Mauritius Excursions

Voyana and our chosen partner White Sands Tours are delighted to present the following excursions available to all of our guests staying in Mauritius. Available for booking before your holiday or in resort with your representative.

Highlights:
• Mauritius Glass Gallery to see traditional methods of recycling glass
• Panoramic view from Trou aux Cerfs, the dormant volcanic crater
• Sacred Lake of Grand Bassin / Ganga Talao (site of Lord Shiva's temple)
• The Black River Gorges
• Lunch at our exclusive private forest lodge, Domaine de Saint Denis
• Chamarel's seven coloured earths
• Casela park and panoramic views over the west coast

The south of Mauritius is one of the most scenic and unspoilt parts of the island. This full day tour places the emphasis on nature - visiting the extinct crater of Trou aux Cerfs, the sacred lake of Grand Bassin, the unique seven coloured earths of Chamarel and admiring the breath-taking Black River Gorges – this is a full day of scenically contrasting delights. For lunch you will be taken to the Domaine Saint Denis – a hunting lodge above Black River Gorges set amidst lush vegetation with panoramic views and an enticing table d'hôte menu. You will also visit the Mauritius Glass Gallery and see the original method of recycling glass. The tour ends at Casela Nature & Leisure Park, a reserve that spreads over 8 hectares and is home to more than 140 varieties of birds from the five continents.

Highlights:
• Shopping in Curepipe at the duty-free shops, diamond cutting workshop, model ship factory and the oriental carpet shop
• Panoramic view from Trou aux Cerfs, the dormant volcanic crater
• The sacred Lake of Grand Bassin / Ganga Talao (site of Lord Shiva's Temple)
• The Black River Gorges
• Lunch at our exclusive private forest lodge, Domaine de Saint Denis
• Chamarel's seven coloured earths

The south of Mauritius is one of the most scenic and unspoilt parts of the island. This tour includes a stop in Curepipe, where there are numerous duty-free shops, diamond cutting workshops, model ship factories and a hand-made oriental carpet shop. Watches, craft, paintings and top designer garments are also available at competitive prices. Visiting the extinct crater of Trou aux Cerfs, the sacred lake of Grand Bassin, the unique seven coloured earths of Chamarel and admiring the breath-taking Black River Gorges – this is a full day of scenically contrasting delights. For lunch you will be taken to the Domaine Saint Denis – a hunting lodge above Black River Gorges set amidst lush vegetation with panoramic views and an enticing table d'hôte menu.

Highlights:
• Explore by Land Rover or Quad Bike, L'Etoile & Ferney Reserve
• Panoramic views of the East, South East and North of the island
• Indigenous vegetation
• Stags in natural habitat
• Enjoy a typical Mauritian buffet

Explore the balance of nature and uncover some of the fabulous natural treasures of Mauritius, amidst the stunning surroundings of L'Etoile & Ferney Reserve, a 3,500-hectare estate, teeming with deer and wild boar among other wildlife and one of the best kept secrets on the island. After a welcome drink and a briefing, you will be taken on a three-hour safari, either by Land Rover or, for the more adventurous, on Quad Bike, escorted by an experienced guide who will brief you on the myriad of flora and fauna of the estate. After lunch you can try your hand at some archery or take a leisurely stroll along the riverbank.

Highlights:
• Guided visit of Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens
• St François d'Assise oldest church and the monument of the Confessor of Napoleon (near the botanical garden)
• L'Aventure du Sucre (Sugar Museum), a great interactive adventure
• Shop for exotic sugars (12 varieties) and local rum
• Tour of the island's capital Port-Louis
• Duty-free shopping at Miraj
• Great shopping at the Caudan Waterfront

Visit Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, with its great collection of endemic palms, rare trees and giant water lilies. Then transfer to the Sugar Adventure, an interactive tour, which unveils the fascinating history of the island. Lunch is served at “Le Fangourin” restaurant on site. The day also includes a visit to Port Louis and Caudan Waterfront, with its craft market and great selection of clothing boutiques.

Highlights:
• Domaine Les Pailles, where you will experience the style of colonial Mauritius
• Visit the ancient sugar mill and rum distillery
• Enjoy Mauritian tea and cakes at Eureka , one of the oldest and best preserved colonial houses on the island

A fascinating full day trip. You will spend the morning at Domaine Les Pailles, a protected nature reserve that recreates the style of ancient Mauritius and includes colonial houses, a traditional sugar mill and a rum distillery. You then transfer to Eureka – one of the oldest and best preserved colonial houses on the island, splendidly situated against the background of the majestic Moka range. After a visit of the estate, tea and cakes are served at the house.

Highlights:
• The traditional Mauritian village of Mahebourg
• National History Museum
• Short sea crossing to Ile-aux-Aigrettes (Mauritius Wildlife Sanctuary), home to the rare pink pigeon and indigenous vegetation.
• Spectacular views of Grand Port mountain range and islands of the lagoon.
• La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes, home to over 2,000 Nile crocodiles, the world's largest captive breeding reserve for the Aldabra Tortoise and the Indian Ocean region's largest collection of insects
• A drive along Paradise Valley to the Rountree family clifftop bungalow overlooking the ocean.

