Philippines Island Hopping Itinerary 🌴🏍️🇵🇭
1 Night - Port Barton
2 Nights - @islaexperience 
2 Nights - El Nido 
2 Nights - Coron 
3 Nights - Siquijor
Have you been dreaming of the Philippines? 💭
Friendly reminder 🧡 (To myself included) to sto Friendly reminder 🧡 (To myself included) to stop the comparison. 
🧡 It can be so easy to do, especially on this app to compare our lives with other successes… but often we’re only seeing the end product, or highlight roll and not the years and months of work behind the scenes it took to get there. 
🧡So keep doing what your doing, keep chipping away and you’ll get there in the end.
💁🏽‍♀️This one’s for my late 20’s e 💁🏽‍♀️This one’s for my late 20’s early 30’s ladies having their early mid-life crisis facing all the decisions we have to make ⬇️
🔵 To quit or not to quit our jobs 
🔵 Wanting to change careers
🔵 Climbing the corporate ladder or going freelance 
🔵 Buying or not buying a house 
🔵 Having or not having kids 
🔵 And of course bucket list that’s wayyyyyyy to long 
Reel Idea  @the_unqualified_mum
🧡This week I confirmed to do something in the n 🧡This week I confirmed to do something in the new year that’s totally out of my Comfort zone, In a country I’ve never been to and a continent I’ve barely explored. 
🧡Whilst I’m filled with the fear, doubt and all the what ifs I’m also filled with excitement and doing something different and the opportunities that will come with that. 
🧡There’s also so much I need to do in between to make this possible so I’m also taking a huge bet on myself to which again is scary and exciting all at the same time. 
So this is your sign to do the thing ✨
🐘Sri Lankan Safari’s🐘🇱🇰 🍃Sri Lan 🐘Sri Lankan Safari’s🐘🇱🇰
🍃Sri Lanka has a number of national parks where you can go on a safari experience🍃
Some of these include
🐊Yala National Park (This is the most popular NP in Sri Lanka for Safari) 
🐊Udawalawe National Park
🐊Minneriya National Park
🐊Wilpattu National Park
🐊Wasgamuwa National Park
🐊Gal Oya National Park
🐊Kumana National Park
🐊Bundala National Park
🐆🧸On the Safari you can expect to see elephants, peacocks, water buffalos, crocodiles and if you are really lucky; leopards and sloth bears!🦚🐘
🚗🍃I have been to both Yala National Park (back in 2016) and Udawalawe (this year). I’d say I much preferred the Udawalawe Safari.
🐆WHY DID I PREFER UDAWALAWE?🐘
🐾It felt more natural 🍃
🟢In Yala the drivers would walkie-talkie each other then there would be a rush of all these jeeps trying to crowd around an animal. My experience in Udawalawe wasn’t like that at all. The only time the drivers would communicate is if they passed each other on a track. 
🧘🏽‍♀️It was a lot quieter in Udawalawe 🤫
🟢This might have been to do with the time of day (we set off at 6 am) but most of it felt like we had the whole park to ourselves. At one point we were at a huge lake with water buffaloes, two elephants and crocodiles and we were the only jeep there. It was Magical. 
TIPS/RECOMMENDATIONS 💁🏽‍♀️
🦎I would really recommend booking a Stay at Lizard Safari Point in Udawalawe. The rooms are just £15 a night and we booked the tour directly through them and it was the best experience. 
🦎The tour cost about £35-£40 which included 4 hours of safari and entrance to the park. 
🌅Wherever you choose to do your safari make sure you go early morning! 
☔️Also, avoid booking on days when it’s going to rain as apparently the animals will hide!
🚂The most beautiful train ride the in the world 🚂The most beautiful train ride the in the world 🚂🍃
🇱🇰🚂Tips for the Ella-Kandy/Kandy-Ella train ride in Sri Lanka 
🎟️First Class Ticket = 3000lkr (£7.90)
🎟️2nd Class Ticket = 900lkr (£2.40)
🚂You can buy your tickets from the station the night before but the pre book shuts at a certain time, however you don’t need to worry you can easily buy or tickets on the day just make sure to come at least 30 mins before departure 
🚂I would highly recommend booking 2nd class over 1st 
🚂In 1st the doors should open but all the windows will be shut 
🚂In 2nd the windows will be open and the doors will be shut HOWEVER all you need to do is politely ask the ticket collector and they should open these up for you. (We had such a nice guy on our train who was opening up all the doors for us). 
🚂2nd is WAYYY more fun you can hang your head out the window, everyone is super friendly and you end up getting chatting with all the other passengers on the train. I don’t think we sat down once on this train because of all the socialising
10-Day Nicaragua Itinerary 🌴🌊🇳🇮 1 nig 10-Day Nicaragua Itinerary 🌴🌊🇳🇮
1 night - Leon 🌋
2 nights -San Juan Del Sur or Popoyo 🏄🏽‍♀️
2 nights - Ometepe 🌋
2 nights - Laguna de Apoyo/ Granada 🛶
3 nights - Little Corn Island 🌴🌽
