Behold the dramatic landscape of volcanically formed Mauritius and visit its quintessential attractions, an experience that will present a remarkably complete picture of this mountainous island. One day will be devoted to the seaside villages and botanic gardens in the north, a second day will focus entirely on the natural wonders in the south and yet another day will be spent in the capital of Port Louis. Free time in the late afternoons allows you to discover much more at your leisure and at your own pace.
NOTE: This extensive 4-day program covers a lot of ground by walking and driving in a luxury coach. It is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties due to the amount of walking, steps and uneven ground.
DAY 1
Upon disembarkation from the cruise ship, you will board a coach for a scenic drive into northern Mauritius.
In time, you will arrive in seaside Grand Baie. This resort village is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Mauritius and offers a large choice of fashions and crafts in traditional local shops, some operating for almost 50 years, alongside modern shopping centers and worldwide brand shops. After a guided visit there, you will enjoy free time to shop.
Continuing on to the village of Grand Gaube, you will pause for photos of red-roofed Notre Dame Auxiliatrice Church. Located at the very northern point of Mauritius, it overlooks the Coin de Mire islet, which offers a photogenic background for snapshots.
Your next destination will be Domaine de Labourdonnais, a privately owned estate founded in 1774 that is now open to the public. The main mansion, Château de Labourdonnais was built in the mid-19th century by the influential Christian Wiehe, whose family lived there for more than 150 years. While touring the estate, you will be offered tastings that may include rums and other products made on the property.
A full meal featuring Mauritian cuisine follows at the charming restaurant Le Fangourin, which sits amidst the garden of the former Beau Plan sugar plantation. Afterwards, you will visit L'Aventure du Sucre, a museum whose exhibits depict the production of sugar. It is housed in a former sugar factory that still contains most of the original machinery. Sampling of various sugars and rums will be offered.
Later in the afternoon, you will visit the Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, which French naturalist Pierre Poivre created in 1767. It is known for its 500 rare plant species from all over the world. Highlights include giant Victoria Regina water lilies and many varieties of palm trees, including the talipot, which flowers after about 60 years and then dies. The funeral shrine of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the Father of the Nation, can be found in the garden.
You will then check into your hotel where you will have some free time before dinner is served there.
DAY 2
Today, you will behold the spectacular scenery in the southern part of Mauritius by first driving to the Trou aux Cerfs crater, which a now-dormant volcano formed. Its position on the central plateau of the island provides a panoramic vista over the rest of the island.
You will next visit Bois Chéri, the first and biggest tea producer in Mauritius, to discover the history of tea on the island and witness the transformation of the tea leaves into flavored teas, green teas and herbal teas. A tasting of teas follows in the midst of the picturesque scenery of the plantation.
You will then proceed to Grand Bassin, a sacred lake for the Hindu community that lies in a volcanic crater known for its beauty and legend. It is said that the water in the lake communicates with the Ganges in India, making it a pilgrimage site for Mauritian Hindus.
Another beautiful vista awaits you at the Black River Gorges viewpoint, which overlooks Mauritius’ deepest gorge.
After lunch in a beautiful restaurant setting nearby, you will proceed to Chamarel. After pausing for photos of the breathtaking Chamarel waterfall, you will visit the Seven-Colored Earth Geopark. The hues of red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow in the soil are from the different minerals that volcanic activity deposited there.
You will then return to the hotel to enjoy free time before dinner is served there.
DAY 3
After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to the village of Moka and visit the 19th-century Eureka Colonial House. It is one of the oldest and largest colonial houses on the island and features 109 doors and windows. While touring, be sure to notice the period furniture, which provides an authentic glimpse into colonial living. Later, while relaxing under the veranda, you will be served refreshments and local snacks.
The next stop will be Port Louis’ popular central market, the center of the local economy since Victorian times. It is an excellent place to get a feel for everyday life in the capital city. The stalls are full of fruits, vegetables and herbal medicines.
You will enjoy a different perspective of Mauritian life at Le Caudan Waterfront, one of the oldest shopping malls on the island. Located on the docks of Port-Louis, it includes many high-end boutiques, duty-free shops, food courts and artisanal stalls.
While browsing the Blue Penny Museum, you will see two of the rarest stamps in the world – the red one penny and the blue two-pence stamps, which were issued in 1847. The museum also boasts a precious heritage collection about the rich history of the island.
