Tea and Culture Route Mauritius: Bois Chéri Plantation Tour

Taste Mauritian vanilla tea at the source, then walk through centuries of sugar and rum

The Tea and Culture Route is a guided tour in Mauritius that moves between the Bois Chéri tea plantation, a sacred Hindu temple with a giant Shiva statue, and the Saint-Aubin rum distillery, with professional driver-guide, hotel pickup and tea tastings included. A minimum of two people per booking is required. The tour runs six to seven hours and covers the cultural and agricultural landmarks of the island's interior. Vegetarian options are available if requested at booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Mauritius tea and culture

• Visit Mare aux Vacoas reservoir
• Discover Hindu culture and Shiva Statue
• Tour Bois Chéri tea plantation and factory
• Learn history at tea production museum
• Visit rebuilt temple and learn its story
• Taste rum at Saint-Aubin distillery

The experience

The route starts at Mare aux Vacoas, the largest lake in Mauritius and the nation's main water reserve, then moves to a Hindu temple where a giant Shiva statue, unique in the southern hemisphere, stands above a sacred lake. A guide leads you through the history of the site, built by hired workers from bamboo and straw, destroyed by cyclone, and rebuilt in wood and tin before becoming the concrete structure that stands today. The temple sits in the wild part of the island, away from the main tourist routes.

At Bois Chéri Plantation, the guide walks you through the tea factory and production museum, explaining how tea became central to Mauritius after sugar. The plantation now produces flavored, green and herbal teas, and you taste them during the visit. The site sits on high ground with a panoramic view south across the island. From there, the tour moves to the Saint-Aubin distillery, where agricultural rum has been made for eight generations since 1819: first as a sugar operation, then branching into tea, rum and local products. The distillery story is tied to one family's work across two centuries.

Your professional driver-guide speaks English or French and handles all transport from your hotel. The operator emphasizes discovery over time in the vehicle, so the stops themselves carry the day rather than long drives between them. Vegetarian meals are available if you request them when you book. Drinks and lunch are available to purchase at the sites.

What’s included

• Professional driver-guide in English or French.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• guided tours of the Bois Chéri tea plantation and production museum with vanilla tea tastings.
• entry to the Hindu temple and sacred lake.
• visit to the Saint-Aubin rum distillery and its eight-generation family history.
• vegetarian meal options available on request.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tea and Culture RouteUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English or French · 07:30, 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00A tour showcasing the natural beauty and scenic wonders of Mauritius, including the historic Alexandra Falls and the giant statue of Lord Shiva, with visits and a chance to taste the distinctive Mauritian vanilla tea. Pickup is included.

Van, maximum 10 passengersUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or French · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00Minibus; pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00

Book up to1d 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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TIPIK TOUR

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a guided van connecting tea plantation, temple, and distillery in one loop. Your driver handles navigation so you taste and explore without backtracking.

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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 is the giant Shiva statue, and why is it in Mauritius?

The statue stands above a sacred Hindu temple in the island's interior, built by workers who arrived as hired laborers. The original bamboo temple was destroyed by cyclone but the statue remained. Locals rebuilt it in wood and tin, and it later became concrete. The statue is unique in the southern hemisphere and sits at the center of Hindu cultural practice on the island.

Can I taste the tea and rum, or do I just see them being made?

You taste the Mauritian vanilla tea during the visit to Bois Chéri Plantation after the guided tour of the factory and museum. Rum is available to purchase at the Saint-Aubin distillery. Drinks and lunch are available to purchase at the sites you visit.

How long is the drive between stops, and how much time do I spend at each one?

The tour runs six to seven hours total and the operator concentrates on visits and discovery rather than lengthy travel in the bus. The exact timing depends on traffic and the time of day, but the route is built around the stops themselves (the lake, the temple, the tea plantation and its museum, and the distillery) not on driving between them.

Is this tour accessible for someone in a wheelchair?

The tour is wheelchair accessible. Your professional driver-guide will pick you up from your hotel and drop you off there, and the sites are arranged to accommodate mobility needs.

What if I need to cancel?

The operator offers a 24-hour cancellation policy with a full refund if you cancel within that window.