Black River Tour: Tea Factory, Rum & Gorge Views

Seven hours through tea plantations, rum distilleries, waterfalls and gorge viewpoints

A full-day guided tour of Black River and the southwestern coast of Mauritius, starting with hotel pickup and ending at Black River Gorges Viewpoint. The itinerary moves through Trou aux Cerfs volcano, Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, Grand Bassin's Lord Shiva statue, Alexandra Falls, Gris-Gris sea cliffs, Bois Chéri Tea Factory with tasting, and Rhumerie de St Aubin rum distillery with tasting. Lunch is a three-course Mauritian meal at a local restaurant. A certified guide drives a fully air-conditioned vehicle and speaks English, French or Hindi. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included anywhere in Mauritius. Children from age one are welcome, and vegetarian meals are available on request.

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. Bois Cheri Plantation1h · entry included
4. Gris Gris Cape1h · entry included

Full day scenic and cultural tour

• Hotel pick-up in Mauritius
• Visit Trou aux Cerfs volcanic crater
• Stop at Mare aux Vacoas reservoir
• Explore Grand Bassin sacred lake and statue
• Admire Alexandra Falls and valley views
• Enjoy panoramic views at Black River Gorges
• Tour Bois Chéri Tea factory and plantation
• View Gris-Gris sea cliffs at Souillac
• Have 3-course Mauritian lunch at local restaurant
• Discover Rhumerie St Aubin rum distillery and tasting

The experience

The tour runs seven to eight hours and begins with hotel pickup anywhere on the island. Your guide meets you at your accommodation, and from there the route heads inland to Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater 605 meters above sea level surrounded by indigenous forest and giant pine trees. The crater rim offers 360-degree views across the town of Curepipe, Rempart Mountain, and the Port-Louis–Moka range. From there you continue to Mare aux Vacoas, the island's largest reservoir, set deep in forest and a quieter stop than the busier attractions.

The next leg moves through sacred and natural sites. Grand Bassin is a crater lake holding a 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva, the highest statue in Mauritius, with a temple and shrines on the shoreline. 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 climb for the full vista. Then comes Gris-Gris, where high cliffs drop straight to the sea and large waves crash directly against the rock face because coral reefs do not protect this coastline. Lunch (a three-course Mauritian meal with fresh salads, rice, soup, chicken curry or fish, and vegetables) happens at a local restaurant, and you choose your main course with the chef's guidance.

The afternoon covers production and craft. Bois Chéri Tea Factory includes a guided tour of the factory and tea plantation, a visit to the tea production museum, and a tasting session at the chalet with panoramic views of the southern flora and fauna. The distillery visit to Rhumerie de St Aubin, set in a colonial house, takes you behind the scenes of rum making with a guide explaining the process, followed by a tasting of the different rum varieties the distillery produces. The tour ends at Black River Gorges Viewpoint, where 17,000 acres of rainforest roll out in deep valleys and rolling hills, with a waterfall visible from the viewing area and souvenir stalls along the path.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius.
• private transportation in a fully air-conditioned vehicle.
• services of a certified guide who speaks English, French or Hindi.
• entry to Bois Chéri Tea Factory and Tea Route.
• guided tour of the tea factory and plantation with tea museum visit.
• tea tasting at the chalet with panoramic views.
• entry to Rhumerie de St Aubin distillery.
• guided tour of the rum-making process with rum tasting.
• three-course Mauritian lunch (vegetarian or non-vegetarian) at a local restaurant.
• non-alcoholic beverages during lunch.
• bottled water upon arrival.

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?Pick this if you want to see seven landmarks across the island in one day with hotel pickup included. Choose the French or Hindi-speaking guide if English isn't your preference.

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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 Trou aux Cerfs and why is it on this tour?

Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcanic crater 605 meters above sea level with a diameter of 350 meters, surrounded by lush indigenous forest and giant pine trees. It has remained dormant for 700,000 years and offers 360-degree views of the town of Curepipe, Rempart Mountain, and the Port-Louis–Moka mountain range, making it one of Mauritius's most visited natural attractions.

Does the tour include food and drink, or do I need to budget separately?

Lunch is included: a three-course Mauritian meal with salads, rice, soup, chicken curry or fish, and vegetables, served at a local restaurant where you choose your main course. Tea tasting at Bois Chéri and rum tasting at Rhumerie de St Aubin are also included. Non-alcoholic beverages during lunch are provided, and bottled water arrives upon pickup.

What happens at Bois Chéri Tea Factory?

Bois Chéri is the first stop on Mauritius's Tea Route. A guide leads you through the factory and plantation, then to the tea production museum, and finishes with a tasting session at the chalet overlooking the southern landscape. The factory produces green teas, herbal teas, and flavored varieties, and the visit includes access to the plantation itself.

How does the tour get me around if I don't have a car?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included at any accommodation in Mauritius. You travel in a fully air-conditioned vehicle with your certified guide, who drives the entire route and handles all transport between the seven stops.

What is the Rhumerie de St Aubin experience like?

Rhumerie de St Aubin is a rum distillery set in a colonial house with tropical and traditional design. A guide takes you behind the scenes to explain the rum-making process in detail, and you then taste the different rum varieties the distillery produces. The visit also includes the sugar factory, vanilla house, anthurium greenhouse, tropical botanical garden, spice garden, and mini farm on the Domaine de Saint Aubin property.

Can I request vegetarian meals or inform the guide of food allergies?

Yes. Vegetarian meals are available for lunch: request them when booking. Inform the operator of any food allergies or illnesses before the tour so the guide and restaurant can accommodate your needs.