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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 - an exclusive
venue for White Sand Tours guests.
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
La Route du thé ( Tea journey )
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.
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
Crocodile vanille park
Close to the village of Rivière des anguilles
is found the Crocodile vanille park, commonly known as the
Vanilla Reserves of Mascareignes.
This park was previously a vanilla plantation which was reconverted
in 1984 in a park for breeding crocodiles by an Australian
zoologist, Owen Griffiths and his mauritian wife. The first
crocodiles, a male and four females, were imported from Madagascar
and the park counts today other species of animals like wild
boars, monkeys, stags, giant tortoises, bats and even of scinques
of the Ronde island. For the pleasure of the visitors in love
with nature, walking paths and small rivers have been made across
a tropical vegetation strewn with palm trees. The paths are
traced in order to allow the discovery of this wild fauna. For
the least adventurous, a showroom gathers specimens of reptiles
of Mascareignes, like the true green chameleon and one of the
largest species of lizard. A small shop sells accessories as
belt, wallets or of the hand bags made starting from the crocodile
skin.
You in a tropical greenery walk where makes surface exotic plants,
palm trees, bamboos giant, banana, fresh water basins and of
course
the thousands of crocodiles from which the sizes differ. Babies
of a few centimetres which can go up to 6 meters length. Very
impressive, lorque you approach some.
Progressively with your visit, you will also meet bat, stags,
iguanas, eels, toads, mongeese… A true small zoo.
Do not miss its giant tortoises in freedom and which you will
be able to cherish. More than 300 Aldabra tortoises of Seychelles
in their enclosure.
Discover another great pleasure, that of Insectarium where insects
and butterflies are éxposés, one of the most beautiful collections
in the world which will fill with wonder you by its colors and
its 20.000 species.
For most courageous of enters you and most famished, come to
eat in its restaurant and taste its principal dish: “the Crocodile”.
Gris Gris
Located at the east of Souillac, Gris Gris is
a spectacular site which testifies of a violent nature.
Gris Gris is a cliff against which the waves crash with violence.
This is due to the abscence of the coral reefs on the south
estern coast of Mauritius.
Mahebourg
Mahebourg is a fishing town in
Mauritius. It lies on the shores of the Grand Port bay and the
primary occupation of the citizens is fishing. This serene town
is surrounded by low lying hills, and it lies conveniently close
to the Port Louis Airport. Mahebourg was named after the French
Governor Mahe Le Bourdonnais, who established Mauritius as a
part of the French colonial empire. It also renowned for its
educational institutions, the largest bridge in Mauritius and
a Naval Museum houses in an old French villa.
The people of this small fishing village are friendly and hospitable.
You will come across people from all ethnicities, African, European
and Asian, though after the passage of centuries, the ethnic
lines have blurred. The streets are less crowded than Port Louis,
and you can find tourists from all nationalities and backgrounds
relaxing on the quiet beaches.
The Naval Museum is houses in a villa dating back to 1810. It
is hard to believe that this peaceful place was the site of
a great battle fought between the French and the English over
the possession of the island. The museum also has a preserved
Mauritian village settlement, where visitors can get a glimpse
of the typical lifestyle of the rural Mauritian inhabitants.
Mauritius' longest bridge connects the two banks of the La Chaux
River, and is one of Mahebourg's major tourist attractions.
Of course, the sea beaches are the major attractions of Mahebourg.
Also visit the cluster of hills that provides a picturesque
backdrop to the town. The bazaar of Mahebourg sells some great
souvenirs and knick-knacks, and you can pick up great bargains
at the weekly fair.
Tea Route & Bois Cheri
Discover traditional Mauritius by following
the Tea Route that starts from the colonial house, Les Aubineaux
in Curepipe. You will enjoy visiting the Bois Cheri tea factory
and museum, as well as the anthurium greenhouses and the vanilla
plantations. See the Mauritian art of living in a splendid colonial
house at St Aubin built in 1819.
Blue Bay
Glass bottom boat
Visit of the
coral garden (unique in this part of the region )
Rates
Rs 1600: in car for 1 to 4 persons
Rs 2600: in mini bus for 5 to 10
persons
The entry fares (parks, garden, museum, etc) are not included
in the prices indicated above
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