Black River

Garden & Park Tours

Begin your full-day experience with a visit to the wild dolphins who live off the coast of the Black River in the Indian Ocean. Swim with the playful creatures in their natural environment. Your skippers will tell about their habits and provide you with guidelines for a sustainable trip once you have boarded the boat.  The skippers will accompany you in the water when it is your turn to swim. Take in stunning views over the open sea and of these amazing creatures before heading to the popular diving and snorkeling site (time permitting). Dive in and marvel at the beautiful coral gardens and array of tropical fish. Proceed then to the dormant volcano of Trou aux Cerfs for beautiful panoramas. Take a stroll around the crater, situated 2,000 feet above sea level, for breathtaking views of the whole island on clear days.  Continue to the temples and shrines of the peaceful Grand Bassin. See the 108-foot statue of Shiva and climb the highest temple for more stunning views. Look out for the resident monkeys and other wildlife while you're there. Drive through the park to Plaine des Champagnes, stopping to admire Alexandra Falls on the way. Finally, head to Chamarel to discover the geological miracle that is the Seven Colored Earths. Get a view of Chamarel Falls, Mauritius' most famous waterfall. Say hello to one of the giant tortoises before concluding the tour and heading back to your hotel.

After pickup from your hotel anywhere in Mauritius, set off on a full-day adventure across all the best, Instagram-worthy locales, with a route tailored to your pickup location. Stop by the Umbrella Square in Port Louis, Mauritius’ capital, to amble through bustling markets, shaded by a swathe of colored parasols. Head over to the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, home to some 500 species of plants from around the world, including the rare Talipot Palm, which is said to flower once in its 60-year lifetime. Afterwards, head to Ganga Talo, the most sacred Hindu site in Mauritius, containing a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, among other gods in the Hindu pantheon. Gaze at the breathtaking statues that stand over 100 feet tall. Next you’ll soak up some of Mauritius’ foremost natural beauty at Chamarel, 7 Colored Earth, a collection of sand dunes characterized by their shifting layers of technicolor sands.  You’ll cap things off with a trip to the Chamarel Waterfalls, the largest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius, with a height of over 300 feet. Afterwards, you’ll be comfortably transported back to your accommodation.

Follow the twists and turns of an adventurous hike through the protected national park in the south of Mauritius. Find hidden waterfalls and see the majestic curtains of Alexandra Falls.  Take in the sights and sounds of numerous endemic wildlife and plant species, such as the Echo Parakeet and Pink Pigeons. Smell the scent of wild guava blossoms. Bring out the wildlife enthusiasts in you and follow the trail to a ridge-line ascent. Meander around the valley and capture panoramic glimpses of La Tourelle, Ile Aux Benetiers, and Le Morne in the distance. Take on the challenge of this 15-kilometer adventure through nature and master the 790-meter ascent.

This excursion will introduce you to the city of Port Louis, founded in 1735 by Mahe de Labourdonnais, where you will visit the historic Fort Adelaide also known as the Citadel. Built by the English in 1835 and is one of the few fortifications of British origin remaining on the island. From here, you'll enjoy a view stretching over almost the entire city. Your next stop will be a visit to the central market (also known as the bazaar). Here you will be amazed by the variety of products you will find - fruits, vegetables, scent sticks, spices, pashmina, and linen are amongst the most sold products. Your next stop will be at the Caudan Waterfront, a modern precinct facing the harbor. Its 170 boutiques display beautiful collections of local designers and famous brands. Its craft market is an open bazaar, impregnated by exotic scents of spices, souvenirs, and basketry. Then, visit the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, renamed Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, and the highlight of any visit to the north. It is the oldest botanical garden in the southern hemisphere, dating back to 1735. Admire a magnificent collection of local and exotic plants, a variety of giant water lilies, rare plants from Mascarene, the baobab, giant palms, and the Talipot palm, whose flower only blossoms after 50 years.