-inclusive stays (with free bar 12 hours a day)
Mode of Transport
Travel in destination by coach
Accommodation
14 nights in hotels and 2 in flight
Dates & Availability
2024 Sep
2024 Oct
2024 Nov
2024 Jan
2025 Feb
2025 Mar
2025 Apr
2025 May
2025 Jun
2025 Jul
2025 Aug
2025 Sep
2025 Oct
2025 Nov
2025
Tuesday - Thursday
Jun 04, 2024 - Jun 20, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Jun 18, 2024 - Jul 04, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 03, 2024 - Sep 19, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 10, 2024 - Sep 26, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Oct 01, 2024 - Oct 17, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Oct 15, 2024 - Oct 31, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Oct 29, 2024 - Nov 14, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Nov 19, 2024 - Dec 05, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Nov 26, 2024 - Dec 12, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Jan 14, 2025 - Jan 30, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Feb 04, 2025 - Feb 20, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 04, 2025 - Mar 20, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Apr 01, 2025 - Apr 17, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Apr 29, 2025 - May 15, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
May 13, 2025 - May 29, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
May 20, 2025 - Jun 05, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Jun 03, 2025 - Jun 19, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Jun 17, 2025 - Jul 03, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Jul 15, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Aug 19, 2025 - Sep 04, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 02, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 09, 2025 - Sep 25, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 16, 2025 - Oct 02, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Oct 07, 2025 - Oct 23, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Oct 14, 2025 - Oct 30, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Oct 21, 2025 - Nov 06, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Nov 04, 2025 - Nov 20, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Nov 11, 2025 - Nov 27, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Nov 18, 2025 - Dec 04, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Saga Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.