Winter Indian Ocean Vacation mid-December to early January.
  The Seychelles and Mauritius in 20 days. Planned as a winter vacation for a family, departing mid-week before winter break (mid-December) and returning mid-week following winter break (early January).
   
  Short Summary.
  Day 1 Fly from U.S. to London. Night on trans-Atlantic flight
  Day 2 Day in London. Jet Lag Recovery. London, England
  Day 3 Afternoon flight from London to Seychelles. Night on flight to Seychelles
  Day 4 Fly from Paris to Seychelles. Mahe Island, Seychelles
  Day 5 Seychelles. Mahe Island, Seychelles
  Day 6 Seychelles. Mahe Island, Seychelles
  Day 7 Fly to Reunion. Saint Denis, Reunion
  Day 8 Fly to Mauritius Mauritius
  Day 9 Mauritius Mauritius
  Day 10 Mauritius Mauritius
  Day 11 Fly back to Seychelles. Praslin Island, Seychelles
  Day 12 Seychelles, Praslin Island Praslin Island, Seychelles
  Day 13 Seychelles, Praslin Island Praslin Island, Seychelles
  Day 14 Seychelles, Praslin Island to La Digue Island La Digue Island, Seychelles
  Day 15 Seychelles, La Digue Island La Digue Island, Seychelles
  Day 16 Seychelles, La Digue Island La Digue Island, Seychelles
  Day 17 Seychelles, La Digue Island to Praslin Island to Mahe Island Mahe Island, Seychelles
  Day 18 Fly to London after a day on Mahe Island Flight from Seychelles
  Day 19 Arrive in London and have the night in London London, England
  Day 20 Return flight Home
 

See our list of trips.

My Travel Resources Page
  Full Description
  Day 1 Wednesday Take an afternoon or evening flight out of the United States, going to London. This plan supposes you do this on the second or third Wednesday in December. Typically if you are flying out of a city without direct flights you would depart mid-morning, have a few hours in a gateway airport, and then fly out in the late afternoon or early evening, and arrive in London very early in the morning of the next day. Try to sleep on the flight to England.
  Day 2 Thursday

Jet lag is likely to be an issue. Try to stay active and do things until at least 8:00 p.m.
You arrive very early in the morning from the United States. Get a Heathrow Express train to Paddington Station from Heathrow. Take your things to a hotel near Paddington Station.

There are many things to see in London. As this is planned as a winter trip, it may be best to do something indoors, perhaps in a museum. Walk around Hyde Park to enjoy the winter wonderland. See Apsley House, or visit the Victoria and Albert Museum or the Natural History Museum. Get an Oyster Card (you can use this in London when you come back from Seychelles as well) to pay for rides on public transport.

Night in London.


Stay at Caring Hotel, Tutor Court, or Lancaster Hall.

  Day 3 Friday

Morning and early afternoon to see more things in London, if you are up to it. Take the Heathrow Express back out to the airport after lunch.

Flights to Seychelles often depart in the evening. You could spend a day in London and in the afternoon go to the airport. Flights to Mahe Island usually depart from the Heathrow airport. Departures sometimes leave at 6:20 p.m.

 Night on the flight to Seychelles
  Day 4 Saturday

Flight from London to Seychelles might arrive around 9:10 a.m. or 10:05 a.m.
Take your things to your lodging. I recommend the Triskell guest house(reviews), which is not even 3 kilometers away from the airport on Mahe Island at Anse Aux Pins near Turtle Bay (south, see map from this site). Other options would be the Les Pieds dans L'Eau Holiday Apartments (reviews), which is further down the Island in the middle of Anse Royale, or La Villa Seychelles Holiday Apartment (reviews) up on the northern point of Mahe Island.

Once you arrive at your apartment or guest house, you can just relax and explore the neighborhood around your place.

1st night on Mahe Island in Seychelles.
Stay at Triskell, La Villa Seychelles, or Les Pieds dans L'Eau.

