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TRIP PLANNER MAURITIU
If
you’ve been craving a foreign holiday, target Mauritius with its beautiful
scapes, during the coming travel season
WALK WITH THE LIONS AT CASELA
DON’T MISS...
Don’t miss the chance to walk with lions, or spend a few minutes
interacting with them, or if you prefer, pick tigers and leopards. The
activity is available all year round at the Casela Nature & Leisure
Park. In fact, it’s one of only three places in the world promising such an
opportunity. It costs 1,282 per adult, plus the park entrance fee of 730.
The ‘walk with lions’ option costs 6,410.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Its mild tropical climate, with occasional rain, lasts all year, making
it a perfect destination. Also, it’s an escape from Indian summers and
biting north Indian winters.
TRIP TRAIL
According to the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), you need
at least six nights to see the best of this island country. Here is a
sample itinerary to get you started. Day 1 starts with your arrival at the
international airport in Plaine Magnien, 48 km from the capital, Port
Louis. Get over your jet lag over sundowners at a beach. Save the following
day to visit Undersea Walk, the Sugar World, Pamplemousses Garden and Grand
Baie La Croisette. On day 3, head for Black river near Tamarain bay, from
where you take a full-day catamaran cruise that promises close encounters
with dolphins. You can visit Ile aux Cerfs as a day trip the next morning.
On day 5, move to Casela Nature & Leisure Park for a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to interact with lions and tigers. It’s a good idea to visit
the seven-coloured dunes of Chamarel the next day. You can explore Port
Louis on the last day before catching a night flight home.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
FREE
• Grand Bassin.
• Black River Gorges National Park.
• Chamarel waterfall.
• National History Museum.
• Frederick Hendrik Museum.
• Beach hopping.
PAID
(approximate per person rates)
• Blue Penny Museum: 245
• Chamarel Coloured Earth: 380
• Botanical Gardens: 100
• Casela Nature and Leisure Park: 740
• Fort Adelaide (Citadel): 50
• Day trip to Ile aux Cerf: 2,000-3,000
• Skydiving (tandem jumps): 25,000
• Swimming with dolphins: 2,500–3,000
SAVING TIPS
• A great way to save money is to take the self-drive option as Indian
licences are valid here. You can also hire a small car for a week for MUR
6,100 from a local player like Grand Baie Contract Cars.
• No matter where you go, never plop down on an empty beach chair without
first asking about the charges. Some demand MUR 300 per lounger, per day.
• Booking cruises, tours and adventure activities in advance through online
players like ‘Mauritius attractions’ may be more expensive than tapping
local players on reaching there. However, you can book a popular activity
like ‘walk with lions’ in advance.
BEFORE YOU
LEAVE...
AIR FARE
A direct return Mumbai- Plaine Magnien flight costs 38,000-45,000. Air
Mauritius and Air India are offering the lowest fares for October
departures. The return flight from Delhi is more expensive, costing around
55,000 per head on Air Mauritius.
EXCHANGE RATE
Currently, 100 will fetch 45.94 Mauritian rupees (MUR). So, it is a
welcome break from the spiralling dollars and euros.
VISA
Indians enjoy the visaon-arrival facility in Mauritius and it’s free.
The Mauritius government also recently waived the minimum six-month
passport validity for Indian visitors. Now, your passport can be valid only
for the duration of your stay.
TRIP EXPENSE
According to MTPA, an average tourist spends 11,882-16,500 a day, per
person. You will spend approximately 35% on food, 40% on sightseeing and
local transport, and the rest on shopping. Indians typically shell out
9,900 a night on stay. For niche travellers, this amount can be
36,306-49,508 per day, per person.
ACCOMMODATION
Mauritius has a lot to offer to travellers, irrespective of wallet
size. Think everything, from budget apartments to luxury seven-star hotels.
For a truly sybaritic break, consider staying in a private luxury villa,
which can be excellent value for money for those travelling in a group.
LOCAL COMMUTE
The best way to commute in Mauritius is by hiring a local taxi.
Recently, the country has started promoting selfdrive vacations, which is a
cheaper and more flexible option. You can take your pick from bikes to
convertible cars and fourwheel drives. However, be prepared for left-hand
driving.
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