Mauritius Small Group Escorted Tour

Flight Details: Melbourne/Brisbane - Perth (times to be advised)

We fly to Perth and transfer to our inner city hotel with the afternoon and evening free to explore at our own leisure.

Overnight Perth: Doubletree by Hilton Perth Waterfront

After a relaxing morning and transfer to Perth Airport we check in for our International flight to Mauritius. Flight MK441 Perth - Mauritius 1305/1745 (subject to change) On arrival to Mauritius we clear customs and have time to change money to the local currency. With our English-speaking guide, we board our coach and relax for the drive to our luxury resort. Along the way, our guide will share with us interesting information about this beautiful island paradise, its history and customs. We’ll even earn a few local words that might prove useful in the coming days! Our coach arrives at our luxury accommodation situated on the sheltered south-west coast of the island overlooking Tamarin Bay.

After check-in, it’s a short stroll past the pool and gardens to our stylish and comfortable rooms, where it’s time to unpack and unwind. Still a bit peckish, then head over to the buffet and relax with a drink and chat with fellow travellers. Our holiday has begun!

Overnight Bel Ombre: LUX Tamassa Beachfront Resort – All Inclusive Food & Beverage Menu

Please note: Flight times are as per current schedules at the time of print and may change due to unexpected schedule changes with airlines.

Awake to the stunning sight of the sheltered crystal turquoise lagoon that stretches out to the waves breaking on the outer reef. Our resort and home on Mauritius is set within beautiful tropical gardens on a white sandy beach, with rustling coconut trees and a cobalt ocean. Offering two world-class restaurants, bars, pools and spa treatments, there is plenty of daily activities on offer and an array of evening entertainment. It’s the perfect spot for fun, relaxation and a base to explore the island of Mauritius. We start our day in paradise with an amazing buffet breakfast then enjoy an orientation tour of the resort showcasing all it has to offer on our all-inclusive stay.

Following the tour it’s time to relax and enjoy the rest of the day lazying by the pool or beach, checking out the spa treatments, sitting by the bar, sneaking by the Ice Cream Parlour, Tucker Truck or Rum Truck or sitting down to lunch either in the Show or Playa Restaurants. Don’t forget it's all within our “All Inclusive Package”. Early evening we all meet for dinner in the Show Restaurant.

Overnight Bel Ombre: LUX Tamassa Beachfront Resort – All Inclusive Food & Beverage Menu

After a leisurely breakfast it’s onto the bus with our guide for a 9.00am departure on our half day tour. Get cameras ready as this mornings tour takes in some stunning locations beginning at sacred Hindu site of the Sacred Lake and Grand Bassin and the amazing 33 metre statue of Shiva. Our guide at Bois Cheri Tea Factory and Museum will show and explain the different stages of production from picking to packaging, through withering, fermentation, drying and sieving. A tea museum completes the visit and focuses on the peculiarities of this culture in the history of the island. There are exposed vintage machines relating to the production of teapots, tea services of the 19th century, photos, tables and documents introducing us to several hundred different types of tea infusions. To illustrate, a tasting of the Bois de Chéri tea products is offered in a panoramic chalet offering views of the estate, a beautiful lake in an old crater and all the south of the island. The natural wonders of Macabée Forest, Black River Gorge, Chamarel Waterfalls and the amazing Chamarel Seven-Coloured Earth are perfect locations to stop for a while and appreciate the beauty of this tiny island.

We return to the resort for lunch from one of the restaurants or why not try the Burger Truck! After a leisurely afternoon at the resort, meet for complimentary drinks and delightful dinner at the resort.