  Day 5 Sunday Seychelles. A day for snorkeling and playing at the beaches. You might drive around to some of the best beaches on the island, depending on the winds and ocean currents. You might visit Port Launay, Intendance, Police Bay, Beau Vallon, and Anse Royale. You might even take a boat out to Cerf Island. 2nd night on Mahe Island in Seychelles.
  Day 6 Monday

Seychelles. This would be a good day to explore Mahe Island. You could visit the Botanical Gardens on the south side of the town of Victoria. You might want to take a peak at a small museum, the National Museum of History.

3rd night on Mahe Island in Seychelles.
  Day 7 Tuesday

You have the morning and early afternoon on Mahe Island, and then you leave in late afternoon. You might take your car back to the car rental place and then spend several more hours in Victoria, waiting until later in the afternoon to go to the airport. Flight from Mahe Island to Reunion (on the way to Mauritius), departs in the afternoon, around 5:30 p.m. and arrives in Reunion at 8:10 p.m.

If you have winter coats all packed in a bag you brought with you, and if you are going to stay in the same hotel or guest house for your last night in Seychelles when you will again be on Mahe Island, you might be able to leave your winter clothing with the guest house or host.

Your flight will go to Saint-Denis on Reunion, and then you don't fly out until the following day at 2:30 p.m. to get to Mauritius. This gives you a night in Reunion plus the morning and lunch on Wednesday in Saint Denis. From the airport, you may want to get a taxi if your plans for Wednesday are simple (a taxi into Saint-Denis to look around and then back to the hotel), but if you want to explore, you'll want to rent a car for a day:

Mercure Creolia Saint-Denis La Reunion Hotel (reviews), which is outside of town, but you could take a taxi into Saint Denis on Wednesday morning and spend a few hours there, then come back to the hotel to get your things and head out to the airport.

Hotel Austral (reviews), which is in the town, and a bit less expensive (and less luxurious).

MERCURE CRÉOLIA SAINT-DENIS LA RÉUNION HOTEL

 Night in Reunion.
  Day 8 Wednesday

Your flight from Reunion to Mauritius leaves around 2:30 p.m., so you have the morning to explore a bit.
If you have rented a car, you can go up to the interior to take short hikes in the Reunion National Park and see the Roche Ecrite massif, or perhaps seek out some of the waterfalls in the northern section of the island. The roads up into the park (D-42, Chemin des Frangipaniers, Chemin de la Roche Ecrite) are narrow, and extremely winding and twisty, but you needn't go deep into the interior to see some forest or walk on some trails. The northern part of Reunion has many things to see and do. It helps if you speak at least some French. Less remote is the Moka Fontaine and Moka de Palmas along Riviere des Pluies in Sainte Marie.
Without a car, you can still walk around Saint Denis, and that should be able to keep you entertained for three or four hours.

Get back to the airport around 1:00 p.m., and get ready for the onward flight to Mauritius. The flight leaves at 2:30 p.m. and arrives in Mauritius at 3:10 p.m.

In Mauritius, the first thing you'll do after clearing customs is get to your hotel. You might rent a car or you might rely on your hotel to provide you a ride. You might stay at:

Pingouinvillas Holiday Rentals (reviews) at Blue Bay near Mahebourg and the airport.

Or, Tyvabro Guest House (reviews) in Mahebourg, right in the town.

Or, Maison Papaye (reviews) in La Gaulette, on the southern west coast of the island, about 40 minutes from the airport. You'll certainly want to rent a car if you stay here.

 1st night in Mauritius.
  Day 9 Thursday 2nd day in Mauritus. Snorkeling, swimming, playing on the beach, exploring the island.

2nd night in Mauritius.

  Day 10 Friday

3rd day in Mauritius. Snorkeling, swimming, playing on the beach, exploring the island. You will have a good time. There are many things to do.

