7 Days All-Inclusive Mauritian Culinary Travel Experience

About the Culinary Travel Sightseeing Tour – A week with a Chef

Discover the Mauritian/Creole cuisine; rich in history and flavours and one of the most exotic in the world. The local flavours arose as the island hosted travellers and emigrants from countries as disparate as France, England, Africa, India, China, Malaysia, and other Asian countries. A fusion of all these cultures have helped create the unique Mauritian cuisine.

Through the all-inclusive 8 days/7 nights Culinary Tour, you will get to learn more about the local lifestyle and immerse yourself in the local culture by living with a Mauritian family. You will be welcomed at the guest house by Chef Sandy, a certified chef, cooking instructor and author, in a convivial atmosphere. Throughout your stay, you will get to visit interesting places, enjoy amazing street food as the locals do, taste more than 70 dishes and learn hands-on how to cook more than 20 exotic delicious dishes with the chef.

The chef has years of experience serving Mauritian-Creole cuisine and an amalgam of French, English, Creole, Indian, Chinese & Malay cultures that create a fusion of senses, colours and flavours.

A combination of heart-warming hospitality, fine food, a delightful mix of flavours and drinks, along with enthusiastic hosts await you for a memorable experience.

Through this package you will not only get to cook authentic dishes with a Chef but also visit a number of key touristic sites including:

• Grand Bay
• Grand Bay Craft Market
• Pereybere and La Cuvette Beach
• City of Port Louis
• Port Louis Central Market
• Pamplemousse Botanical Gardens
• Cap Malheureux
• Trou D’eau Douce
• Ile Aux Cerfs
• GRSE Waterfall
• Dolphin Safari in the South-east of Mauritius
• Benitiers Island and Crystal Rock
• Trou aux Cerfs
• Views of the Rempart, Le Morne and Black River Mountain Ranges
• Ganga Talao
• Ship-modelling and Diamond Factory
• Plaine Champagne
• The Black River Gorges
• Le Parc Alexandra
• Chamarel 7-Coloured Earth including the Chamarel Waterfalls

Itinerary of the All-Inclusive Culinary Travel

Day 1 - Arrival

Your culinary journey begins with you being picked up at the airport and driven to the cozy and comfortable guesthouse in Grand Bay. Upon arrival you will be welcomed by the Chef and greeted with a refreshing cocktail.

Afterwards, you can choose to relax and settle in or take a walk to the beautiful golden beach situated close to the guesthouse and enjoy a quick refreshing swim in the crystal-clear water of the Mauritian lagoon. During the evening, you will have the opportunity to take the back seat and enjoy your first session on Mauritian cuisine, where the Chef will be doing all the cooking.

Day 2 - Visit of Port Louis

On your second day at the guesthouse , you will be provided with a guided tour by the Chef to the famous Port-Louis market to get fresh local produce, herbs and spices for your evening meal. All you have to do is make up your mind about what you want to cook. You will easily find the necessary ingredients at the market, and you will also have the opportunity of trying popular street foods.

Discover Mauritian street food such as dholl puri, samosas, chili cakes, ‘gato arouille’, and the famous “Alouda”, a milk shake with a Mauritian twist.

You can also choose to roam freely on your own and do some shopping afterwards. Port Louis is a famous shopping hub on the island where you will be able to find a variety of items from clothing, textiles, spices and souvenirs. Back at the guesthouse, you will cook a wonderful fish dish for dinner with the Chef, using the fresh vegetables you bought.

Day 3 - Visit North regions including Pamplemousses Garden

Your third day will begin with a guided tour of the Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens. The Botanic Garden, also known as Sir Seewoosagur Botanic Garden, is one of the most visited attractions in Mauritius. It stretches over endless acres and is populated with more than 650 varieties of plants among which are the famous Baobabs, the Palmier Bouteille, the ineluctable Giant Water Lilies, dozens of medicinal plants, a large spice garden and many more.

