Those planning to see the Clock Tower, the cathedral Immaculate Conception and the Emmanuelle estate, go in for scuba diving, climb Mount Nid d'Aigle (from a height of more than 300 m a breathtaking panorama of the island of La Digue opens up; you can ride a bike to the foot, after which active tourists will be waiting for a 30-minute rise), go to the Craft Village and national park Vallee de Mai, spend time on the beach of Grand Anse, visit the cinnamon plantations growing there, walk along Marquette Street, the orchid garden and the Mont Fleury Botanical Garden, invariably interested in the question: “How much to fly to from ?”

How many hours to fly from Moscow to the Seychelles?

If you need to get to the Seychelles not only in winter, but also in other months, then you can use the services of Emirates Airlines (a flight through will take about 13 hours) or Qatar Airways (when flying through a connection, it will take at least 40 minutes). The latter option will cost less, and Qatar Airways flies to the Seychelles every day, with the exception of Mondays. Those who are interested in flying through European cities(Amsterdam, Paris, London) will spend about 20 hours on the road, and besides, such a trip will cost many times more.

Flight Moscow - Praslin

Despite the fact that Moscow and Praslin are separated by 6889 km (the minimum price of air tickets is 26800-49600 rubles), due to the lack of direct flights, you will have to make transfers: a flight through Paris and Mahe will take 21 hours, through Dubai and Mahe - 23 hours, through and Mahe - 16.5 hours, through and Mahe - 19 hours. Upon arrival at Praslin Island Airport, travelers will find a recreation area, a currency exchange office, and a cafe there.

Flight Moscow - Victoria

For those who wish to make a direct flight Moscow - (between them 8305 km), in the winter it makes sense to resort to the services of the Air Seychelles carrier, which operates flights lasting 9 hours, 1 time in 10 days. As for air tickets, their cost has a wide range: for example, in August they are sold at a price of 29,700 rubles, and in December - at 246,000 rubles. Those who made a stop in Abu Dhabi will find themselves in after a minimum of 12 hours, in - after 23-26 hours, in - after a minimum of 21 hours, in - after a minimum of 16 hours, in Frankfurt am Main - after 15.5 hours, in Doha and Abu Dhabi - after 17 hours, in Doha and Mumbai - after 18 hours, in Dubai - after 17.5 hours, in Dubai - after more than 19.5 hours, in Dubai - after 17 hours and 15 minutes, in and Dubai - after 18.5 hours, in and Frankfurt am Main - after 18 hours and 15 minutes.

Seychelles International Airport equipped with: ATMs, currency exchange offices and bank branches; VIP-hall (where guests will find TVs, wireless access to the Internet, massage chairs, a bar with snacks and soft drinks); Internet terminals and public telephones; duty-free shops (they sell souvenirs and national goods of the islands at attractive prices) and car rental points (you will be asked to pay 45 euros / day for a budget small car); restaurants and bars.

To get to the center of Victoria (journey time - no more than 20 minutes), it is advisable to take a bus, the stop of which is located opposite the airport. But it should be taken into account that buses run from 6 am to 5-6 pm, so if the plane lands on Seychelles after this time, you will have to hire a taxi.

Since there are no hotels on the territory of the airport (when leaving it, everyone who is 12 years old is charged a fee of $ 40) it will take about 1 hour to drive to the nearest accommodation.

Packages and tours

about the country

Seychelles - wonderful world, full bright colors and spicy aromas, enchanting sounds of unusual music and the sound of the surf, ancient legends and amazing stories about pirate treasures.

The Seychelles is a unique corner, lost in the vast expanses of the ocean, which many often call "Paradise on Earth" or "Eden". The Seychelles are a lot of islands of amazing beauty, each of them is interesting in its own way. The most popular among travelers are, and.

Holidays in the Seychelles are countless beaches with silver-white sand, which are rightfully considered one of the best in the world, exotic nature, the likes of which cannot be found anywhere else on the planet, as well as local kitchen and great service. The Seychelles attract travelers from all over the world and leave an unforgettable impression.

Holidays in the Seychelles are ideal for both romantics and those who are fond of extreme views sports. Here, nature itself has created ideal conditions for surfing, windsurfing, scuba diving, spearfishing, water skiing or canoeing and much more.

Nature and geography

The Seychelles are located in the western Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar, 1500 km east of Kenya. The Seychelles are located between the fourth and fifth degrees south of the equator.

