2025 Takamaka Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

Cheval Blanc blends bold and uninhibited design, contemporary inspiration, and regional craftsmanship to present a refined interpretation between tradition and innovation, local architecture and timeless elegance. Through a "haute couture" approach, every unforgettable stay becomes a warm and personalized experience. Cheval Blanc Courchevel, France (2006) Cleverly located at the mountain summit, the hotel's iconic wooden horse at the entrance shines brilliantly under the sun and silver snow. At the heart of the Alpine garden, guests can ski directly in and out of the hotel. Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives (2013) Luxurious private seaplane access, a private island with a water park and kids' club, an extra-large private sports ground with tennis, badminton, billiards, and more, plus a PADI dive club for snorkeling and exploring the underwater world. Cheval Blanc St-Barth, Caribbean (2014) Situated on Flamands Beach, the hotel boasts the best white sand beach in the Caribbean. Sheltered by Flamands Bay, Cheval Blanc St-Barth embraces the stunning turquoise sea and blue skies. Cheval Blanc St-Tropez, France (2016) St-Tropez is a charming town in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, known for its enchanting coastline and vibrant summer sunshine, making it a treasured holiday destination for many. Cheval Blanc Paris, France (2021) Located on the banks of the Seine River, the hotel offers direct access to the river. Guests can enjoy multi-angle views of the Seine from their rooms and take leisurely evening strolls along the river, watching boats come and go in comfort and ease. Cheval Blanc Seychelles (2024) Nestled on the southern coast of Mahé Island, the hotel is like a dream estate hidden between forest and pristine beaches. Its 52 villas are either nestled on the beach or perched on the hillside. Cheval Blanc currently has six hotels worldwide, each fully embodying the brand’s essence and culture. From snowy mountains to deep seas, from nature to cities, Cheval Blanc has become a unique benchmark for luxury hotels, offering guests around the world an unparalleled stay experience and memories.

Overview › • Full Chinese Name: Cheval Blanc Seychelles • Full English Name: Cheval Blanc Seychelles • Opening Date: December 2024 • Location: Anse Intendance, Takamaka, Southwest Mahe Island, Seychelles • Distance from Airport: Approximately 45-minute drive from Seychelles International Airport ‹ Features › • The sixth Cheval Blanc globally, located in Seychelles, a tropical paradise often called Europe’s "backyard"; • Originally the Banyan Tree Seychelles, redesigned by renowned international designer Jean Michel Gathy, boasting Anse Intendance, the most beautiful beach in southern Seychelles; • The resort features 52 villas, each starting from 220 sqm, offering beachfront, hillside, or jungle villa options, all with private pools; • Five dining venues and bars, including Japanese restaurant Mizumi, the famed French restaurant Le 1947, and Mediterranean cuisine, all delivering exceptional flavors; • Exclusive Cheval Blanc Spa, uniquely nestled in the jungle with panoramic bay views, featuring Guerlain-customized treatments for ultimate relaxation; • Dedicated children’s club with engaging adventure activities and curated programs, perfect for family vacations; • A variety of resort activities: tennis, cricket, surf simulator, water sports, snorkeling, sailing, bay picnics, turtle spotting, and beach strolls. ‹ Tips › • Opening in December 2024, the resort is a transformation of the former Banyan Tree, offering superb natural surroundings and top-tier facilities; • Located in the secluded southwest of Mahe Island, it guarantees tranquility and privacy, with a nearly 1km stretch of beach hailed as the most stunning in the south; • The west-facing beach is ideal for witnessing Seychelles’ breathtaking sunsets; • Rich in biodiversity, with frequent sightings of geckos, lizards, and other small wildlife; • The remote location and Seychelles’ narrow, winding roads may require motion-sickness-prone guests to prepare accordingly.

