Premium Tour

15 nights/16 days

*as from CHF 5500.- pro Person

Discover charm and harmony in an idyllic place

description

* As from CHF 5500.- per person

No. of participants: as from 2

The price includes:

  • International flights in economy class
  • Transfer from the airport to your accommodation and back
  • Half-board accommodation (breakfast et 1 meal)
  • Travel by car or air-conditioned mini-bus
  • All excursions, catamaran and speedboat trips described
  • VAT included

With supplement:

  • Personal expenses, meals and drinks not mentioned
  • Cancellation/repatriation and luggage insurance
  • Application fee and payment by credit card

Information:

  • Children under 2 years old have no fees, i.e. flight and package

itinerary

Day 1: Flight to Mauritius

Flight from Geneva/ Basel/ Zurich to Mauritius

Day 2: Arrival in Mauritius and transfer to your accommodation

The plane lands at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) Mauritius airport where our local team will pick you up. Then, they will drive you to the Northeast coast of the island until your accommodation. At your arrival in your 5* accommodation in Azuri Village Resort & Spa, a welcome cocktail awaits you for a pleasant refreshment.

Free afternoon: You can enjoy the beach, the swimming pools and the various activities of Azuri.

Day 3: Museum « L’Aventure du sucre » and Pamplemousse Botanical Garden

9:00 Pick-up time at Azuri

Established in a beautiful Sugar Estate in Beau Plan, the museum “L’Aventure de Sucre” is an old sugar factory transformed into a modern and playful museum. He proposes to discover the history of sugar in Mauritius through a complete visit from the cultivation of sugarcane until its transformation.

12:30 Lunch at le Fangourin Restaurant (at your expense)

The Botanic Garden, formally known as Sir Seewoosagur Botanic Garden, is one of the most visited attractions in Mauritius. The garden is located in the proximity of Port-Louis in the district of Pamplemousse.

The botanical garden was initially opened as a private garden by the French governor of Mauritius nearly 300 years ago, later to become the national botanical garden of Mauritius.

The botanical garden stretches over endless acres of land and it may take you more than a week to cover the whole garden. It is populated with more than 650 varieties of plants among which are the famous Baobabs, the Palmier Bouteille, the ineluctable Giant Water Lilies, dozens of medicinal plants, a large spice garden and many more.

One of the main attractions of the botanical garden is the 85 different varieties of palm trees brought from different corners of the world. Other indigenous species of plants are also exhibited here.

16:00 Departure to Azuri

Day 4: Catamaran Cruise- See North Islands

Enjoy an unforgettable catamaran cruise along the North coast of Mauritius.

The catamaran cruise departs at 8:00 from Grand Baie on the North of Mauritius. Expected arrival time back to Grand Bay is 16:00.

The sailing time is around 1.5 hours before reaching Gabriel Island. The island is most famous for if its beautiful unspoiled beaches, with crystal clear water surrounding the entire island.

At around 12.30 you will enjoy full delicious BBQ lunch buffet set on the beach OR on the catamaran. Please note that the menu includes only fresh fish, fresh chicken and a selection of fresh salads (included in your package).

16:00 Departure to Azuri

Day 5 : Free day

Enjoy the beach and spa

Suggestion: One of the hiking trails of the national park of “Bras d’eau” to five kilometres of Azuri. The park was created to protect endemic species close to extinction: the opportunity for you to imagine what Mauritius looked like before the man settled there. During your walk, you can discover ebony, ferns and orchids, but also birds, such as the Coq des Bois (or “flycatcher”). You will find information on fauna and flora at the visitor centre located on the road crossing the forest.

Day 6 : Black River Gorges, The Rhumerie de Chamarel Distillery and 7 coloured earth at Chamarel

9:00 Departure time to the Black River Gorges

This natural park offers magnificent landscapes and allows to randomly discover walks about 300 species of trees, shrubs, plants and animals.

Situated in the South West part of Mauritius, in the heart of a fertile valley lies the Rhumerie de Chamarel which is surrounded by vast sugarcane plantations growing in harmony with the pineapples and other tropical fruits nearby.

