THE INDIAN ISLAND OCEANS
A cultural tour of Seychelles with Mahe, Praslin & La Digue, Reunion, Madagascar, Comoros, Mayotte, Mauritius & Rodrigues

The Indian Ocean is home to a great variety of fascinating islands is inhabited by peoples from Asia, Africa and Europe. This vivid mix of cultures is exemplified in the unique and truly delicious cuisine found on these islands. In addition to the fascinating culture you have the spectacular scenery... The rich blue Indian Ocean laps up smooth white sandy beaches as palms sway gently in the background.

Day 01: Sunday, Arrival Victoria, Mahe' Island - Seychelles
The most convenient flights into Seychelles are from London or Paris. Upon arrival at Mahe Island we are warmly received, island style, and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Coral Strand, Mahe' Island (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 02: Monday, Mahe' Island
Today is free to recover from the long flight on the silver sand beach or, better still, stroll through the local bazaars in the capital city. An optional tour of the nearby islands is available. (B, D)

Day 03: Tuesday, Mahe / Praslin (flight)
After breakfast, we take a short flight to Praslin, another very popular island. We visit the Vallee de Mai World Heritage site; an extraordinary primeval forest home to the famous Coco de Mer palm - the largest nut in the world. From Praslin, board a traditional schooner for a brief journey to La Digue (the fourth largest island) with its spectacular formations of granite boulders. An ox-cart ride on La Digue to L'Union Estate to visit copra sheds, tortoise pen and an old colonial house. Marvel at the sight of the most beautiful beach of Seychelles - Anse Source d'Argent over a typical Creole lunch. We have some time to spend sunbathing or swimming in the midst of this paradise on Earth.
Overnight: Hotel Coco De Mer, Praslin Island (1 night) (B, D)

Day 04: Wednesday, Praslin / Mahe (flight)
Morning is free to enjoy Praslin, and then we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Victoria. This evening we bid farewell to Seychelles enjoying local cuisine at an island restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel Coral Strand, Mahe' Island (1 night) (B, D)

Day 05: Thursday, Victoria - Mahe' / St. Dennis - Reunion Island (flight)
A short flight over the Indian Ocean gets us to St. Dennis - Reunion Island (via Mauritius). Upon arrival we are cordially received and transferred to our island hotel. Balance of the day is free to enjoy the island of Reunion. Dinner is enjoying the Reunion specialties.
Overnight: Hotel Boucan Canot (1 night) (B, D)

Day 06: Friday, Reunion Island / Nosy Be - Madagascar (flight)
Today we depart Reunion Island to a completely different world, Nosy Be Madagascar. Upon arrival at this small airport we are met and transferred to our hotel. This evening we enjoy some local Madagascar cuisine.
Overnight: Hotel Nosy Be (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 07: Saturday, Nosy Be
The Nosy Be area is famous for its natural beauty and today is spent exploring the sites. We start with a day excursion of Lokobe, a typical fishing village situated in the middle of a Ylang-Ylang Plantation in the south east part of the town. From here, we take a short boat trip by a Pirogue for a short crossing to the Beach of Lokobe (only reachable by boat). Here we take an easy-guided walking tour in the tropical forest to discover the fascinating fauna and flora, while searching for lemurians, chameleons, boas and much more. A lunchtime stop in the Fisher's village gives us an opportunity to meet the local folks. (B, D)

Day 08: Sunday, Nosy Be / Antananarivo (flight)
After breakfast we take a short domestic flight to Antananarivo. We will meet our local hosts who will transfer us to our hotel. This evening's dinner provides an opportunity to meet local folks and get an interesting exposure to the local culture.
Overnight: Hotel Royal Palissandre (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 09: Monday, Antananarivo
This day is reserved for an excursion to Andasibe. In the morning we visit the "Reservation Analamazaotra". At three hours driving time from the capital, this reserve of 810 habitants portrays the characteristics of a humid tropical forest. Preferred by nature lovers, the reserve is home to exceptional Fauna and Flora such as the giant fern trees and the Indri, the largest Lemurian. We enjoy lunch at the Vakona Lodge" where we visit its private reserves. Here we see the Lemurians, birds, reptiles and orchids. Later we return to Antananarivo for a short tour of the city. (B, D)