The Indian Ocean has quietly blossomed into a bright pearl - the sixth White Horse Manor is located on the beach of Anse Intendance on Mahé Island in the Seychelles. The estate’s 52 villas boast stunning views of the Indian Ocean, 24 of which are adjacent to white sandy beaches and 28 tucked away among lush green hills, in harmony with the natural landscape of the Seychelles. Each villa ranges in size from 220m2 to 620m2 and comes with a separate 12.5m swimming pool, making it an ideal getaway for families, couples or friends. The White Horse Manor of the Seychelles was created by renowned architect Jean-Michel Gathy and continues his iconic design language. The artistic atmosphere inside the estate is equally intoxicating, interspersed with Jungle Chic by renowned Guerlain perfumer Thierry Wasser, which showcases the exotic atmosphere of the Seychelles Islands in wood and musk; The estate presents five unique culinary arts: Le White restaurant combines Seychellois Creole with international cuisine, Vivamento restaurant next to the main swimming pool brings sunny Italian cuisine, Beach Club Sula restaurant exudes Mediterranean romance, Mizumi restaurant focuses on contemporary Japanese cuisine, and Le 1947 restaurant is a symbol of French cuisine. The Spa Cheval Blanc is a place of tranquility crafted by Guerlain and boasts eight treatment rooms. Drawing inspiration from the island’s natural wonders, combined with masterful craftsmanship and wellness concepts, it delivers an extraordinary physical and mental experience. Here, the exploration goes beyond the flow of quiet time. Ride the waves and experience the thrill of riding the waves on the estate’s surf simulator; dive into the blue depths to meet playful fish and naughty sea turtles, vibrant coral reefs and extraordinary marine life make diving an unforgettable journey of Indian Ocean treasure; Children also have their own fantasy world – Le Carrousel children’s park weaves exploration, nature and laughter into unforgettable memories from childhood. Wandering there, Seychelles blue doves flutter their wings overhead, red falcons streak across the blue sky, and sea turtles quietly nest in the moonlight. The mountains, the coast and the coral reefs resonate into a pristine theater, gently embracing this pure land between every morning and sunset.

📍 Basic information at a glance - Location: An archipelago of 115 granite and coral islands in the western Indian Ocean - Best season: dry season from May to October (temperature 24-30℃), rainy season from November to April (occasional showers, more affordable air tickets and hotels) - Visa: Chinese citizens are exempt from visa for 30 days. They need to fill out an entry application through the electronic border system in advance and pay 10 euros. - Language: English, French, Creole - Currency: Seychelles Rupee (SCR), USD/Euro are also accepted. It is recommended to bring a small amount of cash for the market. 🚀 Key highlights of the trip 1. A tour of the world’s top three beaches - Beau Vallon Beach: Mahe Island's iconic 4-kilometer silver beach, a paradise for water sports, with an amber-colored sea at sunset - Anse Lazio: The "Garden of Eden" on Praslin Island, where giant granite rocks and emerald waves interweave, was once rated as the most beautiful beach in the world by National Geographic - Anse Source d'Argent: La Digue Island's "photography paradise", where hundreds of mushroom-shaped reefs are exposed at low tide, forming a surreal picture with the turquoise sea 2. Primitive ecological secrets - May Valley (Vallee de Mai): Praslin's "Mini Garden of Eden", hike through more than 7,000 sea coconut trees, look for the "love fruit" weighing 30 kilograms, and encounter the endangered black parrot (most active in the early morning/evening) - Aldabra Atoll: The world's largest coral atoll, take a charter flight to explore millions of giant tortoises and migrating seabirds (booking is required 3 months in advance) 3. Luxurious experience like celebrities - North Island: Prince William's honeymoon destination, 11 villas on 11 beaches, private butler + customized helicopter sightseeing - Cheval Blanc: A newly opened hotel under the LVMH Group, with 52 villas with a 13-meter swimming pool, Guerlain spa and Michelin restaurant - Six Senses Zil Pasyon: Tree house villas suspended in the rainforest, star bar overlooking the 4,000-meter deep sea 🗺️ 5 days and 4 nights classic itinerary Day 1: