Chamarel Seven Colored Earth & Waterfall: Private full-day tour

A day of landmarks, from volcanic crater to towering waterfall

A private full-day tour of Mauritius' southwest, departing from your hotel with a guide and air-conditioned vehicle, visits Trou aux Cerfs volcano, Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, Grand Bassin sacred lake, Alexandra Falls, Machabée viewpoint, the Seven Colored Earth Geopark, Chamarel Waterfall, and ends at Chamarel Viewpoint overlooking the west coast. The tour includes entrance fees, a Creole lunch with beverages, bottled water, and drop-off back at your accommodation. Duration runs 6 to 7 hours. A live guide speaks English or French. Notify the operator of any dietary needs or if you need a child seat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Trou aux Cerfs Volcano30m
2. Seven Coloured Earth Geopark45m · entry included
3. Chamarel Waterfall45m · entry included

Explore South West Mauritius highlights

• Visit Trou aux Cerfs volcanic crater
• See Mare aux Vacoas reservoir
• Explore Grand Bassin sacred lake
• Discover Alexandra Falls waterfall
• Enjoy Macchabée Viewpoint panorama
• Visit Chamarel Seven Colored Earth
• Admire Chamarel Waterfall
• Have lunch at local restaurant
• Relax at Chamarel Viewpoint

The experience

Chamarel sits in Mauritius' southwestern highlands, and a private vehicle means you start and end at your own hotel without coordinating group timing. The guide handles navigation through the region's network of forest roads, volcanic sites, and viewpoints: six stops that would take most of a day to piece together alone. You move at your own pace between each one, stopping as long as you want at the Seven Colored Earth's 15-meter dunes or lingering at Chamarel Waterfall's 100-meter drop.

The route opens at Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater rising 605 meters above sea level near Curepipe, where a 350-meter-wide rim offers 360-degree views across the central plateau to the distant coasts on clear days. From there the tour moves through Mare aux Vacoas, the island's largest freshwater reservoir set in cool highland forest, then descends to Grand Bassin: a crater lake 550 meters up and sacred to Hindu pilgrims, ringed by temples and the towering statue of Lord Shiva. Alexandra Falls emerges next, tucked inside the Black River Gorges National Park's dense jungle, followed by Machabée Viewpoint, which overlooks the park's largest protected forest and the western coast beyond.

Lunch arrives at a local restaurant serving Creole cuisine (vegetarian or non-vegetarian, your choice) with non-alcoholic beverages included. After eating, the tour reaches the Seven Colored Earth Geopark, where distinct shades of red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow layer the dunes in an almost lunar landscape. Giant tortoises live on the reserve. Chamarel Waterfall comes next, fed by the Saint-Denis River and dropping 100 meters into jungle below. The day closes at Chamarel Viewpoint, a high vantage point overlooking Le Morne Mountain, Île aux Bénitiers, Crystal Rock, and the Indian Ocean stretching to the horizon.

What’s included

• Entrance to the Seven Colored Earth Geopark and Chamarel Waterfall.
• private transportation in a fully air-conditioned vehicle with a qualified guide or driver.
• Mauritian Creole lunch (vegetarian or non-vegetarian) with non-alcoholic beverages.
• bottled water upon arrival.
• hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to14h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Freshverde Holidays

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying at a hotel without a rental car: pickup from your accommodation means no taxi fare or self-drive navigation through the highlands, and the private vehicle lets you set the pace at each of the six stops without waiting for a group to gather.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is the Seven Colored Earth and why does it look that way?

The Seven Colored Earth Geopark is a geological formation of layered sand dunes in distinct shades (red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow) rising up to 15 meters high. The colors come from different mineral deposits formed over time, creating an almost surreal, rainbow-hued landscape that has made it one of Mauritius' major tourist attractions since it was documented in 1879.

How high is Chamarel Waterfall and can you swim in it?

Chamarel Waterfall drops 100 meters, making it the tallest waterfall on the island. It's fed by the Saint-Denis River, and the cool water below attracts swimmers and abseiling enthusiasts who take the trail down to the pool at its base.

Does the tour include hotel pickup, and how long does it run?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius are included. The tour lasts 6 to 7 hours total, covering all six major sites plus lunch and travel time between them.

What should I bring or wear for this tour?

Wear non-slip shoes and comfortable clothes suitable for walking around volcanic craters, forest trails and viewpoints. Bring sunscreen and a camera. Bottled water is provided upon arrival, and beverages come with lunch.