Trou aux Cerfs & Black River Gorges private tour South Mauritius

Mauritius southern highlands tour: volcano, Lord Shiva statue, crater lake views

A private 7-hour day tour of South Mauritius starting with hotel pickup anywhere on the island, visiting Trou aux Cerfs volcano crater, Grand Bassin Hindu Temple with its 33-meter Lord Shiva statue, Alexandra Falls in the Black River Gorges, and La Vallée des Couleurs with its 23 colored earth formations. Your guide speaks English or French and drives an air-conditioned vehicle. You choose the departure time and route pacing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Trou aux Cerfs Volcano30m
2. Black River Gorges National Park45m

Explore southern Mauritius highlights

• Pickup from hotel
• Drive through Curepipe town
• Visit Trou aux Cerfs volcanic crater
• Stop at Mare Aux Vacoas reservoir
• Visit Grand Bassin Hindu Temple
• Admire Alexandra Waterfall and Mt Cocotte
• Stop at Black River Gorges National Park viewpoint
• Drive scenic route to Bassin Blanc
• Explore La Valley des Couleurs park
• Return to hotel

The experience

The tour begins at your hotel with pickup in a private air-conditioned vehicle, then heads through Curepipe toward Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater 605 meters above sea level with a diameter of 350 meters. The crater has remained inactive for 700,000 years and is ringed by indigenous forest and giant pine trees. From the rim you get a 360-degree view of Curepipe, Rempart Mountain, Trois Mamelles, and the Port-Louis-Moka range. A short stop at Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, the island's largest at nearly 26 million cubic meters, sits tucked between thick forest and offers a quieter moment before the main sites.

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is a crater lake 550 meters up in the southwestern mountains, ringed by temples and shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu gods. The 33-meter Lord Shiva statue dominates the shoreline. The lake itself runs about 18 meters deep and draws locals and visitors to pray, meditate, or walk the perimeter for the surrounding views. From there the route drops into the Black River Gorges, where Alexandra Falls cascades through a cloud forest on Mount Cocotte: the waterfall sits deep in jungle and opens onto panoramic views of the turquoise south coast. The Gorge Viewpoint follows, offering a vista across 17,000 acres of rainforest, rolling hills, deep valleys, and unparalleled flora and fauna. Monkeys sometimes cross the path near the souvenir stalls.

The final stop is La Vallée des Couleurs in Chamouny, home to the 23 Colored Earth formations and a mix of plateaus, mountains, valleys, and crater lakes. The reserve holds indigenous flora and fauna and offers local activities. Nature lovers find the landscape and wildlife distinct from the earlier volcanic and temple sites. Your driver then takes you back to your hotel, completing the loop through the island's southern region.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver.
• pickup and drop-off from your hotel anywhere on the island.
• English or French-speaking guide.
• access to Trou aux Cerfs crater, Grand Bassin Hindu Temple, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges National Park, and La Vallée des Couleurs.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h 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 today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by The Palm Taxi and Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or French, so you can follow the commentary in whichever language suits you. The private vehicle means you set the pace at each stop and can ask the driver to linger at viewpoints or move on as you prefer.

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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 Trou aux Cerfs and why is it a stop on this tour?

Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcanic crater 605 meters above sea level, ringed by indigenous forest and giant pine trees. The crater has been inactive for 700,000 years and offers a 360-degree view of Curepipe, surrounding mountains, and the Port-Louis-Moka range from its rim.

Can I see the Lord Shiva statue at Grand Bassin on this tour?

Yes. Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is a crater lake in the southwestern mountains where a 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva stands on the shoreline alongside temples and shrines dedicated to Hindu gods. The lake sits 550 meters above sea level and draws visitors to walk the perimeter and enjoy the surrounding views.

What happens at Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges?

Alexandra Falls cascades through a cloud forest on Mount Cocotte deep within the Black River Gorges, opening onto panoramic views of the turquoise south coast. The Gorge Viewpoint follows, offering vistas across 17,000 acres of rainforest, rolling hills, deep valleys, and island wildlife. Monkeys sometimes cross the path near souvenir stalls.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included, but your driver can recommend restaurants along the route if you'd like to eat during the day, or you can bring your own food.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from your hotel anywhere on the island, and the vehicle is air-conditioned throughout the 7-hour tour.