1 Week in Mauritius: Ultimate 6, 7 or 8-Day Itinerary

Camille L.

1 Week Mauritius Itinerary: Top things to do

Are you planning for a trip to Mauritius? Great choice!

I have just prepared for you the perfect Mauritius itinerary for a week. The country is small, and 7 days allow you to see a majority of places of interest.

The advantage of visiting Mauritius is also the ability to go to the four corners of the island quite quickly since your point of fall, without having to change hotels or guesthouses for the duration of your stay.

Besides, I also give you a list of the best accommodations on the island according to your budget. You will find it at the end of the article.

Between the heavenly beaches of Belle Mare and Morne Brabant, the lively streets of Flic-en-Flac and Grand Baie, hiking in the Black River Gorges National Park, the ascent of the Morne mountain, or the visit of temples of Grand Bassin, these 6, 7, or 8 days in Mauritius will leave you an unforgettable memory.

Here is the summary of this 1 week Mauritius itinerary:

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Cap Malheureux, Peyrébère, Grand Baie Grand Baie/Peyrébère
Day 2 Port Louis and Pamplemousses Botanical Garden Grand Baie/Peyrébère
Day 3 Belle Mare and Ile aux Cerfs Belle Mare
Day 4 Flic-en-Flac and the Black River Gorges National Park Flic-en-Flac
Day 5 Le Morne Brabant and Le Morne Beach Le Morne Brabant
Day 6 Grand Bassin and Chamarel Chamarel
Day 7 Mahébourg and Blue Bay Mahébourg

Day 1: North Mauritius

Start your week-long Mauritius itinerary in the northern part of the island. After landing in Mahébourg early in the morning, check into your hotel or guesthouse and refresh yourself.

Renting a car is the best way to visit Mauritius, as it allows you to move quickly from one point to another. You can rent a car from the airport agencies, but make sure to choose the official rental agencies for insurance purposes.

But you can of course also rely on the bus network to move, the network is very complete, even if the travel times are quite long.

Why start with the North Coast? Because it is surely the most attractive place in the country, one of the liveliest and a great way to acclimatize from the start.

Cap Malheureux, Peyrébère, Grand Baie, or the beaches of Mont Choisy and Trou aux Biches a little further… So many heavenly places to start your 1-week Mauritius itinerary in the best possible way.

Undoubtedly, the great must-see on the North coast is Grand Baie.

This former fishing village transformed into a seaside resort is the favorite destination for expatriates and the nerve center of the region.

The coastal town of Grand Baie has its own charm: the place is very lively, especially in the evening, and its beach with its colorful boats has no equal anywhere else.

Grand Baie

For lunch, I recommend the new restaurant “Eatwithfingers” which offers gourmet and healthy (but not typically Mauritian) cuisine. It is located a little outside the city, on Twenty Pieds Road (you will certainly have to take a taxi to get there).

After this little tour in Grand Baie, I advise you to go and go and go and bathe at the beach of Peyrébère, only 10 km from Grand Baie.

In the late afternoon, join Cap Malheureux, just north of the island, and its breathtaking landscape. You can admire the sunset on the pretty beach and its red church that creates a beautiful contrast in color with the green of the vegetation and the blue of the sea and the sky. It’s one of my favorite places in Mauritius.

The church at Cap Malheureux beach

With all that the North Coast has to offer, the first of your 7 days Mauritius itinerary will be packed!

Tips for your Mauritius itinerary:

To better prepare your day in the north of Mauritius, I invite you to read my dedicated article: Best things to do in Grand Baie

The Best Hotels in the North of Mauritius

Grand Bay Beach

Day 2: Port Louis and Pamplemousses Botanical Garden

On the second day of your 1 week Mauritius itinerary, visit the lively capital city of Port Louis to immerse yourself in the local culture and discover the daily life of Mauritians.

