A complete holiday destination
offers more than a beach or a resort. Discover the culture and history
of Mauritius. Meet the local people, haggle for a bargain in markets,
enjoy sightseeing tours or just hire a car and do your own thing! In
Mauritius, you can do all this and so much more…
MTTB Mautourco, our representatives in Mauritius, offer you a wide range of tours and activities, operated in air-conditioned comfort. Their friendly representatives, located at all Beachcomber resorts, will be pleased to spend some time with you and help you plan to see and do the things that interest you.
Port Louis
A visit to Port Louis, the capital city and main port, is a must. The city was built during the French occupation under the administration of governor Mahé de Labourdonnais. He transformed the port into a naval base that was also used by the French fleet to support the trading activities of the French East India Company in Asia.
Port-Louis has become a modern, cosmopolitan city and is the main administrative and commercial centre of the island. The port is well protected by the Moka mountain range. The city has many cultural and historical attractions including the Natural History Museum, Municipal Council, Supreme Court, Jummah Mosque , 18th century Line Barracks, Anglican and Catholic cathedrals, Tamil temples and the Theatre & Photography Museums.
The beautiful palm lined “Place d'Armes” offers excellent photo opportunities while the Champ de Mars, second oldest horse racing track in the world, holds race meets between May and December. A drive to Fort Adelaide Citadelle offers great views of the city and harbour.
Port-Louis has its own China Town, a small area famous for its restaurants and traditional trading. Not far from China Town are the lively markets selling everything from fresh foods and spices to souvenirs and textiles. The market is a regular meeting place for thousands of Mauritians and is a colourful, vibrant place of interest for all. Here you can bargain with the sellers or just meander through taking in the sights, smells and sounds of Mauritius.
Le Caudan Waterfront is the modern area of Port Louis and blends harmoniously with the Port Louis city skyline. It offers upmarket boutiques and duty free shops, a casino, cinemas, Blue Penny Stamp museum and a Craft Market selling local handicraft.
Port Louis has an abundance of food outlets from the traditional side street stalls serving dholl puri and roti to the modern day vices of McDonald’s and KFC. A number of bars also open on selected evenings in Port Louis for those interested in venturing out.
Grand Baie
The village of Grand Baie is in the north and is the tourism hub of Mauritius. Here you will find a variety of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, supermarkets and boutiques. The village has a variety of upmarket boutiques selling designer label clothing. Jewellery and more.
The marketsin Grand Baie, Bazar de Grand Baie, is great for those wanting to haggle for bargains. A variety of goods including textiles, sunglasses, souvenirs and clothing can be purchased.
Grand Baie is the ideal place to participate in various activities including hiring motor scooters or cars, taking a catamaran cruise, doing an undersea walk, big game fishing or organising a day trip around the island. Le Nessee semi-submersible and the submarine, Blue Safari, also operate from Grand Baie.
Street vendors in the area offer Mauritian delicacies such as dholl puri, roti, samossas, gateaux piments and fresh fruits. These delicacies are cheap and very tasty. Grand Baie also has modern supermarkets and shops that sell well-known brand food and beverages.
Although it is one of the main tourist villages, Grand Baie has maintained many of its traditions. Long-established grocery shops still act as the local fishermen's pubs. Indian pastry merchants by the roadside, the daily fish market by the shore of the bay, and the locals congregating under the shade of a tree enjoying life Mauritian style, continue to exist today.
Ile Aux Cerfs
Twenty minutes by boat from Pointe Maurice on the east, or a catamaran cruise from the Shandrani, is the spectacular lagoon of Ile aux Cerfs. This lagoon is well known for its long strands of beach, turquoise sea and is a favourite meeting place for Mauritians and tourists.
Pamplemousses Gardens
This superb botanical garden is one of the oldest and largest in the world. It was created in 1746 by Pierre Poivre, on land that belonged to the governor, Mahe de Labourdonnais. Nature lovers will enjoy a stroll through the 20-hectare garden, home to over 500 species of exotic and indigenous plants, including giant Victoria Regia water lilies, Baobab trees, exotic palms and the Talipot Palm, which blooms once every 70 years, then dies.
Chamarel
Not far from the village of Case Noyale in the south-west is the coloured earth of Chamarel, a natural phenomenon that continually intrigues visitors from all over the world. The various colours of the earth such as green, blue, red, ochre, and yellow are caused by erosion of volcanic ash. Nearby, the spectacular Chamarel waterfall offers excellent photographic opportunities.
Eureka Creole Mansion
Hidden in the lush gardens near Moka Falls is Eureka, an historic colonial mansion built in 1830. This beautiful mansion has been transformed into a striking museum and has a restaurant that serves traditional Creole meals.
Bois Cheri Tea Factory
The Bois Cheri tea factory and museum is situated among anthurium greenhouses and vanilla plantations in the island’s south. The museum presents all the varieties and flavours of tea. A guided visit of the factory shows the steps involved in the transformation from tea leaves to the final product. Visitors can also enjoy lunch and a vanilla tea at Sainte Aubin, an old sugar plantation house built in 1819.
Grand Bassin
Situated in the south-west is the sacred lake of Grand Bassin, a shrine for the island's Hindus who make a pilgrimage each February to celebrate the festival of Maha Shivaratree. The lake contains water from India’s holy river, Ganges and is known as “Ganga Talao” – the lake of the Ganges.
