Cultural Sightseeing Tour in the North of Mauritius

The Cultural Sightseeing Tour in the North of Mauritius includes:

• Uncover religious significance of the history of Mauritius
• Explore sites of religious importance in the north of Mauritius
• Visit of Tamil Temple - Shri Sockalingum Meenatchee Ammen Kovil (Kaylasson)
• Visit of Père Laval’s Shrine
• Visit of Catholic Cathedral St. Louis
• Visit of Marie Reine de La Paix
• Visit of Chinese Tien Tan Pagoda
• Visit of Jummah Masjid - Islamic Mosque & Place of Worship
• Visit of Maheshwarnath Mandir - The biggest Hindu Temple on the island
• Pick up and drop off from any hotel/ place of accommodation anywhere in Mauritius
• Full and comfortable private transportation to all the sites
• A personal driver guide to show you around and inform you on each of the sights

The cultural sightseeing tour is done in a private car / minivan (for bigger groups) and includes full transportation to all the sites, pick up and drop off to any hotel or place of accommodation in Mauritius and a driver to show you around.

Explore Popular Temples and Religious Sites in the North of Mauritius with a Full Day Cultural Sightseeing Tour

Shri Sockalingum Meenatchee Ammen Kovil - Kaylasson

The temple, Shri Sockalingum Meenatchee Ammen, also known as the Kaylasson Temple, is one of the most important Tamil places of worship in Mauritius.

Situated in Sainte-Croix, it boasts a majestic Dravidian architecture-derived from South India, as well as many handmade decorative sculptures from Hindu mythology.

The construction of this architectural marvel began in 1854 by talented South Indian artisans. Today the Shri Sockalingum Meenatchee Ammen Kovil is classified as a national heritage of Mauritius.

Père Laval’s Shrine

The French priest Blessed Jacques-Désiré Laval, affectionately known to Mauritians as Père Laval (Father Laval) was sent to Mauritius, then a French colony, in 1841. Believed to have the ability to miraculously cure people, Father Laval was the first person beatified in the pontificate of Pope John Paul II.

His consideration for slaves earned him the nickname of “Apostle of the Black people”, and finally, that of “Apostle of Mauritius”. To commemorate his death, every year on September 9th, thousands of Mauritians of all faiths walk or drive to Sainte-Croix to visit the tomb of the Blessed Jacques Désiré Laval.

St. Louis Cathedral

The Saint-Louis Cathedral, located in Port Louis, was the first parish of the island. Built in 1756, the church was named in honour of the canonised King of France Louis IX, commonly known as Saint Louis, and King Louis XV (1715-1774).

The church includes several statues of the saints and is also the burial place of Catholic bishops, including the Mauritian Cardinal, Jean Margéot.

On the 25th of August every year, the Cathedral commemorates the patron of the diocese with feast day celebrations.

Marie Reine de la Paix

Atop the slopes of the Signal Mountain in Port-Louis stands Marie Reine de la Paix (or Mary Queen of Peace), a symbol of faith for Mauritius’ Catholic community.

Ascending its summit, visitors are rewarded with not only a spiritual sanctuary but also panoramic views of Port-Louis. The modern chapel and its serene gardens offer a tranquil setting for prayer and contemplation, attracting both locals and tourists.

Noteworthy visits from Pope John Paul II in 1989 and Pope Francis in 2019 have added to the church’s significance.

Fun Fact: The monument of the Virgin Mary displays her holding a world globe.

Tien Tan Pagoda

The pagoda is very often visited by Sino-Mauritians, who are also responsible for its upkeep.

Its history is a bit blurry as the exact date of construction is unknown, although some say it dates back to the 1960s or 70s.

Found at the foot of Signal Mountain, the Tien Tan Chinese Pagoda has a very unique structure and architecture, reminiscent of Buddhist monasteries.

The place looks rather secluded but is surrounded by a beautiful garden of flowers.

Jummah Masjid

The Jummah Masjid, the most important mosque in Mauritius, was built in the 1850s and is a striking blend of Moorish and Mughal influences. The mosque holds a special spot in the hearts of the hundreds of Muslims who come to its sanctuary to worship, meditate and seek inner peace.

An Indian almond tree, known as the badamier, has stood in the middle of the mosque's courtyard since the 1850s. It also provides shelter from the scorching sun with its huge branches, whilst also adding a special charm to the place-enhancing the peacefulness and solemnity that pervade the area. Visitors are welcome in the peaceful inner courtyard, except on Friday and during the islamic month of Ramadan.

Maheshwarnath Mandir

The temple is the biggest and one of the oldest of its kind on the island. Founded in 1888 by Pandit Shri Sajeebunlall Ramsoondur from Calcutta, it is famous for being the starting point of the first pilgrimage to Ganga Talao, the sacred lake found in the centre of Mauritius.

The building was the work of Tamil artisans under the supervision of Mr Goinsamy Maestry. The same artisans had built the Jummah Masjid in Port Louis and the Shri Sockalingum Meenatchee Ammen Kovil (commonly known as "Kaylasson").

• Dress modestly, ensuring that your shoulders are covered and that shorts or skirts are at least of knee length
• Remove hats, sunglasses, and shoes when entering a worship area.
• Some Hindu temples require you to remove leather items of clothing, including belts and shoes.

Please note that the starting site for the day's itinerary depends on your place of accommodation, and the driver will brief you accordingly on the day of the trip.

• Mobile phones should be put on silent mode
• Remove headphones and lower your voice.
• Don’t get in the way of people who are actually there to pray - this includes photographing them.
• Don't touch sacred objects in the worship area.

The Transportation prices are Per Vehicle (and not per person). You can choose the vehicle type according to the number of passengers in your group.

The above transportation prices are per vehicle and not per person