Trou aux Cerfs & Chamarel tour: Volcano, sacred lake, rum tasting

Climb a volcano crater, then taste rum at a working distillery

A full-day guided tour of inland Mauritius visiting five landmarks: Trou aux Cerfs volcano, Grand Bassin sacred lake, Black River Gorges National Park, a rum distillery with tasting, and the Seven Coloured Earth. Hotel pickup and drop-off included for coastal properties. Inland hotels incur an extra charge. The guide speaks English or French, and the tour runs on a shared basis.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Trou aux Cerfs Volcano30m
2. Black River Gorges National Park30m
3. Seven Coloured Earth Geopark30m · entry included

Explore Mauritius inland and nature

• Visit Trou aux Cerfs volcano viewpoint
• Explore Black River Gorges National Park
• Visit Grand Bassin sacred lake
• Tour La Rhumerie de Chamarel distillery
• See Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth dunes

The experience

The tour starts with a climb to the rim of Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcano just outside Curepipe, where you look down into the crater lake. From there the route moves south-west through Black River Gorges National Park, a hilly stretch of protected landscape that frames the day's middle hours. The guide handles the driving and the stops. You move through the vehicle between each site.

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, sits at the heart of the tour as a sacred lake for Hindu pilgrims. The visit is built around the spiritual and natural character of the place rather than a timed activity. After that comes La Rhumerie de Chamarel, one of the few distilleries still cultivating its own sugarcane on the island. The tour includes a rum tasting there. The final stop is the Seven Coloured Earth, a small area of sand dunes where seven distinct colours appear naturally in the sand.

The full day runs eight hours from pickup to drop-off. Pickup is included for hotels on the north, south, east and west coasts. Guest houses, apartments and lodges outside those coastal regions are subject to an extra charge. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the guide is a live person who speaks English or French.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from coastal properties.
• a professional guide and driver.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• rum tasting at the distillery.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday and FridayDeparts at 08:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 14

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 if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Mautourco Ltd

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're based on the coast and want to cover inland highlights (volcano, sacred lake, national park, and rum distillery) in one full day with other travelers.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is Trou aux Cerfs and what do you do when you get there?

Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcano with a crater lake in the center, situated just outside Curepipe. You climb to the viewpoint at the rim and look down into the crater.

Is Grand Bassin a place you walk around, or do you stay on the bus?

Grand Bassin is a stop where you get out and spend time at the sacred lake. It is also known as Ganga Talao and is one of the most sacred places for Hindu pilgrims in Mauritius.

What happens at the rum distillery?

La Rhumerie de Chamarel is a working distillery that still cultivates its own sugarcane. The tour includes a rum tasting at the site.

Will my hotel be included in the pickup, or will there be an extra charge?

Pickup is included if your hotel is on the north, south, east or west coast. Hotels inland and guest houses, apartments or lodges outside those coastal areas are subject to an extra charge.