 3rd night in Mauritius.
  Day 11 Saturday

Return to Seychelles on a flight. It seems flights back to Seychelles only go on Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. If you used Air Seychelles and didn't do a stop in Reunion, your flight is in the late afternoon, perhaps departing around 5:00 p.m. and getting to Mahe Island in Seychelles around 7:40 p.m. If you flew on Air Austral and visited Reunion on the way down, your flight leaves earlier, around 12:20 p.m., and you'll connect through Reunion again (but with only a 90 minute or 1 hour layover), and get to Mahe Island by 3:50 p.m.

You have the morning, at any rate, to do some more snorkeling and exploring of Mauritius.

When you get to Mahe Island, you should just continue on to Praslin Island with a connecting flight (on Air Seychelles). You could take a 5:00 p.m. flight (if you came on Air Austral) or there might be a connecting night flight if you actually flew from Mauritius on Air Seychelles.

You'll then arrive on Praslin Island in the Seychelles around 5:15 p.m. (or later, if you flew Air Seychelles), so you then go to your hotel. Choices include:

Le Duc de Praslin (reviews) near the Cote d'Or Beach.

Jardin Marron (reviews) between Anse Boudin and Anse Takamaka.

Britannia Hotel-Guest House (reviews) near airport and Grand Anse.

There is good public transportation on Praslin (four routes run by the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation), but you might want the freedom of renting a car, especially if you plan to eat out in restaurants at night. The island is small enough that bike rental makes sense as well.

 1st night on Praslin Island in Seychelles
  Day 12 Sunday A full day on Praslin Island 2nd night on Praslin Island in Seychelles
  Day 13 Monday

A second full day on Praslin Island

 3rd night on Praslin Island in Seychelles
  Day 14 Tuesday

Today you will travel from Praslin Island to La Digue Island, taking a half-hour ferry. Ferrys depart at 10:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., or 3:30 p.m. (there are also earlier and later ferries). La Digue offers a range of lodging options. You might choose:

La Digue Island Lodge (reviews)

L'union Beach Chalets (reviews)

Birgo Guest House (reviews)

 1st night on La Digue Island.
  Day 15 Wednesday

First full day on La Digue Island. There are organized activities you can pay to attend. Or, you can just walk around, bike around, and play wherever you like.

 2nd night on La Digue Island.
  Day 16 Thursday

Second full day on La Digue Island.

3rd night on La Digue Island.
  Day 17 Friday

At some point today, take ferry back to Praslin Island. If you prefer La Digue over Praslin, take the 3:30 p.m. ferry so you have more time in La Digue. If you want more time on Praslin, take the morning ferry at 9:30 a.m., which will give you more time on Praslin. From Praslin you will take an afternoon flight back to Mahe Island, Then take your return flight from Praslin to Mahe. Your flight back could be the 5:15 p.m. or 6:15 p.m. departure from Praslin (arriving in Mahe Island at 5:30 or 6:30 p.m.).

Once on Mahe Island, you again have your choice of where to stay: Triskell guest house(reviews), the Les Pieds dans L'Eau Holiday Apartments (reviews), or La Villa Seychelles Holiday Apartment (reviews). Some of these places require a three night stay, but as you will have already stayed at one of these places three nights at the beginning of your time in the islands, the owners may allow this single night as a fourth night. If not, there are other places on Mahe that do not require minimum stays.

4th night on Mahe Island.
  Day 18 Saturday

Although you leave the Seychelles and fly back to London tonight, you still have the better part of the day on Mahe Island. This gives you a last chance to enjoy the coral reefs, the beaches, the forests, and slow, quiet pace of life.

Head over to the airport around 4:00 p.m., possibly having a late lunch or an early dinner before you go. If you have left your winter coats with someone on Mahe Island during your first stay here, remember to pick them up before you fly back to London (or Paris). By now it may already be January, and the weather in Europe is likely to be much colder.

Flight departing Praslin Island on Seychelles departs for London at 6:20 p.m.

 Night on flight from Seychelles to London.
  Day 19 Sunday

Arrive from Seychelles at 9:10 a.m.

