The Bucket Listers

We all have that mental list of things we must do and the places we must visit within our lifetime. For most people, the Seychelles usually tick several of these boxes, with unique and relatively isolated destinations, flora and fauna.

Patricia Schultz’s book, A 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, is a cult classic with avid travellers and could be seen as the quintessential bucket list. In it, Seychelles is mentioned four times: the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aldabra, Enchanted Island, La Digue Island and Sainte Anne Marine National Park. Featuring two of these places, with the third as an optional add-on, you cannot go wrong with this itinerary. Of course, we couldn’t stop there…

Putting this suggested itinerary together, we have taken into account exclusivity, remoteness, natural splendour and enough optional activities so you can choose how busy or relaxed you want to be at any given time.

Like with all our suggested itineraries, these are just some of our personal recommendations which can be personalised and tailored to your specific bucket list and requirements.

Day One:

Arrive at Victoria Airport, Mahé.  You will be transferred to the Zil Air lounge for your 15 minute helicopter transfer to Cousine Island. Cousine Island Seychelles is an exclusive and intimate resort catering to a maximum of eight people, for travellers seeking total immersion in nature, with luxurious service. Nature thrives and man is just a silent observer on this 25 hectare island 6 kilometres west of Praslin. The resort – the only development on the island - helps fund its restoration project to return the island’s ecology to its original, pre-colonial state and to make the island a haven for endemic birds and sea turtles. By staying on Cousine Island the guests contribute to the funding needed to secure its future, with all funds generated from the Villas being used to run the island and to ensure the long-term sustainability of conservation. Their first priority is the natural environment and the island lives by its mission to promote and practice nature conservation. The hotel thereby blends into its environment and is recognised nationally and internationally as one of the most ecologically important private islands in the world.

Your stay at Cousine Island Seychelles includes the following:

• Three meals daily.
• All taxes.
• Kayaks.
• Snorkelling.
• Guided walks with the conservation officers on a daily basis.
• Hands-on cooking lesson with the chef.
• Access to the gym facility.
• Partaking in Cousine Island’s tree planting program.

Day Two to Three:

Your time on Cousine Island is all about relaxation and getting a feel for the Seychelles. Explore the beautiful beaches, lounge next to the pool, and have some wonderfully fruity concoctions in the sun. Go on one of the complimentary walks offered by the resort to get more information about the island, its fauna and flora, as well as the various conservation programs being run on the island. Whilst a full island tour takes about 2 hours, the walks range from about 45 minutes to the full 2-hour hike. Keep your inner foodie happy with the resort’s no-menu concept, with chefs preparing a tailor-made meal plan for each guest.

Day Four:

Now that you have had the opportunity to settle into the slow pace of island life, it is time to bid farewell to Cousine Island Seychelles and get ready for the next adventure. Your helicopter transfer will take you to La Digue Island, the fourth-biggest island in the Seychelles Archipelago, and more specifically, to Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie, where the tropical setting allows for a haven of peace and serenity, providing the perfect location for a private and stress-free retreat. This boutique hotel has 55 villas nestled in the idyllic setting of luxuriant gardens. Open-air bathrooms, generous living space and the highly refined Zen interiors of the villas set in an enchanting surrounding await you. Ideally suited to the most reclusive, your Villa de Charme "Élégance" is carefully located to offer seclusion and reflects the deep spirit of Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie in a pure Zen style, with outdoor shower, private whirlpool and a special Jacuzzi bath. Enjoy a unique island style experience to the full in a warm and inviting space where flawless attention to detail is provided.

Your stay at Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie includes the following:

• Breakfast and dinner daily.
• Complimentary use of hotel bicycles.
• Snorkelling.
• Free Internet facilities in the public areas.

Activities are included in this itinerary as follows: 

• 1 x half-day Vallée de Mai excursion

Day Five:

Whilst the daily pace is already slower in the Seychelles than what you are used to, La Digue is the epitome of taking things slow. The best way to explore La Digue is by bicycle or by ox-cart. Do stop off at Anse Source d’Argent, one of the most spectacular beaches in the world, to photograph the impressive granite rock formations. The pink sand beaches, ideal for sun-bathing, are formed in crescents and separated by gigantic granite boulders whilst the surrounding reef provides for ample snorkelling opportunities. Grand Anse on La Digue is also well worth the bicycle ride to get there. Taking in the crystal-clear, turquoise water with the soft, white sand between your toes, there will be no doubt that you are in paradise.