You will then enjoy a delicious traditional lunch at a beachfront restaurant with incredible views overlooking the bay. Afterwards you can go shopping and visit the craft market or explore the area to discover the other great beaches of Grand Bay, aside from the main ones, such as Péreybère and La Cuvette.

You will also get to visit the fishermen village of Cap Malheureux where you can see the oldest chapel in Mauritius, famous for its bright red roof. After your discovery tour of the North of Mauritius, you will get back to the guesthouse and prepare a fantastic meal consisting of a soup, starters, chicken, rice, vegetables, salads and dessert.

Day 4 - Discover the East coast and Ile aux Cerfs

The fourth day is dedicated to the Eastern region of the island; starting with a visit to the village of Trou D’Eau Douce, from where you will go on a short speed boat trip to discover the island of “Ile aux Cerfs”. The island is famous for its unparalleled beauty, its clear blue waters and colourful fish swimming in the lagoon. It also offers a wide variety of water activities.

For lunch you will get to feast on delicious seafood and lobster, accompanied by local rum. Enjoy the rum tasting sessions and pick a new favourite. After your splendid time on Ile aux Cerfs, you will head to the Grand River South East waterfalls, one of the most visited waterfalls in Mauritius. Back at the guesthouse and after a tiring day, the chef will prepare an excellent dinner for you.

Day 5 - Free time/ Farniente + Cooking lesson OR All-Inclusive Catamaran trip to Northern Islet

You can spend the day the way you want; exploring the island or doing nothing. After breakfast, you can venture out to swim in the crystal-clear water of the lagoon or relax by the pool and read a book. Later during the day, you will have a hands-on cooking lesson with the Chef and will learn how to make popular local dishes –such as lentil soup and the famous Mauritian “rougailles”, among other dishes.

If you’d rather not spend any time in the kitchen, then you have the option of heading out to one of the Northern islands of Mauritius. Benefit from an all-inclusive catamaran cruising experience along the northern lagoon as well as a BBQ lunch and free-flowing rum.

Day 6 - Dolphin Safari

After your early morning breakfast, you will head to the south of Mauritius for an amazing Dolphin Safari adventure. Enjoy the delightful experience of watching these marvellous creatures whirling around playfully in their natural habitat. In Mauritius, dolphins live in pods of about 20 individuals or more and the most common dolphins are the Bottlenose Dolphin and the Spinner Dolphin.

After a memorable experience, you will enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch along with complimentary drinks at Benitiers Island. You will also get to see the famous Crystal Rock and will have a spectacular view of the Rempart Mountain, the Black River mountain range, and of the magnificent Le Morne. Dip in the sparkling waters of Crystal Rock, and immerse yourself in an open sea aquarium where you can explore the incredible marine world.

In the evening, the Chef will demonstrate how to cook 5 dishes in as little as 30 minutes. Then it will be time for a cocktail, followed by the delectable dinner and drinks.

Day 7 - Discovering the Southern Island Wilderness

The southern region of Mauritius has an entirely different feel to the rest of the island, with its luxuriant green vegetation and rough beaches surrounded by cliffs. The discovery journey of the south includes a visit to a ship model factory, where you will get to see artisans create great masterpieces of sailing ships, and a diamond factory, where you will get to feast your eyes on unique pieces of jewelry.

Next, you will visit the dormant volcano, Trou aux Cerfs. The crater is surrounded by a vast area of lush forest consisting of indigenous plant species and some giant green pine trees. From Trou aux Cerfs, your tour will continue to the enchanting holy lake of Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao); a place of worship for the population of Hindu faith. The site is visited by 300,000 people each year during the festival of “Maha Shivaratri” or The Great Night of Shiva.

After Ganga Talao, you can explore the surrounding areas; Plaine Champagne, The Black River Gorges, Le Parc Alexandra, or the 7-coloured earth of Chamarel including the Chamarel waterfalls. These areas are famous natural sites in Mauritius where you can discover the endemic fauna and flora of island. After your visit, enjoy a delicious lunch at a Chamarel restaurant and discover local products.

Back at the guesthouse after this wonderful adventure, you can relax and let the chef do the cooking. Spend the evening looking back at your wonderful experiences, while tasting homemade schnapps.