This thoroughly enjoyable full day tour takes you first to the National History Museum at Mahebourg for a fascinating glimpse at many aspects of the Mauritian heritage. From there, we take the short sea crossing to picturesque Ile aux Aigrettes, home to, among much other local fauna, the rare pink pigeon. Once back on the mainland, we then proceed to La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes, a lush tropical forest, and home to over 2,000 Nile crocodiles as well as being the world's largest captive breeding ground for the Aldabra Tortoise. After lunch, which is included, we board local transport and drive, via Paradise Valley, rich in flora and fauna, to the Rountree Encampment at Bel Air where you will enjoy afternoon tea after visiting the estate's famous water garden.

Highlights:
• Visit Domaine des Aubineaux, one of the few remaining original colonial houses built in 1872.
• See the processing of leaves at a traditional tea factory.
• Travel through some of the island's most beautiful countryside, visiting vanilla and anthurium plantations en route.
• Lunch at Saint Aubin, a fine 19th century plantation house lovingly restored to its former glory.
• Opportunity to buy unique Mauritian teas and rum

By following our Tea Route , you will uncover the traditional side of Mauritius . Stroll around the Domaine des Aubineaux , built in 1872 and one of the few remaining colonial houses of the high plateaux, then visit the tea factory to watch the processing of tea leaves. Lunch will be served at Le Saint Aubin, a fine plantation house originally built in 1819 and lovingly preserved. You'll also experience many of the exotic plants that are endemic to the south of Mauritius as you travel through some truly lovely countryside. What's more, you'll visit a rum distillery, vanilla and anthurium plantations as well as get to taste a cup of delicious tea.

Highlights:
• Short sea crossing to Ile-aux-Aigrettes (Mauritius Wildlife Sanctuary), home to the rare pink pigeon and indigenous vegetation.
• Visit the traditional village of Mahebourg
• Lunch at Le Panoramour a stunning hilltop location overlooking Grand Port lagoon.
• Explore Domaine du Chasseur, 2,000 acres of lush vegetation and rich fauna

Ile aux Aigrettes, home to the pink pigeon and other rare species of bird, as well as many endemic coastal plants that can't be found anywhere else in the world. For lunch you'll return to the mainland and take the short trip to the ‘Panoramour', a restaurant high up in the hills with stunning views out over the beautiful lagoon, where you'll dine on fine game and local produce in typically Mauritian style at rustic tables. The afternoon will be spent exploring Domaine du Chasseur, a magnificent park occupying over 2,000 acres and the habitat for a variety of wildlife including deer, monkeys, wild boar and much more; all set against lush vegetation of ebony, eucalyptus, palm trees and wild orchids.

Highlights:
• A day relaxing in the ‘tropical playground' of Mauritius
• Home to the 18 hole golf course designed by Bernhard Langer
• Sun worshipping on the dazzling white beaches or swimming in the warm turquoise waters
• Lunch at one of the island's restaurant included

The legendary island of Ile aux Cerfs is an invitation to relax and enjoy a day 'in paradise'. This perfect tropical playground with dazzling stretches of white sand and warm turquoise waters is what you've been dreaming of before coming to Mauritius. Lunch on the island is included.

Highlights:
• Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens
• Tour of the island's capital Port-Louis
• Duty-free shopping at Miraj
• Great shopping at Le Caudan Waterfront
• Optional visit to the Blue Penny Museum

The highlight of this trip is the oldest botanical garden of the southern hemisphere. Pamplemousses Gardens, well known to naturalists the world over, boasts a magnificent collection of indigenous and exotic plants. The attractions include giant water lilies, shady palm avenues and an old baobab tree, Aldabra giant tortoises and “Château Mon Plaisir”. An orientation tour of the island's capital, Port Louis, is followed by time to visit Miraj and Caudan Waterfront with great shopping, and an optional visit to the Blue Penny Museum. Mahebourg is named in honour of the famous French governor Mahé de Labourdonnais. In this historical harbour village one can taste the traditional ‘biscuit manioc’ made from cassava according to an old family recipe. Later discover the essential oils at the local ‘Ylang Ylang’ plantations overlooking the historical bay of Vieux Grand Port.

Highlights:
• Guided visit of Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens
• L'Aventure du Sucre (Sugar Museum) – a great interactive adventure
• Shop for exotic sugars (12 varieties and local rum)

Visit Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, with its great collection of endemic palms, rare trees and giant water lilies. Then transfer to the Sugar Adventure, an interactive tour, which unveils the fascinating history of the island.

Highlights:
• Mauritius Glass Gallery (including glass blowing demonstration
• M Prêt-à-Porter, international designer boutique
• Oriental carpet shop (Duty free)
• Duty free diamonds, watches and jewellery, model ships, designer clothes, locally produced arts and crafts
• Shopping to suit all tastes and budgets

Mauritius is a famous shoppers' paradise and this tour will prove it! You will be picked up from your hotel and whisked off to the best bargains on the island. From diamonds to model ships, from designer clothes to locally produced art, Mauritius has it all, and often at unbeatable prices. ‘M' Prêt-à-Porter and Mauritius Glass Gallery are among the shopping delights waiting for you.

Please note all excursions, visitor attractions, activities, availability and times are subject to change without notice.