• 5 nights in a beachfront hotel on Mauritius with sea-facing room
• view the transit of Venus from start to finish or at your leisure
• round trip coach access from Air France-serviced cities
• a friendly destination the optimum region for the best transit viewing
• unpack just once
• breakfast and dinner included while on Mauritius
• no visa fees for US citizens to Mauritius
• see the wonders of the southern sky at night
• optional cost sightseeing tours so overall expenses can be minimized
  
  *We can route you from many other U.S. and international gateways;
  "LAND ONLY" PACKAGES without air are not available.
  Tour price based on a minimum of 10 persons and is subject to currency fluctuations.

  Experience the rare passage of the earth's sister planet Venus pass directly between Earth and Sun on Tuesday June the 8th from a lovely island south of the equator. Led by Paul Maley of the NASA Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society, this is the first such planetary alignment of its type since 1882 and our expedition will be well positioned to watch the entire six hour progression as Venus first crosses the surface until the time of egress.

  
  A 19th century view of a transit of Venus across the sun. Note the large relative size of the disc of the planet. (Courtesy U.S.Naval Observatory)

  The transit is visible according to the REGION OF VISIBILITY graphic developed by F. Espenak. We have picked an island where you can truly relax and not have to drive, tour or be busy every single day, packing and unpacking. On this tour you unpack once, enjoy breakfast and dinner included and live for 6 days at a beachside hotel on a former British administered island in the Indian Ocean. Known for its four and five star hotels, bright white beaches, and island charms, Mauritius is a great spot to view the southern sky and a good spot for viewing the entire transit of Venus. Here you are in a tropical environment with Dutch, French and English influences. In June the average minimum and maximum temperatures are 63 and 73 degrees F. (17 to 23 deg. C.) and with an average of 6 days a month with some rain.

  Located at 20 South and 57.7 East, Mauritius is 9 hours ahead of Houston time and no visas or vaccinations are required for US citizens. The extinct Dodo bird was found only on this island in the distant past. Mauritius may not have an astronomical observatory, but it does have a radio telescope. This telescope operates at much longer wavelengths (2m) than dishes you may be used to, and is composed of 1000 individual dipole antennas arranged in a T-shaped array with the top bar of the T about 1 km long and the stem about 500m. It is located just 3 miles from our hotel!

  

  ...................................................How to find Mauritius........................ ...................................................And our hotel...................

  ITINERARY

  (Some modifications may occur due to routing and schedule changes in the region prior to the time of the tour.)

  June 4 Friday: Depart Houston on Air France. Meals served aloft.

  June 5 Saturday: Paris, France.

  Arrive Paris early morning at Charles de Gaulle Airport until our connecting flight depart for Mauritius in the afternoon. Meals served aloft.

  June 6 Sunday: Mauritius

  Arrive at Port Louis, Mauritius in the morning. Transfer to our hotel which is about 1.5 hour's drive along the north and east coast. We are staying at the Belle Mare Plage Beach Resort --a 4 star property. Built in the typical Mauritian style, Belle Mare Plage is set in a tropical garden in the midst of a park on Turtle Bay, the first national marine life park in Mauritius. Between the glittering blue green Indian Ocean and the luxuriant natural setting, Belle Mare Plage offers its guests an unequalled array of amenities, activities, temptingly delicious cuisines and the utmost comfort of its accommodations. No matter what the taste or interest, there is an entrancing holiday awaiting at Belle Mare Plage. Internationally renowned as one of the finest and most complete sporting complexes, Belle Mare Plage offers a selection of activities for both the amateur and the professional. The two championship golf courses challenge players of every caliber and are the first of its kind in Mauritius. Unpack and begin to relax.