The country is an isolated archipelago of incredible beauty, consisting of 115 islands. Approximately 35 of them are the "Inner Island Group" and have a granitic structure. As a rule, these are islands with many mountains and hills and a narrow coastal strip, the rest of the islands are coral atolls. The largest of them, Aldabra, is also a national park, which is under the auspices of UNESCO.

Seychelles is one of the smallest countries, its area is only 455.3 square meters. km. The largest islands are Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.

The capital of the Seychelles is the city of Victoria, located on the island of Mahe.

Seychelles time. The time difference with Moscow is 1 hour in winter, summer period there is no time difference.

Seychelles is a republic, its status is enshrined in the Constitution of June 18, 1993, since then this day has been celebrated as a national holiday. The islands were first noticed by Arab sailors 1000 years ago, but not only they were attracted by the convenient location of the archipelago - the Phoenicians also often appeared here and Indonesians. Almost 500 years ago, the islands were discovered by the famous Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama. The Seychelles were both British and French colonies. On June 29, 1976, the Seychelles declared independence from and became a republic.

Customs regulations. Arrivals in the Seychelles are allowed to carry 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 2 liters of alcohol, 125 ml of perfume or 250 ml of toilet water and other goods worth no more than 3,000 Seychellois rupees (US$ 550). It is forbidden to import flammable materials, weapons, including those for spearfishing, narcotic substances and medicines without a prescription. A special permit is required to import pets. It is forbidden to transport vegetables, fruits, plants, meat and meat products, canned food. Installed export bans coconuts, shells, corals, turtle products.

Currency of the Seychelles. 1 rupee contains 100 cents. 5 rupees equals 1USD. In the course of banknotes in denominations of 10, 25, 50 and 100 rupees, coins in denominations of 1 and 5 rupees, as well as 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents. You can also sometimes find silver and gold coins in circulation. Credit cards Visa and American Express are accepted almost everywhere, except for very small settlements.

Currency exchange. Currency can be exchanged at hotels or local banks. A maximum of 1,000 rupees, or $200, can be taken out of the country; there are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency. It is recommended to bring American dollars or travelers checks in this currency to the Seychelles, since rupees cannot be used by tourists to pay for rent, excursions, and restaurants. It is recommended to exchange a small amount of money immediately upon arrival at Victoria Airport, located on the island of Mahe.

Banks in the Seychelles open from 8.30 to 14.30 from Monday to Friday, on Saturday - from 8.30 to 11.00.

Travel Tips

Holidays.
January 1 - New Year
Holy Friday - no fixed date
Easter - no fixed date
May 1 - Labor Day
June 5 - Liberation Day
June 18 - National Day
June 29 - Independence Day
November 1 - All Saints Day
December 25 - Christmas

Also in April, for one week, an annual festival dedicated to water world Seychelles.
In September, a water regatta takes place on the island of La Digue.
The Creole Festival is celebrated in October.
In November, an annual fishing competition is held.

The shops. Those wishing to buy souvenirs can be advised on beautiful handicrafts made from sea shells and pearls, wicker baskets, paintings by local artists, including batik paintings, mats, beautiful wood or bamboo carvings and, of course, the quintessence of Seychellois souvenirs - Coco del -measures. Local tea, of which there are a great variety of varieties on the islands, can also be purchased as a souvenir. It must be borne in mind that products made from tortoise shells will be necessarily seized at customs. the best place for shopping in the Seychelles is located in Victoria. Here you can wander the streets and do some shopping. There are also a few shops on Praslin, but not so many on the other islands. In large hotels, as a rule, there are boutiques. Shops are open during the week and on Saturday mornings.

Tips, as a rule, range from 5% to 10% and are already included in the cost of maintenance.

Transport in the Seychelles. The islands have an international airport (in Victoria), several seaports and several local airports. Between the islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue, you can travel by river trams or high-speed catamarans. Travelers should take into account that flights between Mahe and Praslin are often canceled for technical reasons. It is very convenient to explore the local beauty and sights from a helicopter or a private jet, but renting it is expensive, but renting a bike or car is available to everyone, all the more, this is the most successful way to travel around the island. You can also travel by taxi, which is located on Albert Street in Victoria and is open around the clock.

