South Mauritius Private Tour: Chamarel, Waterfalls & Rum Tasting

Eight hours through South Mauritius' volcanic peaks, sacred lakes and rainbow-hued earth

A private full-day tour of South Mauritius with hotel pickup, visiting Chamarel's geological wonders, waterfalls, Trou aux Cerfs volcanic crater, Grand Bassin sacred lake and a rum distillery. Your driver speaks English and French, shares local knowledge at each stop, and returns you to your hotel after eight hours. Some attractions charge separate entry fees and require independent exploration.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Trou aux Cerfs Volcano30m
2. Chamarel Waterfall1h
3. Seven Coloured Earth Geopark1h

Explore South Mauritius highlights

• Visit Floréal Village and local workshops
• See Trou aux Cerfs volcanic crater
• Relax at Mare Aux Vacoas reservoir
• Explore Grand Bassin sacred lake
• View Alexandra Waterfalls
• Visit Chamarel Waterfall
• Discover Seven Coloured Earth
• Tour Rhumerie de Chamarel and rum tasting
• Return to hotel

The experience

The day starts at your hotel and moves through Floréal Village, where you'll see the Ship Factory and local diamond makers before heading to Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater ringed by forest that opens onto panoramic views across the island. From there the route continues to Mare Aux Vacoas, Mauritius' largest reservoir, then climbs to Grand Bassin: a sacred Hindu pilgrimage lake set in the mountains with a towering Shiva Statue overlooking the water.

The second half of the day centers on Chamarel's natural attractions. You'll see Alexandra Waterfalls from a viewpoint overlooking the rainforest, then reach Chamarel Waterfall itself, an 83-meter cascade surrounded by tropical vegetation. The Seven Coloured Earth follows: a geological formation where volcanic erosion has left the soil in distinct layers of red, brown, violet, blue and green, each band visible across the landscape. Your driver provides context and suggestions at every stop but cannot enter the attractions themselves. You explore each site independently.

The tour ends at the Rhumerie de Chamarel, where you'll learn about rum production and taste premium local rums before returning to your hotel. Water and WiFi are provided throughout the day. The vehicle assigned depends on group size: a sedan for one to three people, a minivan for four to eight, or a minibus for nine to twelve.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• fuel and tolls.
• water throughout the day.
• WiFi on board.
• a professional English-speaking local driver who shares stories and local knowledge at each stop.
• all taxes and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 13:00

Book up to12h before

AgesUp to age 64

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 39

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Welcome Pickups

Is this one for you?Your driver speaks English and French and acts as an informal guide, so you'll get local context at every stop without needing a separate licensed guide. This works well if you want flexibility to spend as much or as little time as you like at each site, since your driver waits while you explore independently.

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 Seven Coloured Earth and why does the soil have so many colors?

The Seven Coloured Earth in Chamarel is a natural phenomenon where volcanic rock erosion has exposed layers of soil in distinct shades (red, brown, violet, blue, and green) creating a striking striped landscape across the hillside. It's one of Mauritius' most recognizable geological formations.

How tall is Chamarel Waterfall?

Chamarel Waterfall is 83 meters high, making it one of Mauritius' tallest waterfalls. It drops through lush tropical vegetation and is surrounded by rainforest, creating a serene setting for photos.

What happens at Grand Bassin during the tour?

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is a sacred Hindu lake set in the mountains where you'll see the towering Shiva Statue and experience the spiritual atmosphere of this major pilgrimage site. The reservoir is surrounded by mountains and offers a peaceful spot to spend time.

Can the driver enter the attractions with me?

The driver cannot enter museums or archaeological areas, but will provide suggestions and background information before you explore each site on your own. At the Rhumerie de Chamarel, you'll participate in a guided rum tasting independently.

What's included in the price and what costs extra?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, fuel, tolls, water, WiFi and the driver's time are included. Entry fees to the Seven Coloured Earth, Chamarel Waterfall and the Rhumerie de Chamarel are separate, as are meals, drinks and tips.

What if one of the stops is closed on my tour date?

Some attractions may close for public holidays, maintenance or special events. The operator recommends checking opening hours on each attraction's website before your tour. If a stop is unexpectedly closed, they'll offer a suitable alternative.