The Exotic

Duration: 4 N / 5 D

Destination Info

Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) off the southeast coast of the African continent. The country includes the islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues, 560 kilometres (350 mi) east of the principal island, the islands of Agaléga and Saint Brandon. The islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues and the French department of Réunion 170 km (110 mi) form part of the Mascarene Islands. The area of the country is 2040 km2, its capital is .

The first Portuguese explorers found no indigenous people living on the island in 1507. The Dutch settled on the island in 1598 and abandoned it in 1710. Five years later, the island became a French colony and was renamed the Isle de France. The French developed extensive sugar plantations on the island, and the Mauritian Creole language came into existence during their rule. The British took control of Mauritius in 1810 during the Napoleonic Wars.

The country remained under British rule until it became an independent Commonwealth realm on 12 March 1968 and a republic within the Commonwealth on 12 March 1992. The country's populace is composed of several ethnicities, mostly people of Indian, African, French, and Chinese descent. Most Mauritians are multilingual; English, French, Creole and Chinese languages are used. The Mauritian Constitution is based on the Westminster model. The head of state is the President but constitutional power is vested in the Prime Minister who is the head of government. Mauritius is highly ranked for democracy, economic and political freedom. The island of Mauritius was the only home of the Dodo bird. The bird became extinct fewer than eighty years after its discovery.

Ro : HOSANNA TOURS AND TRAVELS PVT.LTD., # 207/3, United Arcade, Kavery Avenue, State Bank Colony, Salem - 04. TAMILNADU, INDIA

Day 01: Mauritius (ARRIVAL)

Arrive at Sir Airport, after clearing the immigration met by our representative and transfer to the Hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Mauritius.

Day 02: Mauritius

After breakfast, proceed for the tour of ILE AUX CERFS ISLAND (Deer Island), off the east coast, Ile Aux Cerfs is one of the islands in Mauritius. The island has two restaurants, a boat house and miles of beautiful beaches. Enjoy Para sailing here (optional) and thrill yourself. Return back to hotel and rest of the day is free at leisure. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Mauritius.

Day 03: Mauritius

After breakfast proceed for the full day sightseeing tour covering CENTRAL and SOUTH WEST , the island’s mountainous centre is often overlooked by visitors seeking a quick fix of sun and sand, which is a shame as the magical mountains, the Black River Gorges National Park and the bustling towns of the Central Plateau all make for very worthwhile visits. As you can drive anywhere in Mauritius in under an hour, it’s well worth hiring a car and exploring the country’s interior for a day or two. Walkers and bird-watchers will love the Black River Gorges National Park, climbers and hikers will love the idiosyncratic, almost whimsical nature of Mauritius’ volcanic mountains and anyone who likes bargain hunting will enjoy a trip to Curepipe or Quatre Bornes for the shopping and markets or to Floréal’s textile museum. There’s very little else to see in the corridor of towns that runs almost unbroken from Curepipe to Port Louis, but over half the population dwells here and it’s about as unlike picture-postcard Mauritius as can be imagined, with busy streets, factories, bustling shops and traffic everywhere. This is modern Mauritius, whether you like it or not. Southwest of Curepipe lies a more appealing region of lakes and natural parkland. The Mare aux Vacoas reservoir is the island’s largest lake. It is flanked to the west by the Mare Longue and Tamarin Falls reservoirs – the latter named after a spectacular series of seven waterfalls immediately north of the lake – and to the south by Grand Bassin. This crater lake, sacred to , is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country. Then proceed towards Trou aux Cerfs – Mauritius famous crater. From Floreal heading to Curepipe, you will stop on the way to visit the Trou aux Cerfs. This huge natural volcanic crater, 85m deep and 200m wide, was formed millions of years ago. Here you will have a beautiful panoramic view of the crater and the town of Curepipe, and when the sky is clear it is possible to see all the way to Reunion Island. Then proceed for Grand Bassin is a lake situated 6km South East of Mare aux Vacoas in a secluded mountain area in the district of Savanne, deep in the heart of Mauritius. It is about 1800 feet (550m) above sea level. Grand Bassin with its Hindu temple is a holy lake for Mauritians of Hindu faith. The lake rests in the crater of an extinct volcano. It is said that the water inside the lake communicates with the waters of the holy Ganges of India. The Hindus of Mauritius declared the Grand Bassin as a

Ro : HOSANNA TOURS AND TRAVELS PVT.LTD., # 207/3, United Arcade, Kavery Avenue, State Bank Colony, Salem - 04. TAMILNADU, INDIA

Holy lake. The Hindu community performs there a pilgrimage every year on the Maha Sivaratri (Shiva’s Great Night), on this day they honor the Lord Shiva. Beside the lake there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Gods including Hanuman, Lakshmi, and others.

Day 04: Mauritius

After breakfast proceed for full day North Island tour on which you will visit the capital city – Pourt Louis, the capital city of Mauritius, sandwiched between sea and mountains, keeping the heritage and at the same time being the place of big and small business operations. Place d’ Arms with its French colonial buildings, standing in between the old Government house and the sea front with the harbor, giving the visitor opportunity to see the ancient statues and inscriptions made therein. The eventful Champ de Mars racecourse designed by French in 1740, but used as a racecourse since 1812, the exotic Caudan waterfront which is a large tourist and commercial complex, comprising of three buildings with excellent architecture to view, one of which is functioning as a hotel the mall. Return back to the hotel and rest of the day is free at leisure. Enjoy your dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 05: Mauritius (DEPARTURE)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed to the airport to board your flight for departure.

INCLUDES

 Return airfare  Meet and Greet at the Airport by our Representative  Return airport transfers.  04 Nights accommodation with daily buffet breakfast and dinner  One full day to Ile aux Cerfs Island including boat transfers.  One full day North Island Tour  One full day tour to South - Curepipe town - Grand - Bassin / Black River Gorges & Chamarel

DOES NOT INCLUDES

 Meals other than specified in the itinerary  Items of personal nature viz., drinks, laundry, calls, etc.  Anything not mentioned in the above inclusions list.

Ro : HOSANNA TOURS AND TRAVELS PVT.LTD., # 207/3, United Arcade, Kavery Avenue, State Bank Colony, Salem - 04. TAMILNADU, INDIA