Overview
Highlights:
• Breath-taking 360 degree view from Piton Canot
• Experienced and passionate guide to divulge the island’s history and secrets
• Enjoy a selection of local drinks and Mauritian snacks at the breath-taking Sublime Point
Includes:
• Film in English (6 mins) or French (8 mins) about the island’s wildlife
• Museum about the island’s natural history written by bird expert Dr Julian Hume
Suitable for:
children and adults of all ages. Some level of physical fitness is needed.
Group size:
minimum 2 adults.
Difficulty level:
The hikes are graded easy, based on international standards. Just let your guide know what pace you would like to go at.
Duration:
3 – 4 hours. Start at 9 am. After your tour, you are welcome to continue exploring the site.
Distance:
5 – 6 km, depending on if you hike up Piton Canot.
Booking:
we recommend booking, but will try to accommodate you if you have not booked.
What to bring:
we recommend trainers or hiking shoes, a hat, water and a raincoat. Mosquito repellent is advised, and of course your camera and if you have them, binoculars.
Parking:
available. If you come by bicycle, let us know and we can find somewhere safe to store it
Food and drink:
as part of the Hiking Tour, you will be offered a drink (lemon grass juice, tamarind juice, soft drink) and a selection of vegetarian snacks at Sublime Point. Picnics are not allowed as we wish to limit the amount of rubbish generated. As part of our commitment to the environment, we do not sell drinks in plastic bottles, but you can fill up your water bottle for free from our water fountain in our Shop
Buying your ticket:
purchase your ticket either online to benefit from 10 % discount or when you visit.
Resident Rates:
Adult: Rs 1800
Child (5-17 years): Rs 1100
0-4 years: free of charge
Non-Resident Rates:
Adult: Rs 2000
Child (5-17 years): Rs 1300
0-4 years: free of charge
Profit generated from ecotourism activities are reinvested into the conservation of the flora and fauna, which has been on-going since 2006. Thank you for visiting and supporting our conservation efforts.
Guided Trek
Highlights:
• Breath-taking 360 degree view from Piton Canot
• Experienced and passionate guide to divulge the island’s history and secrets
• Enjoy a selection of local drinks and Mauritian snacks at the breath-taking Sublime Point
Take a trek with one of our experienced guides and discover how the island’s geological and colonial history has shaped the surrounding landscapes. See and learn about the villages of La Gaulette, Case Noyale and Chamarel, how the island’s volcanoes, deer ranching and sugar cane production have influenced today’s landscape. Our local guides will transport you back in time with stories of the slaves that were marooned on Le Morne Brabant and why this mountain was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your 3-4 hour guided hike will start at the Visitor Centre with a brief visit of the museum, written and illustrated by British palaeontologist, bird expert and artist, and critically acclaimed co-author of Lost Land of the Dodo, Dr Julian Hume. You will discover how the history of the Dutch, French, British, and today’s communities are interlinked with the plants and animals. Hike along the scenic Ridgeline Trail and discover why Ile aux Benitiers was used as a quarantine post, where the name Case Noyale originates and the origin of many local Creole names.
On your hike, your guide will explain how the landscapes and wildlife has been rapidly transformed by humans and why our forest restoration and conservation work at Ebony Forest are so important. Float among the majestic ebony trees and spot Fruit Bats hanging in the trees or eating fruits, endemic Phelsuma geckos sunbathing, pic pic birds fluttering among the canopy looking for insects and one of the rarest trees in the world, bois corail or Coral Tree, named for its magnificent coral-shaped flowers. Breathe in the sweet scents of the fresh and cool forest air and learn about the diversity of the island’s birds, both extinct and extant, and the reasons for their demise.
Relax and enjoy the view at Sublime Point with a selection of drinks (tamarind juice, lemon grass juice, soft drink, water) and local snacks (gateaux piments, samosas). As the name suggests, the views at Sublime Point are stunning. Observe Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, crystal clear waters surrounding Ile aux Benitiers, Tourelle du Tamarin, Montagne du Rempart, Corps de Garde, Trois Mamelles, Le Pouce, Pieter Both, Piton Canot and the island’s highest peak, Piton de la Rivière Noire. With a unique vantage point, watch the endemic Mauritian Fruit Bat flying below, White-tailed Tropic Birds delight you with their aerial acrobats, Mascarene swiftlets, and Mauritius Kestrel.
From Sublime Point, choose to hike up Piton Canot for a 360 degree panorama of the west and south-west coasts, village of Chamarel and Black River Gorges National Park. This 400 m trail, with an ascent of 140 m to the summit at 542 m above sea level, is the steepest part of the trek.
Back at the Visitor Centre, in addition to great memories and photographs, why not buy a souvenir in our Shop to treasure when you are at home. Your visit and purchases in our Shop and Sublime Snack contribute to helping save endangered species from extinction and offsetting carbon.
Small acts