Girls’ Trip to the Seychelles
Before the trip:The Seyvillas.com team provided us with a clear summary of all the important information in advance, so we were able to complete everything in good time. Applying for the travel authorisation was incredibly quick, and it arrived by email in well under 9 hours.
Organisation & transfers:
The travel arrangements were excellent. All transfers, whether by air, water or land, worked flawlessly. We were always collected on time. The local representatives contacted us in advance via WhatsApp, and whenever we had any questions, these were answered very quickly too.
Accommodation
22 July–30 July: 8 nights at the Beach Villa Guesthouse on Praslin. The owner gave us a very warm welcome with small damp towels to freshen up and a delicious welcome drink. The room was very clean, spacious and air-conditioned, with a wonderful view of the sea. Despite the seagrass, the beach is very beautiful and not overcrowded. There were also numerous baby rays to watch.
30 July–5 August: 6 nights at the Pension Michel on La Digue. The room was very clean, and the bed was beautifully decorated with towel animals and flowers. The property is not directly on the beach, but it is very attractively laid out. The garden is very well maintained. In the evenings, you can see numerous fruit bats enjoying themselves in the breadfruit tree. A small lounge is ideal for relaxing, and each room has a small terrace. On the day of departure, we were able to store our suitcases and have another shower before leaving. The staff at both hotels were very friendly and helpful. We received useful tips that helped us plan and enjoy our days perfectly.
Food
Breakfast at both hotels was always delicious. Every morning, each person received a fruit platter, with a choice of various egg dishes. Toast and jam were also served. On our first evening on Praslin, we accepted our host’s offer to cook for us at the Beach Villa Guesthouse. We had incredibly delicious fish with rice, Creole sauce and a salad. The prices were in line with the usual restaurant prices on the island. On our final evening on La Digue, we also took advantage of the dinner offered in the in-house restaurant at the Pension Michel. Here too, everything was lovingly prepared and cooked from scratch. The price of this menu was also around the island average. On the other evenings, we either tried one of the various takeaway options or went to a restaurant. On average, you should expect to pay €7–15 per portion at takeaway establishments and €15–25 per portion in restaurants.
Beaches, excursions & hikes
PraslinOn Praslin, we naturally visited Vallée de Mai National Park. As there is a public bus stop near the hotel, this was our preferred mode of transport. Every journey is a little adventure. The route winds uphill along a road that is not particularly wide. The journey does not take very long, and each trip costs SCR 12 per person, payable in cash or by card when boarding. We decided to take a guided tour of the national park. It lasts 1–1.5 hours and is very interesting and entertaining. You learn a great deal about the park’s flora, fauna and history. In total, we paid SCR 1,050 for 2 people, including admission, the guided tour and a tip for the guide. It is important to bring enough water, and closed shoes are recommended. Buses run rather infrequently on Sundays, but taxis pass by regularly.
We hiked the Salazie Track and the Pasquiere Track across the island. The Salazie trail leading to Anse Volbert (Cote d'Or) was very overgrown, so it was a case of ‘close your eyes and push through the jungle’. Sturdy footwear and plenty of water are essential. The first section is very steep; after that, the incline becomes gentler, but the terrain gets rougher. The path then descends through the forest and is much easier. Our efforts were well rewarded, however. Along the way, there are wonderful views of the sea and the surrounding islands, as well as beautiful plant life. When we arrived at Anse Volbert (Cote d'Or) around midday, it looked like something from a picture book – #nofilterneeded
The Pasquier Track is a little overgrown in places, but nothing compared with our hike along the Salazie Track. As it had rained several times the day before, the rocks were a little slippery, but nothing too concerning. Once at the top, you are rewarded with a breathtaking view. When we reached the main road at the bottom, we found ourselves directly opposite Anse Pasquiere.
