Mauritius holidays

Board Aquarelle for a catamaran cruise across Mauritius’ west coast lagoon. Start on Black River as you sail to coral island Ile aux Bénitiers, gliding past casuarina-lined beaches and surfers’ paradise Tamarin Bay, where you might spot dolphins. Marvel at the clear turquoise lagoon as magnificent Morne Mountain seems to rise out of the sea before you. The rocky landmark was apparently once a refuge for slaves fleeing their masters and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dip into the clear water for swimming and snorkelling before savouring a barbecue lunch on board the catamaran.

Follow the Tea Route to Les Aubineaux, a colonial house with authentic period decor. Continue through tea fields to Bois-Chéri for a guided tour of the village’s factory. Visit the Tea Museum and enjoy a tea-tasting session at the chalet overlooking panoramic views. Next is Le St-Aubin, a plantation house dating back to 1819 that boasts a vanilla house, rum distillery and greenhouse. Savour lunch prepared with estate-grown products in a Creole dining room. The second part of your tour is to the wild south to visit Domaine de Bel Air. Northwards is La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes, a farm home to Nile crocodiles, geckos, monkeys and giant Aldabra tortoises. Board the original Mountain Train for a ride through Paradise Valley’s lush tropical vegetation before enjoying refreshments as the sea crashes against lava-block cliffs at idyllic La Baleine Viewpoint.

Discover a diverse range of Mauritian scenery on this fascinating tour. First stop is Trou-aux-Cerfs, an extinct volcanic crater thick with vegetation, to admire stunning views over the island and its mountains. Continue to Voiliers de l’Ocean where craftsmen work on genuine 18th-century model sailing vessels, perhaps purchasing a miniature replica to take home. Drive south to Ganga Talao, the Ganges reincarnate and a Hindu pilgrimage site, and continue to Plaine-Champagne, a forest reserve overlooking the spectacular Black River Gorges. Enjoy a typical Mauritian lunch at Varangue-sur-Morne, a former game-keeper’s lodge perched amid Chinese guava groves with coastal views. Head past sugar cane fields and pineapple plantations into the fertile valley for a guided tour and tasting at Rhumerie de Chamarel, an authentic distillery. Next see Chamarel’s spectacular waterfall and unique seven-coloured earths before heading back, stopping at a viewpoint overlooking Morne Mountain, Benitiers Island and the west coast.

Visit Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, created in 1767 on the estate of French governor Mahé de Labourdonnais and home to 500 rare plants including Victoria Regina waterlilies and 80 varieties of palm. Continue north via Grand Bay to Cap-Malheureux. See the red-roofed village church and take in a stunning view on Gunner’s Quoin before enjoying lunch at Restaurant Le Reve d’R. Your last stop is Port-Louis, where you’ll visit the Blue Penny Museum, browse Caudan Waterfront’s boutiques and markets and wander around Dias Pier with its shops, bars and cafés.

Embark on a two-hour walk through Ferney Valley, a breathtaking natural reserve located in one of Mauritius’ last indigenous forests. This wonderful haven has been saved from destruction by ecologists and is supported by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. After your walk, enjoy a typical Creole lunch before continuing to the coastal village of Mahébourg.

Embark on a one-day retreat to the idyllic island of Ile-aux-Cerfs, located off the fishing village of Trou D’eau Douce on Mauritius’ east coast. The 79-hectare island is blanketed with casuarinas, coconut trees and flowering bushes and boasts powdery white beaches and clear azure waters. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant Paul & Virginie and hire waterskis, pedalos, sailboats and laser dinghies from the boathouse (extra cost). There’s also a bar where you can relax over a cooling drink.

Visit shopper’s paradise Curepipe, where you can buy duty-free goods. En route visit Adamas Diamond, a duty-free jewellery boutique and diamond cutting factory in Floréal where you can browse diamonds, precious and semi-precious stones and 18-carat gold jewellery. Next stop is a colonial house dating back to 1888, where you can buy duty-free cashmere shawls, fine silk, wool, cotton, rugs, jewellery and perfume. Reaching Curepipe’s main shopping centre, visit Beautés de Chine with its embroidered linen, tablecloths and silk; and Galerie des Iles, a department store selling designer clothes and local handicrafts.