Car rental. If you want to take a car, you need to have a driver's license with you (Russian licenses are also valid) and you must be at least 22 years old. Traffic in the Seychelles is left-handed, like in Britain, the quality of the roads is not bad. The speed limit for driving in the city is 45 km / h, outside settlements- 65 km / h. The cost of 1 liter of gasoline is just over a dollar, there are six gas stations on Mahe Island, and two on Praslin. Gas station in Victoria is open from 5 am to 11 pm.

Electricity - 240 volts, 50 Hz

postal services. Telephone services. Internet. The central post office is located in Victoria and is open from 8.00 to 16.00 from Monday to Friday, on Saturday - from 8.00 to noon. Letters can be sent directly from the hotel. You can also use the telephone in most hotels. The country code is 248. There are several internet cafes on Mahe and at least one on Praslin Island.

Medical service. The climate in the Seychelles is very healthy, and there are no known tropical diseases that are common, for example, in Kenya or. There is a small risk of contracting hepatitis A, so vaccination is recommended before travel.

As for the local water, in general it is quite suitable for drinking, but it is better to use either boiled or bottled water. It is preferable to eat in cafes or restaurants, since the variety of cuisine allows you to choose dishes for every taste. A lot of food is sold from stalls, but it is better to refrain from eating it.

The central hospital is located in Victoria on the island of Mahe (tel. 224400). Doctors speak English and/or French. On Mahe, Praslin and La Digue there are also other, including private, clinics. Medical care is free, provided by the state.

Emergency phone Seychelles - 999.

Since the climate on the islands is tropical, which means it is quite humid and hot, recommended to wear light clothing made from natural materials, for women - light dresses, shorts or pareos during the day and long skirts in the evening, for men - shorts and a T-shirt. The most suitable shoes are slates or sandals. Swimwear is only worn on the beach.

The Seychelles has excellent conditions for sports lovers. Here you can go surfing, windsurfing, paragliding, sailing and water skiing, go canoeing or fly a hang glider. On their own, or using the services of an experienced instructor, those who wish can go spearfishing and fishing. However, it would not be entirely true to say that the Seychelles are only ideal for water sports.

Mahe has an excellent golf course south of international airport in Victoria. The golf course on Praslin Island is considered one of the best in the world. Most hotels have tennis courts. On the islands there is an opportunity to go in for equestrian sports.

Are popular hiking tours various levels of difficulty on the islands of Mahe, Praslin, La Digue and some others, which give travelers a great opportunity to explore their beauties and get acquainted with the local exotic flora and fauna. As a rule, information about them can be obtained from hotels.

Many hotels on the islands have cinemas and discos, where barbecues with folk songs and dances are often held. It is interesting to watch or take part in local entertainments, listen to unusual music for Europeans called "kamtolet", which is a mixture of waltz, polka and quadrille, to see how "mautia" is danced, an African dance to the sounds of drums and tom-toms, or no less famous dance "now".

Victoria is home to cinemas and theatres, which often host theatrical productions in English, French and Creole. There are casinos in the center of Victoria, as well as in the Beau Vallon Bay Hotel and the Plantation Club. Praslin is also home to the magnificent Casino des Iles.

People come to the Seychelles to enjoy the pristine nature. And here it is achieved immediately, thanks to the ideal climatic conditions, always warm sea with wonderful white sandy beaches. Located in the tropical latitudes and surrounded by the emerald expanse of the Indian Ocean, this coconut paradise is amazing with a riot of colors and a variety of plants, a colorful underwater world and outlandish reserves, intricately indented rocks and coral atolls, a great variety of birds and giant tortoises, as well as the Creole population and its traditions that combine European, African, Indian and Chinese cultures.

Each island of this fabulous archipelago, whether it is the capital island of Mahe or the former haven of pirates - Frigate, the island of Praslin coconut trees or the fantastic La Digue, is attractive in its own way and has magnificent natural beaches with white sand, colorful hotels that fit perfectly into the landscape and do not disturbing harmony wildlife. This country is not a victim mass tourism, retaining its amazing beauty and color.

Seychelles is tropical paradise, rich in fruits all year round: coconuts, mango fruits, bananas, papayas, psidium fruits, avocados, melons, citrus fruits, breadfruit, jamalaki, caroms, corossols, pineapples, sugar cane, oranges, lemons, grapefruits... There are at least 15 varieties of bananas and almost as many varieties of mangoes...