As flights on Air Seychelles can be considerably delayed or unpredictable, the plan is to go into London and spend a day there, continuing on to North America on the following day. You could stay at Caring Hotel, Tutor Court, or Lancaster Hall.

Afternoon in London.

 Night in London.
  Day 20 Monday Flights back from London typically leave in the morning. If you have a 9:00 a.m. return flight, you'll be leaving your hotel around 6:00 a.m. and hopping on the Heathrow Express at Paddington Station around 6:30 a.m. Assuming you have a connecting flight to reach you home airport or destination, you should be able to arrive home by the late afternoon or early evening. Arrive home in the evening.
 

Costs. (Day, expense, Cost in 2011 U.S. Dollars, Cost in percent of median year-round full-time income)
(Thus 1,080 Myrfti is 10.8% of a median year-round full-time American income, while 230 Myrfti is 2.3% of median year-round full-time income. To convert costs into current dollars, simply multiply the costs in the far right column times the current median year-round full-time American income, and you'll have an idea of current costs. Otherwise, use a Consumer Price Inflation adjustment to 2011 with the dollar figures. The resulting cost estimates should be similar, at least if travel costs and incomes have matched inflation).
The two-person prices assume an adult couple sharing a bed, and the four-person costs assume a family of four with two children aged between 12 and 17. These Myrftis numbers were calculated in 2011 with an estimated median year-round full-time earning of $45,000.
  Days 1 & 20

Flight from Midwest to London. Round-trip ticket.
In 2011 December flights were over $900, but under $1000, or approximately 210 myrfti. Long searching comparing costs between direct tickets from North America to the Indian Ocean to the costs of RT flights between North America and Europe plus RT flights from Europe to the Indian Ocean suggests it is almost always less expensive to fly into London or Paris (or Milan), and then fly from there to the Indian Ocean, rather than purchasing direct tickets to the Indian Ocean. This allows a bit of jet lag adjustment in Europe, rather than in the Seychelles.

2 persons $1,880
4 persons $3,760

2 persons 418 Myrftis
4 persons 836 Myrftis
  Day 2-3

Total costs while in London.
There is an express from London Heathrow (LHR) into Paddington (London). One can connect from the express train into public transport such as the London Underground or busses. Initial expenses in London are calculated as transport costs, two lunches, one dinner, and one breakfast. Jet lag will make it unlikely that you will want to get a London Pass and see much on Day 2 in London.
Each person pays 6.5 myrfti for food, 3.6 myrfti for an Oyster card worth 5 trips within zone 1 in London public transportation, 2.3 myrfti for admission to an attraction such as Apsley House, and 12 myrfti for the expess round trip LHR to Paddington.

2 persons $215
4 persons $430
2 persons 47.7
4 persons 95.5
  Day 2 One night in a London hotel. As the express train goes to Paddington from Heathrow, the hotels I suggest are near Paddington.
The Caring Hotel (reviews)
The Tudor Court Hotel (reviews) 2 persons 36 myrfti, 4 persons 58 myrfti.
The Lancaster Hall Hotel (reviews) 2 persons 31 myrfti.

2 persons $150
4 persons $205
2 persons 33
4 persons 45
  Days 3 & 18

Round-trip tickets between London (LHR) and Mahe Island (SEZ).
Air Seychelles is not the best airline serving this route, but it has the best flights, because its flights are nonstop, and far, far less expensive than alternative airlines. The flights on Air Seychelles are overnight, departing at about 6:20 p.m. and arriving around 10:05 a.m. Costs in 2011 were just under 700 British Pounds.

2 persons $2,276
4 persons $4,553
2 persons 506
4 persons 1012
  Days 4-7 Three nights in a guest house or self-catering apartment on Mahe Island. I suggest a choice from one of these three:
Triskell at Anse Aux Pins (includes breakfasts)
La Villa Seychelles Holiday Apartment 2 persons 145 myrfti, 4 persons 193 myrfti.
Les Pieds dans L'Eau Holiday Apartments 2 persons 145 myrfti, 4 persons 252 myrfti.

