Black River full-day tour: 8 hours, 8 stops with lunch

One day covers a volcanic crater, a sacred lake, two waterfalls, colored sand dunes, rum-making and tea production.

A full-day private tour of southwest Mauritius with hotel pickup, visiting eight sites across Black River Gorges National Park and the surrounding region. The itinerary includes Trou aux Cerfs volcanic crater, Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, Grand Bassin's Lord Shiva statue, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges viewpoint, Twenty-Three Coloured Earth, Chamouze Waterfall, Rhumerie St Aubin distillery, and Bois Chéri Tea Factory. A certified guide drives in an air-conditioned vehicle, and a three-course Mauritian lunch is included. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours with hotel return transport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Trou aux Cerfs Volcano40m · entry included
2. Black River Gorges National Park30m · entry included
3. St. Aubin House & Sugar Estate1h · entry included
4. Gris Gris Cape2h

Southwest Mauritius full-day tour

• Hotel pick-up and meet guide
• Visit Trou aux Cerfs volcanic crater
• Stop at Mare aux Vacoas reservoir
• Explore Grand Bassin and Lord Shiva statue
• Admire Alexandra Falls and panoramic views
• View Black River Gorges from viewpoint
• See the Twenty-three Coloured Earths sand dunes
• Visit Chamouny Waterfall
• Tour Rhumerie St Aubin and rum tasting
• Enjoy 3-course Mauritian lunch
• Visit Bois Chéri Tea Factory and tasting
• Return to hotel

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup anywhere in Mauritius and heads straight to Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater 605 meters above sea level surrounded by indigenous forest. From the rim you get a 360-degree view of Curepipe, Rempart Mountain, and the Port-Louis–Moka range. Next is Mare aux Vacoas, the island's largest reservoir at 26 million cubic meters, set deep in forest and offering a quiet break from the main tourist circuit. Then comes Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao), a crater lake where a 33-meter-high statue of Lord Shiva stands on the shoreline next to a temple and smaller shrines. The lake sits 550 meters up and draws Hindu pilgrims and visitors year-round.

The afternoon swings through the natural landmarks. Alexandra Falls sits 700 meters above sea level and opens onto a panoramic view of the southeast coast and turquoise ocean. A wooden platform lets you take in the full drop. Black River Gorges viewpoint overlooks 17,000 acres of rainforest with deep valleys, rolling hills and endemic bird species. Twenty-Three Coloured Earth is a geological oddity of rainbow-hued sand dunes in seven distinct colors (red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow) that separate back into layers if mixed. Chamouze Waterfall is a single-drop cascade in dense vegetation and ranks among Mauritius's most photographed waterfalls.

Before the return drive, you stop at Rhumerie St Aubin to tour the rum distillery and taste agricultural rums made from sugar cane, then at Gris Gris Cape to see high cliffs dropping to the sea and crashing waves. A three-course Mauritian lunch happens at a local restaurant with your choice of fresh salads, rice, soups, chicken curry or fish with vegetables. The tour ends at Bois Chéri Tea Factory, where you walk the estate, learn the history of tea production on the island, and taste purely Mauritian tea and newer flavored or herbal blends before heading back to your hotel.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with certified guide.
• hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius.
• entrance to Trou aux Cerfs, Mare aux Vacoas, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges National Park viewpoint, Twenty-Three Coloured Earth, Chamouze Waterfall, Rhumerie St Aubin distillery, and Bois Chéri Tea Factory.
• three-course Mauritian lunch with choice of vegetarian or non-vegetarian options.
• bottled water on arrival.
• non-alcoholic beverages with lunch.
• rum tasting at the distillery.
• tea tasting at the factory.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Hindi

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Freshverde Holidays

Is this one for you?Choose this private tour if you want to visit five landmarks across southwest Mauritius in one day with a guide handling the route. Pick a self-guided option if you'd rather spend hours at just one or two spots.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and Hindi.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What is the Trou aux Cerfs volcanic crater like when you get there?

Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant crater 605 meters above sea level with a 350-meter diameter and 100-meter depth, surrounded by lush indigenous forest and giant green pine trees. It has not erupted in 700,000 years. From the rim you see a 360-degree view of Curepipe town, Rempart Mountain, Trois Mamelles, and the Port-Louis–Moka mountain range.

Does the tour include food and drinks?

Yes. A three-course Mauritian lunch is included at a local restaurant with your choice of salads, rice, soups, chicken curry or fish with vegetables. Bottled water arrives when you're picked up, and non-alcoholic beverages come with lunch. At Rhumerie St Aubin you taste agricultural rums, and at Bois Chéri you taste Mauritian tea and flavored or herbal blends.

How long is the tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs 7 to 8 hours from hotel pickup to return. Your guide meets you at your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius and drives you in a fully air-conditioned vehicle to all eight stops before bringing you back.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear non-slip shoes and comfortable clothes suitable for walking at multiple outdoor sites. Bring a camera for the panoramic views at Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges viewpoint, and Bois Chéri Tea Factory. Sunscreen and a hat are recommended for the exposed viewpoints.