Start your morning tour by visiting the must-see central market of Port Louis, also known as “bazaar”. The market is located on Queen Street and offers a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other local products such as Chinese noodles, prepared dishes, and snacks.

Don’t miss the chance to try some traditional street food like dhall puri, rotis, and fried mines. You can also settle down at the upstairs room to enjoy your meal.

After exploring the market, head towards Caudan Waterfront, the oldest commercial center of the island, located by the sea on the docks. You can easily walk from the market to Caudan Waterfront and enjoy the pretty alleys, shops, restaurants, and ocean views.

The Blue Penny Museum, located in Caudan, is a must-visit place to learn about the history and culture of Mauritius.

In the evening, dine facing the ocean while enjoying the entertainment and concerts that are organized on Fridays and Saturdays. You can also try your luck at the casino.

Here are some tips for your Mauritius itinerary:

port louis alley umbrella

Then set aside 2 hours to visit the botanical garden of Pamplemousse!

Not far from Port-Louis (about 20min by car ), it is an unmissable visit during your 7 days Mauritius itinerary.

The garden was created in the 18th century by a French botanist and you will discover a rich collection of local plants but also from several countries of the world.

The garden is 37 hectares, it is very pleasant to walk there, the trails are well laid out and you will discover impressive specimens such as huge baobabs, giant water lilies and many varieties of palm trees. You will also find aromatic plants, tropical fruit trees etc.

You can also get a glimpse of the tropical fauna with geckos, chameleons , fruit bats (large fruit bats) and birds with colorful plumage that hop in the branches!

grapefruit garden mauritius itinerary

Where to Stay in Port Louis

I really do not advise you to stay in Port-Louis. The capital is pleasant to visit for a day but has no interest in staying there.

Day 3: Belle Mare and Ile aux Cerfs

Let’s go for the third day!

I know, it’s been 24 hours since you’ve been to the beach and you miss it already. It’s normal, and don’t worry, we’ll get back to it right away!

Take the road towards the east coast and the legendary Belle mare beach .

It is not an emblematic place only for tourists but also for Mauritians who love to picnic there on weekends.

This beach will also amaze you. Lying on the white sand, in the shade of the coconut trees, you will never feel so peaceful and far from home.

Its translucent and shallow waters are ideal for snorkeling and also invite you to relax in the water.

If this getaway has piqued your thirst for tropical beaches, check out the wilder Palmar, just a 5-minute drive away.

Bellemare beach – Mauritius

A little further, you will reach the charming village of Trou d’Eau Douce.

From there, you will be able to move on to the second main point of your program for the day: Ile aux Cerfs.

This is a must visit on a week long Mauritius itinerary!

There are boat shuttles to Ile aux Cerfs from the beach or the Trou d’Eau Douce landing stage, with departures every 20 to 30 minutes.

Just crossing the lagoon is magnificent!

Once on the small island, you will find plenty to do. The setting is already magical with this white sand and this turquoise ocean that stretches before your eyes to infinity.

It’s obviously a very popular place for vacationers, so don’t expect to find yourself on a desert island.

Ile aux Cerfs is not inhabited but entirely dedicated to tourism.

It has many activities: water sports ( towed buoy, parasailing, water skiing, etc.), golf courses and a few shops.

It also has its share of restaurants for lunch or dinner in a wonderful setting.

Tips for your Mauritius itinerary:

More information about Ile aux Cerfs, please read my dedicated article: Top 10 things to do in Ile aux Cerfs

The Best Hotels in the East of Mauritius

Ile aux Cerfs

Day 4: Flic-en-Flac and the Black River Gorges National Park

Now that you know the North and East of Mauritius like the back of your hand, I suggest you go for a little tour of the West Coast, which has nothing to envy to the rest of the island.

To get this new stage of your 7 days Mauritius itinerary off to a good start, set off for Flic-en-Flac and its 8 km of white sand.

It is one of the most popular beaches in the country. What distinguishes it from the others is the fact that it is bordered by filaos, the Mauritian pines.