First visit to Mahe Island - Morning: Arrive at Mahe International Airport and check in to Eden Bleu Hotel on Eden Island (newly opened in 2025, a modern design hotel next to the pier) - Afternoon: Stroll around Victoria Square and visit the Central Market to buy spices and coconut crafts - Evening: Have a drink at the Sunset Bar on Beau Vallon Beach. We recommend trying the Seychelles Kiss cocktail (rum + coconut milk + passion fruit) Day 2: The Natural Wonders of Praslin Island - Morning: Take a catamaran (Cat Cocos) (1 hour) or a small plane (15 minutes) to Praslin Island - Noon: Lunch at Cote d'Or seafood restaurant, order Creole curry lobster - Afternoon: Explore the May Valley (it is recommended to follow a guide who can explain in depth the secrets of the reproduction of the sea coconut), and stargazing at Lazio Beach in the evening Day 3: Slow life on La Digue Island - Morning: Take a 15-minute boat ride from Praslin Island to La Digue Island and rent a vintage bicycle (about 100 rupees/day) - Noon: Picnic at Des Argents Beach (recommended to bring coconut pie from a local bakery) - Afternoon: Snorkel at Anse Georgette Beach, encounter a group of green turtles, and check in at the President's private beach before returning Day 4: In-depth tour of Mahe Island - Morning: Take a glass-bottom boat at Eden Island Pier and visit St. Anne's Marine Park (you can feed manta rays) - Afternoon: Hike in Copolia Botanical Gardens to learn about 1,000+ tropical plants and enjoy a panoramic view of the island from a mountaintop cafe - Evening: Savor samosas with mango chutney at Mahek Indian Restaurant, and experience Creole traditional dance after dinner Day 5: Madness before leaving the island - Early morning: Surfing at Anse Intendance Beach (best from May to October) - Morning: Purchase sea coconut souvenirs at the market (purchase receipts are required for customs clearance) - Noon: Shopping for vanilla rum and handmade soap at the airport duty-free shop, return 💰 Budget reference (2 persons 6 days) Project Economy (￥15,000) Comfort (￥30,000) Luxury (￥80,000+) Airline tickets Chengdu/Beijing transfer (￥6000) Emirates Business Class (￥18,000) Private charter (￥50,000+) Accommodation B&B/3-star hotel (￥400/night) 4-star resort (￥1500/night) One island, one hotel (￥8000/night) Catering Market simple meals + convenience stores (￥150/day) Restaurant meals (￥400/day) Michelin restaurants (￥1000/day) Activities Public transportation + free beach Island hopping + snorkeling package (￥3000) Helicopter + private charter (￥20,000) 📌 Practical Tips 1. Avoid traffic pitfalls - Car rental on Mahe Island is about 40 euros/day (right-hand drive, many sharp turns on the mountain roads), and chartering a car is recommended on Praslin Island (150 euros/day) - Book your island hopping ticket 3 days in advance, Cat Cocos will provide free hotel pick-up 2. Food Map - Creole Kitchen (Mahe): Creole fish stew with plantains - Le Rendez-Vous (Praslin): Coconut shrimp with mango salsa - La Digue Island Lodge: Grilled octopus with passion fruit jam 3. Hidden gameplay - Traditional music performances at Victoria Market every Friday - Aldabra Atoll can apply to participate in the turtle protection project (need to contact the Seychelles Tourism Board 6 months in advance) - Coco de Mer Hotel on Mahe Island has a sea coconut themed dinner every Wednesday 4. Photography Tips - Best time to take photos at Des Argent Beach: 2 hours after low tide (check the tide table in advance) - Backlit portraits on the Lazio beach, using a reflector to fill in the light - Use a telephoto lens to capture the dynamics of black parrots in May Valley 🚨 Emergency handling - Medical treatment: Victoria Hospital on Mahe Island provides 24-hour emergency treatment. It is recommended to purchase travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue. - Safety: Avoid walking alone at night and store valuables in the hotel safe - Environmental protection: It is forbidden to pick corals/shells, and do not touch marine life when snorkeling 🌊 Seychelles, the pearl of the Indian Ocean, rated by National Geographic as one of the “50 places to visit in a lifetime”, has both the purity of the Maldives and the wildness of Tahiti. When you walk barefoot on the pink and white sand beach and watch the giant tortoises slowly crawling through the shadows of palm trees, you may suddenly understand: this is what the legendary "Garden of Eden" should look like.