Sights to see

THE CHAMAREL 7 COLOURED EARTH GEOPARK

Mauritius isn’t only sandy beaches, it’s also home to an amazing geological formation — an inland area of sand dunes in seven distinct colours, which layer together to create beautiful patterns. The different colours are believed to be caused by molten volcanic rock cooling down at different external temperatures. The park is in the Rivière Noire District in the southwest, and also has a waterfall, tortoise park and coffee shop.

THE CHAMAREL RUM DISTILLERY

Set in a valley among the island’s hilltops, the distillery is a popular attraction where visitors can take a guided tour and learn about the rum-making process, followed by some rum tasting to finish.

EUREKA MUSEUM, MOKA

Take in some colonial history with a tour of this museum mansion with a beautiful garden and waterfall. It’s full of antiques and gives an intriguing glimpse into colonial life on the island. The mostly wooden house was restored and opened to the public as a museum in 1986. The grounds are a mix of natural Mauritian plant life, including mango and palm trees, and an English-style garden.

FLIC EN FLAC

The village of Flic en Flac is in the Black River district on the west coast, about 9km from Albion. It boasts one of the longest white-sand beaches on the island and is a vibrant tourist destination. Nearby is the Casela Bird Park, where you can admire orchids and more than 140 species of birds, including the endangered pink pigeon.