People, History and Gastronomy of Mauritius

People, History & Gastronomy of Mauritius

Thanks to its beautiful location in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a melting pot of cultures between Indians, Africans, Europeans and Chinese. You can start imagining how it feels and looks if we tell you that Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Buddhists live peacefully side by side. When it comes to gastronomy, fried noodles, biryanis, faratas and pains au chocolat all find their place in every Mauritian home, making them even better with a Creole touch. This comprehensive immersion into Mauritius’ culture will bring you through community-led and designed projects, ensuring that your travel choices benefit those who need it most. Your visit also supports local family run businesses and local artisans.

This travel experience supports the following United Nations  

Trip Focus:  Learning Journey, Cultural Immersion, Social Enterprise, People to People Experience, Women’s Empowerment, Heritage Preservation, Culinary and Vino Tourism

Day 1:
Welcome to Mauritius

Airport Transfers
Check-in to your beautiful Guest House
Welcome Dinner and Destination Orientation

Mauritius

The Bleu de Toi Boutique Guest House offering the perfect balance between 2 worlds: authentic hospitality and a laid-back chic touch. You’ll be at a short walk from one of our favorite beaches on the North, as well as from our conscious Diving Centre, restaurants, bus stop and other dynamic villages like Grand Baie.  Additional facilities: Swimming pool, living room, café, outdoors spa, bikes  

Accommodations:  Bleu de Toi Boutique Guest House

Day 2:
Village of Poudre d’Or
Experience Focus:  Cultural heritage preservation and cultural immersion

Welcome the wooden boats bringing the catch of the day, meet a fisherman knitting his bamboo net and discover the spiritual realities of Mauritius through your visits at the local Hindu  Immerse yourself in the culture of the fisherman village of Poudre d’Or.  To finish on a high note, Mauritian tea will be served in a very special place.

Accommodations:  Bleu de Toi Boutique Guest House
Meals:  Breakfast

Day 3:
Port Louis
Historical and street food tour.  Experience the Mauritian way of living by sampling typical Mauritian dishes: steamed dumplings in succulent broth, rotis – Indian crêpes filled with cooked vegetables and spices, grilled peanuts and, for those who are a little daring, gato pima, deep fried chilly cakes.

Accommodations:  Bleu de Toi Boutique Guest House
Meals:  Breakfast

Day 4
Visit local market and prepare and enjoy lunch at Rosemonde’s home. You’ll visit the weekly fresh market to handpick the ingredients you will cook with. A delicious curry preparation follows, filled with the aromas, talk and music that you can only experience in the kitchen of a Mauritian Creole.

Day 5:
Free day.  Souvenir shopping at Grand Baie

Accommodations:  Bleu de Toi Boutique Guest House
Meals:  Breakfast

Day 6:
Check-in at Vanilla House Boutique Guest House. Boutique Guest House within the charming Vanilla Village, with its health-conscious café, kids playground, and handicrafts shop with products 100% made in Mauritius. Its privileged location in the region of Black River allows you to enjoy the beaches, mountains and villages of Le Morne, Chamarel and the Black River Gorges at a short car ride.

Wine tasting of Mauritius organic wine made of litchis.  Somewhere between the West of the Sun and the East of the Moon, you will discover this peaceful winery. Learn the elaboration process during the visit  and enjoy the tasting of our unique and organic Mauritian wine made of litchis.

Accommodations:  Vanilla House Boutique Guest House
Meals:  Breakfast

Day 7:
Chamarel
A round immersion into the lively village of Chamarel. Visit an agricultural rum distillery and learn the process from sugarcane to spirit. Your local guide will take you through the Earth of 7 Colors and Chamarel Waterfall, and continue the ride towards the south coast, down the meandering Fantasie Road. Just in time for an energy intake you will arrive to a typical shack by the coast, where you’ll be invited for a traditional lunch. Your comprehensive tour will end in the old sugar state of Bel Ombre.

Accommodations:  Vanilla House Boutique Guest House
Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8:
The Tea, Rum & Vanilla Route
From all art expressions, food and beverage is Mauritius’ specialty. A visit to the authentic places within this Route assures you a complete cultural immersion, a very happy belly and gorgeous scenery. Enjoy guided visits in 3 stops: The colonial house of Domaine des Aubineaux; the tea plantation of Bois Cheri; and the artisanal rum distillery of Domaine de St. Aubin, where you will be invited for a gourmet 3 course Mauritian lunch.

Accommodations:  Vanilla House Boutique Guest House
Meals:  Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 9
Its time for the dream vacation to end.  Check-out from Vanilla House Boutique Guest and make your way home for your afternoon departure from Mauritius.