Day Trips from Port Louis to Pamplemousses

October 31, 2026

Short trips from the capital

The easiest day trips from Port Louis run north and into the central highlands, about 15 to 30 minutes by road. Pamplemousses has a botanical garden and a sugar museum side by side, so the two combine well in one morning. Taxis and cars are the simplest way to travel. Buses to Pamplemousses and the north leave from the northern bus station at Immigration Square, also called Gare du Nord.

SSR Botanical Garden, Pamplemousses

The garden is known for giant Victoria water lilies, giant tortoises and spice trees. Hours are about 08:30 to 17:30 daily. Most sources put the foreign visitor fee at around Rs 300, so check at the gate. Free entry on Sundays and public holidays applies to Mauritian citizens only. Guides at the gate charge about Rs 100.

L’Aventure du Sucre

Next to the garden at Beau Plan, this sugar museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00 and closed on Sundays. Adults pay Rs 1,200 and children aged 6 to 13 pay Rs 600. Under 6s are free. Tastings are part of the visit.

Chateau de Labourdonnais

The chateau estate at Mapou is another northern stop. Check opening hours and prices with the estate before you go.

Maison Eureka, Moka

This 19th century Creole house in Moka has a restaurant. Fees and opening days vary between guides, with Sundays in doubt, so check before you set off.

Maheswarnath Mandir, Triolet

Triolet has one of the island’s large Hindu temples. Dress modestly and take your shoes off at the entrance.

Trips that need a full day

Some famous places are far from the capital. Chamarel and the Seven Coloured Earths, the Black River Gorges and Le Morne lie about 45 to 55 km away across the island, and the drive takes 1.5 hours or more each way. Ile aux Cerfs is on the east coast. Make each of these a full day, and never fit two into one day from Port Louis.

Le Morne, on the far southwest coast, is a UNESCO site and a place of memory for escaped slaves, so visit it respectfully. Wild dolphin trips leave from Tamarin and Black River on the west coast. If you go, watch from a boat at a distance with a permitted operator, and do not choose a trip that drops swimmers on the pod.

Planning tips

Cyclone season runs from about November to May. In a cyclone you cannot leave your accommodation, so leave slack in your plans.
Pack water, sun protection and Mauritian rupees in cash.
Check your government’s travel advice before you go, and avoid demonstrations.

Driver-led trips can be compared on Viator . Official pages: L’Aventure du Sucre , SSR Botanical Garden and UK travel advice for Mauritius .