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Beach huts in Mauritius

Indian Ocean tour ideas

Beach huts in Mauritius

If the thought of a trip to the Indian Ocean conjures up images of dreamy white beaches, turquoise seas and verdant forests rich in wildlife, you’ll find our sample itineraries offer invaluable inspiration on just where to go and what to do.

Devised by our Indian Ocean specialists and based on routes they know work particularly well, our tour ideas aim to show you what is possible, whether you dream of going island-hopping in the Seychelles, want to combine Sri Lanka’s temples with the beaches of the Maldives, hike through the mountains and forests of Mauritius or track lemurs in Madagascar. We’ll then tailor your trip to your interests, ensuring you get the most out of your time in the region.

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Ideas for your trip to the Indian Ocean

These itineraries are designed to give you some suggestions for what is possible when you travel in the Indian Ocean, and they showcase some of the routes that we've found work particularly well. Treat them simply as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely for you by one of our specialists based on your particular tastes and interests.

Indian Ocean tour ideas

Indian Ocean tour ideas

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Indian Ocean tour ideas

Indian Ocean tour ideas

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  • Lakaz Chamarel, Mauritius West Coast

    Boutique Mauritius

    Mauritius
    • Stay in luxurious boutique properties in Chamarel and Grand Baie.

    • Explore the coastline with pedalos or kayaks.

    • Relax on a peaceful beach.

    • Enjoy a meal overlooking the ocean.

    9 days from £2,750pp

  • Constance Belle Mare Plage, communal pool area

    Mauritius family getaway

    Mauritius
    • Relax and enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches on Mauritius.

    • Explore the island's coastline by kayak or canoe.

    • Savour the decadent cuisine and attention to detail in one of the hotel's seven restaurants.

    • Take advantage of the many children's activities at the Belle Mare Plage.

    10 days from £2,995pp

  • Le Morne beach, Mauritius

    Mauritius coast to coast

    Mauritius
    • Experience the vast sandy beaches of Mauritius' east coast.

    • Pass through lush sugar plantations as you explore the island.

    • Explore the southern part of the island, taking picnics to sandy coves, and exploring colourful local towns.

    12 days from £3,500pp

  • Aldabra tortoise, La Digue

    Seychelles family adventure

    Seychelles
    • Explore Praslin Island from a great central location.

    • Visit the giant tortoises on nearby island La Digue.

    • Enjoy a great range of activities and water sports.

    • Snorkel on the colourful reefs off Mahé and Praslin.

    13 days from £3,595pp

  • Stilt fishermen just outside Galle

    Sri Lanka's south coast

    Sri Lanka
    • Stay within the Dutch fort at Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    • Explore the various boutiques within the fort walls.

    • Take time out to relax on the beautiful southwest coast.

    • Track leopard in the Yala National Park.

    10 days from £3,750pp

  • Mauritius is fringed by idyllic beaches

    Luxurious Mauritius

    Mauritius
    • Relax on the beautiful sandy beach — book in hand and cold drink on the table beside you.

    • Pamper yourself with a relaxing spa treatment.

    • Book a car for the day and set off for a hike in the mountains before descending to a sandy beach for a spot of sunbathing and swimming.

    12 days from £3,895pp

  • Galle coastline

    Private stay on Sri Lanka's south coast

    Sri Lanka
    • Relax in your private, beachfront villa; perfect for six people.

    • Cycle through the paddy fields and countryside surrounding Galle.

    • Learn to cook traditional Sri Lankan cuisine.

    • Go in search of whales and dolphins around the coast.

    • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort.

    • See elephants in Uda Walawe National Park.

    11 days from £3,990pp

  • Snorkelling around the rocks at La Reserve

    Seychelles island-hopping

    Seychelles
    • Lie back and relax on a stunning Seychelles beach with a good book!

    • Hire a car and explore the tropical rainforest on the interior of Praslin Island.

    • Discover the rich history of the Seychelles' third largest island — Silhouette Island.

    • Take a snorkelling trip to explore the coral reefs that teem with tropical fish.

    13 days from £4,165pp

  • Elephant near Sigiriya Rock

    Sri Lanka for families

    Sri Lanka
    • Explore differently: sunset kayaking and village cycling.

    • Spot elephants and other wildlife on a game drive.

    • Visit some of Sri Lanka's cultural highlights.

    • Enjoy sunshine on a quiet, calm beach.

    • Pluck, process and taste artisan tea.