📆For those of us who are limited to 25 days of holiday a year - 10 days in Nicaragua is TOTALLY doable. You’ll be on a tight schedule and will need to spend more on transport/taxis to get to places on time …. but it’s all worth it. ✈️
⏰If you have more time, I would say stretch to 14 days and up some of the stays to 3 nights. This will give you a chance to relax in each location. 💤
Would you visit Nicaragua for 10 days?
Seychelles from the sky 🇸🇨📸🚁🌴 📍 Seychelles from the sky 🇸🇨📸🚁🌴
📍Locations
Anse Source D’Argent 
Anse Cocos
Anse Major
Deffo still need to practise being a drone pilot but one step at a time right? 😂
🐢Curieuse Island is a small island located in t 🐢Curieuse Island is a small island located in the Seychelles it’s one of the only places in the country where you will see wild tortoises roam freely. 
🐢The whole island of Curieuse is a protected marine park where more than 200 🐢🐢🐢 live out their lives in a protected paradise. 
🐢There age of tortoises on the island range from 0-90years old 
🐢You can visit Curieuse Island  on an all boat trip from the nearby Praslin Island (we booked ours through @getyourguide) 
Would you like to see these gentle giants?
Anyone else excited for Autumn/Winter but also tot Anyone else excited for Autumn/Winter but also totally lying to themselves 😂🍁🍂❄️☃️🧣
Friendly reminder that you don’t have to do what Friendly reminder that you don’t have to do what society expects of you. Live your life by your own rules 🧡
From where I’d rather be with my @dockandbay be From where I’d rather be with my  @dockandbay beach towel🌴🇸🇨🐚
If you’re going if you love swimming or are going backpacking/on holiday soon then you NEED this @dockandbay towel! 
🍃It’s extremely compact
🍃it’s quick drying
🍃it’s sand resistant 
🍃it’s sustainable 
@dockandbay have also just dropped a brand new product so go and check it out 😉
🔖For 15% discount use code CCEV51UN at checkout to get
#dbcabanaclub#gifted
Seychelles 7-day Itinerary ⬇️🐢🌴🥥🌺 Seychelles 7-day Itinerary ⬇️🐢🌴🥥🌺
Days 1-2 - Mahe Island 
🌴Beau Vallon Beach 
🌴Anse Major Hike 
Days 2-4 - Praslin Island 
🌴Anse Lazio beach day 
🌴Valle de Mai trail
🌴Curieuse Island day trip to see Aldabra Tortoises 
Days 4-7 - La Digue Island
🌴Anse Source D’Argent 
🌴Anse Cocos Hike
🌴Anse Severe
When you start throwing peace signs ironically and When you start throwing peace signs ironically and it accidentally becomes part of your aesthetics✌🏽
I blame my friends 😅
Anyone else like this? 😅
🏄🏽‍♀️Sri Lanka’s Surf Towns are call 🏄🏽‍♀️Sri Lanka’s Surf Towns are calling… are you going to answer? 🏄🏽‍♀️
🌊Whilst I didn’t get to surf in Sri Lanka due to a broken toe, I absolutely love watching surfers as a pastime. I think it’s such a cool and impressive sport.🌊
🏄🏼Here are the best places to surf (or surf watch👀)
South Coast (November to April) 
🏄🏽‍♀️Hiriketiya 
🏄🏽‍♀️Matara
🏄🏽‍♀️Ahangama 
🏄🏽‍♀️Midigama
🏄🏽‍♀️Thalpe
🏄🏽‍♀️Mirissa 
🏄🏽‍♀️Hikkadawa
🏄🏽‍♀️Unwatuna 
There are also some smaller beach towns in between the above 
East Coast (May-October) 
🏄🏽‍♀️Arugam Bay 
🏄🏽‍♀️Pottuvil Point 
🏄🏽‍♀️Panama 
Do you fancy trying the surf in Sri Lanka?
What’s your toxic travel trait? ⬇️ What’s your toxic travel trait? ⬇️
Not sure this applies to everyone because I someho Not sure this applies to everyone because I somehow don’t think I’m anyone’s airport crush when this is the airport aesthetic 😂😂
Some more random facts about me ⬆️☺️ Tell Some more random facts about me ⬆️☺️
Tell me a random fact about yourself 💬💕⬇️
(PS I honestly don’t know why I turn around and look shocked at the rainbow in this video. 🌈The rainbow is literally the reason I asked for a picture 😂😂. One too many seltzers I think)
🌴 Welcome to @laplaya.hiriketiya If you’re l 🌴 Welcome to @laplaya.hiriketiya
If you’re looking to spend a boujee day in Sri Lanka make sure you head to @laplaya.hiriketiya. For a cold glass of wine 🍷and some delish pizza 🍕
This was my favourite place in Hiriketiya and the music is just 👌🏽😍
🌴🍃Welcome to Anse Cocos Beach on La Digue in 🌴🍃Welcome to Anse Cocos Beach on La Digue in the Seychelles🍃🌴
😍Pretty much Every Beach on La Digue is incredible but because this one takes a little more work to get to 🥾🌋 you’ll only find handful of other tourists here (in my experience at least) 
🚴🏽‍♀️ How to get there 🚴🏽‍♀️
🍃Head to the entrance of Grand Anse Beach. Most people cycle here and you will see straight in front of you a place to park your bikes 
🍃Head down the small path and follow the trail
🍃You will hike up and over one hill and come to another beach. Don’t get too excited this is Petit Anse beach not cocos so still a bit more to go.
🍃Continue up and over the second hill (this is a little bit longer than the first) 
🍃You have arrived at Anse Cocos
🍃This will take you about 30 minutes in total 
🍹Head straight to the beach shack and grab a mango daiquiri
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Christina in the Clouds

