Discovering the North of Mauritius: Full-day incl Botanical garden & lunch | La Vacanza Travel

Discovering the North of Mauritius: Full-day incl Botanical garden & lunch

Duration: 7 to 8 hours
Destination: Mauritius, Flacq District, Trou d'Eau Douce
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  • 7 to 8 hours
  • Trou d'Eau Douce
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

Overview

Discover the North of Mauritius on this 8 hours private tour. With your guide, you will be able to visit some of the beautiful places of the North of Mauritius, including Red Roof church which attracts many visitors & offers a picturesque background of Coin de Mire islet Then, visit the botanical garden which is home to an incredible variety of tropical plants, many of them indigenous.

Afterward, head to savor a 3-course lunch. Then, visit the Citadelle fort which is famous for the 360-degree view of Port Louis. Continue to Apravasi Ghat where the first indentured laborers transited before starting a new life on the island. Afterward, head to the Caudan waterfront is one of the oldest mall built in Mauritius where you'll visit the craft market, Blue-Penny museum & take pictures with the gorgeous umbrellas.  

Then, continue to Port Louis central market which is one of the main shopping spots for locals. Finally, you'll head to see Champ de Mars the horse racing & China Town.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Port Louis, Port Louis

Begin your 8 hours North tour with a complimentary hotel pick-up at your accommodation anywhere on the paradise Island. You will meet and be greeted by our certified guide and after boarding to your comfortable vehicle, then set off for your first stop.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice de Cap Malheureux, 2J7C+8VX, Cap Malheureux, Mauritius

You'll be heading to Cap-Malheureux, a small village in the island’s far north, to visit the attractive red-roofed Church which offers a splendid view over Gunner’s Quoin and the northern islands. The beach behind allows you to soak up the sun and enjoy the view, while the kids can play in the white sand and discover aquatic life in the rock pools. Fishermen are also frequently docking, with a fresh catch.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: SSR Botanic Garden, Royal Road Parc, Pamplemousses, Mauritius 21003

Afterward, head to visit the Mauritius National Botanical Garden which is the home to an incredible variety of tropical plants, many of them indigenous.
The Botanic Garden, formally known as Sir Seewoosagur Botanic Garden, is one of the most visited attractions in Mauritius.
The garden is located in the proximity of Port-Louis in the district of Pamplemousse. Pamplemouses Garden is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere, famous for its long pond of giant water lilies and its 500 rare exotic plants.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Citadelle (Fort Adelaide), RGP6+G46, Sebastopol St, Port Louis, Mauritius

Then, you'll head to a local restaurant to savor a 3-course Mauritian lunch. Following lunch, continue to the Citadel Fort which is now famous for the 360-degree view of the Capital. Here, you will have a breathtaking view of the Capital and you get it from all angles! You will have views of China Town, Champ de Mars, and mountains all at one place. So pack your things and bring along your camera as panoramic pictures are a must at this spot! The little piece of historical architecture is sure to impress you

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Aapravasi Ghat, Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis, Mauritius

Afterward, you'll head to visit The Aapravasi Ghat which is a World Heritage Site located on the Bay of Trou Fanfaron in Port Louis. This historical site served as an immigration depot by the colonial British government in 1849. It has played a pivotal role in the Mauritian history, as it is from this very instance that the Mauritian population became more diverse than ever.

It was here that indentured laborers transited before starting a new life on the island or set off to other distant lands. Between 1834 and 1920, about half a million immigrants, mainly from India, some from China, Madagascar or Africa, began working on the various sugar plantations across the island.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Le Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis, Mauritius

After a few minutes later, you'll head to Le Caudan waterfront which has been the first major shopping development on the island of Mauritius and still is able to keep up with the trends and retain its charm as a modern waterfront mall. You will have the opportunity to stroll around and take great pictures of the umbrella alley and see the panoramic view of the port Louis harbour.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Le Craft Market, Le Caudan Waterfront, Marina Quay, Caudan, Port Louis, Mauritius

Then, continue to the craft market. Everyone wants to bring back home a small piece of Mauritius and we understand why! The Craft Market, located at Caudan, will surely help you in finding your piece of Mauritius.