Catamaran Cruises
|Catamaran cruises are extremely popular and a number of options are available. Enjoy a cruise to Ilot Gabriel, a secluded island in the north, or cruise inside the reef from the Shandrani Hotel to Ile aux Cerfs. The two spectacular Harris Wilson catamarans, 60 foot racing cats, are the largest and fastest on the island. Enjoy beautiful beaches, warm hospitality and indulge in some Mauritian style partying along the way. If catamarans aren't your style, try the grand, historic schooner, Isla Mauritia. Built in 1852, this Spanish Goelette, a 32 metre long tall ship, is the last existing vessel of her class.
Souillac And The South
The small fishing village of Souillac in the south, lies close to basalt cliffs, sculptured over centuries by the force of tumultuous waves. Gris Gris offers one of the most beautiful views of the south coast.
La Vanille Crocodile Park
Located in the south, this park farms Nile crocodiles imported from Madagascar. The crocodiles can be viewed in varying stages of growth. Other animals such as monkeys, deer and tortoises believed to be over 150 yrs old can be seen at the park.
Mahebourg And The South East
Mahebourg and the south east region are intimately linked with the island’s history. Hugging the coast from Mahébourg to Grande Rivière Sud-Est, the names of streets and ruins are a proud reminder of the rich history of Mauritius, and its Spice Route heritage. The bay of Grand Port was the arrival point of Dutch settlers in 1598. They established their administrative seat in Vieux Grand Port but the transfer of the administration to Port-Louis marked the decline of this region as an economic centre. Today only the street names of Mahébourg, the ruins of the Dutch and French periods, a few colonial buildings and the historical museums (naval and Frederick Hedrick museums) remain. Works are currently being undertaken to refurbish and create a modern centre along the Mahébourg Waterfront.
Safari Adventures brings you Walk
with the Lions and Walk with the Cheetahs.These thrilling activities
are brought to you by an experience team with over three
generations in the area of lion handling, training and expertise.
You will walk, stroke and admire these playful and magnificent
animals during an hour and a half long trek through the Mauritian
bush. Safari Adventures offers you
the safest lion experience, a world leader in any Lion encounter,
and is second to none.
Black River Gorges National Park
Created in 1994 this 6,574-hectare nature park is a sanctuary for endangered flora and rare birds. The park includes the Maccabée forest and Plaine Champagne where there is an excellent view of the Alexandra Falls. From the Black River Gorges one can admire the endangered kestrels, the Paille en Que and other tropical birds in flight. Hiking trails wind their way to a number of stunning outlooks.
L’Aventure Du Sucre
A visit to L'Aventure du Sucre at Beau Plan, near Pamplemousses, takes you on a fascinating journey into the history of Mauritius, the development of the sugar industry and its impact on the economic development of Mauritius. This new venture is becoming very popular with tourists interested in learning about Mauritius and its past.
Casela Bird Park
Bird lovers will marvel at the Casela Bird Park, home to over 100 different species including the pink pigeon and kestrel, two of the rarest birds in the world. Monkeys, tortoises and a variety of other animals can also be found at the park.
Ile Aux Aigrettes
Located 200 metres from the mainland, not far from the Shandrani Hotel, is Ile aux Aigrettes, a small island nature reserve under the protection of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. It is a sanctuary for indigenous plants, birds and animals. The Beachcomber Sport & Nature program includes a visit to this eco-habitat.
Factory Outlets
Mauritius is renowned for its textile industry which produces quality garments for some of the world’s leading brands. It is also known for the production of outstanding cashmere sweaters. Bargain hunters should visit Floreal, home to a variety of factory outlets selling designer brands at prices much lower than the main towns. While visiting this area, take in some spectacular views of the mountains by driving up to the top of the extinct volcano crater, Trou aux Cerfs.
Espace Aventure
Get off the beaten track and go to places even the locals don’t know exist! Explore the island's mountains, rivers, fauna and flora in an off-road specially equipped “Camel Trophy” Land Rover, operated by Espace Aventure. A highlight of the journey is a traditional lunch in a Mauritian home.
State House At Reduit
Erected more than 250 years ago, during the French occupation, the Château du Réduit was used as a retreat in case of a British attack. Known as the State House, the château housed the various governors of the island before becoming the official residence of the Head of State, the President of the Republic, after Mauritius attained the status of a republic.
Local Villages & Towns
Quatre Bornes, Rose Hill, Curepipe, Beau Bassin and Vacoas/Phoenix are local villages, each providing its own insight into the life of a typical Mauritian. Traffic is often chaotic but a vists will allow you to experience the hustle and bustle of village life, and to see a great variety of shops, restaurants, boutiques and sites. Taxis are an excellent way to get to the villages and, although the cars are metered, the drivers are usually happy to offer a set price for their services.
Hire A Car
Do your own thing - Hire a car and discover your own Mauritius. An Australian driver's licence is required and the minimum driving age is 21 years. For a small additional charge you can enjoy the luxury (and local knowledge) of a personal driver.
The Sega
The Sega is a tradition of Mauritian folklore, inherited from the African continent. For the slaves, who had been uprooted from their motherlands, the Sega and the Creole language were a vital form of expression. The Sega uses three basic instruments, the ravanne (drum), the maravanne (shaker) and the triangle, to accompany singers and dancers. The dancers, with their blouses and skirts ablaze with colourful flower motifs, move their hips and bodies in a lithe and suggestive manner. Over the years the Sega has evolved to offer the traditional style and the modern, more commercial style, based on the use of modern instruments and technology. Seggae, a mystical fusion of Sega and Reggae, appeared a few years ago and has grown in popularity with a new generation of artists.
The Dodo
The Dodo, an extinct bird, unique to Mauritius, is the unofficial symbol of Mauritius. Everywhere you go, from the beaches with their hawkers to cities and their boutique shops, the Dodo will appear at some point in time. Don't leave Mauritius without your favourite Dodo souvenir.
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