Mauritius Southwest: Volcano, Sacred Lake & Chamarel Day Trip

Summary

From crater walks to temple incense and Chamarel’s shifting earth

You’ll ride with a local guide through Mauritius’ southwest—peer into Trou aux Cerfs volcano, breathe incense at Grand Bassin sacred lake, taste home-cooked flavors in Chamarel village, and feel spray from Alexandra Falls. The day is full of small surprises and quiet moments you’ll remember long after you’re back at your hotel.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of Curepipe just as the air was still cool, windows down, our driver-guide humming some tune I didn’t know. First stop was Trou aux Cerfs—honestly, I’d seen photos but standing on the rim, it’s different. The crater’s edges are rough under your shoes and there’s this faint scent of wet grass mixed with exhaust from a nearby food cart (someone selling gateaux piments already). Our guide, Rajesh, pointed out how the volcano shaped the whole area—he even showed us where he used to play as a kid. I tried to picture that. He laughed when I asked if he ever threw rocks in; apparently everyone does at least once.

After that we drove past sugarcane fields that looked almost silver in the morning light, heading for Mare aux Vacoas reservoir. It was quiet there except for birds and a couple of old men fishing off the bank. The real surprise for me was Grand Bassin—Ganga Talao—the sacred lake. There was incense smoke drifting over the water and women in bright saris balancing fruit offerings on their heads. Rajesh explained some of the rituals but honestly I just watched for a while; it felt private somehow. A monkey darted past my feet and made me jump—I probably looked ridiculous.

The drive up to Black River Gorges viewpoint is twisty and green, with sudden gaps where you can see all the way down to the coast. We stopped at Alexandra Falls too—the mist on my face was colder than I expected. Lunch was simple but good (I still think about those pickled vegetables). In Chamarel village we walked across the seven-colored earth; it looks fake in pictures but in person it’s more muted, like someone spilled spices and let them fade in the sun. Kids were running around barefoot and one of them tried to trade me a pebble for my sunglasses—not sure who got the better deal there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Southwest Mauritius nature and culture tour

• Stop at Trou aux Cerfs crater
• Learn about crater history
• Experience Indo-Mauritian culture

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Mauritius day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included with your booking.

Are all sites on this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation and all areas visited are wheelchair accessible.

Does this tour include a visit to Chamarel’s seven-colored earth?

Yes, you’ll visit Chamarel village to see both its waterfalls and seven-colored earth.

How long does it take to reach Trou aux Cerfs from Curepipe?

Trou aux Cerfs is located right in Curepipe; it’s just a short drive from most hotels in town.

Is lunch provided during this Mauritius southwest tour?

No specific lunch inclusion is listed; check with your operator for meal options or bring snacks.

Can cruise ship passengers join this tour?

Yes, cruise passengers can book but must provide ship details at reservation time.

Is there free WiFi available during the tour?

Yes, free WiFi is available throughout your day trip.

Are baby seats or infant seats available?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available upon request.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off with a friendly driver-guide who shares stories along the way. You’ll have access to free WiFi during drives between sites—and if you’re traveling with little ones or need extra support, baby seats and wheelchair-accessible vehicles are ready without fuss.