A week's holiday in the south of Mauritius

Day 1: Around Chamarel

Chamarel is an essential place to visit on a trip to Mauritius. It offers a glimpse of the island's natural beauty and cultural richness. So make the most of it on your first day of holiday!

Ebony Forest nature reserve

In the early hours of the morning, slip on your hiking boots and set off to discover the magnificent Ebony Forest nature reserve. With its many marked trails, panoramic viewpoints and flora and fauna endemic to Mauritius, it offers a unique experience for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts. The reserve opens every day at 9am, so it is advisable to get there early. The recommended visit time is at least 3 to 4 hours to take full advantage of the trails and scenery.

Activities in Chamarel

Chamarel is known for its spectacular scenery, including its waterfall and the Land of Seven Colours.

• The Chamarel cascade is an 83-metre-high waterfall that plunges into an oval basin before joining a canyon several kilometres long. Surrounded by a lush tropical forest, it offers visitors an unforgettable spectacle.
• The Land of Seven Colours is a unique geological formation, due to the presence of iron and aluminium oxides in the soil. The vibrant colours of these sand dunes - red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow - never fade despite the weather, tropical rains and climatic conditions.
• The Chamarel rum distillery is one of the most famous in Mauritius. It offers guided tours and tastings of its products: an essential stop-off to round off your day! Discover their website.

Day 2: Discovering the south-east of Mauritius

Visit to the Rault biscuit factory in Mahébourg

Why not start your second day with a gourmet visit? Discover the H. Rault biscuit factory in Mahébourg, and their unique biscuits with the flavours of yesteryear, made using a traditional method that has remained unchanged for over 140 years.

Blue Bay and Pointe d'Esny

• The Blue Bay Marine Park is one of the jewels of Mauritius. Its pristine white sand, crystal-clear waters and shallow turquoise lagoon make it an ideal spot for snorkelling and water sports. For scuba divers, the 380-hectare marine sanctuary is home to exceptional biodiversity, with its coral garden and countless tropical fish.
• Pointe d'Esny is particularly popular with families with children for its long sandy beach and calm waters. It's an ideal place to relax, swim and soak up the sun. The trade winds that blow regularly over this part of the island also make it an ideal spot for windsurfers and kitesurfers, as well as stand-up paddlers when the sea is calm.
   

Day 3: Hiking in the Black River Gorges

Black River Gorges National Park

With more than 60 km of marked trails, the Black River Gorges National Park is considered to be a hiking paradise in Mauritius! It is the island's largest national park, covering 2% of the country's surface area. Its unique ecosystem plays a vital role in safeguarding Mauritius's biodiversity: it is home to the country's last primary tropical forest.

There are a number of routes to choose from, depending on your level of fitness and how long you want to hike:

• Climb the Piton de la Rivière Noire, the highest peak in Mauritius (828 m),
• The Macchabée Viewpoint tour, 11km long, to finish with a panoramic view of the Black River Gorges National Park,
• The Sophie Natural Walk loop, ideal for beginners in Mauritius,
• The Boucle de la forêt Macchabée trail, which lasts 3 hours and is of medium difficulty.

Don't forget your sun cream, mosquito repellent and camera!
 

Day 4: Colonial heritage and tropical wildlife

This fourth day will delight history and nature lovers. Between colonial heritage and exceptional biodiversity, dive into the heart of two emblematic places that make up the island's richness.

Visit Domaine des Aubineaux in Curepipe

Built in 1872, this elegant residence is steeped in history and offers a fascinating insight into life in colonial times. Transformed into a museum in 2000, Domaine des Aubineaux boasts a fine restaurant and a tropical garden where it's always cool! A tasting of local rum is included in the visit.

The Vanille Nature Park

The Vanille Nature Park is a unique place for nature and animal lovers. This conservation-focused wildlife park offers an immersive experience in the heart of a magnificent natural setting. You'll meet a variety of fascinating animals, including giant Aldabra tortoises, Nile crocodiles, Madagascar lemurs, macaques and insects. The park is open every day from 9am to 5pm.
 

Day 5: Relaxing day around Souillac

Visiting Souillac and the surrounding area is an opportunity to discover the authentic south of Mauritius.

Souillac and its natural beauty

Souillac is a coastal town in a region where the coastline is particularly wild and unspoilt. This large, typical village offers an idyllic setting in which to recharge your batteries and enjoy the beauty of southern Mauritius. The cliffs of Gris-Gris and La Roche qui Pleure, sculpted by the waves, offer a breathtaking spectacle. According to legend, La Roche qui Pleure is a woman turned to stone by a curse. It is said that she has been crying ever since, looking out over the ocean... You can also discover the lovely Telfair garden, known only to the locals, with its natural pools below!

A few kilometres away, at the end of the sugar cane fields, you'll find the Rochester waterfall, which cascades into a natural pool where you can enjoy a refreshing swim.

Visit Domaine de Saint Aubin

Founded in 1778, this place steeped in history and tradition began as a sugar plantation, then diversified into the production of vanilla, tea and rum. Take a tour of the vanilla plantation and see every stage of vanilla production, from cultivation to the preparation of the beans. Domaine de Saint Aubin is also renowned for its agricultural rum, produced from pure cane juice. You can visit the distillery and taste the different types of rum. You can visit the distillery and taste the different vintages: a great way to end the day. 

Day 6: At sea and in the air!

Boat trip and deep-sea fishing

Early in the morning, it's time for a big-game fishing excursion. Suitable for both beginners and experts, these privatised excursions take you fishing for marlin, tuna or swordfish, supervised by experienced local fishermen who will show you the best deep-sea fishing spots in the south of Mauritius. Ready to embark?

Seaplane tour of the south of Mauritius

In the afternoon, departing from the sublime La Prairie beach, get ready for an extraordinary experience: a seaplane tour over the spectacular landscape of southern Mauritius! Enjoy a 15 to 80-minute flight over breathtaking scenery: Morne Brabant, the lagoon housing the incredible underwater waterfall, the Black River Gorges National Park, with the Moka mountain range in the distance... Unforgettable sensations and memories guaranteed!

Day 7: Morne Brabant to finish on a high note

On the last day of your week's holiday in the south of Mauritius, it's time to tackle a legend: Morne Brabant.

Hiking Morne Brabant in Mauritius

Morne Brabant is the emblem of Mauritius, a place of remembrance and a symbol of the suffering and sacrifice of the slaves who found refuge here from their masters between the 18th and 19th centuries. Loaded with history and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mountain dominates the south-west of Mauritius at an altitude of 555 metres. Home to wild and endemic flora and fauna, the hike is punctuated by breathtaking panoramas of the lagoon, Ile aux Bénitiers and Le Morne beach. The hike lasts around 3 to 4 hours, and ends with a climbing session reserved for the most athletic and adventurous to reach the summit! A must-do on a holiday in Mauritius.

Chill out on Le Morne beach

One of the most beautiful beaches on the island, Plage du Morne has a sublime view of the mountains. The lagoon is deep enough for a good swim and the sand is fine and white. Enjoy the coconut palms and filaos for a well-deserved rest after your morning hike!