Mauritius Island
Holidays in Mauritius
Mauritius is the most accessible island in the Indian Ocean, boasting of a
perfect tropical holiday trip at bargained and affordable prices for an exotic
holiday trip.
Finding yourself surrounded amidst spectacular scenery--miles of
lush sugarcane plantations, mystical mountains, pretty cascading waterfalls and
rainforests abound with coniferous trees and casuarinas, is a real extravaganza.
Though nestled up as a small island alongside the big African continent, it's
culture and lifestyle is influenced by British, Indian and French ties.
Bare, black volcanic peaks tower over the sugarcane fields, which cover about
half of the island. The island satisfies the whims of sunbathers, beachcombers,
sightseers, mountaineers, swimmers, yachtsmen, water-skiers, skin-divers,
anglers, big game fishermen, philatelists, punters, golfers, gamblers, all night
rovers and ultimate escapers. Take a tailormade holiday package to Mauritius and
feel the breeze blowing through the palm trees on the beautiful tropical island
paradise of Mauritius.
Physical Location
Mauritius is a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean lying in the east of
Madagascar and southwest of India. Almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC,
Mauritius' terrain is small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains
encircling central plateau. With about 600 people per square kilometer,
Mauritius has one of the highest population densities in the world. There is no
monsoon season, though cyclones hit the island every 15 years or so between
November and May.
History
Mauritius received many visitors, intruders and rulers, who came here mostly for
trade purposes. Arab traders knew of Mauritius as early as 10th century The
Dutch claimed Mauritius in 1598. Later, France came and renamed it as 'Île de
France' and gave it over to the French East India Company to run as a trading
base. During the second half of the 18th century, the island's capital, Port
Louis, became a free trading base, which lured the British. Mauritius gained its
independence on March 12, 1968. It remained a member of the Commonwealth of
Nations.
Best Time to Visit
Mauritius doesn't have a strict high or low season, but it receives more
tourists during Christmas to New Year period. Mauritian winters occur during
July-September, when daytime temperatures become little gentle than everyday
muggy. So, this can be recommended as the choicest times to visit. The least
pleasant period is from January to April, when the long days become hot and
humid with an additional threat of cyclones. You should also be prepared to
spend some holidays indoors during heavy rains. December through March is the
best time for diving in the clearest waters; June through August is best for
surfing; and October to April is excellent for big game fishing,
Tourist Attractions of Mauritius
Port Louis is the bustling capital of Mauritius of about 1,38,000 people and a
leading port. Here you can have a rendezvous with the spirit of this fascinating
land, a
potpourri of cultures, colorful traditions and festivals. During the
day, it bustles with big-city commercial activities, while at night in contrast
all the activity takes place at the swish new Le Caudan Waterfront, where you
can enjoy casino, cinemas, shops, bars and restaurants.
You can drop in at the Natural History Museum to see a stuffed replica of
several extinct birds as well as specimens of animals and fish; the dodo, an
extinct species since the late 17th century. There is also Mauritius Postal
Museum, featuring a collection of Mauritian stamps and assorted philately. You
can behold Islamic architecture, at Jummah Mosque, built in the 1850s in the
middle of Chinatown, and Fort Adelaide, called as the Citadel by the locals.
Fort Adelaide is a British fort offering excellent hilltop views. Its
harbourside location is world-class.
Père Laval's, who is said to have converted more than 67,000 people, shrine is
located at Ste-Croix. Pilgrims swear by the statue's healing powers with just a
touch. You can also have a blend of action in your vacation by heading to
Tamarin for surfing, Mt Limon and Mt Malartic for hiking, Port Mathurin and
surroundings for coastal hiking, Rodrigues for the best diving opportunities and
Caverne Patate for caving. The town of Curepipe is also worth a quick visit with
its English market town flavour. It is the centre of the island's tea and
model-ship building industries.
The attractive Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens are also one of the
most popular tourist attractions in Mauritius. Park's giant Victoria regia water
lilies, golden bamboo, chewing-gum trees, fish poison trees and a 200-year-old
Buddha tree amuse the tourists a great deal. The wonderful Pereybere public
beach is also popular due to its shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs.
Important Festivals and Exhibitions
Hence, celebration of almost all the Hindu festivals in this island is a common
phenomenon. Festivals like, Teemeedee, Thaipoosam Cavadee, Diwali, Pongal,
Mahashivratri, New Year, Holi, Independence and Republic days are celebrated
here. Festivals of Père Laval Feast Day and Id-ul-fitr are also marked with
celebrations.
How to get there?
Travel and Transport information
Air: Mauritius is easily accessible as it is well connected by many
international airlines and shipping companies. The island has two paved airports
Land: For getting around seeing the beautiful scenery of Mauritius, buses and
slow moving taxis are available. In places like Grand Baie it is more convenient
to rent a motorbike or bicycles. Boats can be rented in Mauritius at major
tourist hotspots.