Day 8 - Departure

Your last day at the guesthouse will start off with a typical breakfast, then it will be time to bid the chef goodbye. You will leave for the airport, full of beautiful and unforgettable memories, heart warmed by the sun of Mauritius and already dreaming about coming back.

Package Inclusions

The 1 Week All-Inclusive Culinary Travel and Sightseeing Tour includes:

• Round-trip Airport transfers
• Excursions and activities around the island
• Transport offered to all sights and locations mentioned in the package
• All- inclusive meal plan
• 8 days/7 nights Accommodation at the Guesthouse
• Children under 7 years old benefit from complimentary accommodation, excursions, meals and transportation

About the Guest House

The guest house invites you to enjoy a relaxing retreat while discovering new and unique flavours with a chef.

The accommodation includes 4 cosy bedrooms, decorated with care and includes all the essential amenities and services provided by 5 star-hotels. Furthermore, the guest house is just a 3-minute walk from the best sandy beaches of the north coast of Mauritius. It is a great choice for couples and families looking for a charming guesthouse situated in a calm, quiet and friendly atmosphere. Local cuisine and homemade specialties are also offered to all guests.

Room types

GreenWald Honeymoon Suite

With a modern-classical design, yet warm and stylish, this suite offers all of the latest amenities that a guest would require. Soft muted colors with custom crafted furnishing and hand painted canvases by artists create a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere. The Suite offers a large balcony with comfortable chairs for you to enjoy beautiful sunsets, while sipping your favorite evening cocktail.

Room facilities and amenities

• Air Conditioning
• King size bed
• Room occupancy: 2 people
• Free Wifi
• Clothing cabinets and Rack
• Private shower/toilet with hot and cold water
• Bathroom amenities: Hairdryer, Towels and Toiletries.

Red Kimberly Family Suite

This large suite is painted in warm colors, with custom crafted furnishing and hand painted wall decors. With 1 large double bed, 1 single bed and a baby crib with a private bathroom, this suite could comfortably accommodate a family of 4; 3 adults and a baby. The suite has a very large balcony with Mountain View.

Room facilities and amenities

• Air Conditioning
• 1 Large double bed, 1 single bed, 1 baby crib
• Room occupancy: 3 adults + 1 baby OR 2 adults + 1 child + 1 baby
• Free Wifi
• Clothing cabinets and Rack
• Private shower/toilet with hot and cold water
• Bathroom amenities: Hairdryer, Towels and Toiletries.

Purple Hart Junior Suite

This large suite is painted with warm cozy colors and equipped with custom crafted furnishing and hand painted wall decors. With 1 large double bed and 1 double sofa bed this suite can easily accommodate 4 adults or a family with 2 children. The room also has a private ensuite bathroom and a baby crib may be added upon request. The suite has a private balcony with relaxing chairs and a side table, to enjoy your evening, sipping your favourite cocktail.

Room facilities and amenities

• Air Conditioning
• 1 Large double bed, 1 double sofa bed (baby crib upon request)
• Room occupancy: 2 adults + 2 children
• Free Wifi
• Clothing cabinets and Rack
• Private shower/toilet with hot and cold water
• Bathroom amenities: Hairdryer, Towels and Toiletries.

Pink Princess Double Room Suite

This large suite is painted in warm colors, with custom crafted furnishing and hand painted wall decors. With 1 large and comfortable King Size bed the room can comfortably accommodate 2 adults with a baby. The room also has a private bathroom. A very large balcony allows you to enjoy great sunrises and Mountain Views.

Room facilities and amenities

• Air Conditioning
• King size bed
• Room occupancy: 2 adults + 1 baby
• Free Wifi
• Clothing cabinets and Rack
• Private shower/toilet with hot and cold water
• Bathroom amenities: Hairdryer, Towels and Toiletries.

Comments

• Children under 7 years old benefit from complimentary accommodation, excursions, meals and transportation

Prices

Culinary Travel and Sightseeing Tour

• Price per Person: 1215 Euro