Although better known for its long white sandy beaches, Mauritius also offers mountainous landscapes where one can enjoy hiding away.  On the upper parts of Chamarel, Lakaz Chamarel offers, to its visitors, a return to the roots in the wilderness.  A guided tour…

It is a true haven of peace on the upper parts of Chamarel.  This is the way to describe the estate of Lakaz Chamarel.  It’s at the end of a steep track that the magnificent picturesque settings truly unfold.  The lush vegetation invites one to relax.  In the distance, a few ducks happily wade in a lake at the end of which one of the 11 rooms of the estate has been built.         

Built not far from the Chamarel road, the estate is an hour’s drive from the airport and the capital.  However, the public beaches of Morne and Baie du Cap are only fifteen minutes away.  You can hence, get there by renting one of the bicycles available on spot.

The real estate developers of Lakaz Chamarel wished to highlight the conviviality and the warm welcome that it offers.  The 11 rooms are built around the main building which houses the communal buildings.  The guests meet here and help themselves from the fridge or prepare a sandwich for themselves.  Breakfast is also served in bed by the room service.

It’s a real return to the roots.  The sole irreverence in this peaceful surrounding is the light wind that rushes between the citronella leaves and the other shrubs that border the white sandy trails.  Tucked away in the vegetation, the rooms offer a cozy atmosphere along with a breathtaking view over the surroundings mountains.  We can’t help but feel a sense of freedom that invites one to relax.  The structures blend in perfectly with the décor and each one has its particularity: “iron,” “wood” or “bamboo.”     

They go back over the history of the island, through their typical architecture.  On a section of the wall you’ll find a poem written by Charles Baudelaires dedicated to a woman whom he met during his stay on the island.  An important detail is that all of the rooms are equipped with an open air bathroom whilst each of the three suites has its own private swimming pool overlooking the valley. 

Even if Lakaz Chamarel favours well-being and peacefulness, the more athletic guest will also find their cup of tea.  They can flick through the activities described in the catalogue: cycling, hiking, big game fishing, archery and safari photography among others.  The management works in close collaboration with the service providers for some of these activities.  It is therefore necessary to book in advance.      

If you go for hiking, a guide, employed by the estate, will allow you to discover the most beautiful spots of the valley.  There you can enjoy a sunset show that gradually fades in beneath the mountains coupled with the birdsong in the background.  You can stroll along the kilometers of track that wind through the valley.  A feeling that you will not forget in a hurry.   

Written by Guillaume Gouges