2 persons $392
4 persons $783
2 persons 87
4 persons 174
  Days 4-7 Your costs living for a few days on Mahe Island.
Triskell and La Villa offer breakfast included with the rates, but you pay extra a Les Pieds dans L'Eau. I assume you buy most of your food at a grocery store and prepare your own meals for breakfast, dinner, and snacks, or eat cheap carry-out food, and so those meals are budgeted at 2 myrfti per person per meal. The four lunches are budgeted at an average of 4 myrfti per meal per person. Also I'm assuming you'll have a 3-day car rental and purchase a tank of gas. I'm also Also budgeting 10 myrfti per person for other expenses.

2 persons $573
4 persons $916
2 persons 127
4 persons 204
  Days 7, 8, & 11

Flight from Mahe Island in Seychelles to Mauritius via Reunion.

The options for this flight in 2011 are either Air Seychelles, which flies directly to Mauritius, or Air Austral. Air Austral stops in Reunion, and I'm proposing to take that flight that stops in Reunion with an 18 hour layover, which will give you time to see a little bit of that island. Also, by flying on Air Austral you will arrive back on Mahe earlier enough to just catch an onward flight to Praslin Island, whereas Air Seychelles flights from Mauritius seem to arrive too late for the direct connection. However, flying on Air Austral increases the cost of the flights significantly (140% more than flying directly on Air Seychelles). Flights from Mahe Island to Mauritius or Reunion depart only on Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

2 persons $1414
4 persons $2828
2 persons 314
4 persons 628
  Day 7

Night in hotel in Saint Denis, Reunion
at the Mercure Creolia Saint-Denis La Reunion Hotel (reviews)
or at the Hotel Austral (reviews) 2 persons 27.3 myrfti, 4 persons 54.6 myrfti.

2 persons $230
4 persons $403
2 persons 51.1
4 persons 89.6
  Days 6-7 Costs in Reunion. These include transport from the airport to your hotel if you stay at Hotel Austral (transportation from and to the airport is included with the room rate at Mercure Creolia Saint-Denis La Reunion, but then from that hotel you would want a taxi to take you into Saint Denis and then another one to bring you back to the hotel, so the costs are approximately equal). Also a breakfast and lunch in Reunion. And, any incidental costs.

2 persons $116
4 persons $146
2 persons 26
4 persons 32.5
  Days 7-11 Three nights in hotel or guest house in Mauritius.

Pingouinvillas Holiday Rentals (reviews) at Blue Bay near Mahebourg and the airport.

Or, Tyvabro Guest House (reviews) in Mahebourg, right in the town. 2 persons 24 myrfti, 4 persons 48 myrfti.

Or, Maison Papaye (reviews) in La Gaulette, on the southern west coast of the island, about 40 minutes from the airport. You'll certainly want to rent a car if you stay here. 2 persons 63 myrfti, 4 persons 106 myrfti.

2 persons $240
4 persons $261
2 persons 53.2
4 persons 58
  Days 7-11 Expenses in Mauritius. This includes 3 breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. I assume you rent a car for three days and buy gas or else you have your hosts drive you around on a tour, which I'm assuming costs the same as a car rental. I'm also calculating 15 myrfti per person for other expenses.

2 persons $720
4 persons $1070
2 persons 160
4 persons 240
  Days 11 & 17 Flight between Mahe Island and Praslin Island. There is a ferry, and it is cheaper, but it takes three hours, and if you are prone to sea-sickeness, you'll be better off with the 15 minute flight.

2 persons $454
4 persons $908
2 persons 101
4 persons 202
  Days 11-14 Three nights in hotel or guest house on Praslin Island.

Le Duc de Praslin (reviews) near the Cote d'Or Beach.

Jardin Marron (reviews) between Anse Boudin and Anse Takamaka. 2 persons 120 myrfti, 4 persons 205 myrfti.