  This evening you may want to get your first look at the stars of the Southern Sky. Overnight Mauritius. (D)

  

  The pool at our hotel The Belle Mare Plage Beach Resort, looking north east

  June 7 Monday: Mauritius

  No driving, no flying or forced sightseeing. You are done with that! The resort is situated directly on one of the island's loveliest sandy beaches on the east coast and set in well-trended tropical gardens of almost 20 acres and 158 acres for the golf course. The beach is protected by an offshore coral reef making ideal for swimming or water sports. Ground sports: beach volley ball, French bowling, chess game in the garden, four clayed tennis courts (floodlit), table tennis, Mini-golf, 18-hole Championship Golf Course (without green fees and reserved for hotel guests only), Nearby 9-hole Golf Course. Water sports: two swimming pools, windsurfing, glass bottom boat, kayak, sailing, snorkeling trips including equipment, water-skiing, pedal boats. Keep Fit: A fitness center comprising gymnasium, body building equipment, massage, sauna, cold swimming pool, air-conditioned squash, aerobics, yoga, two Jacuzzis, beautician, and hairdressing salon. Extra Fees: Massage, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, hairdresser, beautician, excursions in the lagoon, tennis lessons, water-skiing, windsurfing, diving and Golf Academy.

  We plan to conduct a small excursion to the Mauritius Radio Telescope which is used to generate images of the sky at 151MHz to map pulsars, study supernova remnants and extragalactic radio sources. It is composed of a 1km by 2km t-shape synthesis array. The excursion may be conducted today or later in the week.

  
  An aerial look at the antenna array at the Mauritius Radio Telescope

  During the day you can pick a spot where you might want to set up your camera or telescope in order to get the best view of the transit of Venus (northeast to northwest horizon). This evening Paul Maley will offer a briefing on the Transit of Venus. Afterward, observe the Southern Sky at your leisure.

  Overnight Mauritius. (B, D)

  
  The beach at the Belle Mare Plage Resort, looking northwest

  June 8 Tuesday: Mauritius

  After breakfast the Transit of Venus will begin around 9:30am, so you don't need to rise early! We will have at least one telescope available for direct viewing of the transit in Hydrogen Alpha light and another telescope to project the image onto a white screen so all can follow the progress. The middle of the six hour process occurs around 12:30pm with the sun 46 degrees elevation above the north- northeast horizon. At 3:30pm the transit ends when the black disc of the planet begins to make its way back into deep space. Unlike a solar eclipse, you will have plenty of time to view the event. This evening you will have an opportunity to view the southern skies that you can never see in North America!

  
  A clock driven time exposure of the Southern Milky Way

  After dinner, observe the Southern Sky at your leisure. Overnight Mauritius. (B, D)

  
  A view from the hotel toward the ocean. All rooms face the sea.

  June 9 Wednesday: Mauritius

  You may want to rent a car (optional cost) at the hotel and explore the 60 by 40km sized island. Note that English and French are the official languages of Mauritius. Choose from a number of points to visit including: Grand Baie (main marina on the island), Botanical Garden of Pamplemousses (famous for giant water lilies), Port Louis (famous for its market), Casela Bird Park, Black River Gorges National Park, The Valley of Colors Natural Park, or Rochester Falls. In our pretour bulletins, we will have more details on these optional excursions.

  Want to go off island? Consider (optional cost) excursion to either Rodrigues Island (the last outpost east of Africa). There are daily flights to Rodrigues only 1.5 hours away.

  

  Mauritius at night; and a different view using SCUBA gear underwater

  If you fancy diving, the Neptune Dive Center is located on site. Also you will find Le VELOUTIER: Overlooking the lagoon, this "à la carte" restaurant provides the freshest and the most exotic local product, sea food and French cuisine with the Mauritian touch. CITRONNELLE: The main restaurant of uncompromising excellence, rising above the trend of mass conformity. Based on international standards of cuisine with a choice of outstanding menus and buffets. Le BEACH RENDEZ-VOUS: Along the beach this is the perfect meeting place for lunch. The menu offers delicious sandwiches, brochettes and fresh salads to complement the popular open-fire grilled items. DEER HUNTER: The Golf Club restaurant overlooking the putting green. You will also savour the comfort of the lounge near the ponds where the deers once quenched their thirst. Possibly the most beautiful location of the island. The moon is at 3rd quarter phase so the evening period will be moon-free for dark sky viewing. After dinner observe the Southern Sky at your leisure.