Overnight Bel Ombre: LUX Tamassa Beachfront Resort - All Inclusive Food and Beverage Menu

Today we depart the resort at 9.00am and head up to the city of Port Louis after another delightful buffet breakfast. Arriving in the Mauritian capital of Port Louis, our driver then takes us on a tour of the city while our guide points out cultural highlights, La Citadelle on Fort Adelaide and Champ de Mars Racecourse “second oldest racecourse in the world”. The Port Louis main market (also known as the Port Louis main bazaar) is a treat to walk through with its exotic fish, meats, vegetables and Mauritian spices, saris and t-shirts just to name some of the market items on display. Those wishing to do the walk through the market please note that it is an extensive walk on some uneven walkway’s and that there are some stairs to climb and negotiate. Next to the market we find the large shopping mall, ‘Le Caudan Waterfront’ where there are luxurious stalls, shops, craft market, food court and restaurants in one place.

The Le Caudan Waterfront shopping complex with its 170 boutiques is a shopper’s must visit and has become an essential actor of the vivid tourism and cultural life in Mauritius. Our drive back south has us stopping in Moka where we walk through the Eureka Mansion and Garden, built 1830. The famous residence was built during the French colonial period and once belonged to a very well-known Mauritian family. Filled with period furniture and impressive antiques, this home shows a glimpse into colonial life on the island.

Traditional Mauritius lunch is served on the back verandah overlooking the lush gardens which carry through to the river. Early afternoon at approx 3.00pm we return home where we will have time to relax or take a quick swim before dinner and drinks at the resort.

Overnight Bel Ombre: Lux Tamassa Beachfront Resort - All Inclusive Food & Beverage Menu

After breakfast our half day tour has us leaving the resort at 9.00am to discover some of the delicious Mauritiande lights including Vanilla, Rum and Tea. En-route we make a memorable visit to Joix De Vivre School. The school runby volunteer teachers was opened in 1989 by Sr Maria Luisa Guitierez with the assistance of Mirella Chaton for the purpose of taking care of the local children that were wandering around the village, to give them basic education, keep them from the dangers of life on the streets but also help and give them the opportunities that we often take for granted. With the experience to interact with the local children and enjoy lifelong memories this is a great opportunityto give back to the school with much needed school funds. Next stop is Saint Aubin House which was built in 1819 and which has been home to several managers of the sugar estate, before being renovated in the 90’s in order to preserve a part of the Mauritian heritage.

Today one may still see the beams and ship poles used in its original construction. The estate produces sugar cane which is then processed to make sugar as well as delicious rum. Our tour takes in the Rum House, Vanilla House, Anthurium Greenhouse, Saint Aubin House and the surrounding tropical gardens. Then it’s back ‘home’ to our resort for lunch and a leisurely afternoon. We might explore the magnificent beach, book in for a spa treatment, check out the many facilities and activities, or just relax poolside as we work our way through the complimentary food and beverage list – all part of our ‘full board’ inclusion. Save some space though, for tonight we meet for pre-dinner drinks and another delicious dinner. At Tamassa, evening entertainment is very special with something different every night.

Overnight Bel Ombre: Lux Tamassa Beachfront Resort - All Inclusive Food and Beverage Menu

Following breakfast, we depart the resort at 8.45am for what will be for many, a life-changing encounter and certainlyone of the highlights of our tour. Casela Wildlife and Nature Park will bring moments of pure magic and delight to big cat lovers! After a once-in-a-lifetime experience of interacting with these wild animals in their enclosure, we will have the unique opportunity to observe the big cats in the wild and make the most of all activities that are included in our day at the park. These comprise of the Wildlife Safari to see zebras, ostriches, white rhinoceros, impala’s, antelopes, kudus, wildebeest, 1500 species of birds, Walk-Thru-Aviary, viewing of giraffe, pygmy hippo, camels and lamas, The Petting Farm, Big Cats Kingdom, Monkey Kingdom, Tortoise Pen plus more! Wonderful memories to cherish forever!

Today’s lunch will also be in the park at the Blue Bird Resto. Optional at extra cost approx $140.00! “Walk with Lions”. We get to walk, pat and take photos up close and study the primitive behaviour of the lions and share their “Pride” of being in their natural state. All Participants must be able bodied for this tour and walk without walking aids (this is non negotiable). After this special experience we head back to the hotel where we will have time to reflect on our amazing adventure over dinner and drinks.