Adventure around a 9-5

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Africa, Seychelles · September 11, 2023

Anse Major Hike, Mahé – EVERYTHING You Need To Know

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Looking to find out all about the Anse Major Hike? You’ve come to the right place!

Regularly hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches on Mahé Island, Anse Major is definitely worth the visit if you are heading to the Seychelles. 

Like most things in this life that are worth having/doing/seeing, getting to Anse Major requires a little bit of work (in the form of a hike) but it truly is worth it. 

What I love about beaches that require a little bit of effort to get to, is that the hike often deters the masses from visiting. This means that, for the most part, you get to have a little slice of paradise all to yourself. The hike to Anse Major is no different. 

If you are heading on a trip to the Seychelles and plan on staying on the island of Mahé, then make sure that you add the Anse Major Hike to your itinerary.

So, what do you need to know about the Anse Major Hike? Read on below to find out!

Anse Major Hike, Mahe, Seychelles

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a verified purchase through the links in this post I will earn a small commission. This will be at no extra cost to you. Thank you 🙂

Contents show
1 About Anse Major
2 How long is the Anse Major hike?
3 How challenging is the Anse Major hike?
4 Preparing for the Anse Major hike
4.1 Head out early to hike
4.2 Wear sensible shoes
4.3 Pack Sunscreen
4.4 Don’t forget to bring water
4.5 Bring Cash
5 Getting to the Anse Major trail
5.1 Public Bus
5.2 Car
6 What to expect on the Anse Major hike
7 Arriving at Anse Major
8 What to do at Anse Major
9 Leaving Anse Major
10 Is the Anse Major hike worth it?
11 Happy Hiking

About Anse Major

Anse Major is a small but stunning beach located on the Island of Mahé in the Seychelles. Whilst most of the “best beaches” in Mahé are found on the south of the island, Anse Major can be found in a secluded bay on the north of the island, close to the popular tourist town of Beau Vallon.

