7 Days in Mauritius – 1 Week Itinerary

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Mauritius is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, known for its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and diverse culture. The tropical paradise is a perfect destination for travellers looking to relax and unwind, as well as those seeking a little outdoor adventure.

With so much to see and do, it can be hard to know where to start when planning your trip. Keep reading for a useful 1 week Itinerary for Mauritius that will help you make the most of your time on this stunning island.

However, before we get to that, when is the best time to visit Mauritius, and where should you stay while you’re there? The best time to visit is anywhere between May and December when the weather is warm and dry.

The summer season between January and April comes with rain and high humidity, as well as the possibility of cyclones, so you should avoid travelling to the island during this time.

A week in Mauritius is the ideal length of time to be able to explore all of the best attractions the island has to offer. If this is your first time visiting the country, you should consider staying in the north of the island.

Grand Baie is one of the most popular places for tourists and first-timers to stay, although you should be aware that it can get a little busy here. Those seeking extra peace and quiet tend to stay around Belle Mare in Quatre Cocos, while many honeymooners opt to stay in romantic Trou aux Biches.

Now that you know where to stay in Mauritius, let’s get to the itinerary so you can discover the best ways to spend one week on this picture-perfect island.

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Mauritius Itinerary – 7 Days

Day 1 in Mauritius

Arrive in Mauritius and check into your hotel. Depending on the time you get in and where your accommodation is located, you can start your trip by exploring the country’s capital city, Port Louis. This is a great way to get a sense of the island’s history and culture, and to learn more about the diverse population that makes up Mauritius.

Begin your adventure by taking a tour of the city’s cultural and historical sites, either on your own or with a local guide. Start with the Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former immigration depot for half a million labourers between 1834 and 1920.

This site is found along Quay Street, just off Trunk Road. Next, head to the Natural History Museum on Poudrière Street to learn about the local fauna, marine life and endangered bird species of the island.

On your way to this museum, consider making a quick stop by the Jummah Mosque on Queen Street to admire the classic 1850s Moorish and Mughal architectural styles. Opposite the museum is Les Jardins De La Compagnie, a picturesque garden where you can stop and rest for a little while.

The historic Port Louis Central Market, also on Queen Street, is a must-visit when in Mauritius. Although this traditional market sells a lot of fruit and veggies as well as Chinese herbal medicines, you’ll be able to find a variety of local handicrafts and souvenirs to take home with you.

Next, take a stroll by the Caudan Waterfront underneath the colourful umbrellas and soak up the lively atmosphere. Since Caudan is a shopping centre, now is the perfect opportunity to pick up any necessities that you might have forgotten to pack.

While here, you might also like to check out the Blue Penny Museum if you have an interest in rare stamps and coins.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at any of the amazing restaurants offering views of the ocean, then get a good night’s sleep for tomorrow’s adventures.

Port Louis, Mauritius - Cityscape of Port Louis, Mauritius. Port Louis is the country economic, cultural and political centre.

Day 2 in Mauritius

Any Mauritius itinerary is sure to include a visit to the Black River Gorges National Park. The entrance to the national park is about 35 kilometres south of Port Louis. Black River Gorges is an amazing way to experience the natural beauty of the island while learning about the unique ecology and wildlife found here.

On day two, spend your time exploring some of the 6,500 hectares of rugged mountains and lush rainforest. This park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare species of birds and plants.

Among the native animals you’ll be able to see here are the Mauritius kestrel, the pink pigeon and the Mauritian flying fox. Take a hike through the park, enjoy the breathtaking views, and discover the park’s many waterfalls and streams along the way.

Before you make your way back to your hotel, head on over to Grand Bassin, a scenic crater lake that is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site. Also known as Ganga Talao, this natural lake has remarkable statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga, the latter being one of the largest statues of a female deity in the world.

