Maurigold's Exclusive Tours And Activities List

ASCEND TO CITADEL HILL FOR NEW PERSPECTIVES OF THE CITY

This all-encompassing tour of Port Louis starts off with an ascent up to Citadel Hill which offers outstanding panoramic views of the capital city. Your transport will drive you to the best lookout point where you can be sure to capture amazing photos of Port Louis from this unique, 360° vantage point. Your guide will point out all the iconic landmarks and places of interest including the Champ de Mars Racecourse, Parliament House, Central Bank, Port Louis Harbour and several special places of worship like Cathedral Church, Jummah Mosque, Tien Tan Pagoda and Kalayson Temple – a wonderful collection of Mauritius’ many different faiths and religions.
Next we’ll come back down to earth and pay a visit to the Blue Penny Museum which is dedicated to the history and art of the island. It is most famously home to the Blue and Red Penny stamps which were purchased for a staggering $2 million in 1993 and brought back to Mauritius after more than 150 years abroad.
After the museum, we can enjoy a guided stroll through the city centre, towards Le Caudan Waterfront where we will stop for lunch at a popular restaurant to enjoy some traditional island cuisine while resting our feet.

THE AFTERNOON AWAITS…

TAKE IN THE LAID BACK BUZZ OF PORT LOUIS’ MOST POPULAR & PICTURESQUE WATERFRONT

After lunch, we’ll enjoy an afternoon around Le Caudan Waterfront. The perfect place to mix and mingle with friendly locals, visit the craft market, and find wonderful souvenirs, treat yourself in one of the many designer shops, or simply enjoy a refreshing cocktail as you watch the crowds and Port Louis harbour – the choice is yours! Just remember that your guide will always be on hand to assist you with any purchases, recommend a store or even to help capture a few memorable photos with you and your loved ones. When you are ready to head back, your transport will return you safely to your hotel where you’ll be free to enjoy the rest of the evening as you wish.

STEP INTO THE LUSH, BOTANICAL WORLD OF PAMPLEMOUSSES GARDENS

Our day of Mauritian culture and history begins with a morning pick up at your hotel lobby. Then we’ll begin our short drive to the district of Pamplemousses (meaning grapefruits in French!) located in the North West of the island, just above Port Louis.
Our first stop will be Sir Seewoosagur Botanical Gardens which date back to 1770, making them the oldest botanical gardens in the Southern hemisphere. Boasting a fantastic and extensive range of plant species like the giant Victoria Amazonica water lily, 80 different types of palm, as well as native spices and medicinal plants- it really is a treat for plant enthusiasts or indeed anyone with an appreciation for nature! Take as much time as you like to stroll through the gardens and enjoy the lush views, the many fragrances and countless blooms that surround you. Look out for the beautiful trees planted by world leaders and royalty including Princess Margaret, Francois Mitterand and Indira Gandhi!

THE AFTERNOON AWAITS…

DISCOVER THE RICH (AND SWEET!) HISTORY OF THIS REMARKABLE ISLAND

Continuing on our journey of Mauritian discovery, our next stop will be to L’Aventure du Sucre on the Beau Plan Estate; a former sugar cane factory lovingly restored into a wonderful museum that illustrates how this simple ingredient, which was once more sought after than gold, played a major role in Mauritian history and industry. You’ll get a chance to see the original factory machines and equipment, engaging exhibits and of course taste a range of fantastic local produce from the island including twelve different types of natural sugar, tropical jams, rum, and local sweets.
The estate also houses a delightful restaurant where we’ll have lunch and enjoy the views from its veranda overlooking the tropical countryside. You can expect to enjoy a meal bursting with island flavours and a special mix of Mauritian spices. For those with a sweet tooth, the restaurant also offers an incredible selection of desserts, including their famous crème brûlée with fresh vanilla.
After lunch we’ll pass by the boutique gift shop where you can sample and purchase a wonderful array of sugar products like infused rum, local candies and other sugar delicacies.
After a fun and informative trip, your guide will drive you back to your hotel, leaving you to enjoy the rest of the afternoon as you please.

TAKE AN UNFORGETTABLE SCENIC TOUR TO THE CENTRAL PLATEAU, TRY TEA TASTING & VISIT SACRED LAKE

This tour focuses around the central plateau of the island and the many hidden gems that often go overlooked by the beach flocking crowds. Departing from your hotel, your guide will take you up and along the scenic plateau route which has fantastic views of the steep hillsides and vast areas of lush greenery. This fertile area is home to our first stop of the day, the Bois Cheri Tea Factory; a charming plantation which grows, picks and produces some of the finest Mauritian tea. We’ll enjoy a tour of the planted fields, a small museum dedicated to the production process, as well as getting to see some real-time tea production on site. Afterwards we’ll invite you to the veranda which boasts wonderful views overlooking a small lake and the tea fields – the perfect spot for some tea tasting! So sit back and enjoy the views while your selection of teas brew to their full flavour.