There are a lot of endemic (found only in the Seychelles) representatives of flora and fauna in the Seychelles. For example, only here the unique coconut palm "Sea Coconut" grows. Her famous nut - the largest and heaviest in the world - reaches a weight of 20 kg. The adventurer Henri de Monfreud, who saw other palm trees, did not hide his surprise: "This nut is the size of a large round gourd. It is double, and its two hemispheres resemble a pair of buttocks, between which nature was pleased to carefully reproduce some anatomical details suggestive of thought" .

Unique giant tortoises live in the Seychelles. At the moment of cessation of growth "testuda gigantea" 1.5 m long can weigh up to 500 kg. Some specimens live for a very long time, more than 300 years.

On the Seychelles There are also unique bird species: the black parrot on Praslin Island, the song magpie on Fregate and Arid Islands, the Tok-Tok on Cousin Island, the banana bird on Mahe Island...

The Seychelles have long attracted fans to catch big fish. 100 km north of the island of Mahe, near the island of Birds and not far from the island of Deniz (the base of lovers of this type of fishing), where the depth very quickly reaches 1800 m, 6 world records were set: boats equipped with special equipment recognized International Anglers Association, give the opportunity to register records.

Capital

Victoria.

Population

The population is 96,000 people. “There is enough French in Seychellois women to have a good figure, English to be distinguished by good manners, Asian to be exotic, and African to harbor the charm of savagery.” It is difficult to say better about the Seychellois woman than Alec Waugh did.

Language

Official languages ​​are Creole, French, English.

Religion

The main religion on the islands is Christianity (90% of the population are Catholics), Buddhism, and Islam.

Geography

The Seychelles archipelago includes 115 large and small islands located in the Indian Ocean just south of the equator and north of the island of Madagascar.

It occupies an area of ​​459 km 2.

Most major islands - Mahe, Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette- granite origin; small islands - mostly coral.

Most big Island archipelago - Mahe, length - 27 km, width - 8 km. On this island is located state capital - Victoria and an international airport.

Climate

Although this paradise is very close to the equator, the climate here is more tropical than equatorial.

The ocean has a regulating influence, and the Seychelles are unfamiliar with the debilitating heat of continental regions located at the same latitude.

It is customary to distinguish between two seasons: hot (December - May) with average temperature about +29°C and relatively cool (June - November) with an average temperature of about +27°C when the monsoon winds blow. The rainy season lasts from early December to mid-January. During this time, heavy, but short-term rains are possible.

Time

The time difference with Moscow is +1 hour in winter, there is no time difference in summer.

Visa

A visa to the Seychelles is not required for a trip. You must have a foreign passport with you, the validity of which will expire at least 6 months after the date of departure, a completed customs declaration and return ticket. No vaccination certificate is required upon entry. All arrivals are issued a so-called visitor visa valid for 1 month, which can be extended if desired.

Currency

The national currency is the Seychellois rupee (SCR).
1$=14 rupees.

In the course of banknotes in denominations of 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 rupees, coins in denominations of 1 and 5 rupees, as well as 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents. You can also sometimes find silver and gold coins in circulation.

Visa, Master Card and American Express credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Banks in the Seychelles are open from 8:30 to 14:30 from Monday to Friday, on Saturday - from 8:30 to 11:00.

Tips

It is not necessary to give a tip, because. Usually the cost of service is included in the bill. However, the service staff at the hotel and restaurant are always happy with the extra rupees.

Transport

Air traffic
Local airlines AIR SEYCHELLES. Aircraft of this airline make regular flights between the islands of the Seychelles archipelago. Phone for information about airline flights: 438 40 00.

Car rental
The country has left-hand traffic and fairly narrow roads. You can rent a car at the hotel (as a rule, each hotel has car rental offices) or AVIS - tel. 422 45 11, Mahe Cars – tel. 437 35 27.

gas stations
150 km. Mahe's road network is served by six Shell petrol stations.

Other modes of transport
Taxi - There are about 200 taxis operating on Mahe Island. All vehicles are equipped with meters. The rate is the same at any time of the day. The taxi rank is open 24/7.

Buses - run at intervals of a quarter of an hour on the main routes. Buses of the Indian brand "TATA" run from 5:30 to 19:00.