Day Six:

Today you will have an early morning departure, to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vallée de Mai. A 30-minute ferry from La Digue will bring you to the second biggest island in the archipelago, Praslin Island. Upon arrival you will be met by our representatives and transferred to the Vallée de Mai, home to the endemic species of the Coco de Mer as well as the other five species of endemic palm, the only place in the Seychelles where they are all found together. The Coco de Mer is a palm that can grow up to 30 meters in length and is known for having the largest seed in the world, weighing up to 18 kilograms. There has also been a rich body of legend which has developed around the species. For instance, in the 19th century the British General Gordon produced detailed 'proof' that the Vallée de Mai was the Garden of Eden and that the Coco de Mer was the tree of knowledge, giving the area religious significance. Located in a valley in the heart of Praslin National Park, an area which was untouched until the 1930s and still retains primeval palm forest in a near- natural state, the Vallée de Mai is also home to the endemic (and endangered) black parrot, which is totally dependent on the existence of the surrounding palm forest. You will have a 90 minute tour of the Vallée de Mai before being transferred back to the ferry terminal to make your way back to La Digue. In the afternoon you could spend some time in the amazing Eden Rock Wellness Centre & Spa. Located on a peak surrounded by massive granite rocks, each corner of the spa offers magnificent views over the sparkling lagoon, as well as its own range of wellness products, Nourished by Nature, containing some of the exotic fragrances of the. Eden Rock has been designed as a refined haven of relaxation with single or double massage rooms and a hamam, and invites you on a journey to rejuvenate. Massages are inspired by worldwide traditions and rituals to restore your body and soul.

Day Seven:

Pack your bags to explore another part of paradise, namely Denis Island! You will be transferred to the airport in time for your afternoon helicopter flight to Mahé, where you will connect to your flight to Denis Island. Approximately 230 kilometres away from the main island of Mahé, Denis Island is reachable by a scenic 40 minute flight. As you approach overhead and see the 6 kilometre stretch of island, strewn with coconut trees, you will know you’ve reached the ultimate paradise. As part of the outer islands, Denis Island is one of the most remote luxury destinations in the Seychelles, and all the more spectacular for it. The epitome of exclusivity and luxury, Denis Island was voted by Forbes in the Top 10 Remote Hotels of the World and by Sunday Times Travel Magazines’ Top 100 Hotels in the World. Undisturbed solitude and freedom awaits! Your Luxury Beach Suite is nestled within a tropical forest, just metres from the white sandy beaches. Each Luxury Beach Suite has a private plunge pool, single en-suite bedroom and a sea-facing deck offering intimate island accommodation for couples. The en-suite bathroom with bath plus indoor and outdoor showers, forms part of an indigenous garden.

Your stay at Denis Island includes the following:

• Three meals daily: most nights guests are offered a 5 course menu, but this is interspersed with themed evenings such as Creole nights (including entertainment by local island dancers) or Japanese nights showcasing the Sushi Chef’s demonstration of live cooking using the freshest ingredients.
• All taxes.
• Tea and Coffee in your room.
• All non-motorised land and water activities.
• Tennis.
• Billiards.
• Bicycles.
• Tours of the island, the farm and estate.
• Complimentary internet, indoor games and a television in the library

Day Eight:

The quiet serenity of your surroundings are sure to assist you in starting off your day with complete and utter peace of mind. Spend the day enjoying the remote tranquillity of this gorgeous island by bicycle, allowing it to slowly reveal its riches and mysteries. The lush and densely populated interior echo with the melodious trills and calls of numerous species of land and seabirds whilst giant tortoises meander along.

Day Nine to Ten:

After breakfast, why not get the accommodating staff to pack you a picnic basket and cycle to your favourite beach for some stunning snorkelling? The water is crystal clear, and after a short swim over turtle grass, the delights of the unspoiled waters around Denis Island awaits you.

With regular sites such as the endangered Hawksbill Turtle and the shy octopus, you might not want to leave the tropical waters. After enjoying your peaceful picnic on the beach with the warm turquoise water lapping at your toes, we would suggest packing up and heading to the spa for a massage; however you can just as easily while away the afternoon exploring some more of the island and interacting with the amazing giant Aldabra tortoises.