After the plantation, our scenic drive continues towards Grand Bassin and the spiritual Crater Lake – an incredibly tranquil and serene place of worship for the island’s Hindu faith. The lake is surrounded by beautiful sculptures of Hindu gods, including two 100ft Lord Shivas at the entrance! Here we can enjoy a gentle stroll around the lake, take in the cool mountain air, see wild monkeys and even visit the little temple for a blessing if desired.
Our final stop before lunch will be to Alexandra Falls, located in Black River Gorges National Park. Here we’ll continue to enjoy the cool, fresh air as well as the impressive viewpoints that unbelievably stretch all the way back to the coastline and deliver unrivaled combinations of rugged mountain ranges, endless tropical greenery and tumbling cascades.

THE AFTERNOON AWAITS…

DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF THE FAMOUS 7 COLOURED EARTH

Our afternoon will begin with a delicious local lunch in the village of Chamarel where we’ll be treated to traditional dishes, full of Mauritian flavour and special spice blends. Afterwards we can relax with a complimentary cup of Chamarel coffee – a small-batch coffee grown and produced exclusively in the surrounding hills.
Suitably refreshed we’ll set off for the final stop of the day; The Seven Coloured Earths. It is a beautiful, naturally occurring phenomenon – a collection of sand dunes with surreal striped colouring due to the layering of seven distinctive sand colours. It’s a wonderfully unusual geological formation that’s best seen to be believed! Your guide will be standing by to tell you all about this special place and of course help you get the best photos.
When we’re ready, we’ll head back to our transport and start our descent back down towards the coast, returning you to your hotel where you’ll be free to enjoy the rest of your evening as you please.

ARRIVAL TO PARADISE ISLAND, WATERFALLS AND BEACH TIME

Today your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby bright and early, to make the most of your day in paradise. Once settled in your private transport, we’ll set off east for Trou d’Eau Douce; a small, calm-water beach and the perfect spot to board our speedboat that will take us to Ile Aux Cerfs.
Licensed and experienced skippers will welcome you onboard, it will take about 20 minutes to reach the island, so sit back, relax, enjoy the views and get ready to discover the true meaning of paradise!
As you step off the boat your feet will dip into warm, crystal waters and soft white sand. You’ll be greeted by palm trees, blue skies and the lull of gentle waters in the shallow lagoons. Complete the picture with a tropical fruit cocktail served from a classic beach hut… and you’ve truly arrived at Ile Aux Cerfs!
Your guide will take you to view the Grand River South East waterfall, a stunning cascade located on the island and a great photo location.
You’re free to enjoy your time on the island however you like, be that sipping on cocktails and soaking up the rays, swimming in the calm lagoons or, if you’re feeling adventurous, parasailing on the beach!

THE AFTERNOON AWAITS…

KICK BACK AND ENJOY AN ISLAND STYLE BBQ LUNCH

Our afternoon will include a laidback, Mauritian-style BBQ on L’Ile de L’Est beach. We’ll serve chicken, fish, sausages and a selection of salads, as well as fresh lobster (at an extra charge) -make sure you save some space for the flambeed banana dessert!
Around the BBQ will provide you with the perfect place to chat, relax and enjoy a delicious meal with your family & loved ones- islander style.
Later in the afternoon, we will depart from the island by speedboat for our return trip back to Trou d’Eau Douce, where your private transport will be waiting to bring you back to your hotel where you can rest and refresh before enjoying the remainder of your evening.

GET READY FOR THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME OUT ON THE WATER WITH NATURE

To ensure you get plenty of time with the dolphins, this tour departs bright and early from your hotel lobby, where your guide will greet you and show you to your transport. After about an hour we’ll reach our first destination; Black River’s jetty where we’ll board our boat and set off to see these amazing creatures in their natural habitat.
As we cruise through turquoise waters, you’ll be surrounded by stunning vistas of the West Coast of the island and the Black River Mountain Range so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!

Our next destination is one of the most popular dolphin hangouts on the island, Black River Coast. Here you can expect to see whole pods of bottlenose and spinner dolphins jumping and frolicking in the crystal waters. As we approach the boat engines are cut, allowing us get closer without disturbing them. We’ll have plenty of time to watch, enjoy, interact and even get into the ocean and swim with these truly special animals, if you have luck you may even see a whale! Make sure to have your camera ready for some once-in-a-lifetime shots.

THE AFTERNOON AWAITS…

EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF BENITIERS ISLAND

After the excitement of the dolphins we’ll venture near to the island oasis of Benitiers. Surrounded by a pristine lagoon, this is a swim and snorkel paradise! Feel free to relax and enjoy the views of the island, swim and snorkel from your boat to explore the underwater coral reefs that surround the island. Keep an eye out for Crystal Rock, an ancient volcanic formation which appears to magically float on the lagoon waters! Remember, your guide will be on hand at all times to show you the best spots on the island and answer any questions.

Our afternoon will include a laidback, Mauritian-style BBQ on Benitiers Island. We’ll serve chicken, fish, sausages and a selection of salads, as well as fresh lobster (at an extra charge) -make sure you save some space for the flambeed banana dessert! Around the BBQ will provide you with the perfect place to chat, relax and enjoy a delicious meal with your family & loved ones- islander style. After lunch your transport will take you back to your hotel to rest after an unforgettable day!