South Mauritius Tour: Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin & Chamarel

Climb into a dormant volcano crater, then descend to a sacred lake and a waterfall that drops 100 meters

A 6-hour guided tour of South Mauritius starting from your hotel, visiting the extinct Trou aux Cerfs volcano, the Hindu pilgrimage site of Grand Bassin crater lake, Chamarel waterfall, and the Seven Coloured Earth geopark. Lunch at a restaurant with panoramic views of the southwest is included, along with a stop at My Pop-Up Store to browse local artisan work.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Trou aux Cerfs Volcano15m
2. Chamarel Waterfall15m · entry included
3. Seven Coloured Earth Geopark1h

South Mauritius guided tour highlights

• Visit Trou aux Cerfs volcanic crater
• Stop at the Sacred Lake of Grand Bassin
• Enjoy local lunch with panoramic view
• Photostop at Chamarel Waterfall
• Photostop at Seven Colored Earths
• Visit My Pop-Up Store in Tamarin

The experience

The day starts at Trou aux Cerfs, where you stand at the rim of a dormant volcanic crater and look out over the towns below. From there, the route moves to Grand Bassin, a crater lake 550 metres above sea level in the mountainous southwest, one of the oldest Hindu pilgrimage destinations on the island. The guide handles the driving and the stops. You move through the landscape at a pace set by the itinerary rather than your own choices.

Lunch happens at a restaurant in Chamarel with a panoramic view of the southwest coast. After eating, you visit the Chamarel waterfall (a 100-metre drop that is one of Mauritius's most recognizable sights), and the Seven Coloured Earth geopark, where the soil displays bands of red, brown, purple and other hues. Both are photo stops, so you get time to frame the view without rushing.

The tour ends at My Pop-Up Store in Tamarin, a shop built around Mauritian artisan work: handmade ship models, crafts and cultural gifts. It's a chance to pick up something made locally before heading back to your hotel. The whole day runs 6 hours on the road and at the sites, which leaves the morning or late afternoon free depending on your other plans.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a driver and guide who speaks English, Italian or French.
• lunch at a restaurant in Chamarel with panoramic views.
• local taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to Saturday

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 12 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by ToursBooking.mu

Is this one for you?The 6-hour duration leaves your morning or evening free, so you can pair this tour with a beach visit or a separate activity without filling the entire day. If you want to see the south's main sights (volcano, sacred lake, waterfall and geopark), in one outing with lunch included, the fixed itinerary and guide pace make that possible.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

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 volcano like when you get there?

Trou aux Cerfs is an extinct volcanic crater where you stop for photos and a panoramic view of the towns of Mauritius spread out below. It's a photo stop rather than a long walk, so you spend time taking in the view from the rim.

How much time do you spend at Grand Bassin?

Grand Bassin is a crater lake 550 metres above sea level in the mountainous southwest, and one of the oldest Hindu pilgrimage sites on the island. The itinerary includes a stop there, though the exact duration is set by the guide's route.

Is the Chamarel waterfall a close-up visit or a photo stop from a distance?

Chamarel waterfall is a photo stop where you can capture the 100-metre cascade from a scenic viewpoint. It's designed for photography rather than a hike down to the base.

What is the Seven Coloured Earth geopark?

The Seven Coloured Earth is a geopark in Chamarel where the soil displays distinct bands of colour (red, brown, purple and others) creating a striking natural pattern. You stop there for photos as part of the tour's final stops before heading to the pop-up store.

Does the tour include time to shop at My Pop-Up Store?

Yes, the tour ends at My Pop-Up Store in Tamarin, a shop featuring handmade ship models, artisan crafts and cultural gifts that represent Mauritian creativity. You have time to browse before returning to your hotel.