Keep an eye out for wild monkeys wandering around. Monkeys are considered sacred by many Hindus, and their behaviour can be unpredictable, so remember to be cautious and respectful if you happen to get up close to them – do not feed them!

Panoramic overview on the wonderful landscape near Chamarel on Mauritius island, Indian ocean

Day 3 in Mauritius

Spend your third day in Mauritius with a relaxing visit to the Blue Bay Marine Park at the southeastern tip of the island. This national park has an incredibly diverse underwater ecosystem and contains coral reefs that are over a thousand years old.

The shallow, pristine waters make the bay ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. If you want to see unique fish and other marine life swimming beneath you, don’t pass up the opportunity for a glass-bottom boat ride. You can also spot the wreckage of the Dalblair 1902 shipwreck peeking above the surface of the water.

There are plenty of chill cafes and eateries around Blue Bay, so you can spend the whole day here if you want. If you feel like it, you can also take a boat ride out to nearby islands Ile Des Deux Cocos or Ile aux Aigrettes.

Aigrettes is a dedicated nature reserve and is home to roaming giant tortoises, showing what mainland Mauritius could have looked like centuries ago.

Since the bay is a protected area, be careful to adhere to all regulations while you’re there, including wearing sunscreen without chemicals like oxybenzone, which can kill coral. You can search for reef-friendly sunscreens in advance or ask a local for their recommendations.

Blue Bay Mauritius - Boats moored at the Blue Bay Marine Park Mauritius Mahebourg Indian Ocean. Stones in the foreground. Polarizer filter used.

Day 4 in Mauritius

Spend an adventurous fourth day in Mauritius hiking Le Morne Brabant, a 556-metre-high mountain at the very southwest tip of the island. If you’re an active person, this is a must for your Mauritius travel itinerary!

This hike usually takes three to five hours total, depending on your fitness level and how many times you stop to appreciate the scenery.

From the top is an amazing view of the stunning turquoise lagoon below. Within this lagoon, you can witness a natural optical illusion that can only be described as an underwater waterfall.

Le Morne Brabant is a significant historical landmark in Mauritius, as it is associated with the history of slavery on the island. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was once a place of refuge for escaped slaves during the 18th and early 19th centuries, who would flee to the top of the mountain and live inside the caves.

Today, Le Morne Brabant is considered a symbol of freedom and resistance for these former slaves and their descendants, who now make up a big part of the island’s population.

If you’re afraid of heights or simply aren’t up to hiking all the way up, you might like to go snorkelling instead at the nearby La Prairie Beach. There are coral reefs just a few metres out from the shoreline of this picturesque public beach.

Visiting Gris Gris Beach is also an alternate option. Although the waves here are too rough for swimming, there’s a gorgeous lookout point at Roche Qui Pleure where you can watch the waves crashing into the rock formations.

If you do feel like a swim, head inward about four kilometres to Rochester Falls, a small 10-metre-high waterfall set in the jungle. The waterfall is only about a 10-minute walk from the car park.

Aerialview Le Morne Brabant Mountain - Mauritius. Shot from drone.

Day 5 in Mauritius

Head back to the southwestern tip of the island to visit the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark. Seven Coloured Earth is a unique geological formation with sand dunes that have formed into different shades of colours, including red, brown, purple, green, blue, yellow and violet.

This variety of colours is created when the different minerals in the soil are exposed to sunlight. Visitors can walk through and admire the vibrant colours, taking in the beautiful panoramic views while also capturing a few pics and videos, of course. The surrounding area offers several gorgeous walking trails as well.

Near the dunes is a cafe where you can grab a cup of coffee or a bite to eat as you admire this stunning natural phenomenon. If you have some extra time or you’re travelling with kids, you might also want to pop into Curious Chamarel, a fun gallery with interactive optical illusions.

At this point in the day, you will probably be eager to cool off with a swim. Close by is the stunning Chamarel Waterfall, an 83-metre-high single-drop waterfall surrounded by luscious forest. Although you can admire the view from afar, you can also walk down to where the waterfall meets a refreshing shallow pool.

