Imagine Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands unrivaled in beauty, lying like precious stones in the Indian Ocean, with their white sand beaches, rich tropical forests, and colorful coral reefs-what it promises to give to one and all, be it a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or a seeker of silence.
This 10-day Seychelles tour will take one along and across Seychelles-from the very busy Victoria down to the tranquil beaches of Praslin Island, no less. Catch a glimpse of the stunning scenery and steep yourself in the vibrant cultural tapestry of this island paradise.
Day 1-3: Mahe
Day 1: Arrival and Exploration of Victoria
Morning: Arrivals at Seychelles International Airport. Hotel/ hostel reservation ranges from five-star luxurious resorts to simpler but pleasing guest houses. Full currency exchange facilities available; US$1 is approximately equal to 13 Seychellois Rupees (SCR).
Afternoon: Take a gentle tour of Victoria, the smallest of world capitals, and drive past the lively Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market lined with local spices, fruits and crafts on sale. Have lunch at one of your local cafes. Approx cost of an excellent lunch: around US$ 10-15.
Even dinner at a seascite restaurant, eating fresh seafood and having fun watching the evening sunset. The average estimated cost for such dinner is about US$ 20-30 per head.
Day 2: Beach day and Hiking
Morning: The most famous Mahé’s beach – Beau Vallon Beach, where you may swim, go snorkeling or just lay in the sun. You can rent snorkeling gear on the beach for approximately US$ 10 per day.
Afternoon: Do some hiking in Morne Seychellois National Park. There are many kinds of trails, from easy walking to challenging hikes, with a view of lush greenery and unmatched views across the archipelago in this park.
Evening: Return to Victoria; dinner at any of the many local restaurants serving Creole cuisine; meals available from $15 – 25 per head.
Day 3: Cultural Insider
Morning: The Seychelles National Museum in Victoria gives insight into the history and culture of the islands. Entry fees are about 5 dollars.
Afternoon: Attend a class in Creole cooking to learn the preparation of typical dishes such as fish curry and ladob. Classes cost about $50 per person for a truly tasty active cultural experience.
Evening: End the day with Seychellois folk music and the cultural show. Entrance tickets are averagely from 20 to 30 US dollars, but it promises to be very colorful.
Day 4-6: Praslin and La Digue
Day 4: Onward Transfer to Praslin
Morning: Take the ferry from Mahé to Praslin. The ferry ride in itself gives striking views of the ocean at approximately $50 per person return. It takes an estimated one hour of time where on the way you will see the beautiful Indian Ocean.
Afternoon: Arrive and immediately start your tour to the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve – a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s synonymous with the endemic Coco de Mer and the largest population of existing natural palm forests of Seychelles. Entrance fee: approx. US$ 25. Take the peaceful trails and look out for the rare birds, among them the Seychelles Black Parrot.
Evening: Arrive at the accommodation facility. Accommodation facilities on Praslin Island range from luxury resorts to simple beach-side bungalows. Dinner at the hotel or any other nearby restaurant: Costs around 20-30 dollars per head in an average restaurant.
Day 5: At leisure – Anse Lazio
Day Long: Hit Anse Lazio, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. One could spend a whole day there, snorkelling, swimming, and sunbathing. There are amenities right on the beach that include loungers and umbrellas for about 10USD each.
Evening: Beach barbecue. In barbecue, there are sea foods and meat. It would cost just $ 30-40 for a beach barbecue with drinks per head.
Day 6: La Digue Island Tour
Take the morning short ferry across to La Digue- islands, costing about US$ 15 return; then hire a bike at about US$ 8 and take your time to explore the island.
Afternoon: Anse Source d’Argent is famous because of its bizarre rock formation and crystal-clear turquoise water. Entrance fee to this place is about 10 USD. Continuing the cycling in La Digue via traditional villages; stoppage in local artisan shops:.
Evening: Transfer back to Praslin. Dinner at a local restaurant serving traditional dishes, including octopus curry; meals from approximately $25 per person.
Day 7-9: Outer Islands and Marine Parks
DAY 7: DAY AT SEA
Day Long: Take a day-long boat tour to surrounding islands like Cousin, Curieuse or St Pierre. Full-day boat charters inclusive guide can be hired starting from about US$ 100 per head. Snorkel in the crystal clear waters and see a host of underwater life.
Evening: Take some time to unwind at your hotel following the day at sea or take an easy dinner at a local restaurant at approximately $20 per person.
Day 8: Day at Leisure
Day Long: This is a great time to take it easy and enjoy what your resort has in store. Most resorts have spa treatments available as low as $50, yoga classes by the beach, or even a game of golf with green fees from $70.
Dinner: They can take dinner at the in-house restaurant of the resort, which would be a fine dining experience at around $ 30-50 per head.
Day 9: Touring Marine Park
Half-day morning entrance and guided tours in the Sainte Anne Marine National Park for about US$ 30 per person for guided kayaking and snorkeling around colorful coral reefs and clear waters containing such lively marine life.
Afternoon: Continuation of marine park exploration or extra water sporting activities-extra water sporting activities provided in the area on standby, such as paddleboarding or windsurfing, at equipment rental prices averaging $20.
Evenings are at Praslin. During your last evening on the island, embark on a Sundowner cruise. It costs approximately $50 per person for cruises including snacks and drinks.
Day 10: Return and Reflections
Morning: Have the last few hours in Seychelles having a lazy breakfast at your hotel. You can have a buffet at around 15-20 dollars per person. When you are done with your breakfast, go out for some last minute shopping in Victoria. You could buy some local handicrafts and other local souvenirs like nuts of Coco de mer or some handmade jewelry.
The prices of the souvenirs are always very reasonable, from $5 for the tiny gadgets up to maybe $100 for those more special pieces of art.
Late Morning: Visiting a local café for the final treat of the delectable Creole meal of local delicacy by having a light meal and a glass of cold juice for about $ 10-15.
Afternoon: Plan your transfer to the airport. The cost will be about US$ 20-30 from the major areas on Mahé depending on where you are staying. Make sure you leave enough time for check-in and security procedures at Seychelles International Airport.
Conclusion
Thus, the last ten days were not a holiday in Seychelles but a high-energy journey of discovery through beautiful and peaceful island ways-from lush trails of Morne Seychellois National Park to the crystal blue waters of Anse Lazio, it was a tale of new adventure and serene moments unfolding every day. Cultural experiences amongst the local villages, flavors of Creole food, have already enriched your perception about this island nation.
Leaving Seychelles, you will remember that it is truly much more than just a destination-living, pulsing, lively, and alive-offering something rather not so easily available: plenty of nature and combined deep culture. Every second in Seychelles contributed to an all-round travel experience of this nation-from snorkeling adventure in glass-like waters to the serenity of a yoga session while the sun sets down on the beach, to the excitement of discovering local art. We entice every reader of ours not only to see this land as a place of arrival but as a conduit to go out into the open and experience the tenderness of nature, well complemented by human hospitality. Book your travel, set your luggage in order, and behold the magic-the magic of Seychelles-unravel. Allow inspiration to be instigated in your heart, as in many hearts, and create memories and tales to be told for years to come. Travel safely, meantime, while continuing to explore all the wonders of our world.
