Good Morning from Mauritius!
For being a really small island off the east coast of Africa, there is so much to do!
In this post, I’d like to take the time to talk about all the amazing opportunities that Mauritius has on land!
First, I’d like to talk about activities and sightseeing.
The first stop that is not to be missed is the Vallee de Couleurs. This place has so much to offer. From zip lining to four-wheeling you don’t want to miss out. They are home to the third-longest zip line in the world. They have lots of different zip lining packages. I highly recommend the full package of all of the zip lines in the park because it is well worth it. You get to do the third-longest zip line in the world along with other ones that go over waterfalls and the 23 colored earth. I didn’t do the four-wheeling but I heard it was just as fun. You can also see a few waterfalls, the famous 23 colored earth, and the many giant tortoises.
A lot of my other friends went to Casella National Park where they also offer zip lining but I really enjoyed it at the Vallee de Couleurs. At Casella, they have a lot of animal adventures to offer such as petting lion, tigers, and bears oh my! No, really you can pet the lions and tigers. Although I did not participate in this it seemed to be a huge hit for many students and could be something to look into.
Next, is the Chamarel Waterfall. This is located near a coffee plantation and the seven-colored earth which I will talk about later. The waterfall was just breathtaking. I was there with a program through Semester at Sea so we didn’t get to explore very much of the area around the waterfall but it was something that is a must-see.
If you are a fan of coffee you may also want to look into the coffee plantation that is right near the waterfall.
Another “not to miss” sight is the seven-colored Earth. This is something that is better to see when it is dry because the colors are easier to see and more vibrant than when they are wet. Sadly the tour I was on at the time arrived right after a rainstorm so the colors were a bit washed out but it was still beautiful to see. Right next to the seven-colored earth there is a small area where they have giant tortious and let me tell you as I stared at them for 20 minutes, I swear they are dinosaurs. They look so crazy and made me feel like a little kid at the zoo. I just wanted to stare at them all afternoon.
Another thing to check out during your time on land is the giant Hindu Statues. Whether you are religious or not they are very cool to admire and will make you show great respect for their dedication in building such a large statue. They are located near Grand Bassin and trust me you can’t miss them they are so large.
Last for activities, shopping! There are so many cool shops and markets especially near the water in Port Louis so don’t miss out on all the cute boutiques. If you are not a shopper or don’t want to waste time shopping I highly recommend at least checking out the Art Market in downtown Port Louis because they have so many hand-made souvenirs and art pieces that even if you don’t buy anything are so worth checking out! (but I’m sure you will find something to buy)
Now on to the hiking part of Mauritius.
The mountains of Mauritius are not to be missed! There are so many amazing hikes around the island. Since I didn’t have much time I only got to do two of them and they were so incredible I recommend them to everyone!
First, Le Pouce, which means the thumb in French! If you look at this mountain from the bottom it looks just like a thumbs up and you get to hike right to the top of the thumb. The easiest way to get there is to take a taxi to the trailhead. The trailhead is around the back of the mountain. You can also take the bus but the bus system is a bit confusing from inside port Louis. I highly recommend taking the bus back because the bus stop is at the end of the road that leads into the trailhead and if you just ask the bus driver that stops there if they are going to Port Louis you will make it back! The bus only cost $1.20. As for the hike, it is a moderately difficult hike but nothing insane. The hike is so beautiful in every way. You may even spot some monkies along the way that are curious yet a bit scared at the same time. When you get to the top you have a 360 view of the city and the mountains behind you. It is so worth every step! I would recommend going in the morning because it often rains sporadically in the mountains there and we got poured on on our way down which was fun but very muddy!
The other hike that is a must-see is Le Mourne. This hike is very historical for the island of Mauritius. This is the mountains where a bunch of slaves jumped to their death to avoid being brought back to their owners. In honor of their lives, there is a large cross at the very top of the mountain. This hike is very easy to about halfway. The halfway point has an amazing view and is where many people stop. The group that I went with hired a guide to take us all the way to the top. I am very glad we hired a guide because the path is an “easy” rock climbing experience. It was nice to have someone there to help us up and down. Although it was not required and many groups were climbing to the top themselves it was very helpful in many parts of the hike. The view from the top was so amazing and if you are able to make it to the top I highly recommend it.
That’s all for now! I hope that you enjoy Mauritius as much as I did!
See You Soon
xoxo Gina