Overnight Bel Ombre: LUX Tamassa Beachfront Resort - All Inclusive Food and Beverage Menu

This morning after breakfast we depart the resort at 9.00am to begin our drive north. Our first stop is in Pamplemousses at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, formerly known as Royal Botanical Gardens Pamplemousses.

The gardens are spread over 37 hectares and are the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere, constructed in 1770. Most famous for its giant water lilies, the garden features many rare and exotic trees and plants as well as 85 varieties of palms from across the world. Many trees were planted by world leaders and royalty, including Princess Margaret, Indira Gandhi, François Mitterrand and Robert Mugabe. The animal corner has deer’s (Cervus timorensis) and tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) and also boasts several bird species. Parrots, ducks and the Madagascar moor-hen commonly known as “Poule d’Eau” are regular encounters.

Within the ponds, several aquatic animals like turtles, fish and eels can be seen. The bats Pteropus niger, which is Mauritius’s only endemic mammal, can also be spotted hanging on tree tops during day time. Close by at L’Aventure du Sucre “Sugar Museum and Factory” we follow the trail of the sugar industry in Mauritius. We’ve been passing sugar cane fields all week, now it’s time to discover more of its profound history and the importance sugar and its by-products still play in Mauritius today. Not to be missed is the sugar-tasting, 12 unrefined natural sugars kept for export. The senses also come alive while tasting 9 rums, with their rounded, mellow and nuanced flavours. There is a meticulous process involved with the rums, specially developed for L’Aventure du Sucre which are aged in oak barrels infused in special sugars or in vanilla, coffee or honey. There are also local sweets, tropical fruit jams and honey from Rodrigues.

Lunch is served for us at Le Fangourin which lies in a delightful setting, tucked away in the midst of the Beau Plan Estate, with magnificent views from its veranda across lush, tropical countryside lea

Today is all ours to enjoy the complimentary resort facilities and activities, or at own cost, why not book in an optional tour or activity, a scenic flight or maybe attend a local church service! All food and beverage at the resort for the day is included in our ‘full board all inclusive package’.

Overnight Bel Ombre: LUX Tamassa Beachfront Resort - All Inclusive Food & Beverage Menu

Today we depart the resort at 9.00am and travel across to the southwest coast home to the Le Morne Brabant Unesco World Heritage Site that symbolises slavery in Mauritius. We continue on to the magnificent, yet sobering Slave Route Memorial, erected to honour the slaves’ fight for freedom, their suffering and their sacrifices. Continuing further up the west-coast will have us arriving at Rivière Noire to begin another tour highlight - our half-day catamaran lunch cruise. Keep cameras handy as curious dolphins are likely to join us as we sail south towards La Roche Crystal with its clear lagoon, while the crew prepares a mouth-watering BBQ lunch. Sailing back to Rivière Noire, cocktail in hand, delight in the beauty and tranquillity of another unforgettable day in paradise.

Back on land, we make our way back down through Le Morne stopping at the Matthew Flinders Memorial where our guide will explain how this important monument links a part of our Australian history with Mauritius. Back to the resort for a rest after a magical day before meeting for drinks and delicious dinner.

Overnight Bel Ombre: Lux Tamassa Beachfront Resort - All Inclusive Food & Beverage Menu

It’s our last day at the resort, so we enjoy the resort facilities before we are treated to an early supper by the pool as we share stories and laughter with our travel companions. Then it’s time to farewell the staff who have become our friends, before transferring to the airport for check in and farewell our wonderful guide and driver. Our overnight flight departs late evening back across the Indian Ocean to Perth.

Flight Details: MK440 Mauritius - Perth 2240/0910 (arrive Wednesday - subject to change)

Our flight arrives back into Perth today before our connecting flight home after our amazing time away in Mauritius with Trade Travel.

Flight Details: Perth - Melbourne/Brisbane (flight times to be advised)