Board a boat to the 25-hectare nature reserve of Ile-aux-Aigrettes. Managed by the Mauritian Wildlife Fountation, this beautiful islet is home to protected flora and fauna including indigenous plants and ebony forests that were once home to the now-extinct dodo. Rare species such as the pink pigeon, day gecko and Aldabra tortoise can survive in total freedom in this wonderful haven. Continue through Blue Bay National Marine Park to idyllic private island Ile des Deux Cocos, fringed with clear waters and white-sand beaches. Visit Follies, a beautiful villa built over a century ago by a British governor. Enjoy snorkelling or a glass bottom boat ride in the marine park before savouring a barbecue lunch over acoustic guitars and singing. Spend the afternoon exploring or relaxing on the island.

Visit the Mauritius Glass Gallery, where beautiful homewares are created from recycled glass. The gallery also boasts Hands of Fame, a collection of glass hand castings from celebrity visitors. Have your own hand cast in glass and browse the boutique. Continue to Eureka, a Creole house dating back to 1830. Beautifully located between the Moka Range and a lush ravine, the historic house contains antique furniture and rare objects. Enjoy some refreshments before driving through Les Mariannes, heading below Pieter Both Peak until you reach former sugar factory Beau Plan, which is now a sugar museum. Embark on L’Aventure du Sucre (The Sugar Adventure), learning about sugar trade routes, the history of its production in Mauritius and more. You can also sample sugars and Mauritian rum.

Discover some of Mauritius' charming traditions as you meet locals and learn more about their lives. First visit Anne Felicite at her basketry workshop at Plaine Magnien, where you'll learn to make your own souvenir. Next meet Lilette St Martin in Mahébourg and visit the tourist village or naval museum. Continue to Notre Dame des Anges Church and enjoy lunch on the waterfront at local restaurant Les Copains D'Abord, stopping on the way at an old bicycle workshop, shoemaker and hairdresser. Finally, head to Biscuiterie Rault, where you will make your own biscuit to enjoy with a cup of tea before taking a packet home.

Experience Mauritian flavours and cultures as you meet locals in their home. Start by visiting Rajcoomaree, aged 70, as she shares her traditional ‘dholl puri’ recipe. Meet Rosemay, a dressmaker who will show you her house, and Premila, a who will show you Samoussa folding and how to make Mauritian chutney. Enjoy a traditional Indian wedding-style lunch at the Bhowanys' before visiting a Tamil temple and the town of Rose Hill.

Meet locals from remote villages as you gain a rare insight into traditional island life. First browse for souvenirs at the colourful Goodlands open market, before continuing to Poudre d’Or to take photos at the monument of the Saint-Géran shipwreck. Next is Brisée Verdière, where Jaiwantee will show you her small basketry shop made from pandanus leaves. In St Julien you’ll meet Selva and discover his vanilla orchid greenhouse before trying his ‘vanilla alouda’, a delicious milky drink. Lunch is served at Maison Eureka in Moka. Minta has lived and worked at the business since the age of 14 and will share her memories. Head back through Les Mariannes, stopping to meet pineapple planter Deepak and try fresh pineapple with salt and chilli. Finally, reach Pereybère, hearing about photographer Diane Henry’s work and browsing her pictures.

Arrive at Trou D’eau Douce and board Oceane for a catamaran cruise along the stunning east coast, a spectacular azure lagoon of crystal clear waters. Heading south, the mountains meet the sea creating mesmerising coastal scenery. This coastline is steeped in a rich history – it was the site of several English-French skirmishes back in the 1700s and was also where the Dutch settlers landed on the island. Near the barrier reef you’ll be able to see islets dotted on the horizon. Take time to swim and snorkel before tucking into a barbecue lunch on board the boat. Then sail on to Ile aux Cerfs, a breathtaking island renowned for its white-sand beaches and transparent waters, before returning to Trou D’eau Douce.

Visit Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, created in 1767 on the estate of French governor Mahé de Labourdonnais and home to 500 rare plants including Victoria Regina waterlilies and 80 varieties of palm including the talipot, which flowers once every 60 years before dying. Continue to the island’s capital, Port-Louis, which was founded back in 1735 by Mahé de Labourdonnais. Stop for photos at La Citadel, a fortress that dates back to 1834, for a beautiful view of the harbour, mountains, city skyline and Champ de Mars, the world’s second-oldest race course. Continue to Place d’Armes, seeing the Saint Louis Cathedral, Supreme Courtm Municipal Theatre and Government House along the way. Visit Caudan Waterfront with its boutiques, open bazaar, pier and covered market.