Both the Chamarel Waterfall and the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark require entrance tickets. Fortunately, the fee to visit the waterfall is already covered when you pay to see the geopark, so remember to keep your ticket within reach.

The most famous tourist place of Mauritius- Chamarel - earth of seven colors

Day 6 in Mauritius

On day six, kick back, relax and soak up the sun on a catamaran cruise to Ile aux Cerfs, a gorgeous island off the east coast of Mauritius. This island is a popular tourist spot where you can spend the day swimming and snorkelling, as well as sunbathing on the infamous white sandy beaches.

You will need to book a tour to get here, and they tend to sell out pretty quickly. You won’t regret booking in advance though, as this excursion is one of the highest-rated activities in Mauritius.

The dreamy paradise of Ile aux Cerfs includes 87 hectares of tropical rainforest, yet has plenty of luxury hotels, restaurants and even an 18-hole championship golf course.

Yet, the island is best known for its range of water activities. As you swim in the idyllic lagoon, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and other sea creatures you might get to meet.

Catamaran sailing boat in turquoise sea lagoon on tropial Mauritius island. Aerial, drone view.

Day 7 in Mauritius

Wrap up your 7 days in Mauritius by ticking off a few more of the island’s top attractions, starting with the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden. Commonly known as the Pamplemousses Garden, it is home to over 500 species of tropical trees and plants, including banana trees and exotic flowers.

The giant water lilies, however, are always a crowd favourite. You can also see some rare animals here, including giant Aldabra tortoises and fruit bats.

The botanical garden is only about a 15-minute drive from Port Louis and happens to be very close to L’Aventure du Sucre, a unique museum located inside a former sugar factory.

Lastly, head to any of the amazing beaches that are closer to your accommodation and spend the afternoon relaxing in the sunshine. If you’re staying around the northwest side of the island, you can’t go wrong with Mont Choisy Beach or Pereybere Public Beach.

Pamplemousses botanical garden, pond with Victoria Amazonica Giant Water Lilies, Mauritius

Tour Ideas for Mauritius

Interested in following this itinerary, but don’t want the hassle of having to organise everything? Booking tours in advance easily solves this problem, and often also takes care of the transport to and from your accommodation.

As mentioned earlier, a visit to Ile aux Cerfs requires a booking ahead of time. While there are many tours available at different price points, this top-rated full-day cruise offers a buffet BBQ lunch onboard the catamaran and includes unlimited beer, wine and tea. As a bonus, this tour also takes you to the Grand River South East (GRSE) waterfalls.

Since there happen to be so many incredible attractions in the southwest of the island, there are lots of tours that focus their sightseeing adventures within this area.

If you want to pack two days into one, you can opt for a full-day tour that will take you to places like the Grand Bassin, the Black River Gorges National Park and the Trou aux Cerfs volcano. You also might like to choose a tour that includes the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark so you know that any extra entrance fees are already taken care of.

Lastly, any adventure-seekers might be interested in touring the island via quad bike or going horseback riding at sunset.

Grand Bassin Temple (Ganga Talao) - sacred place for pilligrimage og hindu people in the district of Savanne, Mauritius.

Whether you were looking for a Mauritius honeymoon itinerary or are heading to the island as a solo backpacker, you should now feel clearer about what you’d like to see and do on your holiday, and know all about the many Mauritius must-see places.

Recommended tours in Mauritius

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7 Days in Mauritius - 1 Week Itinerary
7 Days in Mauritius - 1 Week Itinerary
7 Days in Mauritius - 1 Week Itinerary

Author

  • Samantha King

    Sam, a seasoned traveler across four continents and 49 countries, is a leading authority in travel planning. Her website, Travelling King, offers tailored itineraries and expert guides for seamless trips. Sam's expertise in luxury travel, fast travel, and destination guides keeps her at the forefront of the travel community.

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