Port Louis is the capital city and main port of Mauritius. It is also the largest city in Mauritius. Port Louis was constructed in the year 1735 by the noted French governor, Mahe de Labourdonnais. The Port is named in honour of King Louis XV.
Port Louis Moka Range
Port Louis is surrounded by a mountain range, called the Port Louis Moka Range. Mauritius Capital Port Louis has conserved many historic and colonial buildings through the years. One of them is a fortification named Fort Adelaide or La Citadelle, built by the British in 1835.
Port Louis Central Market
The main tourist attractions in Port Louis include the Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis Bazaar, Police Barracks, the Mauritian Chinatown and the old Port Louis theatre.
There are three museums: the Blue Penny Museum, the Mauritius Natural History Museum and the Mauritius Stamp Museum.
Mauritian Chinatown
The economy of the city is dominated by its financial centre, port facilities, tourism and the manufacturing sector which include textiles, chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals. Port Louis has the biggest port facility in the Indian Ocean region and one of Africa’s major financial centres.
Grand Bassin, known also as Ganga Talao is a lake situated in a secluded mountain area in the district of Savanne, deep in the heart of Mauritius. It is about 600 meters above sea level.
The Hindus of Mauritius consider the Grand Bassin as a Holy lake and that the water inside the lake communicates with the waters of the holy Ganges of India.
Mangal Mahadev
The Hindu community performs a pilgrimage there every year on the Maha Sivaratri (“Siva’s Great Night”), on this day they honor the Lord Siva. Beside the lake there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Gods including Hanuman and Lakshmi. Also, overlooking the lake is the statue of Mangal Mahadev (Shiva statue) which is 33 meters, making it the highest statue in Mauritius.
Hanuman
The Grand Bassin Mauritius map gives you clear directions to the sacred lake and the tourist spots nearby that you can visit. Also, don’t forget to take off your shoes while entering the Lake complex and the temples.
On this guided tour you will discover the making of teas, rum, vanilla, essential oils, and you will also stroll down the exotic gardens of the Bois Cheri tea plantation.
Domaine des Aubineaux
You will visit the Domaine des Aubineaux and its gardens. It is a colonial house built in 1872, which has been converted into a museum dedicated to the history of Mauritian Tea. In the gardens around Domaine des Aubineaux you will visit Camphor tree garden with a diversity of exotic plants as well as trees of the endemic forest, and enjoy the beautiful sight of the tea plantation.
After that you will visit Bois Chéri which is the second stop in this tour. The Bois Chéri is the first and biggest tea producer in Mauritius, operating since 1892. You will also get to see the tea production museum.
This tour will take 5 to 7 hours and includes the following:
A guide to walk you through the Domaine des Aubineaux; Visit of a colonial mansion-museum built in 1872; Photo exhibition of the 19th and 20th Century; Stroll across the garden ; Visit of La Maison des Essences; Tour across the gardens of the Domaine des Aubineaux; A guided tour of the Bois Cheri tea factory; Visit to the tea museum; Visit to the tea plantation; A tea tasting session at the chalet (tea & biscuits); A guided tour of the Saint Aubin house; Visit of the “Rum” House and Tasting; Guided tour of the Sugar Factory and Le Moulin du Domaine de Saint Aubin; Visit of the Vanilla House; Visit of the Anthurium (flowers) la greenhouses; Visit of the tropical garden and spice garden at Domaine de Saint Aubin.
You will end your tour with a special 5 course typical Mauritian lunch at the highly recommended restaurant of “Le Saint Aubin”.
This two hour cruise on a beautiful 40 feet catamaran will let you enjoy the sunset from the ocean. You will be served with complimentary cocktails and snacks as part of the cruise.
The cruise starts at 17:00 from Grand Baie on the North of Mauritius. It will return to Grand Bay at 19:00. The cruise will head the direction of Coin de Mire Island (also known as Gunner’s Quoin). While you cruise along Coin de Mire you will be able to see the island from close and its spectacular sea cliffs. You will also get to see other northern isles and the central mountain range of Mauritius.
