Mauritius: Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth & Waterfalls Day Trip

Summary

Chamarel’s colors, waterfalls and quiet forest roads in Mauritius

You’ll wind through Mauritius’ wild south with a local guide—pausing at volcanic craters, cloud forests, sacred lakes, and finally Chamarel’s surreal 7 Coloured Earth. Expect quiet moments by waterfalls, stories from your driver, and views you’ll want to hold onto long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the air to smell so green at Trou aux Cerfs. Our guide, Ravi, laughed when I asked if volcanoes ever really wake up here—he just shrugged and pointed out the thick pine trees crowding the rim. The crater was bigger than it looked in photos, and there was this soft mist curling over Curepipe below. I kept glancing back as we drove on, not sure why that view stuck with me.

Mare Aux Vacoas felt quieter, almost sleepy. We stopped for a few minutes by the water—just birds and that damp earth smell you only get after rain (even though it hadn’t rained). At Grand Bassin, I tried to pronounce Ganga Talao properly; Ravi grinned but didn’t correct me. The statue of Shiva is massive up close—honestly kind of humbling—and people were lighting incense by the lake’s edge. It felt like everyone moved slower there, even us.

Alexandra Falls surprised me most. You hear it before you see it: water tumbling somewhere behind thick leaves. There were monkeys on the path (one stole someone’s snack) and souvenir stalls where an old woman sold tiny wooden dodos. Standing at the viewpoint, wind tugging at my shirt, I realized how far you can see—the turquoise line of ocean way off in the distance. The Black River Gorges stretch out forever from up there; Ravi pointed out names of hills I’d never remember but they sounded musical when he said them.

Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark was our last stop and honestly, those colors don’t look real until you’re standing right above them—reds, ochres, purples all swirling together in dry ripples. There were kids running along the fence trying to count how many shades they could spot (I gave up at five). By then we’d been out nearly eight hours but somehow I wasn’t tired yet—maybe it was just that feeling of seeing something for yourself instead of through a screen. Still think about that first cool breath at Trou aux Cerfs sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Southwest Mauritius Scenic Tour

• Hotel pick-up and meet guide
• Visit Trou Aux Cerfs volcanic crater
• Stop at Mare Aux Vacoas reservoir
• Explore Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin) lake and temple
• Admire Alexandra Falls and cloud forest
• Enjoy panoramic view at Gorge Viewpoint
• Discover Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark
• Visit Le Port Ship Model Factory and Showroom

Top questions

How long does the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth day trip take?

The tour lasts about 7-8 hours including all stops.

Is hotel pickup included for this Mauritius day trip?

Yes, pickup is available from anywhere in Mauritius.

Are infants or young children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are fine.

What are the main highlights visited on this tour?

You’ll see Trou aux Cerfs volcano, Mare Aux Vacoas reservoir, Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao), Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges Viewpoint, and Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark.

Is lunch included during the day trip?

No mention of lunch being included; bring snacks just in case.

Can people with limited mobility join this excursion?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; specialized infant seats are available too.

Do you visit Black River Gorges National Park on this route?

You stop at viewpoints within Black River Gorges region for panoramic views.

How far is Chamarel from central Mauritius hotels?

The drive varies but expect about an hour or more depending on your location; hotel pickup covers all areas.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup anywhere in Mauritius and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with a certified local guide leading each stop—from volcanic craters to waterfalls to Chamarel’s colorful sands—before returning you back to your hotel at the end of the journey.