Culture and Lifestyle
The people of Mauritius are as varied as the landscape; a fascinating blend of
people from Europe Africa India and the Far East has created a unique
cosmopolitan island culture. Mauritius accounts a 63% of Indian majority of
which 80% follow Hinduism. Roughly every other fifth person is Muslim. Both
groups have descended from labourers brought to the island by the British to
work the cane fields from India or China. The remaining population is of Créoles,
descendants of African slaves, and Franco-Mauritians, the original settlers of
the island. English is the official language of the island, though you may also
hear French, Créole and also Indian languages like Bhojpuri and Urdu. The
island's main attraction to fun loving tourists is Créole Séga, a foot-shuffling
erotic dance that's generally performed on the beach to the rhythm of Latin
American, Caribbean and African pop.
Mauritius' delicious cuisines may also attract you. The most common varieties
are Créole, European, Chinese and Indian, with seafood almost always the
specialty. You can feast your taste buds with a typical Mauritian buffet, which
might include a Muslim biryani, Indian chicken curry, Chinese pork dish, Créole
roast beef and French-style vegetables with boiled rice, which is a must.
Shopping
Port Louis Market, near the water in the heart of downtown can bring you a good
feel of the city life. You can fruits and vegetables, meats and fish, souvenirs,
crafts, clothing and spices with some hard bargaining. Flacq market country's
largest open-air market is also worth a shopping experience.
Money Currency
The currency of Mauritius is Mauritius Rupee. Traveller's cheques in can be
exchanged in any major currency easily. The government sets the exchange rates.
Credit cards are widely accepted and cash advances are also available from most
major banks.
About Mauritius :
Mauritius is situated in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2400 kilometres
off the South East Coast of Africa. The island, which is of volcanic
origin, covers an area of 1,865 square kilometres or 720 square miles.
Coral reefs surround most of the coast except the south.
Mountains scattered throughout the island, tropical forests and plants are
other feathers that add to the natural beauty of the island. With more
than 90 miles of white sandy beaches and the transparent lagoon are
protected from the open sea by the world's third largest coral reef which
almost surrounds the island.
Mauritius Climate
The average temperature is 27° centigrade during the day and rarely under
20° at night. There are two seasons, hot from November to April and warm
from May to October.
Mauritius History & Culture
The first Europeans to have visited Mauritius were the Portuguese at the
beginning of the sixteenth century (most probably in 1510). The Dutch who
settled in the island in 1598 named it Mauritius after Prince Maurice of
Nassau. Among other things, the Dutch introduced sugar cane and the Java
deer before leaving in 1710 where they had found in the mean time a far
better settling place: The Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. About five
years later, in 1715, the French occupied the island, renaming it "Isle de
France".
It was under the French Governor, Mahé de Labourdonnais, that Mauritius knew
its first development: a harbour was built. Port Louis, named after the
ruling king Louis XV, became the capital of Mauritius. Trade on the island
thrived; Mauritius could supply enough sugar and rum to the surrounding
islands and visiting vessels.
Mauritius Attractions
The
North
Grand Bay - Grand Bay was the first area of the island
to fully experience the tourist boom. A shopping and leisure paradise, Grand
Bay also happens to be the area where Mauritians head for when they want a
fun-filled night out (restaurants, bars and discos). Recently renovated, La
Cuvette beach is well worth a visit.
Pereybère - The wonderful Pereybere public beach is
popular because of its shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs.
Balaclava Ruins - A few metres away from Baie aux
Tortues, which 17th century sailors named after the many tortoises in the
area, can be found the ruins of the old Balaclava estate. Visitors will be
able to see the sea walls, whose initial foundations were laid down by Mahé
de Labourdonnais.
The Triolet Shivala - The longest village on the island,
Triolet offers an opportunity to visit the biggest Hindu temple, the
Maheswarnath, first built in 1819 in honour of the Gods Shiva, Krishna,
Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha.
The Labourdonnais Orchards - Discover a large variety of
tropical fruit trees, colourful and perfumed exotic flowers. Trips on
mountain bikes or hiking are possible.
Cap Malheureux - Cap Malheureux with its red roofed
church, opens onto the northern islands with its large community of
fisherman.
The
East
Belle Mare Beach - Despite the numerous hotels on this
coast, Belle Mare still offers some precious stretches of public beaches.
Ideal for those who want to enjoy the warmness of the Mauritius waters in a
tranquil environment.
Flacq Market - Flacq is one of the most important
villages in Mauritius. This meeting point for inhabitants of the East boasts
the country's largest open air market. The extremely colourful market
attracts a large number of people.
The Waterpark Leisure Village
- Enjoy unforgettable
moments sliding on the giant chutes, with family or friends. Relaxation and
pleasure guaranteed. Coastal road, Belle Mare.
Ile aux Cerfs
- Ile aux Cerfs is a paradise for water
sports and has the most beautiful beach in Mauritius. You cannot afford to
miss this tiny island, delicately poised on the ocean, a real pearl in the
Mauritian landscape.
