Mauritius South Coast Tour: Trou aux Cerfs & Black River Gorges

Seven hours through Mauritius's south: crater, temple, waterfall and colored earth

A private 7-hour guided tour of Mauritius's southern region, starting with hotel pickup and ending at your hotel, visiting Trou aux Cerfs extinct volcano, Grand Bassin Hindu Temple with its 33-meter Lord Shiva statue, Alexandra Waterfall in Black River Gorges National Park, and La Vallée des Couleurs with its 23 colored earth formations. The guide speaks English or French. An air-conditioned vehicle and specialized infant seats are available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Trou aux Cerfs Volcano30m
2. Black River Gorges National Park30m

Explore southern Mauritius highlights

• Pickup from hotel
• Drive through Curepipe town
• Visit Trou aux Cerfs crater
• Stop at Mare Aux Vacoas reservoir
• Visit Grand Bassin Hindu Temple
• Admire Alexandra Waterfall and Mt Cocotte
• Stop at Black River Gorges National Park viewpoint
• Drive along scenic route to Bassin Blanc
• Explore La Valley des Couleurs park
• Return to hotel

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel anywhere on the island. Your guide meets you and drives through Curepipe to Trou aux Cerfs, an extinct volcanic crater 605 meters above sea level with a diameter of 350 meters. The crater sits in a forest of indigenous plants and giant green pines and hasn't erupted in 700,000 years. From the rim you get a 360-degree view of Curepipe, Rempart Mountain, Trois Mamelles, and the Port-Louis-Moka range. A short drive takes you to Mare aux Vacoas, the island's largest reservoir at nearly 26 million cubic meters, tucked between thick forest.

Next is Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao: a crater lake 550 meters up in the mountainous southwest. On its shore stands a temple with shrines to Lord Shiva and other gods. The 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva is the highest statue in Mauritius. The lake itself runs about 18 meters deep and holds fish and eels. From there you head to Alexandra Waterfall, hidden in the jungle of Black River Gorges National Park. The waterfall drops through cloud forest on Mount Cocotte, and from the viewing area you can see the turquoise ocean of the south coast. The gorge viewpoint itself offers a panoramic view over 17,000 acres of rainforest: rolling hills, deep valleys, and unparalleled flora and fauna. You might spot monkeys on the path near souvenir stalls.

The scenic route to Bassin Blanc winds through dense forest with an almost 180-degree bend that offers dramatic views. The road is canopied in greenery, with birds and small mammals visible in the undergrowth. Your final stop is La Vallée des Couleurs in Chamouny, where 23 colored earth formations are the centerpiece, surrounded by plateaus, mountains, valleys, craters and crater-lakes. The reserve holds various indigenous flora and fauna and offers a range of nature activities. After this, your guide drives you back to your hotel.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle for the full 7 hours.
• pickup and drop-off from your hotel anywhere on the island.
• English or French-speaking guide.
• specialized infant seats if needed.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Taxi Service in Mauritius

Is this one for you?Choose this private tour if you want to set your own pace through the south without sharing stops with other travelers, or if you prefer not to drive unfamiliar roads yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Trou aux Cerfs and why is it worth seeing on this tour?

Trou aux Cerfs is an extinct volcanic crater 605 meters above sea level with a 350-meter diameter and 100-meter depth, surrounded by indigenous forest and giant green pines. It has been dormant for 700,000 years. From the rim you get a 360-degree view of Curepipe, Rempart Mountain, Trois Mamelles, and the Port-Louis-Moka range.

Can I see the Lord Shiva statue at Grand Bassin on this tour?

Yes. Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is a crater lake with a temple on its shore dedicated to Lord Shiva and other gods. The 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva is the highest statue in Mauritius and sits on the shoreline overlooking the lake.

What happens at Alexandra Waterfall and Black River Gorges National Park?

Alexandra Waterfall is hidden in the jungle of Black River Gorges National Park and drops through cloud forest on Mount Cocotte. From the gorge viewpoint you see a panoramic view over 17,000 acres of rainforest with rolling hills, deep valleys, and unparalleled flora and fauna. On clear days you can see the turquoise ocean of the south coast from the waterfall viewing area.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included. Your driver can recommend restaurants along the route, or you can bring your own food.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from any hotel on the island. The driver meets you at your hotel and returns you there at the end of the day.