Mauritius, located in the southern Indian Ocean, is noted for its natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Surrounded by stunning coral reefs and crystal blue waters, the island nation offers a unique blend of immersive and cultural experiences and a strong emphasis on sustainable tourism practices. This, along with other factors, have resulted in Mauritius being voted the Indian Ocean's Leading Adventure Tourism Destination at the World Travel Awards.
Mauritius is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. The culturally diverse community is made up largely of the descendants of Indian labourers, Chinese traders, African slaves, and Dutch, French, and British colonists. The history of this island nation is documented in its cultural monuments and culinary traditions.
A former British and French colony, the country gained independence from British rule in 1968. Mauritius has a long history with India. From the 1820s, indentured labourers from India arrived to work in the sugar plantations of Mauritius. Today, Indians comprise the largest section of the population. And India has influenced the culinary, architectural, and cultural landscape in Mauritius.
No doubt, the history of this island nation is documented in its cultural monuments, culinary traditions, and natural beauty. Whether you are looking to chill out amid nature, check out historic monuments, take a wellness break, or have a shot at adventure activities, the country has it all. Here is a guide to a holiday in the beautiful island nation of Mauritius.
Aapravasi Ghat is where the first indentured immigrants arrived in Mauritius. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the place is the remains of an immigrant depot located on the bay of Trou Fanfaron near the capital of Port-Louis. The depot was constructed in 1849 to welcome indentured labourers from India, Eastern Africa, Madagascar, China, and Southeast Asia. The buildings of Aapravasi Ghat are considered to be among the earliest indications of what would become a global economic system and one of history's largest migrations.
Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008, Le Morne Cultural Landscape is a rugged mountain that juts into the Indian Ocean in the southwest of Mauritius. It was used as a shelter by runaway slaves and maroons through the 18th and early years of the 19th centuries. Protected by the mountain’s isolated, wooded, and almost inaccessible cliffs, the escaped slaves formed small settlements in the caves and on the summit of Le Morne.
The L'Aventure du Sucre museum in Pamplemousses will provide you with a fascinating insight into how Mauritius' history is intertwined with sugar. Set inside a historic sugar mill facility, you will get to witness the many steps of the sugar-making process. go on cane-cutting tours, and try more than 30 sugarcane products. The drive to L'Aventure du Sucre is highlighted by lush sugarcane fields and pristine lakes. The route is peppered with picturesque hamlets.
Also referred to as Ganga Talao, Grand Bassin is a crater lake in the Southwest district of Savanne. A temple and a collection of shrines devoted to Lord Shiva and other gods are dotted on the shoreline.
This dormant volcano is thought to have erupted once, some 700,000 years ago, and has since been inactive. Surrounded by a lush green forest, the volcano's crater is 605 metres above sea level and contains a tiny lake.
For history aficionados, a visit to Domaine de Labourdonnais in Mapou is a must. The château at Domaine de Labourdonnais was built between 1856 and 1859. This stately mansion, which has been wonderfully restored, provides a tour through the island's history.
Grand Baie, also known as Grand Bay, is located on the northwest coast in a horseshoe-shaped sheltered bay around an emerald lagoon. Spend your time here taking in the lively environment. It boasts amazing shopping choices as well as a fantastic selection of cafes and restaurants. After sunset, hit up the buzzing beach clubs and hip pubs.
Fed by three streams that pour into the Saint Denis River, the twin waterfalls cascade over the basalt cliff and drop around 100 metres into an oval lake below. The volcanic rock strata here are 8-10 million years old. Hike to the base for a relaxing swim in the pool and a close-up view of the waterfalls. Take a guided walk through the tropical rainforest and get to know more about the birdlife, waterfalls, and the ecosystems of the area along the way.
The island country is a fantastic destination for adventure seekers. Explore mountains, national parks, and coasts, go trekking at sanctuaries like Ile'Ambre, or embark on more extreme, tee off on a golf course, action-packed excursions like the Via Ferrata circuit. You can sign up for mountain biking, river hiking, canyoning, zip lining, and other sports at various destinations. Hike to the highest point in Mauritius, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, at 828 metres. You will love the thrill of quad driving across the undulating landscape of La Vallee des Couleurs, a nature park with four waterfalls and the world's third-longest zipline. Zoom down half a kilometre across the colourful earth that is unique to this volcanic island. Or try sea karting, which combines the thrill of a jet boat with the safety and stability of an inflatable raft.
Take a luxe break in Mauritius. Stay in a beautiful villa with a private pool, dine in gourmet restaurants, play on incredible golf courses, unwind in sumptuous spas and plush hotels, and explore the coastline on a private yacht. A seaplane trip is one of the best ways to explore Mauritius from above - you will see a swirl of turquoise lagoons melting into an inky blue ocean.
Go on a culinary journey sampling Mauritius food across street stalls and restaurants. Mauritian cuisine is a veritabel melting pot of flavours, influenced by the country's mix of Indian, Chinese, African, and European cultures. The dholl puris are famous - they are similar to the dal puris of India. You will also love the spicy biryanis and fried noodles. Try the gateaux piments (Mauritian chilli poppers), which are similar to falafel but with a hot kick. Boulettes are little steamed dumplings with various fillings such as prawns, lamb, chicken, fish, and tofu. Round up your meal with a sweet dish like the creamy and delectable poudine mas is cooked with polenta/cornmeal, milk, fragrant spices, and grated coconut on top.
The Mauritian government introduced a visa-free policy for Indian tourists in October 2004. Indian travellers visiting Mauritius for up to 90 days do not need a visa under the scheme, as long as they have adequate finances to support their stay. "On arrival Visa" is a document that allows tourists to travel to Mauritius without the visa, which is then obtained from the airport on arrival. It is a Single Entry Visa and allows a stay up to 60 days from arrival which can be extended by getting in touch with the Department of Immigration, Government of Mauritius. The Mauritius visa policy has extended this special treatment to nationals of 60 countries including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Philippines, Jordan, and Lebanon.
You can get to Mauritius by air. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (IATA: MRU, ICAO: FIMP) is the primary international airport serving Mauritius. In the future, you may be able to travel to the island nation via cruises.