Central Mauritius

Curepipe is the home of the largest dormant volcano on the island. Visitors can view the crater and an aerial view of the most populated cities of the island. Curepipe, located in the centre of the island is also famous for its craft markets, particularly the ‘bottled ships’

Grand Bassin is one of the island's two natural lakes. It rests in the crater of an extinct volcano. The geological location of this lake is breathtaking. The lake also bears huge significance to the local Hindu population, as the lake acts as a place of pilgrimage, especially on the occasion of Maha Shivaratree. Here the faithful release floating candles to pray for peace and prosperity.

Casela Bird Park is home to one hundred and forty varieties of native and imported birds. It is also home to one of the world’s rarest birds the Pink Pigeon.

Translated from French, the Ile aux Cerfs means the Island of Hares. These days they are a very rare sight if they are evident. This is a small island located off the east coast and can be reached by a superb boat excursion which can be taken from the jetty at Grand Baie or Pointe Maurice. The island has two restaurants, curio shops and very good beaches. Interestingly the tortoises of the island are over two hundred years old! This is a popular day out with both the locals and tourists alike.

The island of Mauritius is the result of volcanic activity, which can most clearly be witnessed here with enormous craters such as Trou-aux-Cerfs with a diameter of 370 metres and a depth of 100 metres... Grand Bassin, another crater situated at an altitude of 702 metres, bathes in a fairy-tale atmosphere. In February, Hindu worshippers crowd the temples on its edges to celebrate Maha Shivaratree. The plateau is surrounded by 1000-metre ridges, including the famous Pieter Both (823 m). There are several tracks and hikes for the avid rambler to explore, allowing you to discover the island from up high and to appreciate the subtle shades of green in the landscape, blended with the emerald ocean and blue skies. From Crève-Coeur at the foot of the Pieter Both, we can get the best view of this symphony of colours. Kanaka Crater, another dormant volcano, can be reached via difficult tracks cut out among the tea plantations. At Plaine Champagne and n the gorges of the Rivière Noire there are virgin forests of tropical trees with matting, makak, eucalyptus, and ebony. It is here that rare birds such as the pink pigeon or the podle-en-queue build their nests and where ferns and wild orchids flourish.