Southwest Mauritius Tour: 7-Coloured Earth & Waterfall

Four landmarks in one day, with your own driver and no shared stops

A private full-day tour of southwest Mauritius covers the dormant volcano Trou aux Cerfs, the sacred crater lake Grand Bassin with its Hindu temples, Black River Gorges National Park, and the geological wonder of Chamarel's seven-coloured earth and waterfall. Hotel pickup and dropoff, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a licensed English or French-speaking driver are included. The tour runs 8 hours and visits four distinct regions in a single day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Trou aux Cerfs Volcano1h 30m
2. Black River Gorges National Park1h
3. Seven Coloured Earth Geopark2h
4. Chamarel Waterfallpass by

Southwest Mauritius sightseeing tour

• Stroll around Trou aux Cerfs crater
• Drive by Mare-aux-Vacoas reservoir
• Visit Hindu temples at Grand Bassin
• Drive through Black River Gorges National Park
• Stop at Alexandra Falls viewpoint
• Visit Seven Coloured Earth site
• View Chamarel Waterfall
• See giant tortoise pens

The experience

The day starts at Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcano standing 600 metres above sea level where a walk around the crater rim opens 360-degree views across the island on clear days. From there the route moves to Grand Bassin, a tranquil crater lake sacred to the Hindu community. You'll visit the temples around the water and see the tall Shiva statue from the highest temple, with monkeys and wildlife moving through the grounds. (The area may not be accessible in February or March during the Mahashivaratree pilgrimage festival.)

The drive through Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius's largest at 6,754 hectares, takes you past the Mare-aux-Vacoas reservoir and through Plaine des Champagnes. You stop to see Alexandra Falls and its viewpoint. If the fruit is in season, goyaves de chine grow wild enough that locals pick them along the roadside. The park holds endemic plants and animals across terrain that ranges from easy walks to harder hikes, though this tour is a drive-through with stops rather than a hiking experience.

The final stop is Chamarel, where the seven-coloured earth dunes sit alongside Chamarel Falls, Mauritius's most famous waterfall. The site also has giant tortoise pens before you leave. Your driver handles all parking and waiting time, and the air-conditioned vehicle means the heat between stops stays manageable across the full 8 hours.

What’s included

• Private transfer from your hotel to all four sites and back.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• a fully licensed driver who speaks English or French.
• waiting time at each stop.
• all parking fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 18.60

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendly

Operated by Bonjour Mauritius

Is this one for you?Book this tour if your group wants to see four distinct regions in a single day without coordinating separate transport or sharing stops with other travelers. The fixed 8-hour itinerary fits the southwest's main attractions into one outing, so you move through the volcano, the temple lake, the national park and the seven-coloured earth without backtracking.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

What exactly is the seven-coloured earth at Chamarel?

Chamarel's seven-coloured earth is a geological site where mineral-rich volcanic soil has weathered into distinct bands of red, brown, purple, green, blue, yellow and grey. The dunes sit on a hillside and create a striking visual effect. The geopark also houses the giant tortoise pens and overlooks Chamarel Falls.

Can I climb inside Trou aux Cerfs volcano?

Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcano where you walk around the crater rim at the top, which stands 600 metres above sea level. The crater itself is not descended into on this tour. The stop focuses on the panoramic views from the rim and the walk around it.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not part of this tour. Your driver can recommend stops, but meals are on your own during the 8-hour day.

What happens if I visit during Mahashivaratree in February or March?

Grand Bassin becomes a pilgrimage site during the Mahashivaratree festival in February or March, and it may not be possible to visit the temples and crater lake during those months. If you're traveling then, let the operator know when you book so they can confirm access or adjust the itinerary.

How many people can fit in the vehicle?

The tour is private for your group, traveling in an air-conditioned vehicle with your own licensed driver. The vehicle size depends on your party. Confirm your group size at booking.