Displaying a unique sense of warmth and authenticity, the Rhumerie de Chamarel Distillery welcomes visitors for an all-encompassing tourism experience ranging from a guided visit of the distillery and rum tasting to a tasty meal at L’Alchimiste (included in your package)

Continue with the 7-colour tour of the land, Chamarel’s most famous site, with its amazing landscape of naturally coloured hills. This phenomenon is due to the presence of volcanic ash containing mineral oxides of different colours exposed by erosion for centuries.

16:00 Driving back to Azuri along the East coast: a romantic way, which allows you to discover this part of the island still undeveloped.

Day 7: Catamaran to Deer Island

Treat yourself to a memorable day of exhilarating sail on a beautiful Catamaran to “Ile aux cerfs” – this will definitely be one of the highlights of your holidays in Mauritius.

On board enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch, selection of alcoholic beverages (beer, rum, cocktails) and non-alcoholic drinks and more.

The catamaran cruise departs at 09:00 from the Preskil Beach Resort’s Jetty located at Pointe Jerome on the South East of Mauritius.

This cruise is all about sailing through crystal clear waters whilst enjoying breath-taking sceneries and relaxing on the beautiful white sand bank of “Ile-aux-cerfs”.

Along the way at around 11:00, the catamaran makes a stop for you to enjoy snorkelling inside the islands largest lagoon allowing you to enjoy the underwater marine life and swim amongst superb corals and brightly coloured tropical fish.

After snorkelling, the catamaran continues sailing along the beautiful east coast and will take you up the river’s mouth of Grand River South East to see the giant bat colony and monkeys living on the rivers bank and also to see the waterfall from afar.

Expected arrival time back to Azuri is 16:00, and depends on tide and winds.

Day 8 : Free day

Relaxing day at the beach.

Why don’t you do The Mangrove Nature Track? A stone’s throw from your accommodation, discover the Mangroves “mangled”, the natural habitat of many crabs, birds and other creatures of the seas and swamps. Continue your walk by the beach to the village Lafayette post office. You will not be disappointed.

Day 9: “La Roche-qui-pleure” and Blue Bay

9:00 Departure time at Azuri

The south of Mauritius offers many surprises for those who take the time to discover it. This part of the coastline is not surrounded by coral reefs and the waves break on the cliffs, offering as a little air of Bretagne to the walker. To the east of Souillac, “La Roche-qui-pleure” provides a magnificent view of the Indian Ocean, which is more often used to see through its lagoons.

12:30 Lunch at your expense

14:00 Arrival at the Blue-Bay Public beach

The Blue Bay Marine Park is considered one of the most beautiful Ramsar sites in the world. It is classified national heritage of Mauritius. If there is only one marine site to visit when you come to the island, it is unquestionably this one. You will find rare species of breath-taking beauty corals and tropical fish with sensational shades of colour, less than 5 meters deep.

16:00 Departure to Azuri.

Day 10: The Tea route and sacred lake Grand-Bassin

9:00 Departure time at Azuri

Located on the central plateau of the island, at an altitude favorable to the cultivation of the tea, Bois Cheri is at the same time a plantation, a tea factory and a museum. Our guides will be happy to show and explain the different stages of production: from picking to wrapping, wilting, fermentation, drying and sifting.

12:30 Lunch at your expense in the “Bois Chéri” restaurant.

Venturing further into the land and passing the artificial reservoirs of La Marie and La Mare aux Vacoas, you will encounter Ganga Talao (or Grand Bassin), a natural lake nestled in the crater of an ancient volcano. This lake is an important place of pilgrimage where many Hindus of Mauritius converge to pray to Lord Shiva during the festival of Maha Shivratree. Our guides will introduce you to some of the temples that line the lake and explain the rituals.

Returning back at Azuri

Day 11: Free day

Enjoy the beach and its surroundings

Suggestion: Visit the Cellar Lady (the Caves of Roches Noires). It is a natural volcanic cave, located on the main road of the village of Roches Noires, five minutes from Azuri. A friendly and refreshing excursion.