    14 days from £4,910pp

  • Lion cub, Lake Manyara National Park

    Classic Tanzania: safari & beach

    Tanzania and Zanzibar Archipelago
    • Search for wild dog, lion, elephant and buffalo on game drives in Nyerere National Park.

    • Enjoy a sunset boat trip along the Rufiji River, looking out for hippo, crocodiles and waders.

    • Follow animal tracks and learn about smaller wildlife species on guided bush walks.

    • Relax on the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar and explore the island’s spice farms.

    12 days from £5,080pp

  • Beach, Constance Moofushi, Maldive Island

    Constance Moofushi & Dubai

    Maldives and Dubai
    • A few nights in Dubai to explore some of its history and the lifestyle of the desert nomads, followed by relaxing for a week on a beautiful all-inclusive five-star resort in the Maldives.

    11 days from £5,200pp

  • Views of Sigiriya Rock Fortress

    Northern Sri Lanka tour including Jaffna

    Sri Lanka
    • Discover Tamil culture and history in the lesser-visited north.

    • Explore the ruins of historical Anuradhapura by bicycle.

    • Relax on the long, sandy beaches of the east coast.

    • Climb Sigiriya rock and admire the views of the cultural triangle.

    • Taste local cuisine in Kandy before an evening visit to the Temple of the Tooth.

    15 days from £5,395pp

  • COMO Cocoa Island, Maldive Island

    Cocoa Island & Dubai

    Maldives and Dubai
    • Spend a few days exploring Dubai's contrasts between old and new, city and desert before flying to the Maldives for a week relaxing on a beautiful island.

    11 days from £5,600pp

  • Leopard in Yala National Park

    Highlights of Sri Lanka

    Sri Lanka
    • Learn all about Sri Lanka's fascinating Buddhist history.

    • Enjoy a scenic train journey through tea plantations.

    • Absorb the atmosphere of quaint colonial Galle.

    • Take time out to relax on the beautiful southwest coast.

    18 days from £5,720pp

  • Sri Lankan leopard

    Discover Sri Lanka's wildlife

    Sri Lanka
    • Look for leopards, sloth bears and the elusive loris.

    • See elephants, crocodiles and a huge variety of bird species.

    • Explore the coastal waters for whales and dolphins (season dependent).

    • Soak up Sri Lanka's culture too, including Sigiriya Rock.

    • Discover less-visited national parks in quieter parts of the island.

    • Relax at the beach to unwind at the end of your trip.

    16 days from £6,490pp

  • Aerial view of Zanzibar

    Gorilla tracking & Zanzibar adventure

    Rwanda, Zanzibar Archipelago and Kenya
    • The highlight of this trip is the gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park, an unforgettable experience!

    • You can also explore more of Rwanda's beautiful countryside and search for golden monkeys on a second guided hike.

    • Finish your adventures with time relaxing on Zanzibar's white sandy beaches and swimming in the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

    12 days from £6,700pp

  • Masai Mara, Kenya

    Mara & Mahé explorer

    Kenya and Seychelles
    • Snorkel the turquoise waters of the Seychelles looking for turtles.

    • Relax on the beautiful beaches of the Indian Ocean.

    • Enjoy some superb wildlife viewing in the Masai Mara.

    15 days from £7,630pp

  • Denis Island, The Seychelles

    Luxury Seychelles: Praslin & Denis Private Island

    Seychelles
    • Explore two of Audley’s preferred islands and resorts in the Seychelles.

    • Enjoy a relaxing stay away from the crowds on a private island.

    • Discover some of the Seychelles’ most idyllic spots, including the pristine Anse Georgette beach.

    • Snorkel the untouched reefs off Denis Island, home to parrot fish, rays, turtles and more.

    14 days from £7,740pp

  • MY Pegasus, Seychelles

    Cruising in the Seychelles

    Seychelles
    • Discover the delights of Mahé on a customisable tour.

    • Cruise the Seychelles' inner islands.

    • Learn about the native Coco de mer palm and endemic plants.

    • Enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

    • Meet wild giant tortoises up close on Curieuse Island.

    11 days from £8,700pp

  • Sunrise Ocean Pool Villa, Huvafen Fushi, Maldive Island

    Huvafen Fushi and Dubai

    Maldives and Dubai
    • Explore the Arabian desert in a vintage Land Rover.

    • Visit Dubai’s many landmarks and see the city from above at the iconic Burj Khalifa.

    • Spend a morning pampering yourself with a spa treatment in the world’s first underwater spa at Huvafen Fushi.

    • Dive in the North Malé Atoll, with the chance of seeing grey reef sharks, stingrays and incredible coral.

    12 days from £9,285pp

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