Aapravasi Ghat (Visit & Tour)
Location | North |
Operating Days | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday |
Duration | 1 hrs |
Activity Time | Flexible |
Transportation | Offered as Supplement |
Comment | Entrance is free for children below 12. |
Aapravasi Ghat Visit & Tour - Overview
Visit one of the key sites in Mauritian History, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Aapravasi Ghat.
The Aapravasi Ghat is located on the Bay of Trou Fanfaron in Port Louis. This historical site served as an immigration depot by the colonial British government in 1849. It has played a pivotal role in Mauritian history, as it is from this very instant that the Mauritian population became more diverse than ever.
Highlights of this site:
- Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Learn about the indentured labourers who contributed in Mauritius
- Learn about the History of Mauritius
- See the artefacts marking the history of the Island
The Aapravasi Ghat Visit & Tour includes:
- Entry Fee
- Visit of the Hospital Block of the Indentured Labourers
- Visit of the Immigrants’ Sheds, Privies and Kitchen
- Visit the Sirdars’ Quarters
- See the Authentic Bathing Area
- Learn about the history of Mauritius through pictures and artefacts
Transport is available for an additional supplement and will include pick up and drop off from any hotel / place of accommodation in Mauritius.
You can choose from a selection of vehicles types:
All drivers speak fluent English and French (Upon special request we can organise drivers who speak additional languages). The drivers, citizens of Mauritius, will be happy to provide you with information about Mauritius and each of its sights.
All drivers are very professional, time efficient and friendly. There is high emphasis on being always on time and providing reliable devoted service to customers.
Port Louis, North Region
Start & End times: | |
Opening hours: | Monday to Friday: 09:00 - 16:00 |
Saturday: 09:00 - 12:00 | |
Duration: | The duration of the entire visit is about 1 hour |
Interpretation Centre: 45 minutes | |
World Heritage Site: 15 - 20 minutes |
About the Aapravasi Ghat
This impressive historical site is a symbol of Mauritian identity since the ancestors of more than 70% of today’s local population arrived on the island through this immigration depot. The depot was created to receive indentured laborers coming to work in the sugar plantations during the early post-slavery years of 1834-1920.
The Indentureship involved a mass migration of workers from India, China, Africa and South East Asia to work in colonies. Mauritius was the first country which had successfully recruited indentured labour. Other British, French and Dutch colonies then adopted the system.
Consequently, there was a massive worldwide migration of more than 2 million indentured labourers, of which Mauritius received almost half a million. Other colonies such as Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, Cuba, Peru and Reunion Island proceeded with indentureship.
In April 1987, the Aapravasi Ghat was declared a national monument by the Government of Mauritius and in 2006, it became the first indenture site in the world to be inscribed on UNESCO’s famous list of World Heritage Sites.
The buildings of Aapravasi Ghat are among the earliest explicit manifestations of what would become a global economic system. It represents not only the development of the modern system of contractual labour, but also the memories, traditions and values that these men, women and children carried with them when they left their countries of origin, to work in foreign lands.
However only the partial remains of three stone buildings from the entire complex have survived- only about 15% of the building still authentically exists today. While visiting the Aapravasi Ghat, you will get the chance to learn more about the historical events through the Beekrumsing Ramlallah Interpretation Centre (BRIC).
There are displays of artefacts such as pipes, phials and medicine bottles (from the hospital on the site), leftover gin & rum bottles (probably drunk by British officers) and other remains found during archaeological excavations at the Aapravasi Ghat. You may also view a replica of the ship, similar to the one that the contracted workers had to endure.
- Entrance is free for children below 12 years old.
- The site is closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Aapravasi Ghat (Visit & Tour) | |
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Price per Participant | 1 Euro |