South Mauritius tour: Black River Gorge, Chamarel waterfalls

Seven-colored earth and a volcano crater that opens to the whole island

A private, seven-hour tour of southwest Mauritius starting from your hotel, with a live English-speaking guide. You visit Trou aux Cerfs extinct volcano with views across the island, the sacred lake at Grand Bassin, Black River Gorge viewpoint where endemic plants and rare birds live, and the village of Chamarel to see its waterfalls and distinctive layered earth formation. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore natural and cultural sites

• Visit Trou aux Cerfs volcano viewpoint
• Tour Ship model Factory
• See Mangal Mahadev giant Shiva statue
• Visit Grand Bassin sacred lake and Hindu temple

The experience

The tour opens at Trou aux Cerfs, an extinct volcano where the crater rim gives a panoramic view across most of the island. From there the route moves through the ship model factory and past Mangal Mahadev, the giant Shiva statue, before reaching Grand Bassin, the sacred lake and Hindu temple also known as Ganga Talao. The guide narrates in English throughout, so you follow the history and significance of each stop without arranging translation.

The afternoon centers on Black River Gorge, a viewpoint where endemic plants and rare bird species live among the landscape. The route then heads to Chamarel village, where you see the waterfalls and the seven-colored earth formation that gives the area its distinctive character. Your driver handles all the navigation and timing across the seven hours, leaving you to watch the scenery change from one region to the next.

Hotel pickup and drop-off bookend the day, so you start and end at your accommodation without arranging separate transport. Specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with young children, and the tour is wheelchair accessible. The pace suits all fitness levels.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private tour with a live English-speaking driver and guide.
• visits to Trou aux Cerfs volcano, the ship model factory, Mangal Mahadev statue, Grand Bassin sacred lake and temple, Black River Gorge viewpoint, and Chamarel village with its waterfalls and seven-colored earth.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleInfant seats available

Operated by Destination Soleil

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want an English-speaking guide to explain the volcanic crater, reservoir, and temple sites as you visit them, rather than navigating the commentary yourself.

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Top questions

What is Trou aux Cerfs and what can you see from the top?

Trou aux Cerfs is an extinct volcano, and from its crater rim you get a panoramic view across most of the island, making it one of the first stops on the tour.

Does the guide speak English the whole time?

Yes, the guide speaks English throughout the tour, so you understand the commentary at every stop without needing translation.

What are the seven-colored earth and Chamarel waterfalls like?

Chamarel's seven-colored earth is a distinctive layered formation in the village, and the waterfalls there are part of the same stop you visit in the afternoon.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is on your own, so you can choose where and what to eat during the day.

What do I need to know about the Black River Gorge viewpoint?

Black River Gorge is a viewpoint where endemic plants and rare bird species live. It's one of the stops where you see the natural wildlife and landscape of the southwest.