Another recommended hike leads to Anse Lazio. We set off from the foot of Mount Plasir. The ascent is very steep for a short while, before crossing a ridge past Terrasse de Lazio and descending steeply towards a solitary house. Do not be misled: the path continues inconspicuously to the right of the house and down through a forest. From there, you are nearly there, and soon the first large rocks and the sea come into view. Anse Lazio consists of several small coves separated by large rocks that you can climb over. You can then find a lovely spot and begin your beach day with everything you could wish for. In the afternoon, we treated ourselves to a fresh coconut for SCR 50 each. We took the bus back in the late afternoon. We reached the bus stop on foot via the car park. The walk to the stop takes around 15–20 minutes and also includes a steep climb.
Anse Georgette is an absolute must-see. As the hiking trail between Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette has not been maintained for years, we were advised against attempting it. Instead, the hotel owner offered to call on our behalf and have us added to the visitor list. With 3 days’ notice, this was no problem. At the entrance, the rules are explained, you are given directions to the beach, and you have to sign a declaration. You are then allowed onto the grounds. The route is well signposted, and after around 20 minutes you arrive and catch your first glimpse of Praslin’s picture-perfect beach: a small bay with large, beautiful rocks, white sand and pale blue water.
Our absolute highlight on Praslin. At our hotel, we booked an excursion to the islands of Curieuse and St Pierre in the Curieuse Marine National Park. Guests from other hotels can book it too. It costs €100 per person and is worth the money. We set off by boat shortly after 9 in the morning, heading for Curieuse, the tortoise island. It is a unique experience that should not be missed. We hiked across the island, and when we reached the other side, the crew were already waiting with a lovingly prepared barbecue. It was unbelievably delicious, and the table was beautifully laid. While the crew took care of the washing-up afterwards, we were able to enjoy the beach and feed the tortoises. After about an hour, we continued on our way. On the return journey, we also stopped for some snorkelling. It was a perfect excursion in every respect and a unique day that we will remember fondly for a long time.
La Digue:
Of course, we also did plenty of hiking on La Digue. We decided against using the most popular means of transport, the bicycle, and chose to explore on foot instead. We visited Anse Banane, Grand Anse, Petite Anse & Anse Cocos and Anse Caïman. The beaches are very beautiful, but not suitable for swimming at this time of year.
Hike to Nid d'Aigle (Eagle’s Nest) – reaching the summit of the highest mountain on La Digue was our goal for our penultimate day. With an elevation gain of 333 metres, this was no problem for us, being from the Alpine foothills. However, it should not be underestimated, as the elevation is covered over a short distance of 2.4 km and in high humidity. A concrete road leads up to the Belle Vue restaurant. The gradient is quite manageable. The road then ends and becomes a forest path with countless steps of varying heights. Eventually, there are no more steps, just a steep path over sandy forest ground and granite rocks. Once again, water, sturdy footwear and a sure footing are essential.
Our highlight on La Digue was the hike to Anse Marron – this is one place where you should follow the recommendations on travel websites and only set off with a guide. This ensures you arrive safely while learning a great deal about the island’s flora, fauna and history. You should definitely bring enough drinking water, swimwear, water shoes and sturdy footwear (we wore trainers, which worked perfectly). The hike follows the beaches, passes through the forest and leads over the rocks. Our guide was very attentive and helped us climb whenever necessary. Along the way, he told us about the animals, fruits, nuts, trees and rock formations we passed. Anse Marron is a beach with a ‘natural pool’. For a snack, we were given fruit in a handwoven basket. The tour costs €45 per person and is absolutely not to be missed. Children can take part too.
Conclusion
We will be back! The time of year was perfect for a holiday exploring the islands and relaxing on the beach. The temperatures were pleasantly warm, but not hot. We covered more than 200 km on foot, allowing us to experience the islands up close and discover their unique flora and fauna. The islanders are also very friendly and helpful. However, our next trip to the Seychelles will be in spring, as apparently the underwater world is much easier to explore at that time of year. We can wholeheartedly recommend booking through SeyVillas. The hotels matched their descriptions, and everything went perfectly.