Day 12: Catamaran Cruise – Swim with Dolphins

Enjoy a full day catamaran cruise to see Dolphins on the west coast of Mauritius including a visit to Crystal rock and Benitiers Island.

This catamaran cruise includes Breakfast, BBQ lunch buffet and selection of drinks including alcoholic (beer, rum, cocktails…) and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day.

As part of this cruise tour, you will discover the dolphins of Tamarin bay, visit the famous Crystal rock which stands out in the middle of the lagoon, and stay on Benitiers Island for lunch and relaxation on its beautiful sandy beaches.

Expected arrival time to Tamarin is 4:00 pm and then back to Azuri

Day 13: Visit and shopping at Port-Louis

9:00 Pick-up time to Azuri

 You begin your visit by “Place d’armes” and its cannons returned to symbolise Peace. This broad, palm-lined avenue is the central location of the capital, bordered by the oldest Indian Ocean Theater, and the Government House.

Your visit continues with another unmissable place: the Central Market. Colourful, noisy, swarming with life and surprises, the “bazaar” (as they say in Mauritius) is divided into two parts. On the left, you will walk between the fruit and vegetable stalls, the pyramids of spices and the amazing packages of medicinal plants used by the Mauritians to cure all sorts of ailments. Do not hesitate to taste the “Dholl Puri” (Indian crepe) and local drinks such as “Alouda”. The right part of the market is reserved for the local crafts: enough to have fun and bring back some souvenirs of your Mauritian escapade.

You then enter Chinatown, symbolised by an imposing red door with characteristic architecture. With its many restaurants, traditional pharmacies, shops, small shops and food stalls on every street corner, this small parcel of Asian culture will transport you to the Far East in no time at all.

The tour ends at Caudan. A short stroll along the waterfront will refresh you after crossing the streets of the capital lined with buildings. The Caudan provides a craft market, clothing shops, a bookshop, bars and restaurants, a museum, a cinema and even a casino.

16:00 Departure to Azuri

Day 14 : Vanilla Crocodile Park

9:00 Pick-up time at Azuri

The Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park which is home to various species of animals, reptiles and plants is set in a beautiful rain forested valley with natural freshwater springs, full of prawns and fish.

As part of your visit to the Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park, the park’s guides will guide you through some unforgettable walks, and you will stroll through luxuriant greenery where banana trees, palm trees and giant bamboos provide shade for the crocodiles and the giant tortoises.

During your stay in the park, you can also experience a first-hand unique encounter with the giant tortoises, and get a rare chance to feed, pet and play with them.

Also thousands of Nile crocodiles and giant tortoises are found in the park and you can watch them in maximum safety.

There is also a mini zoo of Mauritian fauna where you can find most of the Mauritian mammals and reptiles including skinks, phelsumas (geckos), giant tortoises, turtles, bats, deer, mongooses, monkeys, pigs, as well as domestic livestock such as goats, fat-tailed sheep and donkeys.

Lunch (not included)

16:00 Departure to Azuri

Day 15 : Visit of the Casela Nature Park

9:00 Pick-up time at Azuri

The Mauritius Casela Park is a real nature and adventure park. It is located besides the Rempart Mountain on the South-West of Mauritius offering magnificent views of the countryside rolling down the west coast of Mauritius.

The entrance ticket (included in your package) allows you to discover animal species from Mauritius (pink pigeons, giant tortoises, deer, wild boars …) or come from elsewhere (lions, zebras, ostriches, macaques, cheetahs, rhinoceros, giraffes, …). After a short walk in the lush nature, you will board an open bus to get closer to the animals.

Would you like more action? Safari by quad, jeep, segway or camel ride, zip lines, tilapia fishing, walking with lions are available (fees apply).

Lunch will be at your expense at the park restaurant, with peacocks and with views of the west coast.

16:00 Departure to Azuri

Day 16 : Return Flight

Transfer to Mauritius SSR airport and return flight to Geneva / Zurich / Basel.

The departure time at Azuri will depend on the time of your return flight.

Terms and Conditions:

The services described in the program will be provided subject to climatic conditions and days. In any case, a replacement activity will be provided.