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Mauritius, the Mascarenes
THE MASCARENES
Southern Island (full day) - £50
(approx.)
T
hese islands lie some 800km east of Madagascar in the Tropic of Capricorn. The islands of Mauritius, La Réunion
and Rodrigues form the Mascarene archipelago, the remains of an ancient land mass which once united Asia and Africa. Marvel at the remarkable flora and fauna unique to the Mascarenes and, although many species, including the dodo, have since become extinct, some indigenous birds and reptiles can still be found here. The surrounding waters are also home to the blue, black and striped Marlin, among the most powerful fish in the Indian Ocean.
After visiting the capital, Port Louis and the restored colonial villa of Eureka, you visit the breathtaking waterfall of `Riviere du Cap', which falls 90 metres. After a creole lunch at Domain de St. Denis, you drive to the lake at Grand Bassin and then on to Trou aux Cerfs, an extinct volcanic crater, with its magnificent views.
LA RÉUNION
The largest of the Mascarenes, La Réunion is an island of dense vegetation with many ancient forest species and environments surviving to the present day. Although it has a number of superb beaches, it is the island's exotic interior that most fascinates the visitor. Dramatic mountains, wide craters, deep gorges and an active volcano together create an awe-inspiring vista.
MAURITIUS
Mark Twain was once moved to exclaim that God modelled heaven on Mauritius. Uninhabited until the 17th century, today it is a thriving island of diverse cultures - African, Indian, Chinese and European - a unique racial harmony. The island's ever-changing scenery belies its small area. Lofty forested mountain peaks overlook undulating fields of sugar cane, all encompassed by fantastic coastal scenery of powdery white sand beaches and spectacular blue lagoons, rich in marine life. In Port Louis, the Pamplemousse Royal Botanical Gardens are noted for 60 different types of palms, including the enormous Talipot Palm, which flowers only once in 100 years and then dies.
Optional Excursions
Piton de la Fournaise (full day) - £53
(approx.)
A drive south takes you to Nez de Boeuf with its spectacular views, before you make your way to the volcanic crater of Pas de Bellcombe where, at 2077m, you look down into the active Piton de la Fournaise volcano. Enjoy a typical creole lunch in one of the villages at the base of the volcano.
Cirque de Salazie (full day) - £50
(approx.)
Optional Excursions
Northern Impressions (half day) - £31
(approx.)
Get a flavour of old colonial days with this trip that includes a visit to St Denis, the capital, followed by an exploration of La Réunion's lush interior as you make your way to Salazie, the agricultural centre of the island. Lunch is taken at Hellbourg before making your way back to St Denis.
The West Coast (half day) - £31
(approx.)
Included on this tour are the famous Pamplemousse Royal Botanical Gardens with its huge range of flora, the famous model boat factory of `Historic Marine' to see traditional boat building at first hand, and Cap Malheureux with it's magnificent views over northern Mauritius.
Ile aux Cerfs (full day) - £42
(approx.)
This idyllic island, with its beautiful white sand beaches, is the perfect place to relax, take a cooling swim and enjoy typical Mauritian hospitality and a creole lunch.
Pamplemousse Royal Botanical Gardens, Mauritius
You drive towards St Paul, the former capital and second largest settlement on the island and a stop is then made for refreshments at St Gilles les Bains, the premier beach resort on the island. After a visit to the islands Aquarium a short stop is made at Roches Noires, another popular beach area, before returning to St Paul where you visit the Sailor Cemetery. The poet Leconte de Lisle and the pirate Olivier `La Buse' Levasseur (The Buzzard) are buried here.
Piton Maido (half day) - £31
(approx.)
A chance to enjoy some of the best views of La Réunion as you travel to the Cirque de Mafate crater. At the 2204m viewpoint, you look down into the crater which contains three villages, the most isolated on the island. You return by the same route via the village of La Petite France, where you will visit a geranium oil distillery.
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