South West Mauritius tour: Seven Coloured Earth & tea plantation

Seven Coloured Earths sand dunes with unique natural patterns and vibrant colors

A private full-day tour of south-west Mauritius departing from your hotel, with an experienced driver and guaranteed skip-the-line entry to the region's main sites: the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark, Black River Gorges National Park, Bois Chéri tea plantation, Trou aux Cerfs volcano and Chamarel Rum Distillery. The vehicle is yours alone for eight hours, with onboard wifi, phone charging and free photos taken by your guide throughout the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Trou aux Cerfs Volcano30m
2. Black River Gorges National Park20m
3. Seven Coloured Earth Geopark1h · entry included

Explore South West Mauritius highlights

• Visit Trou aux Cerfs Volcano
• See Mare aux Vacoas reservoir
• Explore Ganga Talao lake and temples
• Drive through Bois Chéri Tea plantation
• Visit Alexandra Falls in Black River Gorges
• Discover Black River Gorges National Park
• Tour Chamarel Rum Distillery
• See Seven Coloured Earth Geopark

The experience

How do you see Mauritius's south-west without renting a car and navigating unfamiliar roads? This private tour handles the driving while you take in the landscape. You're picked up from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and driven to seven distinct stops across the region, each one chosen for what it reveals about the island's geology, wildlife, history and culture. Skip-the-line entry is arranged at attractions that typically sell out, so you move through without waiting at the gate.

The route moves through contrasting terrain: you'll stand at the rim of Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcano 605 metres high with a crater 80 metres deep, formed less than two million years ago. You'll walk through the Black River Gorges National Park, where the island's remaining rainforest shelters endemic birds and the Mauritian flying fox. The Bois Chéri tea plantation, operating since 1892, shows how tea is cultivated, picked and packaged on the island. At the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark, the sand dunes display seven distinct colours (red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow) naturally layered and carved by rain into surreal striped patterns. The Chamarel Rum Distillery explains the centuries-old methods of rum production rooted in sugar-cane heritage. You'll also visit Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin), a crater lake 550 metres above sea level and the most sacred Hindu site in Mauritius, ringed with temples dedicated to Shiva, Hanuman, Ganga and Ganesh.

Your guide speaks English or French and travels with you the entire day, taking photos at scenic moments and sharing knowledge about each stop. Onboard wifi and phone charging keep you connected, and a Mauritian meal is arranged during the tour. The eight-hour itinerary is customizable, so you can adjust the pace or swap stops based on your interests. Hotel pickup and drop-off bookend the day, and the vehicle is wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned private vehicle for the full day.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• skip-the-line entry to Seven Coloured Earth Geopark, Black River Gorges National Park and other main attractions.
• English or French-speaking guide.
• free photos taken by your guide at scenic moments.
• onboard wifi.
• phone charging.
• a Mauritian meal during the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 27 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.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Luxe Holidays

Is this one for you?This tour is private, so you travel alone with your guide and driver rather than in a shared group: ideal if you want to set your own pace at each stop or adjust the itinerary on the day. The eight-hour duration and customizable route suit travelers who want to see multiple south-west sites without the logistics of renting a car and navigating themselves.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide 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 exactly is the Seven Coloured Earth?

The Seven Coloured Earth Geopark is a geological formation of sand dunes in the Chamarel plain displaying sand in seven distinct colours: red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow. The differently coloured sands settle naturally in separate layers, creating striped dunes. Since the earth was exposed, rain has carved patterns into the hillside, producing an effect like earthen meringue.

Will I have time to walk around at each stop, or is it mostly driving?

The tour is eight hours long and includes stops at seven attractions, so you spend time at each site rather than passing through. The itinerary is customizable, meaning you can adjust how long you stay at any location or swap stops based on what interests you most.

Is lunch included in this tour?

A Mauritian meal is arranged during the tour, though the specific timing and restaurant are part of the customizable itinerary your guide will discuss with you.

What wildlife might I see in Black River Gorges National Park?

Black River Gorges National Park protects the island's remaining rainforest and is home to the Mauritian flying fox and all eight of Mauritius's endemic bird species, including the Mauritius kestrel, pink pigeon, Mauritius parakeet and Mauritius fody. The park also shelters introduced species like rusa deer.

Does the tour include entry to all the attractions, or do I pay separately?

Skip-the-line entry to the main attractions is included in the tour price. Your guide arranges guaranteed admission so you don't wait at gates, and entry fees are covered as part of the booking.

Can I charge my phone during the tour?

Yes, the vehicle has onboard phone charging facilities available throughout the eight hours, along with free wifi so you can stay connected between stops.