Seychelles
9 Nights · 10 Days

Land at SEZ on Mahé (all international flights arrive here). The airport is 30–45 min from most hotels. Buy a local SIM at the airport (Airtel or Cable & Wireless, ~SCR 250 for data SIM). Transfer to Beau Vallon for an evening swim at sunset — one of the safest, most beautiful swimming beaches in the Seychelles. Creole dinner at a beachside restaurant.

Morning: Victoria — the world's smallest capital city. Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market (best fresh tropical fruit and vegetables), Victoria Clock Tower (replica of Big Ben), Natural History Museum (free), Hindu Temple (free), Botanical Gardens (free — giant tortoises live here!). Afternoon: glass-bottom boat trip or snorkel excursion to Sainte Anne Marine Park — Mahé's oldest marine reserve, 5 min from Victoria, excellent coral and tropical fish. Return by sunset.

Early morning: Copolia Trail hike, Morne Seychellois National Park — 2.2 km (moderate, 1.5 hrs up), ends at a granite plateau with panoramic views of the entire archipelago. Coco de Mer palm forest on the way. Mid-morning: descend and drive south to Anse Intendance — wild, dramatic beach with powerful waves (swimming care required), dramatic granite backdrop, no tourist facilities. Pure, untouched. Late afternoon: Anse Royale (calmer, good for swimming). Pack for Praslin ferry tomorrow.

Morning Cat Cocos ferry from Victoria to Praslin (book in advance, especially in high season). On arrival: rent a car for Praslin (essential — taxis are expensive). Afternoon: Vallée de Mai — UNESCO World Heritage palm forest, the only place on Earth where the Coco de Mer grows wild in its original state. Walk the 1.5 km loop trail (1.5–2 hrs). The Coco de Mer produces the world's largest seed — 25 kg. Listen for the Seychelles Black Parrot (endemic). Sunset at Côte d'Or beach, the longest beach on Praslin.

FULL BEACH DAY on the finest beaches in the world. Morning: Anse Lazio — consistently ranked one of the world's top 10 beaches. Powdery white sand, turquoise water, huge granite boulders framing the bay. Snorkel around the granite rocks (turtles frequent this bay). Two beach restaurants. Afternoon: walk 20 min north to Anse Georgette — requires booking (technically Constance Lémuria resort beach, but public access via coastal path). Even more remote and pristine. Return via Fond Ferdinand nature reserve viewpoint.

Full-day boat trip from Anse Volbert (Côte d'Or). Curieuse Island — a protected national park 2 km from Praslin. Walk among wild Aldabra giant tortoises (hundreds roam freely, can be touched and fed). Former leper colony ruins. Mangrove forest walk. St Pierre islet — arguably the best snorkelling in the inner Seychelles (coral gardens, turtles, reef fish, parrotfish). Barbecue lunch served on the boat (alert operator: vegetarian meal required — all reputable operators can accommodate). Weather-dependent trip — book through guesthouse.

Short ferry from Praslin to La Digue (multiple sailings daily, 15–30 min). Hire bicycle immediately at the port. Afternoon: Anse Source d'Argent — the most photographed beach in the world. Enormous ancient granite boulders, impossibly turquoise water, sheltered shallow lagoon (perfect safe swimming). Ticket via L'Union Estate (working vanilla plantation — tour the copra mill and vanilla orchids en route). Sunset at the western shore with boulders silhouetted against the orange sky.

Full day cycling + hiking. Morning: cycle to Grand Anse (east coast, wild and dramatic, often empty) — 30 min easy cycle. Continue to Petite Anse (secluded) then Anse Cocos (requires 30 min trail hike from Grand Anse — the most remote and beautiful beach on La Digue, no facilities, absolute paradise). Bring water and snacks. Afternoon: return via the inner island road through vanilla plantation. Evening: La Passe village for Creole food, fresh coconut water, and the extraordinary slow pace of island life.

Morning: return to Anse Source d'Argent for a final swim among the boulders in the golden morning light. Visit the giant tortoises at L'Union Estate if not done. Ferry back to Praslin (15 min), connecting ferry to Mahé (75 min). Arrive Victoria late afternoon. Final Creole dinner at Marie Antoinette Restaurant (Mahé, hillside colonial house, legendary Creole set menu — vegetarian portions available on request). Overnight Mahé before departure.

Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) is 30–45 min from most Mahé hotels. Optional: final morning swim at Beau Vallon (2 km beach, gentle waves, safe swimming). Duty-free at SEZ is excellent for local rum, vanilla pods, Coco de Mer products, and Takamaka Rum. Take home a Coco de Mer souvenir — the world's largest seed.