Britannia Hotel-Guest House (reviews) near airport and Grand Anse. 2 persons 115 myrfti, 4 persons 225 myrfti.

2 persons $1,065
4 persons $1,740
2 persons 240
4 persons 390
  Days 11-14 Expenses in Praslin Island. This includes 3 breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. I assume you rent a bikes, uses busses, and only rent a car for one day (and buy gas for that one day). I'm also calculating 20 myrfti per person for other expenses, which will include admission to the National Park.

2 persons $720
4 persons $1070
2 persons 160
4 persons 240
  Days 14 & 17 Ferry between Praslin Island and La Digue Island.

2 persons $76
4 persons $151
2 persons 17
4 persons 34
  Days 14-17 Expenses in La Digue Island. This includes 3 breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. I assume you rent a bikes. I'm also calculating 10 myrfti per person for other expenses, which might include an organized event like a nature hike or guided snorkeling trip.

2 persons $260
4 persons $520
2 persons 58
4 persons 116
  Days 14-17 Three nights in hotel or guest house on La Digue Island.

La Digue Island Lodge (reviews)

L'union Beach Chalets (reviews) 2 persons 280 myrfti, 4 persons 320 myrfti.

Birgo Guest House (reviews) 2 persons 112 myrfti, 4 persons 224 myrfti.

2 persons $1,200
4 persons $1,400
2 persons 270
4 persons 310
  Days 17-18 Costs on the day you go from La Digue to Mahe and the costs on your last day in Seychelles, until you get on your flight to London, assuming 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches and 1 dinner, transport on Praslin and Mahe Island, and about 15 myrfti for souvenirs.

2 persons $250
4 persons $500
2 persons 56
4 persons 111
  Days 17-18

One night on Mahe Island

Triskell at Anse Aux Pins (includes breakfasts)
La Villa Seychelles Holiday Apartment 2 persons 48 myrfti, 4 persons 84 myrfti.
Les Pieds dans L'Eau Holiday Apartments 2 persons 48 myrfti, 4 persons 64 myrfti.

2 persons $130
4 persons $261
2 persons 29
4 persons 58
  Days 19-20 One night in a London hotel. As the express train goes to Paddington from Heathrow, the hotels I suggest are near Paddington.
The Caring Hotel (reviews)
The Tudor Court Hotel (reviews) 2 persons 36 myrfti, 4 persons 58 myrfti.
The Lancaster Hall Hotel (reviews) 2 persons 31 myrfti.

2 persons $150
4 persons $205
2 persons 45
4 persons 89
  Days 19-20 Expenses in London. Including the Heathrow Express, one lunch, one dinner, and some money for souvenirs.

2 persons $200
4 persons $400
2 persons 7
4 persons 15
  Days 1-20 Total costs estimated.
For two adults this trip costs 28.1% of what a median American full-time year-round worker earns in a year. For a family with two adults and two teen-agers the trip costs about 49.8% of the median full-time year-round annual income. A family with one income earner making the median year-round full-time income could save 9% of their income each month and have enough saved up after five years to pay for this.

2 persons $12,630
4 persons $22,410
2 persons 2,806
4 persons 4,980
   

To afford a vacation like this every five years, a typical family budget for a family earning 120% of the median year-round full-time income (about $48,500 in 2011, close to the median household income) might allocate money in this way each month:

Housing and utilities: 25% ($1010 per month)
All taxes: 15% ($605 per month)
Groceries, food, and household supplies: 11% ($445 per month)
Car expenses: 9% ($365 per month)
Savings for a trip like this every five years: 7.5% ($305 per month)
Savings for retirement: 7% ($280 per month)
Savings for children's college expenses: 6.5% ($265 per month)
Health insurance and health care expenses: 5% ($200 per month)
Other entertainment, Internet, travel, cable television, movies, etc.: 4% ($160 per month)
Miscellaneous other expenses: 4% ($160 per month)
Clothing: 3.5% ($140 per month)
Charitable giving: 2.5% ($100 per month)

  
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