  Overnight Mauritius. (B, D)

  
  Browsing in the market at Port Louis

  June 10 Thursday: Mauritius

  Today you may want to take an optional tour to explore other parts of the island such as the La Vanille Crocodile Park, experience original Mauritius at Domaine Les Pailles, Ylang Ylang plantation in Viuex Fort, Tamarind Waterfall (240m high), hike up to Signal Mountain, visit the Tamil Temples. After dinner this evening observe the Southern Sky at your leisure.

  Overnight Mauritius.(B, D)

  
  On a pier in the town of Port Louis.

  June 11 Friday: Departure for Paris

  Transfer to the airport in early morning for your flight to Paris (this is the only scheduled flight based on Air Mauritius schedule change as of 1/24/04). Meals served aloft. Arrive early evening. Overnight Paris at Comfort Hotel Aeroport CDG. Use free airport shuttle to transfer to your hotel.(B)

  June 12 Saturday: Departure for home

  Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight back home. End of a great trip!

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  TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

  • airfare to/from Houston, Texas USA. LAND ONLY packages are NOT available.

  • 5 nights accommodation in a standard double room

  • meals as shown by symbols B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner

  • sightseeing and ground transportation as indicated

  • observation of the transit of Venus from a designated site

  • all hotel taxes and service charges

  • airport transfer from Port Louis to the hotel and back

  • hotel for final overnight in Paris
  TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
  • Any additional charge(s) and/or special documentations to be filled for importing/exporting telescopes (if even required)

  • travel insurance (highly recommended)

  • beverages

  • optional excursions

  • tips and gratuities

  • personal expenses and anything else not included in the 'tour includes' features list

  PAYMENT SCHEDULE (per person)
  BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2003................. USD$300 DEPOSIT.

  OCTOBER 1, 2003................................... USD $700 ADDITIONAL DEPOSIT (TOTAL DEPOSIT =$1000)

  DECEMBER 1, 2003................................ BALANCE DUE

CANCELLATION FEES (per person)

• BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2003................. USD$100

• OCTOBER 1, 2003-DECEMBER 1, 2003 USD$500.

• AFTER DECEMBER 1, 2003.................. 100% OF THE TOTAL TOUR COST

OPTIONAL TOURS (Contact us for availability)

1.RODRIGUES ISLAND (from $345. per person)

Situated at a distance of around 550 km off Mauritius though a part of the country, Rodrigues is a place that is strikingly beautiful and presents a view that is almost picture postcard quality. It is a mountainous region with lot of flora, marvellous beaches, and coral reefs that surrounds the island completely. The pace of life is leisurely and a perfect destination for the types who do not want to remain with regular hum - drum of some popular tourist destinations.

This is a day tour and departs in the morning and returns approximately 13 hours later. Transfers included from your hotel to the airport and back. Full day tour includes glass bottom boat ride, lunch and taxes as well as round trip flight from Mauritius to Rodrigues. Tour is on June 9.

2.REUNION ISLAND (form $695. per person)

You'll find two kinds of paradise on Reunion, the tiny French-speaking island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. If you're looking for rugged terrain suitable for trekking, Reunion offers some of the most dramatic mountain scenery anywhere -- jagged peaks, sheer cliffs, waterfalls and an active volcano to boot. But if you prefer a more genteel landscape, there are gorgeous gardens, fragrant spice farms and beautiful Creole houses to explore. The only possible flaw in this paradise has to do with water: Reunion's lagoons are small and shallow, and the island has little protection from the pounding surf, so its beautiful beaches and clear waters are more suitable for basking than for swimming and diving.

We will take an overnight tour which includes roundtrip air from Mauritius to Reunion, one night at the Exotica Village hotel (3 star), breakfast and dinner, climb up the Piton de la Fournaise volcanowith licensed guide (hope to see some eruptive activity if everything cooperates), picnic lunch, airport transfers, taxes. The tour returns to Mauritius where it will connect with your flight to Paris and onward back home. Tour is on June 11/12.

Carlson Wagonlit Future Travel recommends that each client purchase adequate trip cancellation insurance, medical, baggage, accident and other personal effects insurance. Trip cancellation insurance must be purchased at time of initial deposit. Clients should be aware that we cannot guarantee the weather for this astronomical event or any other.