Mauritius Southwest Tour: Trou aux Cerfs & Seven Coloured Earth

The crater lake sits 550 meters up, ringed by a temple and a 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva.

A private day tour of southwestern Mauritius covering five major sites: Trou aux Cerfs extinct volcano crater, Grand Bassin crater lake with its Hindu temple complex, Alexandra Waterfall in Black River Gorges National Park, a gorge viewpoint, and the Seven Coloured Earth at Chamarel with its layered sand dunes. The tour runs 7 hours with hotel pickup and drop-off included, and a driver-guide who speaks English, French or Hindi.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Trou aux Cerfs Volcano30m
2. Black River Gorges National Park30m
3. Seven Coloured Earth Geopark1h 15m

Private Southwest Mauritius Tour

• 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 Gorge Viewpoint in Black River Gorges
• Explore Seven Colored Earth at Chamarel
• Visit Chamarel Waterfall
• Drive back to hotel

The experience

You get picked up at your hotel and driven south through Curepipe to Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater 605 meters above sea level with a 350-meter diameter. The crater has been inactive for 700,000 years and sits ringed by indigenous forest and pine trees. From the rim you see 360-degree views across Curepipe, Rempart Mountain, Trois Mamelles, and the Port-Louis-Moka range. After a few minutes at the crater, the route continues to Mare aux Vacoas, the island's largest reservoir at nearly 26 million cubic meters capacity, tucked between thick forest and popular with visitors for its quiet views.

The next stop is Grand Bassin, a crater lake 550 meters up in the mountainous southwest. On its shoreline stands a temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu gods, centered around a 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva: the highest statue in Mauritius. The lake itself is about 18 meters deep and holds fish and eels. The site draws crowds of people who come to pray, meditate or walk the shoreline. From there you head into Black River Gorges National Park to Alexandra Waterfall, hidden in the jungle of Mt Cocotte's cloud forest. The waterfall sits above a panoramic view down to the south coast and its turquoise ocean. A stop at the Gorge Viewpoint follows, where you look out over 17,000 acres of rainforest rolling hills, deep valleys and waterfalls across the southwestern region. On the right side of the viewpoint sits a waterfall visible from above, and you may encounter monkeys along the path.

The final stop is Chamarel, a village in the southwestern region known for the Seven Coloured Earth. Sand dunes in seven distinct colors: yellow, red, brown, violet, purple, green and blue. You climb an observation platform to view the dunes and the valley of sugarcane and pineapple plantations leading to it. The route includes a quick stop at Chamarel Waterfall on the way back, and you can buy test tubes of the seven-colored sands as a souvenir. Your driver then takes you back to your hotel.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from anywhere on the island.
• a driver-guide who speaks English, French or Hindi.
• access to all five main sites (Trou aux Cerfs crater, Grand Bassin temple and lake, Alexandra Waterfall, Black River Gorges viewpoint, and Seven Coloured Earth at Chamarel).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Hindi

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?The guide speaks English, French or Hindi, so choose the language that matches your comfort: the tour works equally well for any of the three. The 7-hour route covers the island's main southern landmarks in a single day, which is what makes a full circuit of the southwest possible without doubling back.

Traveler reviews

4.96★★★★★★★★★★

68 verified traveler reviews

5 ★65

4 ★3

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and Hindi.

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 the stop?

Trou aux Cerfs is an extinct volcanic crater 605 meters above sea level with a 350-meter diameter and 100-meter depth, dormant for 700,000 years. It sits ringed by indigenous forest and giant pine trees, and the rim offers 360-degree views of Curepipe, Rempart Mountain, Trois Mamelles, and the Port-Louis-Moka range: one of the island's main natural attractions.

Can I see the Grand Bassin temple and what is there to do?

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is a crater lake 550 meters up in the mountainous southwest with a temple complex on its shoreline dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu gods. The centerpiece is a 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva, the highest statue in Mauritius. You can walk the shoreline, view the lake and surrounding mountains, and observe the site's spiritual significance to Hindu visitors who come to pray and meditate.

What makes the Seven Coloured Earth different from other Mauritius attractions?

The Seven Coloured Earth at Chamarel is a natural phenomenon of sand dunes in seven distinct colors (yellow, red, brown, violet, purple, green and blue) visible from an observation platform. It is unique to the island and surrounded by a valley of sugarcane and pineapple plantations. You can buy test tubes of the colored sands as a souvenir.

How long is the tour and what is included in the price?

The tour runs 7 hours and includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere on the island, and a driver-guide. The guide speaks English, French or Hindi. Lunch is not included, though your driver can recommend a restaurant or you can bring your own food.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels and specialized infant seats are available. The route involves stops at viewpoints and walking around temples and natural sites, but no strenuous hiking or climbing is required.