Grand Port, a region rich in history

DunienZîl accompanies you by electric bike for an unusual journey in the north of Mauritius. This journey linked, among others, to the theme of sugar will no longer have any secrets for you. L’Aventure du Sucre is a museum that details the steps needed to get sugar. Visiting Mauritius by bike during your stay will allow you to ride on the sugar cane trails in an incredible nature.

Close to the famous botanical garden of Pamplemousses, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the first colonial houses of Mauritius, the castle of Villebague built on the estate of an ancient sugar plantation. You will discover extraordinary plants in the Pamplemousses Garden. This work of Pierre Poivre, with all species, bring back from the four corners of the globe, will make you travel. This bucolic walk among unique plants in the world will surprise you with their characteristics, color, and shape. It’s an opportunity to take pictures of this rare and exotic vegetation.

Discover the spice trees you used to eat and the 85 kinds of palm trees planted in this green lung of several hectares. Watch the birds hopping on the giant water lilies! Then you will meet the inhabitants and traders in the small villages around. Culture, nature, and exchange in good spirits will be on the program of this authentic and historical tour. With our electro bike, pedaling becomes a real pleasure. The effort gives way to wonder, to the exploration of new landscapes and the meeting with the Mauritians in simplicity.

The Cavendish

Bridge

Buy fish

in Mahebourg

Manufacture of

Vacoas baskets

Manufacture of

Vacoas baskets

grand port ile maurice

FULL DAY :

A historical itinerary

Our Electric Bike Ride starts with a coffee under the veranda of the colonial house of the Beau Vallon garden. After that, let’s saddle up, head to the Dutch ruins of Fort Frederick Hendrick, the first stone construction in the Indian Ocean. Near the fort, we will join the workshop of craftsmen making the traditional vacoas baskets (baskets widely used in ‘Moris’), a disappearing craft that makes the villagers of Vieux Grand Port. (On request on weekends).

Then, a few pedal strokes will bring us to meet Pop, one of the last «ranzer pirog de Moris» or marine carpenter of the island, while sipping a tamarind juice prepared by Salima, his wife. For a moment, live in Mauritian style with simplicity. We will cross the Cavendish Bridge to cross the River “La Chaux” and reach Ville Noire. This suburb of Mahébourg impresses with its authentic character, teeming with villagers and small merchants.

We take the road to the “Vallée de Ferney”, a beautiful nature reserve with rolling landscapes. In a sumptuous panorama, we will have a “local” lunch at the restaurant “Falaise rouge” built at the edge of the cliff!

This place was a strategic location in one of the biggest battles of Grand-Port. Restored, we will then pedal to the waterfront, admire the splendid view of the bay of the Vieux Grand Port, the mountain of the Lion and the Mouchoir Rouge island. To conclude this trip in the heart of history, we will go to the Naval Museum of Mahébourg located in a former colonial residence and proposing an interesting collection of various objects recovered from wrecks, models, maps and weapons of that time, magnificent lithographs by Mauritian notables, paintings representing the region or the bones of the famous dodo… (Wednesdays, Sundays or holidays, the museum is closed).

8:20 to 15:00

1 to 14 persons

FULL DAY:
RS 3'980 ≃ € 86

​A minimum of 4 people is required for this trip.
If this is not the case for the desired date, you will be proposed another date.

Discover Grand Port with DunienZîl

USEFUL INFORMATION​

You will be followed by a safety vehicle; our qualified Mauritian guides will comment on your trip on strategic places and will show you the beautiful scenery.

Departure:8:20 am–Arrival: 3:00 pm

Starting & finishing point:Beau Vallon Garden, Beau Vallon.

Duration:About 6 hours. Throughout the journey, the guide will offer various stops at strategic points to let you discover the history or anecdotes of the place, take a photo break or enjoy a moment of relaxation.

To plan:Sports shoes, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Grand-port Full Day Trip Rate:RS 3’980 ≃ € 86

You will have the opportunity to buy small local souvenirs (Especially handicraft products in Vacoas). Bring money as the credit card cannot be used.

Will be provided:Bicycles, safety helmet, safety vehicle (for more than 4 people), professional guides, lunch (dessert or coffee), water, juice, light snacks, access to various locations.

Lunch:Mauritian dish at the “Falaise Rouge” restaurant with a sumptuous view of the lagoon. (Dish–dessert or coffee–Water)

Mahebourg

Waterfront

Join us for an unforgettable experience

​A minimum of 4 people is required for this trip.
If this is not the case for the desired date, you will be proposed another date.

CANCELLATIONS

In case of torrential rain, we reserve the right to cancel the trip. However, in case you wish to cancel or postpone your trip to a later date,

you have three alternatives:

48 hours notice : free
24 hours notice : payable and non-refundable
same day : payable and non-refundable

Once the trip has started, it cannot be reimbursed in case of bad weather. However, we will do our best to adapt to the situation in order to make the course as pleasant as possible. (It is important to have a raincoat).

Memories

Photos of your trip in Mauritius will be available on a CD at Rs 800.

To make the ride in good conditions, children will have to be more than 1.47m high and know how to ride a classic bike.

LOGO DUNIENZIL TREK-BLANC

The cradle of Mauritius' history

It was in Grand Port that the history of Mauritius began when the Dutch discovered Mauritius and settled thereby building the first stone houses.

It was in Grand Port that the history of Mauritius began when the Dutch discovered Mauritius and settled thereby building the first stone houses.

Many vestiges of the Dutch presence are to be visited, the fort at Pointe du Diable which pointed its cannons against the enemy, the Frederik Hendrick Museum, the cemetery, etc.…

Grand Port bay was also known for its naval battle of 1810 between the English and the French. We will highlight the unique victory won by Napoleon!

Then the city of Mahébourg inherited the name of Mahé de Labourdonnais. In fact, he supervised the work of the city and gave the village its first name in homage to the French governor (Mahé/bourg)! Near the bus station, there are still traces of the railway station of the past.

A visit to the Naval Museum is necessary to fully understand the history of Mauritius, especially in this region. We discover a lot of exciting information in the form of manuscripts, objects of the time, photos and even an ancient wagon in the backyard and bones of our Dodo, big national bird, now extinct.

​A minimum of 4 people is required for this trip.
If this is not the case for the desired date, you will be proposed another date.

Booking

Join us for an unforgettable experience

Booking

Join us for an unforgettable experience