After browsing the museum, you will return to the hotel to enjoy free time before dinner is served there.
DAY 4
After breakfast at and check out by 12:00pm, you will transfer to the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport per your flight schedule. Luggage storage is available at the hotel for guests whose flights depart late in the day.
Land Program Details Step by Step
• The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
• Itineraries with up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
• The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
• A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
9:00am Debark from the ship
9:15am Drive to the village of Grand Baie
9:40am Guided walk and free time in Grand Baie
10:10am Drive to the village of Cap Malheureux
10:30am Photo stop at the Red Roof Church
10:45am Drive to the village of Labourdonnais
11:10am Visit Chateau Labourdonnais with tastings
11:45pm Proceed to the village of Beau Plan
12:00pm Lunch at Le Fangourin restaurant
1:30pm Visit of the L’Aventure du Sucre Museum and sugar tasting
2:30pm Proceed to the village of Pamplemousses
2:45pm Visit Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
3:45pm Depart for the hotel
4:15pm Check in at the hotel
Leisure time
7:30pm Dinner at the hotel
Overnight at Le Meridien Ile Maurice Resort or similar
DAY 2
8:00am Full English breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Drive to Curepipe
10:00am Visit the Trou aux Cerf dormant volcano
10:45am Visit the Bois Cheri and tea tasting
11:30am Stop at Grand Bassin sacred lake
12:00pm Photo stop at the Black River Gorges
12:30pm 3-course lunch at a restaurant
1:50pm Photo stop at Chamarel waterfall
2:15pm Stop at the Seven-Colored Earth Geopark
3:00pm Drive back to the hotel
4:15pm Arrive at the hotel
Overnight at Le Meridien Ile Maurice Resort or similar
DAY 3
8:00am Full English breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Depart for the Eureka Colonial House
10:15am Visit the Eureka Colonial House
11:00am Proceed to the capital city of Port Louis
11:30am Visit the central market
12:00am Walk to the Caudan Waterfront
12:15pm Visit the Caudan Waterfront esplanade
1:00pm Visit the Blue Penny Museum
1:30pm Drive back to hotel and enjoy leisure time
7:30pm Dinner at the hotel
Overnight at Le Meridien Ile Maurice Resort or similar
DAY 4
8:00am Full English breakfast
12:00pm Official check-out time at the hotel
Transfer to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport based on your flight schedule. For guests with late flights, luggage storage will be available at the hotel.
Extra Nights
• All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.
• When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up-to-date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late-departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected Weather
Summer is sunny and warm with temperatures ranging from 78°F to 85°F (26°C to 29° C). The chance of rain is constant in April, around 32% throughout the month.
What to Bring
Light clothing, comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, camera and umbrella.
Currency
The currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee, with one Rupee divided into 100 cents. The currency code is MUR and the symbol used is 'Rs.' USD is accepted by a limited number of shops. There are plenty of exchange bureaus in the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, towns, villages and at the hotels. All major debit and credit cards are widely used and accepted in Mauritius, such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express. However, it is always best to ensure that your card will be accepted in Mauritius by your bank.
Electricity
220V. We recommend bringing a travel adaptor for electric devices as the hotels do not provide these.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is required. No visa required for citizens of the United States of America. For residents of other countries, please check with your local embassy for any visa requirements.
Accommodation
Le Meridien Ile Maurice Resort
Address: MU, Village Hall Lane, Pointe aux Piments 21304
Phone: + 230 204 3333
*We will only substitute hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are substituted, they will be of equal ratings and standards. If you are not notified of any changes before your sailing, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in the program.
Program Includes for guests:
• 3 nights at Le Meridien Ile Maurice Resort or similar including breakfast
• Transfers
• Visiting the capital city of Port Louis and a refreshment and warm local snacks
• Visiting the north of the island and a 3-course lunch with a drinks package of ½ water + 1 soft drink or 1 beer + tea or coffee
• Visiting the south of the island and 3-course lunch with a drinks package of ½ water + 1 soft drink or 1 beer + tea or coffee
• Air-conditioned coaches for transportation
• English-speaking guide for tours
• Entrance fees to all sites visited
• Any applicable taxes
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests
• Gratuities for guides and drivers
• Any meals or beverages not listed above
• Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.
Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability.
