Mauritius Local Immersion 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 Details: MK441 Perth - Mauritius 1305/1745 (flight times 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 up to Grand Baie, located in the north of the island. Along the way, our guide will share with us interesting information about this beautiful island paradise, its history and customs. We’ll even learn a few local words that might prove useful in the coming days! Our coach arrives at our luxury accommodation situated on the sheltered turquoise lagoon of Grand Baie. After check in we make our way to our stylish 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 Grand Baie: Mauricia Beachcomber Resort & Spa – All Inclusive Food & Beverage Menu

This morning we wake within our peaceful tropical haven, overlooking lush gardens and the stunning blue waters of Grand Baie. After a leisurely breakfast, our day can be spent lazing by the pool, taking advantage of The Art of Wellness Spa, strolling the beach or sail-boating on the stunning bay. There is plenty to feast on with two wonderful restaurants, Les Quais large buffet spreads gives us a chance to feast on delicious entrées, main courses and desserts that celebrate flavours from around the world. The elegant Le Nautic Seafood Restaurant is where we enjoy the freshest bounty of the sea, while overlooking the waters of Grand Baie and the setting sun. The Bay Watch Bar is also a great place to unwind and enjoy a beer, wine or cocktail, while taking in the views across the bay. Located in the heart of the lively village of Grand Baie, its just a 10 minute stroll along the beach to the village shops, cafés and bars.

Overnight Grand Baie: Mauricia Beachcomber Resort & Spa – All Inclusive Food & Beverage Menu

After breakfast this morning we travel around to the coastline to the pretty village of Cape Malheureux, take in the views of Coin de Mire and then step inside the Notre Dame Auxiliatrice “Red Roofed Church”. We continue around the coastline to Grand Gaube before making our way down to the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, formerly known as Royal Botanical Gardens Pamplemousses. Spread over 37 hectares, they are the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere, constructed in 1770. Most famous for its giant water lilies, the garden features many rare 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 and tortoises and also boasts several bird species. Nearby is the L’Aventure du Sucre “Sugar Museum and Factory” where we follow the trail of the sugar industry in Mauritius. We’ve been passed a few sugar cane fields on

our travel since our arrival, 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 and rum tasting, 12 unrefined natural sugars and 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. Following our sugar hit we head back to our resort for lunch and to relax for the remainder of the afternoon before dinner.

Overnight Grand Baie: Mauricia Beachcomber Resort & Spa – All Inclusive Food & Beverage Menu

After a leisurely start to our day we head down to the grand, 150 year old Château de Labourdonnais, home to three generations of the Wiehe family. After our guided tour of the château, enjoy a stroll within the lush gardens and old orchards of the property, host to fifty varieties of hundred-year-old mango trees, spices, as well as several exotic fruit trees such as pomme jacot, sapote, jamalac and kythira plum. Many of the fruit varieties are used in the manufacture of the Labourdonnais product range. Following a stroll around the property we then enjoy some leisure time at the shopping mecca of the Super U Grand Baie or strolling along the Grand Baie beach-front bars and duty free shops. Return to our resort at leisure where we will have time to relax poolside before dinner, drinks and last night in the north.

Overnight Grand Baie: Mauricia Beachcomber Resort & Spa – All Inclusive Food & Beverage Menu

Today after checkout we depart Grand Baie and head down to 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, and craft market. 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. Just south of Port Louis is the village of Moka where we take a 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. A traditional Mauritius lunch is served on the back verandah overlooking the lush gardens which carry through to the river. After a leisurely drive down to Bel Ombre, we arrive at our luxury accommodation, situated on the sheltered south-west coast overlooking

Tamarin Bay. After check in, it’s a short stroll past the resort pools and gardens to our stylish and comfortable rooms where it’s time to unpack and unwind before heading across the Show Restaurant for cocktail or two and a fun-filled theatrical buffet dinner.



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 Mauritian delights including Vanilla, Rum and Tea. En-route we make a memorable visit to Joix De Vivre School in Chemin Grenier. Run by volunteer teachers, the school 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 and 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.

We meet up with Francess Townsend for a general overview and talk of the impact the Trade Travel Tour Club visits have on the Joie de Vivre school project initiatives. We then share an emotional interaction with the local children, which is sure to provide us all with lifelong memories. This is a great opportunity to 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 for what will be for many, a life-changing encounter and certainly one 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. After our special experience today 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

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 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, so enjoy the facilities on offer at the resort or just relax by the pool or bar, sharing stories with our travel companions, of our time spent on this beautiful island paradise. 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 - flight times 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/Sydney/Adelaide (flight times to be advised)