Ferries - The Cat Cocos high-speed ferry departs from the Port of Victoria daily to Praslin Island with a journey time of 1 hour.
Flights from Monday to Saturday - from 7:30 to 16:00. Sunday - from 10:30 to 16:30.

clothing

It is best to wear light cotton clothing, comfortable shoes (sandals or sandals), and a hat. We recommend using special sunscreens and bring sunglasses with you. If you are going to visit the mountainous part of the country, then you should take a sweater with trousers (because in the evening the temperature can drop to +14°C).

Electricity

Voltage 240V, 50 Hz. Sockets are square with three holes. An international standard adapter is used, which can be taken at the reception.

Connection

To call Moscow 007 (Russian code) + 495 (Moscow code) + subscriber number. A phone call from the Seychelles is expensive: a $40 phone card allows you to talk to Europe in just 8 minutes. Cost 1 min. conversation with Moscow from a pay phone - $ 4.

For use mobile communications Please check with your ISP for any questions!

Useful Phones

Police, fire service, ambulance: 999

Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Seychelles: The Embassy of the Russian Federation in The Republic of Seychelles
P.O. Box 632, Le Niol.
Phone: (8-10-248) 426 65 90 (24 hours), 422 15 90, 4266122, 426 66 53,
Mail: [email protected]
Victoria house. P.O. Box 3566, Victoria

There is no embassy of the Seychelles in Russia.

Fishing

The Seychelles are famous for their fantastic fishing. Only here it is possible to combine fishing in the open ocean, in sandy shallow waters and near coral reefs.

Fishing on boats specially equipped with the necessary equipment for trophy fishing: an installed trolling row of spinning rods with marine multiplier reels, hooks, live and artificial lures, stationary outriggers.

big game fishing– trolling fishing from large, specially equipped boats; bottom fishing– spinning fishing with poppers and jig lures; Flat fishing– light spinning and fly fishing.

Venue: Mahe Island, Praslin, Silhouette, Frigate, Bird, Denis, Derosh, Alphonse, Coetivy and other islands.

Diving

Scuba divers in the local waters are waiting for a wide variety underwater world including the unparalleled beauty of colorful coral reefs. Besides amazing whale sharks visit here from October to April, and those who are looking for a way to make their blood run alive through their veins will certainly not miss their chance to swim in the waters of the Indian Ocean next to the giants, the largest fish on the planet.

Restrictions

1. Those arriving in the Seychelles are allowed to carry 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco, 2 liters. alcohol, 125 ml. perfume or 250 ml. toilet water and other goods worth no more than 3,000 Seychellois rupees ($550).
2. It is forbidden to import flammable materials, weapons, including those for spearfishing, narcotic substances and medicines without a prescription.
3. A special permit is required for the import of pets.
4. It is forbidden to transport vegetables, fruits, plants, meat and meat products, canned food.
5. Bans have been established on the export of coconuts, shells, corals, and products made from turtles.
6. A maximum of 1,000 rupees, or $200, can be taken out of the country,
   There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency.

Flight rules, passport control, meeting, seeing off

Departure from Moscow

You are departing from Domodedovo International Airport, 1st floor, departure hall

1. customs control

   Required documents:
   - customs declaration (in case of transportation of more than $3000 or valuables);
   - international passport;
   – round trip ticket (don't lose!).
   All baggage must be presented, including hand luggage.

2. Registration

   Required documents:
   - air ticket;
   - international passport.
   At check-in, luggage is checked in and issued boarding pass into the plane. A purchased ticket without a boarding pass is not a guarantee of a seat on the plane.

3. Passport control

   Required documents:
   - boarding pass;
   - international passport.
   When boarding a plane, you only need a boarding pass.

Arrival in Mahe

When booking the Fast Track service, tourists will be met in the arrivals hall with a sign (where the names of tourists are indicated).

A representative of the host company will help you quickly go through passport control, customs, and get luggage.

1. Passport control

   Required documents:
   - international passport;
   – immigration card (issued on the plane shortly before landing).
   After passing passport control Do you still have a stub from the immigration card ..

2. Receipt of baggage

3. customs control

   To pass customs control, it is necessary to present all things for inspection to customs officers.

After passing through customs, you need to approach the representative of the host company with a sign and hand over the voucher, after which the representative will escort you to the transfer.

Airport emergency: 00248 2 51 53 10
Russian speaking representative: 00248 2 52 01 49 (Valentina Payette)