The privately-owned park offers a variety of zip lines
How many colours can you identify? Most of us would struggle to get into the double digits and even those in the fashion or arts would be hard pressed to go beyond a dozen. So imagine a place which the nature has lavished with not 12 or 15 colours, but all of 23, each distinct enough from the other to be designated as such by scientists !
Welcome to the Vallée des Couleurs, an aptly-named natural wonder in southern Mauritius, that boasts of the uniqueness of being the only known place in the world where 23 colours, ranging from primary colours like red or blue to secondary colours like ochre or purple, can be found in one place.
The mystery behind this abundance of colours is rather simple for geologists, who point at the volcanic history of the area and numerous eruptions that led to a series of chemical reactions over tens of thousands of years between water, air and soil, leading to the creation of these colours. The colours have been recorded and certified as being distinct, making La Vallée des Couleurs the only spot in the world known to have so many colours in its soil.
The Bicycle Zip Line allows four participants to ride at the same time and consists of two platforms
Adventure & adrenaline, beyond art
It is not just this unique natural phenomenon that attracts visitors here, the Vallée des Couleurs is also the preferred spot for all those seeking adventure and a rush of adrenaline in Mauritius. For, this land comes with a bunch of adventure experiences that can keep the adrenaline flowing through the day.
Spread over 450 acres, or just under 2 sqkm, of forests, lakes and water falls, La Vallée Des Couleurs is a nature park that has been operational for the past 25 years. A complete range of adventure activities have been mounted here. These range from quad biking to zip lining and trekking to luge kart.
Ziplines
The privately-owned park offers a variety of zip lines, with a simple and straight forward zipline of 500 m, while for those seeking a bigger dose of adventure can opt for a two-stage zipline that passes over the forests and the tallest waterfall in the park.
Each of the ziplines displays the rich flora and fauna in the area as most go over the dense forests and the water bodies in the area. For the beginners, the simplest zipline that is 500 m long, is recommended.
For those seeking some real adventure, the park offers two options, the Signature Line that is 1500 m long and the Discovery Tour Line for 1600 m, which is a set of seven zip lines allowing an aerial view of the entire park, while the longest zipline circuit is the ExtremeValley Tour that is a full 3100 m or 3.1 km in length. The park provides the necessary safety gear for the ziplines.
Bicycle Zipline
If ziplining is not thrilling enough for you, not a worry as LVDC has added more thrill to them by fitting bicycles to ziplines. The Bicycle Zip Line allows four participants to ride at the same time and consists of two platforms. The park says the ride is designed as a fun and ecologically friendly way to enjoy adrenaline rushes.
As a measure of added safety, the bicycle as well as the rider are attached to a different safety rods and cables, and offers a whole new unique experience for users. Set 18 m above the ground, the ride l asts eight minutes and offers views of the ponds, rivers, waterfalls as well as mountains and the southern coast of Mauritius.
Mountain Luge Kart
The many hair- pin bends on the way down add to the thrill
The park also offers Mountain Luge Kart, a ride of 700 m in utterly wild nature, gliding down the slopes in the valley at a high speed, while still keeping a grip over the Luge Kart. The three-wheel Kart allows the riders to control and manage their speeds, while gravitational forces pull the Kart and its riders rapidly towards the bottom of the hill. The many hair- pin bends on the way down add to the thrill and ask for skills to stay in control of the Kart so that it does not go off-track. Many users find it so exciting that they go back again and again to have the exhilarating experience.
Nepalese Bridge
Said to be the longest suspension bridge in the Indian Ocean, the bridge is about 80 m above a dense forest
Another fun activity, with some elements of adventure is the 350 m long rope bridge, called the Nepalese Bridge. Said to be the longest suspension bridge in the Indian Ocean, the bridge is about 80 m above a dense forest and while walking over it, one can get a panoramic view of the southern part of Mauritius, while trying to keep the balance walking on the bridge that shakes with every movement.
Quad Biking
Quad Biking (Photo: Varsha Singh)
The number of activities here is enough to keep visitors engaged all day long and I, for one, would certainly have loved to try my hand at all the activities. But, unfortunately, the paucity of time meant that we could experience only one activity.
Fortunately for me, our hosts had selected quad biking for us, which was also my first choice. As none of us had ever experienced the sport, the nature park officials took us to a small auditorium where first they showed an amazing video about La Vallée des Couleurs and its natural wonders.
After the video, we were briefed about quad biking, its basic rules and how to ride as well as the safety features. After a brief training on how to ride the bikes and the controls, we were given the option of either going solo or with a pillion rider. I had opted to go solo and was already imagining racing ahead of the group, when I was asked if some one could ride pillion with me as she did not manage to handle the quad alone.
Left with no choice, I agreed and took her as pillion on my journey. As soon as we put on the safety gear like helmet and other protections, despite the fact that this was my first time on a quad bike, I accelerated the quad bike rapidly, which responded smartly and shot ahead. As it was mud track, the bike did give occasional jolts and jumps as it clambered over uneven terrain or pebbles and rocks in the way.
But unmindful of any jerks, I continued to focus on the route ahead, thoroughly enjoying the ride, with a cool breeze hitting my face constantly.
Spread over 450 acres, or just under 2 sqkm, of forests, lakes and water falls (Photo: Varsha Singh)
After about 15 minutes of thrill-filled ride, we reached the famous spot with 23 colours sprinkled by Mother Nature on the earth, where we all took a break to admire this unique and magical phenomenon.
Torn between the attraction of the sight that we be held and aware that the quad bike was waiting, I jumped on the bike again to drive some more and explore the area, especially the biggest waterfall in the park.
Finally, it was time to hand the bikes in. Since I was totally engrossed in the ride, I really did not want the ride to end, but was left with no option.
Reluctantly, I headed back and returned the bike, bringing to an end my 40 minutes as Tom Cruise in a Mission Impossible franchise!
For families with children, the park also provides buggies, which are safer for children, for the same journey.
With our appetites awokened by intense biking, we were driven for lunch back to the same waterfall which I had crossed some time back. After a delicious picnic lunch, arranged close to the waterfall, we stayed a little longer to enjoy the sight and breathe the fresh air, while ruminating over our day here.
The colours have been recorded and certified as being distinct, making La Vallée des Couleurs the only spot in the world known to have so many colours in its soil (Photo: Varsha Singh)
It is a tough ask for anyone to remember all the 23 colours, however long one may stay and watch them ! But as we were leaving La Vallée des Couleurs, I had added yet another colour to my memory of this spot, the colour of adventure!