Based on a two-storey building within the Caudan Waterfront complex, The Craft Market is known for its unique craft collection. With 36 stalls, visitors will get a wide variety of products ranging from exquisite woodwork to detailed baskets without forgetting beautiful glass souvenirs.

You will also find items made from seashells, boxes of ground spics, embroidered linen, handmade jewelry, and the very famous African rag doll dressed in a typical sega outfit.

Many of the handicrafts are made by the stalls owners, their families, or sourced from their villages, so you will get the chance of meeting the artists behind the paintings on sale or even witness your name being engraved on a wooden keychain.

The location of The Craft Market is definitely one of the best as well.

Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Blue Penny Museum, Blue Penny Square Le Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis, Mauritius

Afterward, head to The Blue Penny Museum which is the most famous museum in Mauritius. The museum displays a precious heritage collection about Mauritius and shows the rich history of the island. It offers you a real expedition through the past of Mauritius, its colonial period, and its growth over the years. The Blue Penny Museum collection also includes a series of treasures: old marine maps, paintings, sculptures, stamps, engravings and old documents that bring forward the richness of Mauritian history and culture.



Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Central Market, Farquhar Street, Port Louis, Mauritius

Then, head to the local market. We know that you will probably never be fed up with beaches but a visit to the Central Market located in Port Louis is a must for anyone visiting Mauritius. Here at the bustling Central Market, you will find shops that fit all your needs, ready-made garments, spices, jewelry, watches, shoes, crafts amongst others.

We do recommend tasting the dhal puri, made with split chickpea and flour, and the famous alouda, almost like a milkshake with basil seeds, grated jelly, and sometimes a scoop of ice. If you wish to try some of the local snacks, you will find a large choice of samosas, bajas (fritters made with chickpea flour) or gato piment (fritters made with yellow split pea and chilli).

The Central Market remains busy as it is one of the main shopping spots for locals and attracts people across the island for shopping. It is definitely worth a visit for you to learn more about how locals live and experience the Mauritian vibe.



Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: Champ de Mars, 9 Dauphine St, Port Louis, Mauritius

It is without any doubts that Mauritius is home to many beautiful beaches and diverse fauna and flora, but did you know that it is also home to the oldest racecourse in the Southern Hemisphere? It is home to the Champs de Mars which is located in the capital, Port Louis. Should you wish to visit during weekdays to just enjoy the quietness and enjoy the infrastructure; you will surely be able to see the race track from the outside and get a feel of this place.

Next, we will passby china town to see the culture of the sino-Mauritian which is very interesting, especially the shops, wall art and the decoration is very unique in Mauritius.

After a long day at exploring, your North full-day tour ends with return transport to your hotel.

Inclusions
  • Pick-up and drop-off at any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius
  • 3-course lunch (Veg and Non-veg) Note: Halal food
  • Beverages during lunch (Non-alcoholic drink)
  • Private transportation in a fully air-conditioned vehicle
  • Services of a fully qualified certified private Guide/Driver
  • Bottled water upon arrival
  • Entrance to Pamplemousse Botanical Garden
  • Entrance to Blue Penny museum
  • Entrance to Apravasi Ghat
  • Entry/Admission - Le Caudan Waterfront
  • Entry/Admission - Citadelle (Fort Adelaide)
  • Entry/Admission - Aapravasi Ghat
  • Entry/Admission - Blue Penny Museum
  • Entry/Admission - SSR Botanic Garden

Exclusions
  • Gratuities (Optional)
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking
  • Stroller accessible
  • A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
  • Infant aged 1 to 4 are free of charge. Please notify of CHILD/ INFANT SEAT at the time of booking.
  • Please advise of any food allergies or illness.
  • Please wear non-slippery shoes
  • Infant seats available
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Departure Point

Traveler pickup is offered
Thank you for booking with us! We provide hotel pick-up and drop-off all around Mauritius. Please mention or email us your hotel location at the time of booking. Our representative will meet you at the reception. You will recognize him by his uniform and the "Freshverde Holiday badge."


