Mauritius half-day tour with Pamplemousse Garden and Port Louis

Mauritius may be a small island, but there's plenty to discover. One minute you're walking beneath palms, the next you're looking down over Port Louis from a hillside. This half-day tour takes you from the gardens of Pamplemousse to the streets and waterfront of the capital, with free time to explore on your own. Your morning begins at Pamplemousse Botanical Garden, where shady paths wind between towering palms and giant water lilies floating across the garden's pools. Created by French naturalist Pierre Poivre in 1767, the garden is home to around 650 plant varieties, including 80 types of palm. Take your time looking up into the canopy, then down at the huge Virginia Regina leaves floating on the water. Then it's on to Port Louis and La Citadelle, for a completely different view. From this old hilltop fortress, Port Louis stretches out below you, with the Champ de Mars racecourse, busy streets and mountains all in the same frame. Back in the city, you'll pass Place d'Armes, Saint Louis Cathedral, the Supreme Court, Municipal Theatre and Government House as you drive through the capital, rounding off your visit with a look at some of Port Louis's most recognisable sights. You'll finish at Caudan Waterfront with free time to make the afternoon your own. Pick up something from the local market, browse the craft bazaar and boutiques, or simply wander along the waterfront and watch the city go by. With gardens, history, city views and a taste of everyday Mauritian life, this tour brings several sides of the island together.