Day 10: Tuesday, Antananarivo / Grande Comoros (flight)
This morning we "hop" to Grande Comoros Island. Upon arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel. Rest of the day is free to wander and walk around the downtown area. (B)

Day 11: Wednesday, Grande Comoros / Dzaoudzi - Mayotte Island (flight)
We start the day with a short flight to Dzaoudzi -Mayotte where we are met and transferred to our hotel. Time permitting, we will take a tour of this island known for its friendly people and scenic sites.
Overnight: Mamoudzou and Sakouli Hotel, (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 12: Thursday, Mayotte Island
Another day excursion ahead, as we depart for the famous Beach of N'Gouja. En-route, we stop at "musical plage" to have a look at the largest Baobab tree on the Island. We will also discover the dense tropical forest in the heart of the Island, have a look at the Ylang-Ylang Plantation and then "Jardin Maore". Here will be able to watch the friendly Lemurian colony living in the garden of the Hotel and experience a swim with the turtles. Later we return to the Sakouli Hotel. (B, L)

Day 13: Friday, Dzaoudzi / Reunion Island (flight)
This morning we will first drive to Mamoudzou and later take a boat to Dzaoudzi where we are transferred to the airport for our flight back to Reunion Island.
Overnight: Hotel Boucan Canot (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 14: Saturday, Reunion Island
Morning we start off with a day excursion to Cilaos. Surrounded by mountains, Cilaos is well known as a mountain resort with its hot spring spa. We drive via a picturesque road awed by impressive landscapes, steep peaks and mountains, and the paths that used to be taken by the sedan chairs. A short walk to La Roche Merveilleuse takes us to a lookout over the whole valley, before stopping at the hot spas. In the traditional place of Cilaos, native people make famous embroideries, typical wine, and grow lentils, that we will enjoy for lunch. In the afternoon we return to Saint Gilles les bains, Reunion Island's little "Saint Tropez" then head back to the Hotel. (B, L)

Day 15: Sunday, Reunion / Mauritius (flight)
After this short visit to Reunion Island we bid farewell as we are transferred to Mauritius. Once here we'll enjoy local hospitality as we are taken through the city to our hotel. The evening is kept free for independent exploring, shopping and the beach.
Overnight: Hotel Preskil Beach Resort (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 16: Monday, Mauritius
Today we'll be taken by our guide on a trip covering the Island of Mauritius. We learn about the history of Mauritius, the variety of people and their origins, their mixed culture and languages. We'll have several stops, including lunch by the sea to explore the natural beauty of this superb place. (B, L)

Day 17: Tuesday, Mauritius / Rodrigues Island (flight)
It is now time to visit the last Island on our hopping tour of the India Ocean Islands. A short flight gets us to Rodrigues where we are met and transferred to our hotel. After independent exploring, we are in for a treat as we join the locals for a sumptuous dinner.
Overnight: Hotel Mourouk Ebony (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 18: Wednesday, Rodrigues / Mauritius (flight)
Today in the afternoon we fly back to Mauritius Island, as we start preparing ourselves for departure. Our last - farewell - dinner, will be provided by these friendly and always smiling people.
Overnight: Preskil Beach Resort (1 night) (B, D)

Day 19: Thursday, Mauritius / London (or Paris - fly out)
After an impressive and thrilling journey of some of the most beautiful islands on earth, we bid farewell and are transferred to the airport for our flight back home. (B)

Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures Daily

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotel accommodation as mention ed or similar All transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) English speaking local guide during sightseeing Boat ride, ferry ride where mentioned Entrance fees International airfare and airport taxes Inter island airfare (approx $ 2000 plus taxes) Tips and gratuities

Tour Price

We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.

Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2008 (Low Season Rates) US $ 7750 • CA $ 7750 US $ 1895 • CA $ 1895 Note: Supplement charges apply for high season. Itinerary can be modified to suit international arrivals and departures.

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour

Canada - West Coast CA $ 1400 USA - West Coast US $ 1200 Canada - East Coast CA $ 1200 USA - East Coast US $ 1000

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 06 and a maximum of 16 participants.

Notes

Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.