The Mascarene Islands just off the coast of Madagascar are comprised of three islands, Rodrgues, Mauritius and Reunion.  Reunion is under the government of France, while Rodrigues and Mauritius are their own governing bodies.  These islands attract many visitors, as the beaches along these islands in the Indian Ocean are quite varied and offer not only the water sports associated with beach towns, but some rocky and interesting sections of coastline that are perfect for hikers and rock climbers.  The islands were formed by volcanic activity, and there is still an active volcano on the island of Reunion.  Mauritius however, no longer has any active volcanoes, but many tourists travel to the craters and the extinct volcanoes, with the guidance of the maps provided by the best hotels Mauritius has to offer, for hiking and for photographic opportunities.

Mauritius is the  second oldest of the Mascarene islands, and is just a bit smaller than the main island of Reunion. This age of the island, and the lack of volcanic activity as provided the opportunity and the environment necessary for vast expanses of coral reefs to develop surrounding the island.  Which makes this a favorite destination for snorkeling and scuba diving.  A popular spot for exploring the landscape and the natural formations that are a result of the previous volcanic activity, is Trou aux Cerfs.  This is a volcano, now extinct, that is located close to the village of Curepipe.  The crater here, is just about one hundred meters in depth, and was formed millions of years ago.  This is one of the most visited sites on the island.  For not only is the crater itself visually amazing, but the view of the entire island of Mauritius is found at the top of this crater.  From this mountain top, one can even catch a glimpse of the shores of Reunion, it the weather and the atmosphere permits.  Along with the dormant volcano, this village houses botanic gardens, many heritage sites and ancient churches as well as an open air market that occurs twice a week, on Saturdays and Wednesdays.  This is a strange, and lovely island, perfect for those wishing something that is a bit off of the beaten track.