Mauritius inland tour: Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Black River Gorges

Five stops across Mauritius's hinterland: a volcano crater, a sacred lake, gorge forest, rum tasting and seven-colored earth

A private guided tour of inland Mauritius covering five distinct sites in one day, with hotel pickup, lunch and a rum tasting included. The tour requires a minimum of two people per booking and suits all fitness levels. A professional guide fluent in English or French leads the route through the hilly southwestern interior, stopping at Trou aux Cerfs volcano, Grand Bassin sacred lake, Black River Gorges National Park, a working rum distillery, and the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Trou aux Cerfs Volcano30m
2. Black River Gorges National Park30m
3. Seven Coloured Earth Geopark45m · entry included

Explore Mauritius inland highlights

• Visit Trou aux Cerfs volcano viewpoint
• Explore Grand Bassin sacred lake
• Discover Black River Gorges National Park
• Tour La Rhumerie de Chamarel distillery
• See Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth dunes

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel and a drive to Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcano just outside Curepipe with a crater lake visible from the rim. From there the route heads to Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, one of the most sacred places for Hindus in Mauritius, where the landscape shifts to spiritual significance. The guide navigates the hilly southwestern terrain, moving through Black River Gorges National Park where the rolling landscape and wildlife of the interior become the focus before the group continues south-west.

At La Rhumerie de Chamarel, a working distillery that still cultivates its own sugarcane, you get an introduction to rum-making and a tasting included in the tour. The final stop is the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark, a small area of sand dunes where seven distinct colors of sand create a natural phenomenon worth the drive. Lunch is provided during the day, and the air-conditioned vehicle keeps the group comfortable across the eight hours and multiple stops.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional guide in English or French.
• lunch during the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all stops.
• rum tasting at the distillery.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Mautourco Ltd

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you don't need a car or arrange transport between sites. The guide handles the route through the hilly interior, which is where the five stops cluster and where self-driving becomes complicated without local knowledge of the back roads.

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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 (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly is Trou aux Cerfs and what will I see there?

Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcano with a crater lake in the center, located just outside Curepipe. You'll see the viewpoint from the top of the volcano crater itself.

Is Grand Bassin really a sacred site, and what do I do there?

Grand Bassin, also known as Ganga Talao, is one of the most sacred places for Hindus in Mauritius. The tour includes a visit where you can connect with the spiritual and natural beauty of the lake.

What happens at the rum distillery in Chamarel?

La Rhumerie de Chamarel is a working distillery that grows its own sugarcane. The tour includes an introduction to rum-making and a tasting as part of the day.

How long is the full tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs eight hours and includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide in English or French, lunch, and an air-conditioned vehicle for all the stops.

What is the Seven Coloured Earth and why is it worth seeing?

The Seven Coloured Earth Geopark is a small area of sand dunes where sand naturally occurs in seven distinct colors, a rare geological phenomenon found in Chamarel.