In addition to creating a very pretty landscape, they allow you to rest quietly in the shade while contemplating the magnificent turquoise lagoon. The dream, right?

As on most beaches in Mauritius, there is something for everyone: swimming, lazing on the sand or even snorkeling to observe the multicolored fish.

Around the beach you will also find many scuba diving centers.

Flic en Flac beach

Tips for your Mauritius itinerary:

On the beach of Flic-en-Flac you will find several trailers selling snacks and fruit. I strongly advise you to stop in front of the one called Roti Aka, to test its faratas (also called rotis).

It is a Mauritian specialty that looks a bit like an Indian naan, filled with different curries and sauces.

You can find them everywhere on the island, but if you want my opinion, the best are in Flic-en-Flac. Must taste!

For the second part of the day, there is a fabulous national park 15 km away: that of the Black River Gorges (Click for more details).

Huge nature reserve in the middle of the tropical forest, you will discover the wide variety of fauna and flora of the island (more than 300 species of plants and 9 species of endemic birds!).

On the program: waterfalls, river crossings and many viewpoints overlooking the coast and the ocean.

The park is quite sprawling and it’s not easy the first time to go around without missing anything. For this reason, I suggest you book this guided tour to get the best experience possible.

The Best Hotels in the West of Mauritius

The Black River Gorges National Park

It’s been a busy day! If you still have some energy after all that (expect to climb a lot in the park), why not spend the evening in Flic-en-Flac?

Day 5: Le Morne Brabant and Le Morne Beach

Here we go again for a little nature walk!

Strolling through the Black River Gorges Park was a taste of what awaited you the next day: a good hike to Morne Brabant.

There’s nothing like it to recharge your batteries and immerse yourself in the Mauritian natural heritage!

Located to the southwest, it is the most famous mountain on the island, and for good reason! It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008.

Climbing Le Morne is by far my favorite hike to do in Mauritius. Allow about 3 to 4 hours to reach the summit and descend.

The paths are quite steep at times, and towards the end we are not far from climbing. The hike remains very pleasant to do, but beware all the same for people suffering from vertigo.

For maximum safety and above all to know everything about the history of this region, it is a good idea to hire a professional guide who will accompany you during the ascent.

The panorama at the top of the mountain is quite a reward, expect to take your breath away.

Le Morne-Brabant

You should know that Le Morne Brabant has a high historical and emotional value.

The stone cross erected at the very top of the mountain was installed in homage to the slaves who, at the time, were numerous to throw themselves from the summit to flee their executioners.

At the foot of the mountain is also a commemorative monument, named “the Unknown Slave”.

Once back on earth, treat yourself to a few hours of well-deserved relaxation on Le Morne beach.

Located at the foot of the mountain, it’s a new paradise beach to add to your vacation diary.

This one is wilder and calmer than those of the north or that of Flic-en-Flac.

A good moment of tranquility far from everything, in communion with the ocean and with a magnificent landscape as a bonus.

Then return to your hotel for the night.

The Best Hotels near Le Morne – Mauritius

Le Morne Beach

Day 6: Grand Bassin and Chamarel

Attacking this 6th and penultimate day of your vacation!

I suggest you continue to discover the south-west of Mauritius, a particularly rich region.

And what could be better than a short road trip to get around it in a single day?

Having explored this part of the island myself by car, here is my itinerary, optimized so as not to miss anything:

1) Leave in the morning towards Grand Bassin (aka “Ganga Talao”).

It is a very important cultural site in the country. Indeed, this sacred lake is a place of pilgrimage for Mauritian Hindus.

It always has an effect to find your way around, especially at the sight of the two huge statues of the gods Shiva and Durga, very impressive, erected at the entrance to the site.

For the record, that of Durga is the largest statue of the goddess in the world!

In Grand Bassin you can visit several temples, have a “tika” written on your forehead and even rub shoulders with small wild monkeys which add to the charm of the site.

