Tour Details
About the North Tour
Photos & Highlights
- Port Louis, a thriving capital city with centuries of cultural history
- La Citadelle, offering panoramic views of the island’s northern geography
- The sprawling SSR Botanical Garden and its hundreds of plant and animal species
- Sugar Factory & Museum, a major producer of sugar and rum, including optional samples
- Chateau de Labourdonnais, offering 163 years of local history and fresh-grown produce
North Tour Description
Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and history of northern Mauritius on this private guided tour. You will be treated to a special trip by your guide, who is also a fully licensed and professional driver with thorough knowledge of each of the places you will go. There are five featured stops during your trip: Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius; La Citadelle, a National Monument which rises above Port Louis; The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden in Pamplemousses; The Sugar Factory & Museum; and the Chateau de Labourdonnais.
The North Tour is a full-day activity, lasting approximately 8 hours. This tour is completely private. While the above stops are suggested to give you a well-rounded approach to Mauritian northern culture, they by no means encompass every possibility for the tour. You have the final say in deciding where you would like to stop and the duration of your stay. You may even design your own northern tour from the ground up; your driver guide will always be on standby for you.
Port Louis is the capital and largest city in Mauritius. It is a bustling commerce center with a wide range of people and sights. Your guide will save you the trouble of parking, as all parking fees are covered for this activity. Once in the city, you’ll have opportunities to sample both local food and fine cuisine. You can also shop both in local markets and at the duty-free boutiques of Le Caudan Waterfront. Or you can just choose to take in the mix of historical and modern architecture. Rising above Port Louis is La Citadelle. From its soaring ramparts, you’ll be treated to a panoramic view of the capital, the bustling harbor, and the volcanic mountains to the south and east.
From the city, your guide will conduct you northeast to the town of Pamplemousses, where the SSR Botanical Garden is located. This is a vast garden renowned for its peaceful atmosphere. Stroll on shaded paths under whispering trees, learn about the old ways of making sugar at the Chateau Mon Plaisir, and observe the different species of animals that call the gardens their home.
Next, you’ll drive to the Sugar Factory & Museum, a defunct sugar factory-turned-museum, which is also referred to as L’Aventure du Sucre. Sugarcane growth and refinement have had a huge impact in shaping the culture and history of Mauritius. You’ll learn how and why during this stop. You’ll also get an in-depth look at the full process of harvesting sugarcane and turning it into finished products. Try some of the unrefined local sugar types to appreciate the outcome of all this labor; and, for adult guests, take your appreciation further by sampling a variety of local rums.
A final, optional stop is the Chateau de Labourdonnais in the hamlet of Mapou. This 540-hectare sugarcane plantation was founded in 1774 and has been a mainstay of culture in the north of the island ever since. It features a mansion turned museum, an orchard that produces fifteen different varieties of tropical fruit, and a vanilla plantation. At the end of the visit, you can choose to sample some of these fruits, juices, and preserves. Finally, your guide will return you to your accommodation while you reflect on your busy day.
What is the pickup time?
There is no hard starting time. Since this tour is private, you get to choose your own pickup time. We usually recommend starting between 09:00 and 09:30 to give yourself ample time to complete the track.
What do I need to bring?
Sunscreen and other sun protection, camera, water, cash to cover activity entry fees at the different locations.
What languages do the driver/guides speak?
English, French, Hindi, and other languages upon request.
How does parking work? Who pays the parking fees?
Your driver will locate parking and pay the fees.
What's Included?
- Timely, knowledgeable, licensed local driver/guide will make your day safe and memorable
- Multilingual guides available who speak English, French, Hindi, and more
- A variety of family-friendly activities all conveniently contained in one package
- Completely private tour that can be customized however you choose
- Transportation between activity and any accommodation in Mauritius /li>
Entry Fees
Reviews can only be left by Mauritiusly customers after they have completed the south tour.
Mauritius is an island of hidden treasures. This tour was a memorable way for me to discover just a few of them. For example, I wouldn’t have known anything about Domaine de Labourdonnais if I hadn’t scheduled this tour. What a loss it would have been! The giant tortoises, the tasty confections, the fresh atmosphere--so glad I took this tour and didn’t miss out!
Port Louis is a different world. First time abroad and really impressed with the culture there. The driver brings it all to life. Many thanks to him and his positive, patient attitude. Our tour wouldn’t have been half as special without him.
The rum was delicious. So is breaking down the sugar refinement process to the chemical level. Who knew I’d get a kick out of that? SSR Garden and Beau Plan were the highlights of this tour for me. So was our driver, who was a funny and friendly, knowledgeable guy. Big help to have someone reliable and timely to help us get back to our hotel at the end of the day.