Sunset Catamaran Cruise
Sometimes you will be able to see whales as well as dolphins. If they appear, the crew will stop the boat, so that you may observe these great animals from close in their natural environment.
While on board,you will be able to get mineral water, soft drinks, South African wine, beer, special rum cocktails and a selection of canapés and Mauritian snacks.
This cruise is offered only during summer season (September – April) and only once a week on Wednesdays.
The 34-foot brown varnished boat made as a replica of a real pirate boat with two masts and five sails, takes you back in time to the olden days of the pirates. The boat has a capacity of 30 passengers. The boat has tarpaulin to protect against rain, and toilets on board.
Pirate Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs
The full day cruise from 09:15 till 16:15, starting from Trou D’Eau Douce is on the East Coast of Mauritius. The cruise is full of sun, drinks, delicious food and a lot of fun and relaxation.
On this trip you will enjoy an exciting pirate show, live music, and dance. BBQ lunch and drinks are included in the package. You will also visit the South East waterfalls on the Grand River. After the visit to the waterfalls the boat will sail along the lagoon, cruising in its crystal clear water. It will then drop anchor in the lagoon for you to have a snorkeling or swimming break.
At around 12:30, you will be served a pirate’s lunch consisting of salads, potatoes, BBQ chicken, Fish and tropical fruits dessert. There will be a selection of drinks including water, coke, beer, local rum and white wine will be available.
Mauritian Sega Fusion Dancers
While you are on board, the crew will perform Sega dancing to keep the atmosphere lively and exciting throughout the journey. At around 12:45, the boat will sail to the paradise island of Ile aux Cerfs.
Ile aux Cerfs
While in aux Cerfs you can enjoy a wide range of facilities available on the island and the various water sports activities such as parasailing, banana boat, fly fish and many more.
At around 15:00, you will leave Ile Aux Cerfs Island, and arrive at Trou D’Eau Douce at about 16:15.
The Ile aux Cerfs day tour starts with a boat transfer, in a comfortable spacious motor boat, to Ile aux Cerfs Island. The boat trip takes about 15 minutes. Once you reach Ile aux Cerfs you will be taken to the famous Ile aux Cerfs Sands Bar where you will get a complimentary refreshing fruit cocktail.
Beautiful Corals
Rest of the morning you will spend on the beach doing whatever you like. The package includes a Sun Mattress for the day to lie down or for tanning just beside the beautiful beach.
You will be able to organize parasailing during your time on the island. The parasailing offers you a breathtaking bird’s eye view of Ile aux Cerfs Island.
Snorkeling
At noon time a 3 course meal or BBQ buffet Lunch is served at the Sands Grill. Lunch time is flexible between 11:00 – 15:00.
Sands Grill, also serves lightly grilled, fried or steamed local fish, seafood, Mauritian dishes & pizza. Vegetarian menu is available upon request made at the time when you book the tour.
This tour pakage provides a full day of fun and relaxation on this paradise island. The tour starts with a boat transfer to Ile aux Cerfs Island which will take about 15 minutes. The boat transfer service is available every 20 minutes in a comfortable spacious motor boat.
Ile aux Cerfs Parasailing
You will spend time in the morning on the beach going for a stroll, swimming in the lagoon, snorkeling or just relaxing and tanning. At around noon time a delicious Indian menu meal is served. You can have your lunch at any time between 12:00 – 14:00 at the La Chaumière Masala Indian Restaurant.
Ile aux Cerfs beach
On Ile aux Cerfs, you are sure to enjoy one of the great activities offered on the island such as the Parasailing and the Ile aux Cerfs Treetops Adventure!
The restaurant serves vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. The non-vegetarian menu consists of butter chicken, tadka dal, tandoori naan, mint & coriander pulao, cucumber & onion raita, pickle & papad and gulab jamun as dessert.
Bubble Lodge
The vegetarian menu includes, paneer makhan masala, tadka dal, tandoori naan, mint & coriander pulao, cucumber & onion raita, pickle & papad, gulab jamun as dessert.