(Be careful though, there are some who are rather jokers so watch your belongings! :D)

Big pool

2) For the second stage, head south to find yourself at a place called Plaine Champagne.

This is where the locals come to harvest Chinese guavas at the end of the year, these delicious little wild fruits with a sweet and sour taste. If you are in the middle of guava season, you can pick some yourself by stopping on the side of the road.

A little further up the main road is Alexandra Falls, well worth a stop!

3) Around noon or early afternoon, arrive at the 7 Colored Earth of Chamarel.

It is THE natural curiosity of the island, which is very popular with visitors. It is an area covered with multicolored volcanic earth, hence its pretty name.

The site is in a private domain, therefore the entrance is paying. But during a 1 week Mauritius itinerary, it is something that is imperative to see.

The Earth of 7 colors – Chamarel

4) On this same private site is also the Ebony Forest nature reserve, which I also strongly recommend. A walk that takes more or less 2 hours in a native forest, and which offers a fantastic panorama of the valley from the Sublime Point.

5) And for the final stage of your road-trip, I suggest you take a trip to the Rhumerie de Chamarel, where you can enjoy a guided tour before tasting the different wines.

Believe me, this will be the best rum you will ever drink!

Chamarel Waterfall, Mauritius

Tips for your Mauritius itinerary:

If you have time, I recommend that you take a trip to the “Curious Corner” of Chamarel.

It’s a small museum dedicated to optical illusions and it’s really well done! It is right next to the entrance to the 7 Colored Earth.

I’ve been there several times and I love it! If you are with children, this is a family activity in Mauritius not to be missed.

The Best Hotels in the South West of Mauritius

Day 7: South-East Coast

Here we are… It went by so quickly, you’ve seen tons of them and yet it’s as if you arrived yesterday.

And yes, that’s the problem when you spend a dream vacation! So no other choice than to end your 7 days Mauritius itinerary in style!

For this last day, I suggest 2 places to visit: Mahébourg and Blue Bay.

Mahébourg is the very first city built on the island by Dutch settlers.

I think any Mauritian will tell you: Mahébourg is the city that you should not miss during a one-week Mauritius itinerary.

There reigns a very different atmosphere from the rest of the island, more atypical, a little out of time. It really is an excellent place to feel out of place and surrounded by Mauritian culture.

I go there myself from time to time when I need to recharge my batteries and get away from everyday life. It is very pleasant and it feels like time is passing in slow motion.

Take a few moments to land on the seafront, which is really worth a look.

You can then take a walk in the cobbled streets to admire the old Creole houses and soak up the very “roots” atmosphere of this city.

Then leave for Blue Bay, the neighboring village.

The beaches are sublime, special mention to that of Pointe d’Esny. This is personally my favorite beach on the whole island.

The most amazing thing about having a 7 day vacation in Mauritius is that no matter how many beaches you visit, each one has the effect of taking your breath away every time!

The lagoon of Blue Bay, translucent and rich in multicolored fish, lends itself particularly well to snorkeling. You can indulge in this activity independently or have someone accompany you to the best spots.

The Best Hotels in the South East of Mauritius

Blue Bay – Mahébourg – Ile Maurice

Now it’s time to head back to your hotel to catch your return flight the next day.

A Week in Mauritius: Map of Your Mauritius Itinerary

To help you visualizing your Mauritius itinerary, I have made a map of all the places you will visit in a week.

The airport of Mauritius is in Mahébourg (in red on the map). You can display the legend by clicking the button with a small arrow at the top left of the map.

We hope this 7-8 day Mauritius itinerary will please you as much as us! In any case, you will have an unforgettable experience.

If you have any questions about your stay in Mauritius, do not hesitate to ask us in the comments.

Organize Your Trip to Mauritius Easily

Here are all my other travel guides to Mauritius: Just click on the links below to read the articles.

Routes

Regions to visit + Where to stay

Unmissable visits

Exit mobile version