The Best of Mauritius
Self - Drive to "The Residence"
Day 1 Thu	Depart Hong Kong	MK645	2315
Day 2 Fri	Arrive Mauritius Take delivery of a self-drive car on arrival and proceed to your nearby hotel. Hotel: SHANDRANI Relax and spend the day on the beach, enjoy some water sports or even go horse-riding.	0525
Day 3 Sat	The drive today will take you across the southern portion of the island ofMauritius. Your first stop can be at a chateau, housing the interesting Mauritius Naval Museum. It is located on the Gurepipe Road, just outside Mahebourg. Admission is free. There are numerous items of interest, but especially for Australians, some amazing relics which include the lid of a cigarette tin which was used to ration water by sixteen survivors of a 1923 mid Indian Ocean sinking of a vessel, the "Trevessa" which had sailed from Fremantle. Following the scenic coast road, you might like to make the detour to the Blowhole and Natural Bridge at Le Souffleur. Further along the coast, at Bel Omlere, in the Baie du Jacotet, you can see for yourself the monument to the survivors of the "Trevessa" at the location where the lifeboat landed after 25 days at sea. Continue to Le Morne Brahent for overnight stay at the Hotel Paradis. Le Morne, the "mournful one", is a towering rock which dominates the region. History tells us that a number of escaped slaves had taken refuge on the top of this mountain. When seeing a group of British soldiers climbing to their eyrie, they flung themselves en masse over the cliff rather than face renewed servitude. The tragedy was that the soldiers were bearing the news of the abolition of slavery. They were all to have been freed
Day 4 Sun	From this beautiful seaside location, you can drive into the mountains to see some of the only remaining original virgin forest of Mauritius. All the rest has been cleared, mostly for sugar cane. Visit the Chamarel region to see the beautiful waterfall and the "coloured sands", an interesting phenomenon resulting from volcanic activity. Once again, especially for Australians, the region is named after Charles de Cheuzal who owned an estate here and who hosted the explorer Matthew Flinders during his captivity resulting from the Napoleonic Wars.
	Enjoy lunch at the perfectly situated mountain restaurant "Varangue sur Morne". There are stunning views. After lunch you might like to visit the Black River Gorges National Park. Continue to the capital of Mauritius, Port Louis, and staying overnight. Hotel: LABOURDONNAIS WATERFRONT The waterfront area has undergone a re-development and there are interesting souvenirs boutiques, a handicraft market and a casino. A short walk away is the old city of Port Louis and its colourful, bargain-packed, historic marketplace.
Day 5 Mon	We suggest that you take lunch today at the Indian Restaurant at the Domaine Les Pailles, just outside Port Louis. After lunch visit the famous Botanical Gardens at Pamplemousses. The gardens are extensive but the most famous attraction is the giant Victoria Regia water lily from the Amazon. Continue to the tourist mecca of Grand Baie for overnight. Hotel: LE MAURICIA
Day 6 Tue	Today you have the option of retracing your steps a little and visiting two historic residences or proceeding to your beach resort Hotel at Belle Mare on the East Coast of Mauritius. The two residences are located near Moka on the Central Plateau, not very far from Port Louis. Le Reduit, a former Governor's residence, is open Mon to Fri, from 9.30am to noon. The other, Eureka House, which is nearby, is well worth visiting and is open from 9.30am to 5.00pm every day except Sunday. Continue to Belle Mare and your beautiful beach resort. Hotel: THE RESIDENCE Located on a one kilometre beach of powdery white sand, the resort is a successful marriage of bygone Mauritian charm and modern luxury.
Day 7 Wed To Day 10 Sat	At leisure
Day 11 Sun	Surrender the self-drive car at the Airport. Depart Mauritius	MK640	1750
Day 12 Mon	Arrive Hong Kong	0750
This is a suggested itinerary, which can be varied to suite individual requirements.