Madagascar & Mauritius Island Hopping

Arrive Mauritius

On arrival you will be met and transferred past vast plantations of sugar cane and pineapples to the picturesque valley of Chamarel and Lakaz Charmarel, your base for the next three nights. Surrounded by the Black River Gorges National Park, a protected natural heritage site, this exclusive mountain retreat is one of the island's few boutique hotels and the perfect base from which to explore the beautiful south. Check in and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. A ten minute walk takes you to a viewing point with magnificent westwards vistas of the ocean.

Overnight: Lakaz Chamarel

Southern Mauritius Private Day Tour

Today you have the use of a private vehicle and guide for the full day. You may like to visit the ‘Seven Coloured Earths’ of Chamarel. These dunes are a very rare geological curiosity with seven distinct colours fluctuating between ochre, brown, yellow, red and purplish blue. Once mixed, they always end up being separated into a layered spectrum. You can visit the Bois Cheri Tea Plantation and sip a cup of tea before moving on to the glorious Rhumerie de Charmarel one of the most beautiful rum distilleries in the world. Try the signature cocktail La Fleur de Charmarel a heady blend of double distilled rum, cointreau, champagne and fresh strawberries. After a leisurely lunch at a recommended restaurant, you may like to visit the crocodile and giant tortoise park to stroll through the luxuriant greenery of palm trees, banana trees and giant bamboos. Don’t miss the park's rare collection of butterflies.

Overnight: Lakaz Chamarel (B, D)

Rivière des Galets

This morning you will be collect to set off on your half day excursion to discover the beautiful lush forests and waterfalls of Rivière des Galets by zip line. The zip line excursion involves a hint of trekking, swimming in natural clear pools and spectacular glides above the trees, river and rocks along zip lines; the longest of which is 250 metres! Round off the morning's activities with a traditional Mauritian lunch of curries, chutneys and desserts in this magical riverside location. Return to your mountain retreat for afternoon of relaxation in beautiful surrounds. Guests at Lakaz Charmarel love to walk the labyrinth in the beautiful gardens.

Overnight: Lakaz Chamarel (B, D)

Mauritius - Madagascar

Breakfast and morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for the two hour flight to Madagascar. On arrival in Antananarivo you will be met and depart immediately with your private guide and vehicle for the 4 hour road journey to the eastern rainforest reserve of Andasibe. You will arrive just after nightfall in time for dinner and the anticipation of waking up in a yet as unseen location.

Overnight: Andasibe Hotel (B, D)

Andasibe & Mantadia National Parks

The haunting cry of the indri is an eerie alarm call as you wake to find yourself on the mist-shrouded outskirts of the Andasibe and Mantadia National Parks. You have two full days to discover the variety of lemurs, reptiles and birds that make this pocket of montane forest their home. One of its most famous inhabitants is the indri - the largest species of lemur with a black and white teddy-bear-like appearance. Other lemurs which can be seen here include the brown lemur, lesser bamboo lemur and red-bellied lemur. On night walks through the forest armed with torches and the expert eyes of your guide, you may spot some of the nocturnal lemurs - brown mouse lemur, greater dwarf lemur, eastern woolly lemur and sportive lemur. Any creature that can look in two directions at once is not to be missed and you will be dazzled by the variety of chameleons you may encounter.

Overnight: Andasibe Hotel (B, D)

Madagascar - Mauritius

After a final morning walk, depart for the 4 hour drive back to Antananarivo where there is time for some shopping at the artisans market before taking the flight to Mauritius. On arrival in Mauritius you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Bypassing the many luxury 200-room hotels in the busy Grand Baie area to arrive at the chic Baystone Boutique Hotel & Spa in the heart of the coastal village of Pointe aux Canonniers.

Overnight: Baystone Boutique Hotel & Spa (B, D)

Mauritius

A host of marine-based activities are available to book locally including seasonal whale watching, catamaran cruises, spotting dolphins, snorkelling in the reefs and lunching on tropical islands. You may like to book the exclusive Baystone Lagoon Turquoise Excursion to Ambre Island for a private picnic lunch in the shade of the mangrove trees. Enjoy the hotel facilities including the heated swimming pool and spa, complete with flotation tank. The surrounding village of Pointe aux Canonniers offers a range of restaurant and bar options away from your hotel - an opportunity to savour the local flavours.

Overnight: Baystone Boutique Hotel & Spa (B, D)

Depart Mauritius

It’s time to bid farewell as you transfer to the airport for your onward flight home.