Day Eleven:

You have a final morning of bidding farewell to the pristine, palm-fringed beaches of Denis Island, before heading back to Mahé on an afternoon flight. Upon arrival at Mahé you will be transferred to the Mahé jetty, from where a quick 15-minute transfer will bring you to Round Island, home to the luxurious Enchanted Island Resort. A true testament to barefoot luxury, Enchanted Island is located within the Sainte Anne Marine Park so you are assured to discover some of the world’s most colourful marine life on your doorstep. Your accommodation will be in a Private Pool Villa just steps from the pristine beach and comes complete with an infinity pool located on the private deck, outdoor rain shower, French bathtub and a private garden.

Your stay at Enchanted Island includes the following:

• Three meals daily.
• All taxes.
• Complimentary Wi-Fi.
• Tea and Coffee in your villa.
• Gym.
• Snorkelling equipment (masks, snorkels and fins).
• Kayaks.
• Twice daily boat trip to and from Mahé Island.

Day Twelve to Thirteen:

Spend your days snorkelling or kayaking, exploring the spectacular Marine Park and getting to know its underwater residents. Do check the tide table with the staff, as this would affect snorkelling conditions. Sample the amazing local Creole dishes and fresh seafood, and of course enjoying a muscle-melting spa treatment. If you are so inclined, enjoy a romantic 3 course à la carte dinner on the beach, followed by a nightcap under a canopy of stars in the Castaway Bar.

Day Fourteen:

After having had the opportunity to cross off a few items on your bucket list, you have now reached the end of your trip. Not to worry if you are nearing the end of the list – there are still another 111 islands to explore in the Seychelles Archipelago when you next come and visit!

The Cost Breakdown

This itinerary starts from: € 10,594.50 per person.

Optional Add-on:

Complete this once in a lifetime trip with an optional add-on to the Aldabra Atoll, the largest raised coral atoll in the world, comprising more than a dozen islands bordering a lagoon so vast the whole of Mahé could fit inside its perimeter. It is situated 1,150 kilometres southwest of Mahé, a natural wonder almost completely untouched by humans for thousands of years.

The four main islands are built form coral limestone, separated by narrow passages and encircling a shallow lagoon. Inside this lagoon is a spectacle of natural phenomena including many smaller islands, whilst the entire outside of the atoll is surrounded by a fringing reef. The oceanic island ecosystem developed without human interruption, and the development of the different landforms has created several different marine habitats including coral reefs, sea-grass beds and mangrove mudflats. The land surface is mostly ancient coral reef that is about 125,000 years old and that has been continually raised above sea level.

Aldabra Atoll is a fascinating laboratory with over 400 endemic species and subspecies that include vertebrates, invertebrates and plants. There is a great diversity of landforms that support an assortment of island communities with the top of the food chain being, quite unusually, an herbivore i.e. the giant tortoise. The tortoises feed on the shrubbery and grasses, which have evolved a growing pattern in response to the tortoises grazing pattern. Although a few hundred Aldabra Tortoises were taken and settled on Curieuse and many hotels and private islands have started breeding and conservation programs for the tortoises, Aldabra Atoll is the last place in the Indian Ocean where these giants naturally occur, and it supports over 100,000 of them.

The atoll is also an important breeding ground for endangered Green Turtles and critically endangered Hawksbill Turtles. There are several large water bird colonies including one of only two existing oceanic flamingo populations and the second largest colony of Frigate Bird in the world. Additionally, the Coconut Crab (the largest land crab in the world) is also a local resident, as well as Hammerhead Sharks, Manta Rays and barracuda. In ancient times, the dominant land predator was the crocodilian Aldabrachampsus, a horned crocodile of which some remains from the Pleistocene were found on the island.

All visitors must be accompanied by an Aldabra staff member at all times and should keep to the defined areas. Visitors are not allowed to collect shells or to damage or interfere with the plants and animals.

With the optional add-on, you will be transferred from Mahé to Assumption Island by charter flight, from where you will be transferred to Aldabra by boat. You will spend the day on Aldabra before being transferred back to Assumption and then to Mahé, in time to connect to an evening departure flight.

Aldabra add-on from: € 10,645.00 per person.