Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure
You'll board your flight heading out to the Indian Ocean, settling in for the journey ahead. During the flight, you'll have plenty of time to think about what's coming: those beaches and natural spots you've been reading about.
- Day 2
Mauritius Arrival
Landing in Mauritius, you'll pick up your rental car and drive to your glamping place near Grand River South East. After getting settled, take some time to walk around the area and see what's nearby, getting a feel for the landscape and available activities.
- Day 3
Grand River South East
This morning, grab a paddleboard or kayak and head down Grand River South East toward the mangroves and waterfall. Later, you can either stroll along the beach or go mountain biking through the area past sugar cane fields, working your way toward Mahébourg and finding those hidden waterfalls.
Included Activities
- Free use of stand-up paddleboard and kayak
- Free use of mountain bike
- Boat tour to Île aux Cerfs
Landmarks/POIs Grand River South East Mahébourg - Day 4
Mauritius Exploration
Pick one or do multiple: the Grand Bassin Hindu temple with its large Shiva statue, Black River Gorges National Park if you want scenic overlooks, the Seven Colored Earth sand dunes at La Vallée des Couleurs for something unique, or Chamarel Waterfall. The choice depends on what calls to you most today.
Optional Activities
- Visit Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) Hindu temple
- Explore Black River Gorges National Park
- Visit La Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park and Seven Colored Earth
- Visit Chamarel Waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) Black River Gorges National Park Gorges Viewpoint La Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park Seven Colored Earth Chamarel Waterfall - Day 5
Mahébourg and Lion Mountain
Drive to Mahébourg to check out local life up close. The market is worth visiting for street food and local goods. After that, hike up Lion Mountain to catch views of the east coast and the turquoise water, or skip the hike and relax at Pointe d'Esny beach instead.
Optional Activities
- Visit Mahébourg market
- Hike Lion Mountain
- Relax at Pointe d'Esny beach
Landmarks/POIs Mahébourg Lion Mountain Pointe d'Esny - Day 6
Mauritius to La Réunion
You'll fly to La Réunion and get your rental car. Spend the day in Saint-Denis looking at colonial buildings and markets, or head toward Cirque de Salazie to see lush gorges, waterfalls like Voile de la Mariée, banana plantations, and the village of Hell-Bourg. By evening, relax back at your hotel pool.
Optional Activities
- Explore Saint-Denis
- Visit Rue de Paris
- Visit Cirque de Salazie
- Hike to Voile de la Mariée waterfall
- Visit Hell-Bourg village
Landmarks/POIs Saint-Denis Victory Column Rue de Paris Cirque de Salazie Voile de la Mariée Hell-Bourg - Day 7
Piton de la Fournaise
Today's a hiking day on Piton de la Fournaise, an active volcano. Start with Formica Leo crater, then move on to Dolomieu at 2,632 meters. From the top, you'll see dark basalt on one side and the sea meeting sky on the other, with clouds below you.
Included Activities
- Hike Piton de la Fournaise volcano
- Hike Formica Leo crater
- Hike to Dolomieu main crater summit
Landmarks/POIs Route du Volcan La Plaine des Sables Piton de la Fournaise Formica Leo Dolomieu - Day 8
La Réunion West Coast to Saint-Gilles
Head along the west coast, stopping at Pointe au Sel to see dramatic cliffs and natural pools. You can visit Kélonia turtle farm to see rescued sea turtles if that interests you. Then continue to Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, check in, and explore the town center, port, beaches, and restaurants.
Optional Activities
- Stop at Pointe au Sel
- Visit Kélonia turtle farm (payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Pointe au Sel Kélonia Saint-Gilles-les-Bains La Saline - Day 9
Saint-Gilles Beach Day
Spend the day on the beach at Plage des Roches Noires or Plage de La Saline les Bains, where the water and sand are exactly what you imagined. You can snorkel at L'Hermitage les-Bains lagoon to see reef fish and marine life, or simply explore more of the 22-kilometer turquoise lagoon on the west side.
Optional Activities
- Beach day at Plage des Roches Noires
- Beach day at Plage de La Saline les Bains
- Snorkel at L'Hermitage les-Bains lagoon (payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Plage des Roches Noires Plage de La Saline les Bains L'Hermitage les-Bains - Day 10
La Réunion to Seychelles
You'll fly into the Seychelles and check into your place on Mahé, the largest island. Spend the day relaxing at Anse Soleil and Petite Anse, swimming in the Indian Ocean, and having a cocktail to celebrate the start of this part of your trip.
Optional Activities
- Visit Anse Soleil beach
- Visit Petite Anse beach
- Swim in Indian Ocean
Landmarks/POIs Anse Soleil Petite Anse - Day 11
Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Take a boat from Victoria's harbor to Sainte Anne Marine National Park. You'll snorkel in the reserve around several islands and likely see colorful fish, eagle rays, seahorses, and possibly sea turtles if you're lucky.
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Sainte Anne Marine National Park (payable locally)
- Snorkeling in marine reserve (national park fee payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Victoria Sainte Anne Marine National Park Sainte Anne Island Cerf Island Longue Island Round Island Moyenne Island - Day 12
Morne Seychellois National Park
Hike the Trois Frères Trail through Morne Seychellois National Park, walking through jungle past pitcher plants and unusual flowers to reach the second-highest point on the island. The views of Victoria and surrounding islands are solid. If you want, catch a sunset bus to Cap Lazare for more beach views afterward.
Optional Activities
- Hike Trois Frères Trail in Morne Seychellois National Park
- Hike Sans Soucis Road
- Sunset bus ride to Cap Lazare (payable locally)
Landmarks/POIs Morne Seychellois National Park Sans Soucis Road Trois Frères Victoria Cap Lazare - Day 13
Final Island Day
It's your last day here, so do what feels right: lie on the beach and absorb the sun and atmosphere, or take one more walk through the island's green interior and find a spot you haven't seen yet. Take in everything one more time before heading out.
Optional Activities
- Beach relaxation
- Explore island greenery
- Day 14
Return Home
You'll depart the Seychelles and fly back home, carrying memories of the Indian Ocean with you. Arriving back feels different now, and you'll have plenty of stories to tell friends and family about what you've seen and done.