Departure Time

08:30 AM

Voucher info

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Duration

7 to 8 hours


User's Reviews

Nicky_S

10 Jan, 2024

Terrible service. The driver came to pick us up and did not know that he had to provide water, lunch or that all admissions we included in the tour. It was just the worst experience ever. The driver had to call Freshverde Holidays to try and assist us. Bad service, I would not recommend this tour to anyone.

Tourist55610119798

17 Oct, 2023

Regrettably, this was one of the most frustrating tour experiences I’ve ever had, and here’s why: 1. Lack of Organization: There seemed to be no plan in place. We were often left waiting with no explanation or shuffled from one place to another without any context. 2. Guide Issues: The guide seemed disinterested and frequently provided incorrect or vague information. Their tone was condescending when questions were posed. 3. Overcrowding: The tour was oversold, resulting in a huge group that made it difficult to engage or even hear the guide properly. 4. Safety Concerns: At multiple points, I felt that safety was not a priority. There were instances where we were taken to places with clear hazards without any prior warning. 5. Unmet Promises: Many attractions and points of interest that were promised in the tour description were either skipped or barely touched upon. 6. Post-Tour Follow-up: When I tried to contact the tour company afterward to provide feedback, I was met with indifference and a lack of concern for my grievances. I wholeheartedly recommend potential travelers think twice before booking this tour. The lack of professionalism and organization turned what should have been an enlightening experience into a major disappointment.

Sarah_B

16 Jul, 2023

The trip was enjoyable and only reason i haven't given it a higher score was that one of the main reasons for us booking this trip was to visit Apravasi Ghat, which we didn't actually go to. There was no explanation for this. We visited the botanical Gardens at Pamplemousses first which were stunning- be sure to hire one of the independent guides just inside the garden- for 75 rupees each we had an excellent tour, with opportunities to smell and touch various plant leaves (fallen leaves and twigs only, nothing was picked from the trees themselves) including camphor, nutmeg, cinnamon and more. Cloudburst midway round wasn't a problem as there are plenty of shelters around the site. Our guide was impressive- fluent in English, French, Italian and German and provided entertaining commentary in all 4! Blue Penny museum was well worth a visit. Half an hour here was enough, but the old paintings and maps of Port Louis were fascinating for a history nerd like me. Very disappointed in the Craft Market, this was mainly a series of tacky souvenir shops with high pressure selling and even higher prices although there were a few genuine local craftsmen. Our driver hovered throughout the visit, and was presumably on commission. Lunch was pleasant in a restaurant new to the tour, apparently. Advertised as 3 course however, we had to ask for ice cream as no dessert was offered. Fort Adelaide was the highlight for me- free entry makes it a great place for those on a budget. Great views of the surrounding area and the Port. We had fun exploring the walls, ramparts and cannons! Not recommended for those with mobility restrictions. Fortunately we had a couple of drinks with us, as water was not offered as advertised. Church at Cap Malheureux was quaint, but no time to go on the beach which looked far more inviting. Not really sure of any benefit in having this on the itinerary. Enjoyed the day, and it was just the 2 of us (plus the driver) so relaxed and informal. Just disappointing that itinerary not as advertised.

Duncan L

21 Apr, 2023

Port Louis market, Caudan waterfront & Pamplemousse Gardens ( get a guided tour) were great, fantastic Citadel views Great driver/guide

Robert_P

12 Jan, 2023

Well the tour was OK. Did rain so we bypass the gardens. Went to tea shop had tour there drank some tea then blue penny that was OK too interesting in parts but not that good then citadel. We wanted to go there last trip but made it this trip. Again disappointed just a square building apart from notice at entrance no more information every door locked very good view of Port louie from top. Then we had lunch very good food seafood lunch best part. Over all not really worth the money. But the driver was very good

User's Picture Gallery

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Fun day, lovely lunch included. Definitely recommend. Caudan waterfront, market & Pamplemouse Gardens the best- worth getting

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Average to good

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Excellent private tour of the north

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