Our Copolia hike on Mahé is one of the most popular walks in the Seychelles, and it is easy to see why. A single, easy trail leads you through a small, wild jungle full of palms, cinnamon trees and endemic flowers. At the top, the forest opens and you look out over Victoria, the Ste Anne Marine Park and the airport.
This is a private tour: only you and your partner, family or group walk with us. We pick you up anywhere on Mahé, guide you along the Copolia nature trail and bring you back afterwards. Plan about 3–4 hours in total, with plenty of time at the viewpoint for photos and a proper rest.
The walk is safe and well suited to families. Children from 5 years enjoy it, because there is so much to discover on the way. And there are no dangerous animals on our island, so you can simply relax and enjoy the forest.
Highlights
- Private guided Copolia hike, only you and your partner, family or group
- Easy trail through a small, wild jungle, mostly in the shade
- The Seychelles pitcher plant (Nepenthes pervillei), found only here
- 180° view over Victoria, Ste Anne Marine Park and the airport
- Praslin and La Digue on the horizon in clear weather
- Free pick up and drop off anywhere on Mahé
Your day
Pick up at your accommodation
We collect you wherever you stay on Mahé at the time you choose when booking. For sunrise we often start around 6 am.
Drive to the trailhead
A short drive brings us into the green hills above Victoria, where the Copolia nature trail begins.
Through the jungle
The trail winds under palms and cinnamon trees, almost entirely in the shade. Your guide shows you endemic plants and the famous pitcher plant, called Lalyann Potao in Creole.
The viewpoint
At the end of the trail the forest opens to a 180° view of the east coast of Mahé. Take your time, rest and take photos and videos.
Walk back and drop off
We return along the same trail and drive you back to your starting point, or anywhere else you like on Mahé.
Included
- Private guided hike for you and your partner, family or group only
- Licensed local guide speaking English or French
- Free pick up and drop off anywhere on Mahé
- Transport by car to the trailhead and back
Not included
- Entrance fee for the nature trail, payable at the gate (guests over 12)
- Food and drinks
- Personal expenses
What to bring
- Sturdy closed shoes (no flip flops)
- Drinking water
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Camera or phone for the view
- Light, comfortable clothing
Good to know
- Suitable for children from 5 years.
- If two adults book with children, the first child aged 5–12 joins free of charge.
- An entrance fee for guests over 12 is payable in cash at the entrance gate.
- Early morning is ideal for sunrise. Around midday the sun stands over Victoria, which is often better for photos.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour, with a full refund.
- The tour is paid in advance online. Would you like more time? You can simply add extra hours when you book, and if the day runs a little longer, that is no problem.
Some places on this tour charge a small entrance fee, paid on site and only if you choose to visit them.
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | €129 |
| 2 person | €69 |
| 3 to 4 persons | €55 |
| 5 to 25 persons | €49 |
With two paying adults, one child up to 12 years travels free. Lunch, dinner, drinks and entrance fees are optional and paid on site.
Why the Copolia hike is a must on Mahé
Many visitors come to the Seychelles for the beaches. Then they walk up to Copolia and discover a completely different side of our island. Within minutes of leaving the car you are in a small, wild jungle. Tall palms, cinnamon trees and endemic flowers grow along the path, and the air smells of warm earth and leaves. It is quiet, green and surprisingly cool, because almost the whole trail lies in the shade.
The Copolia nature trail is easy. There is essentially one single path, so nobody gets lost, and the walking is gentle enough for families with children from 5 years. Still, the reward at the end feels like a real summit.
The Seychelles pitcher plant
One plant makes Copolia famous: the Seychelles pitcher plant, Nepenthes pervillei. In Creole it is called Lalyann Potao. It grows only in the Seychelles, and on this trail you can see it up close. Its small pitchers catch insects, which children in particular find fascinating. Your guide will point out where to look and tell you more about the other endemic plants along the way.
A 180° view over the east of Mahé
At the end of the trail the trees step back and a wide panorama opens in front of you. Below lies Victoria with its harbour. Beyond it you see the islands of the Ste Anne Marine Park and the runway of the Seychelles International Airport. The view covers about 180 degrees of the eastern side of Mahé. On a clear day, Praslin and La Digue appear on the horizon.
We always plan a proper break up here. There is time to sit, drink some water, take photos and videos, and simply enjoy the moment.
Sunrise or midday?
We like to start early. With a pick up at around 6 am you can watch the sunrise from the top, and the morning air is fresh. The tour also works very well around midday. Then the sun stands over Victoria, and for many photographers the light on the town and the marine park is even better. You choose your pick up time when you book.
Your private Copolia tour with Island Tour Seychelles
Island Tour Seychelles is a family business on Mahé. Sheena Jean founded it in 2020, and she is the only licensed female tour guide in the Seychelles. Together with our guides Chris, Kevin, Yannick and Keeto, we show you our island the way we know it. Our guides speak English and French, and Sheena also speaks a bit of German.
Every tour is private. Only you and your partner, family or group walk with us, at your own pace. We pick you up free of charge anywhere on Mahé: your hotel or guesthouse, the airport, the cruise terminal, the jetty in Victoria, Eden Island or a friend's home. After the hike we bring you back to your starting point or wherever you would like to go.
Practical tips for the Copolia nature trail
Wear sturdy closed shoes. Flip flops are not suitable for the trail. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen for the viewpoint, where there is less shade. There are no dangerous animals in the Seychelles, so you can walk completely relaxed.
An entrance fee for guests over 12 is payable at the gate. If two adults book with children, the first child aged 5–12 joins for free. You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the tour.
Questions and answers
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Read up on the places
What awaits you at each stop, in peace and before you go.
Guest reviews
Awesome day. Sheena is really organized and answered all my questions before the tour. We did Copolia trail and Blackpool trail in the same day. She gave me a lot of informations during the trails and brought me too several view points. It was awesome!!!
Tripadvisor
Thank you Sheena. Dear Sheena, thank you very much for the unforgettable 2 days. It was a lot of fun 🙂
Tripadvisor
Value for money, professionalism, quality, responsiveness to enquiries. The experience has been truly wonderful and has met our expectations. Sheena is a native guide who has adapted perfectly to our requests. Her experience and sympathy have made our tour a success. Totally recomended for Tours in Mahe.
Exzellent. We booked two trips with Sheena (Island Tour Mahé, Copolia Trail) and deeply enjoyed both of them. She is a fantastic guide, very professional, passionate, knowledgeable and kind. Of course we also considered to simply rent a car and explore the island on our own, but honestly said: We would have missed a lot … not only all of those amazing, less well known places, but also quite some fun :-) Our trip to …
Tripadvisor
