Mauritius South Tour: Trou aux Cerfs & Black River Gorges

Crater, temple, gorge and waterfall in one afternoon across Mauritius' south

A private 7-hour guided tour of southern Mauritius picks you up from your hotel and takes you through five major stops: the Trou aux Cerfs volcanic crater with 360-degree views, the Grand Bassin Hindu Temple beside a crater lake, the Black River Gorges National Park with its rainforest and Alexandra Waterfall, and La Vallée des Couleurs with its 23 Colored Earth formations. Your guide speaks English or French and drives an air-conditioned vehicle.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore southern Mauritius highlights

• Pickup from hotel
• Visit Trou aux Cerfs crater
• Explore Grand Bassin Hindu Temple
• Drive past Mare Aux Vacoas reservoir
• Stop at Gorge Viewpoint
• Admire Alexandra Waterfall
• Drive scenic route to Bassin Blanc
• Visit La Valley des Couleurs
• Return to hotel

The experience

If you have a free afternoon or a day between other plans, this tour covers the southern landmarks without requiring you to navigate or drive yourself. You're picked up at your hotel anywhere on the island and driven through Curepipe to the Trou aux Cerfs crater, a dormant volcano 605 meters above sea level with a 350-meter diameter. The crater has been inactive for 700,000 years and sits surrounded by indigenous forest and giant pine trees. From the rim you get a 360-degree view of Curepipe, Rempart Mountain, Trois Mamelles, and the Port-Louis-Moka range.

The route then moves to Grand Bassin, a crater lake 550 meters up in the mountainous southwest, where a temple complex sits on the shoreline dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu gods. The 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva is the highest statue in Mauritius. The lake itself is about 18 meters deep and holds fish and eels. From there you drive to Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, the island's largest at nearly 26 million cubic meters, tucked between thick forest and offering a quieter stop before the gorge. At the Gorge Viewpoint you stop to look out over 17,000 acres of rainforest rolling across the southwestern region: valleys, waterfalls, and uncut forest floor. Alexandra Waterfall comes next, hidden in the deep jungle of Black River Gorges. The waterfall drops through cloud forest on Mt Cocotte with views down to the turquoise south coast. The final stop is La Vallée des Couleurs in Chamouny, where the 23 Colored Earth formations are the centerpiece, surrounded by plateaus, mountains, valleys and crater-lakes, with local activities available on-site.

The tour runs 7 hours total with private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle. Your guide speaks English or French. Lunch is not included, though your driver can recommend restaurants along the route. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible, and infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• pickup and drop-off from your hotel anywhere on the island.
• a live guide in English or French.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

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 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Taxi service in Mauritius

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling with others and want a driver to handle the route between the crater, temple, and waterfall. You'll see all three in one afternoon without deciding which to skip.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided 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 the Trou aux Cerfs crater like when you reach it?

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

Can you see the Grand Bassin statue up close?

Yes. The Grand Bassin Hindu Temple sits on the shoreline of a crater lake 550 meters above sea level in the mountainous southwest. The 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva stands there, the highest statue in Mauritius, and the temple complex includes shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu gods.

How many stops does the tour include?

The tour includes five main stops: Trou aux Cerfs crater, Grand Bassin Hindu Temple, Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, the Gorge Viewpoint in Black River Gorges National Park, and Alexandra Waterfall. The final destination is La Vallée des Couleurs, where the 23 Colored Earth formations are located.

What is Alexandra Waterfall like?

Alexandra Waterfall is hidden in the deep jungle of Black River Gorges within a cloud forest on Mt Cocotte. The waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery and offers panoramic views down to the turquoise south coast. The surrounding forest creates a jungle-like setting with local bird species and wildlife.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not very mobile?

The vehicle is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all physical fitness levels. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available. The tour involves stops at viewpoints and sites, so your comfort level with walking and standing will determine how much you see at each location.