Anse Major, Mahe, Seychelles

How long is the Anse Major hike?

The Anse Major Hike is roughly 2.5 km long with an 85 m elevation gain. The hike takes around 45-60 minutes to complete depending on your pace.

Anse Major, Mahe Seychelles

How challenging is the Anse Major hike?

I always find this question difficult to answer because this can be subjective based on your own fitness/activity levels. However, In my personal experience, I would rate the Anse Major trail as an easy to moderate hike. I have seen some other articles online that describe this hike as quite challenging but I don’t think I  would agree. Yes, there are some uphill and slightly more difficult parts, but on the whole the hike ok and over fairly quickly. 

The All Trails app also rates the Anse Major Hike as moderate.

Preparing for the Anse Major hike

Head out early to hike

It’s a good idea to start this hike early in the day so that you are not hiking in the peak of the mid-day sun. There are lots of shaded areas to lay when you arrive at the beach too.

Wear sensible shoes

A local told us this hike was okay to do in flip-flops so we listened to him and did just that. However, it turns out it’s more of a trainers or walking boots kind of hike, as the terrain is rocky and there is lots of ascending and descending involved. 

I forget that locals have grown up walking this kind of terrain, and I’m used to the flat and tarmacked terrain of outer city London so the two don’t really compare 😂.

Anse Major Hike, Mahe Seychelles

Pack Sunscreen 

Like anything involving the outdoors and hot climates, it’s important to pack sunscreen to avoid getting burnt and causing further issues with sunstroke and/or dehydration.

Don’t forget to bring water

This one really goes without saying but make sure you pack enough water to last you the duration of the hike. Hydration is key, especially in the hot Seychelles temperatures.

Bring Cash

There is a small beach bar on Anse Major which accepts cash only so if you’re not planning on bringing a packed lunch with you, make sure to bring cash so you don’t go hungry or thirsty. Also if you plan on catching the boat back to Beau Vallon you will also need cash for this too. 

Anse Major, La Digue, Seychelles

Getting to the Anse Major trail

To begin the Anse Major Trail you will need to get to the town of Bel Ombre. You can reach the town best by either car or public bus.

Public Bus

If you are getting the public bus you will need to catch the number 21 bus towards Bel Ombre. You don’t need to worry about watching out for your stop, as you will need to get off at the very last stop on the bus route. The hike doesnt officially start here but you will begin to see signs pointing you towards the trail. 

Please note when you get off at the bus stop you will see a sign for the Anse Major hike there. If, like us, you don’t read the sign properly it will look like the hike starts there, as there are some steps and a footpath next to the sign. However, you will need to continue to follow the tarmacked road around where you will see some more signs guiding you in the right direction. 

We started to walk in the wrong direction and thankfully a friendly local chased after us and guided us down the right path.

Car

Travelling by car? You can get a little closer to the starting point of the hike, and thankfully there is some dedicated parking for those wanting to do the hike (see map here).

Anse Major Hike, Mahe Seychelles

What to expect on the Anse Major hike

Thankfully the Anse Major trail is well-marked and signposted so you know exactly where to start and the precise route to take. Each of the markers has distances printed on them too,  so you can tell how far you have been, and how long you have left to go. 

The hike will see you walking on different types of terrain from straight, flat and wide paths to hilly, rocky terrain with narrow footpaths. 

The majority of the hike is exposed so you will be out in direct sunlight for most of the time. Apart from a small portion of the walk that is covered by a jungle canopy.

If you need a break along the way there are one or two benches along the route that are perfectly placed at some pretty stunning viewpoints that overlook Beau Vallon.