The
South East
Dutch Ruins
- At Vieux Grand Port, the oldest
settlements in Mauritius, you can see the ruins of the first Dutch
fortifications. Excavation work is underway in a bid to uncover an important
part of Mauritian history.
Ile aux Aigrettes
- Owing to the remarkable work
accomplished by the Mauritius Wildlife Fund, the island has become an
international standard for the protection of natural resources and
endangered species. A few of the world's rarest birds, including the
kestrel, can be seen there. You can also discover the extremely rare Pink
Pigeon, the Green Gecko Phelsuma and the Aldabra giant tortoise.
Mahebourg
- Mahébourg is one of the main fishing
villages on the island. Built on the magnificent Grand Port Bay it was
founded in 1804 by the French Governor Charles Decaën.
Domaine du Chasseur
- Nestling in the Anse Jonchée
hills, the Domaine des Grand Bois has splendid hunting grounds covering an
area of 900 hectares. Stags, monkeys and boars live amidst the luxuriant
vegetation of the hillside.One can watch a few species of endangered birds,
including the kestrel. The Domaine contains four thatched-roof bungalows and
a restaurant with a panoramic sea view. Take an opportunity to enjoy a
delicious meal of venison and seafood.
Souillac - A small seaside resort along the rugged coast
of the Savanne district. A famous feature is the garden overlooking the sea
and named after Dr. Charles Telfair. A popular viewpoint is found at the
southern end of the village, right on the cliff top : Gris Gris.
La Vanilla Reserve des Mascareigenes
- 500 giant
tortoises roam free and Nile crocodles as well as a variety of fuana and
flora thrive in the La Vanilla Reserve des Mascareignes. An insectarium
boasts 20,000 species of insects including butterflies from different
regions of the world. The Crocodile Affeme offers local cuisine and for the
more adventurous lovers of fine food, a speciality of crocodile meat.
The
West
Martello Towers
- The Martello Towers represent the
scene of the ancient rivalry between old colonial powers and the ingenuity
of mankind. They are a milestone in the island's history; they symbolise the
end of slavery and the beginning of Indian immigration.
Chamarel
- A winding road leads from Case Noyale village
to the coloured earths of Chamarel: an undulating landscape of different and
contrasting shades of colours. The different shades of blue, green, red and
yellow are apparently the result of the erosion of the volcanic ash. The
neighbouring waterfalls of Chamarel rise from the moors and the native plant
life. The site possesses a rare beauty. Some «Table d'hôtes» have been
recently created in the Chamarel Village where you can enjoy the taste of
typical Mauritian cuisine.
Salt Pans
- Owing to the exceptional high level of
sunshine the district receives, Tamarin is naturally the heart of salt
production in Mauritius.
Casela
- Situated in the Rivière Noire district, the
bird park stretches over 25 hectares and contains more than 140 bird species
from all five continents. Other attractions include fish ponds, tigers,
tortoises, monkeys, deer and orchids.
Yemen - Yemen Reserve may not be the largest game
reserve on the island, but there is still lots to see. You will be able to
get close to the herds of deer, as well as admire some splendid species of
Mauritian fauna. A few rustic kiosks available in the reserve provide an
unobstructed view of the sea. There you can sip a local punch while watching
the sun going down.
Dolphins
-Unique opportunity to see Doplhins on the west
coast.
Inland
L'Aventure du Sucre - Visit an interactive and ultra
modern exhibition situated at the heart of an ancient sugarmill and discover
the fascinating history of Mauritius and its sugarcane adventure exposed
over 5000 sq meters! Then, let yourself be tempted by our tropical boutik
with its unique gifts, souvenirs and tasting of special unrefined sugars as
well as local rum. Do not miss the opportunity to relish authentic Mauritian
cuisine with refined flavours at our restaurant "Le Fangourin Open 7 days a
week from 09h00 to 18h00 - Free access to the restaurant and the Village
Boutik.
Ganga Talao
- Grand Bassin - Beyond La Marie and
Mare-aux-Vacoas is found one of the two natural lakes of Mauritius. It rests
within the crater of an extinct volcano. Ganga Talao is an important
pilgrimage site and many Mauritians of the Hindu faith walk there during the
Maha Shivaratri festival or the night fasting dedicated to Shiva.
Tea Route & Bois Cheri - Discover traditional Mauritius
by following the Tea Route that starts from the colonial house, Les
Aubineaux in Curepipe. You will enjoy visiting the Bois Cheri tea factory
and museum, as well as the anthurium greenhouses and the vanilla
plantations. See the Mauritian art of living in a splendid colonial house at
St Aubin built in 1819.
Black River Gorges
- This national park of 6,574
hectares was created in 1994 for the protection of Mauritius' remaining
native forests. Visitors can enjoy magnificent landscapes, with endemic
plants and rare bird species. A trail leads from the Pétrin information
centre to an area of typical plant life and to a conservation area.
Eureka
- An old Creole residence built in 1830, Eureka
is an essential place to visit during your stay in Mauritius if you wish to
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