Arriving on day 1. Private transfer to your first class beachside hotel on beautiful Beau Vallon Beach. Relax after your international flights.
Today, you will have a choice of two activities. First, you may go on a small group tour of Mahe Island during which you’ll soak in wonderful views of Mahe’s pristine beaches and secluded coves before following an exceedingly scenic route through the Seychellois National Park. You’ll also likely see the world’s smallest species of frog, the Pitcher plant and the Jellyfish plant, one of the rarest species in the world. Following the hike, you may visit the studio of one of Seychelles’ premier painters or explore the Botanical Gardens.
Today you may either go snorkeling off Moyenne Island or take a scenic hike through Mare aux Chocon Valley (small group). Situated within Ste Anne Marine National Park, Moyenne Island offers lovely snorkeling and a very scenic nature trail where you may also see giant tortoises. Moyenne Island is known locally for its buried pirate treasures and ghosts. Return to Mahe.
Your second option is to go hiking through the Mare aux Chocon Valley. Led by an expert naturalist guide, your easy full-day small group hike will take you to the lovely lookout points of Mare D’Antin, Mont D’Or and Mont Jasmin as well as to a waterfall. You’ll be introduced to a profusion of rare Seychellois insects, birds and fruits. This is one of Mahe's nicest nature walks.
Short morning flight to Praslin and transfer to your hotel. The Seychelles’ second largest island, Praslin is a favorite among travelers for its classic palm-fringed beaches and small-unspoiled villages. Free day to relax or to head to Anse Lazio, an exquisite beach with magical, turquoise-colored water and nice snorkeling. Anse Lazio is one of the finest beaches in the Seychelles.
Today you’ll explore Praslin’s Vallee de Mai, a prehistoric forest and World Heritage Site that is home to the legendary coco-de-mer palms, wild pineapple, wild coffee, and exotic birdlife such as the endangered black parrot. Vallee de Mai also contains many other species of rare, endemic palms, including the palmiste, latanier, splayed traveler’s palm and Chinese fans. On your nature walk, you’ll be mesmerized by the sunlight filtering through fronds and hitting the greens and oranges of the leaves. You’ll also encounter the curious, pelvis-shaped coco-de-mer seed, the world’s largest seed.
Your three-island safari begins with a guided small group tour of Cousin Island, a tiny nature reserve that is a breeding ground for turtles and seabirds. You’ll likely be followed by two very old tortoises, George and Georgina, who will want their necks to be stroked. Then sail to Curieuse, the island with the second largest forest of coco-de-mer palms (after Praslin) and the largest colony of giant tortoises (several hundred). After a delicious Creole barbecue lunch at the ruins of a grand colonial house, you are free to explore the forests or admire the island’s stunning granite sculptures before sailing to St Pierre for wonderful snorkeling.
This morning you’ll take a short schooner cruise to La Digue, an enchanting island known for its natural beauty, tranquillity and for the charm of its inhabitants. La Digue is the most traditional of the Seychelles islands, with ox carts still a frequent sight. Your small group tour begins with a bicycle ride to L’Union Estate, an old coconut plantation with an attractive colonial house, several Creole-style homes, giant tortoises, and an operational copra factory. L’Union was also the setting for the last “Emmanuelle” movie. You’ll then go swimming at Anse Source d’Argent, a powder white sand beach with spectacular rock formations. After lunch, take a bicycle ride through quaint villages to Grand Anse, the most beautiful and secluded of La Digue’s beaches. Relax before making your way back to the hotel.
Free day to relax or explore more of this idyllic island. Optional visit to Veuve Reserve, a bird sanctuary that is home to the endangered black paradise-flycatcher.
You’ll return to Mahe via Praslin and have free time to mill about Victoria Market or visit artist studios before departing on your international flight.