Anse Major, Mahe Seychelles
Anse Major, Mahe Seychelles

Arriving at Anse Major

You will see the beach through a clearing in the trees as you descend down the trail. This point of the hike is a great spot to take some pictures of the bay. 

To get onto the beach you will have to walk down over some boulders. Whilst this isn’t too difficult just remember to exercise extra caution.

Once you get onto the beach you will have to walk through a small sandy “lagoon” to get to the main part of the beach. The water in this section isn’t too deep but try to keep anything electronic above your waist as there is the potential to get splashed by waves coming in. 

Anse Major, Mahe Seychelles

What to do at Anse Major

Relax! There isn’t much to do at Anse Major apart from chill at the beach and enjoy some drinks and food from the local beach bar. 

As I mentioned earlier, the beach is small but there is enough space to sit whether you want to bathe in the sun or lay under the shade. There are also benches and tables to perch on if you want a comfortable place to eat your lunch. 

You’ll also be pleased to know that there are also toilets at Anse Major so that’s one less thing to worry about. 

What I loved most about Anse Major was just how quiet and chilled out it was in comparison to some of the other beaches I had visited in Mahé.

Anse Major, Mahe Seychelles

Leaving Anse Major

To leave Anse Major and get back to your accommodation you have 2 options; walk back on the same route, or catch a boat taxi. 

If you have parked your car at the start of the trail it’s going to be easier and more convenient for you to hike back to the start of the Anse Major trail. 

However, if you travelled by bus and do not fancy doing the walk back, then you are in luck. There is a boat taxi service that will transport you back to either the Bel Ombre Marina or Beau Vallon Beach. The boat taxi service is around 250SRe which is approximately £15 ($19). You can request to use the boat taxi at the beach bar. It tends to run hourly, however this changes from time to time.

Anse Major, Mahe Seychelles

Is the Anse Major hike worth it? 

Yes! This short but sweet hike gives you stunning views of the Beau Vallon coastline as well as a closer look at some of the Seychelles’ unique rock formations. Definitely try to do the hike (at least one way) if it’s possible for you and your group.

Anse Major, Seychelles

Happy Hiking

I hope this guide has provided you with all the information you need to go on the Anse Major hike. If you have any additional questions about the Anse Major trail, please feel free to reach out to me directly.

Looking for more Seychelles Inspiration? Check out my guides here.

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I'm Christina a part-time traveller who is exploring the world around my 9-5. From canyons to coasts, I love all kinds of adventures. I've created this space to provide you with all the travel inspiration and my top tips for seeing more of this beautiful world.

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Philippines Island Hopping Itinerary 🌴🏍️🇵🇭
1 Night - Port Barton
2 Nights - @islaexperience 
2 Nights - El Nido 
2 Nights - Coron 
3 Nights - Siquijor
Have you been dreaming of the Philippines? 💭
Friendly reminder 🧡 (To myself included) to sto Friendly reminder 🧡 (To myself included) to stop the comparison. 
🧡 It can be so easy to do, especially on this app to compare our lives with other successes… but often we’re only seeing the end product, or highlight roll and not the years and months of work behind the scenes it took to get there. 
🧡So keep doing what your doing, keep chipping away and you’ll get there in the end.
💁🏽‍♀️This one’s for my late 20’s e 💁🏽‍♀️This one’s for my late 20’s early 30’s ladies having their early mid-life crisis facing all the decisions we have to make ⬇️
🔵 To quit or not to quit our jobs 
🔵 Wanting to change careers
🔵 Climbing the corporate ladder or going freelance 
🔵 Buying or not buying a house 
🔵 Having or not having kids 
🔵 And of course bucket list that’s wayyyyyyy to long 
Reel Idea  @the_unqualified_mum
🧡This week I confirmed to do something in the n 🧡This week I confirmed to do something in the new year that’s totally out of my Comfort zone, In a country I’ve never been to and a continent I’ve barely explored. 
🧡Whilst I’m filled with the fear, doubt and all the what ifs I’m also filled with excitement and doing something different and the opportunities that will come with that. 
🧡There’s also so much I need to do in between to make this possible so I’m also taking a huge bet on myself to which again is scary and exciting all at the same time. 
So this is your sign to do the thing ✨
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