Wild South: Full-Day tour incl Rhumerie St Aubin, Bois cheri Tea factory & Lunch

The most appealing part of this private Mauritius tour is the range. In one long day, you move from a dormant volcanic crater and sacred lake to rainforest viewpoints, crashing ocean surf, a tea factory, and a colonial rum distillery. It gives you a useful first look at the island’s south without having to arrange a car, driver, meals, and entrance fees yourself.

I like the private vehicle and hotel pickup, since you can travel at your own pace and avoid piecing together several distant sights. I also like the combination of Bois Chéri tea and St Aubin rum. These are not just photo stops. They show two important local products, with tastings included.

The main consideration is time. Eight stops plus lunch make for a full day, and the schedule can feel rushed if you want a long walk or plenty of quiet time at each place. A clear request to your guide at the start will help you protect the stops you care about most.

Key points at a glance

• Trou aux Cerfs sits inside a 605-meter-high dormant volcanic crater, surrounded by forest and giant pine trees.
• Grand Bassin combines mountain scenery with an important Hindu religious site, including a 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva.
• Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges offer two different views of inland Mauritius, one focused on a waterfall and the other on broad rainforest scenery.
• Bois Chéri includes a tea factory, museum, plantation views, and tasting, making it more than a quick shop stop.
• Gris-Gris Beach has no coral reef, so Indian Ocean waves hit the cliffs directly.
• The $143.72 price includes private transport, a guide, lunch, drinks, admissions, tea, and rum tasting, which makes the value strongest for couples or small groups.

What this full-day south Mauritius tour is really like

This is a private sightseeing day based around Trou d’Eau Douce, but pickup is offered from any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius. The start time is 8:30 a.m., and the total outing lasts about 7 to 8 hours.

You travel in a fully air-conditioned vehicle with a certified guide and driver. That matters in Mauritius, where the southern sights are spread across a large area. You are not simply being driven to one resort attraction. The day links inland highlands, religious sites, forest viewpoints, the southern coast, and two working food and drink producers.

The trip suits you best if you want a broad introduction to southern Mauritius and prefer a private day over a fixed group coach. It is also useful if you want hotel pickup and do not want to worry about driving between unfamiliar stops.

The tradeoff is that this is a sightseeing circuit, not a hiking day. Most stops last between 20 minutes and an hour. You will see a lot, but you should not expect long trails, beach time, or an unhurried afternoon at every location.

Trou aux Cerfs, a crater above Curepipe

Your first stop is Trou aux Cerfs, one of Mauritius’s best-known natural attractions. The dormant volcanic crater sits about 605 meters above sea level, measures roughly 350 meters across, and reaches around 100 meters deep.

The crater is not a bare bowl of dark rock. It is surrounded by lush forest, indigenous plants, and large green pine trees. That setting gives the stop a cooler, greener feel than the coastal parts of the island.

You have about 40 minutes here, with admission included. That is enough for views and photographs, and your guide can explain the volcanic origins of the site. If you want a detailed geological walk, this stop will feel short. For a first look at the island’s volcanic character, it works well.

Mare aux Vacoas and the quiet highlands

The drive continues to Mare aux Vacoas, the largest reservoir in Mauritius, with a capacity of nearly 26 million cubic meters. You spend about 20 minutes here.

This is a simple scenic pause rather than a major attraction. Thick forest surrounds the reservoir, and the setting offers a break from the busier parts of the day. I would treat it as a useful breathing space between the crater and Grand Bassin, not as a place that needs a long visit.

The stop also helps you see that Mauritius is more than beaches. The island’s interior has high reservoirs, wooded slopes, and open views that feel quite different from the coast.

Grand Bassin and the 33-meter Shiva statue

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is a crater lake at roughly 550 meters above sea level. On its shore are a temple and smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu gods.

The huge statue of Shiva is the first thing likely to catch your eye. At 33 meters high, it is the tallest known statue in Mauritius. The calm expression and mountain setting give the site a quiet presence, even when other people are around.

You have about an hour here, which is one of the longer stops. Use that time respectfully. Grand Bassin is a sacred place, not just a scenic lookout, so modest behavior and suitable clothing are sensible. The tour information does not set out a formal dress code, but treating the temples and shrines as places of worship is the right approach.

This stop adds cultural context that a purely scenic tour would miss. You see how Mauritius’s Indian heritage remains part of daily religious life, rather than being presented only in a museum.

Alexandra Falls and the view toward the southeast coast

Alexandra Falls sits at around 700 meters above sea level and is one of the island’s familiar natural sights. You have approximately 35 minutes to see it.

The waterfall is attractive on its own, but the wider view is a major part of the stop. From the viewpoint, you can look toward the southeast coast and the turquoise ocean. A wooden platform provides a higher position for taking in the full scene.

Do not expect a long forest walk here. The stop is designed around viewpoints and photographs, with some time to enjoy the natural setting. If you are hoping to stand close to a large waterfall, your experience may depend on the viewing area and current conditions.

Still, Alexandra Falls works well in the flow of the day. After the sacred lake, it shifts your attention back to the island’s forests, slopes, and water.

Black River Gorges from the viewpoint

The next stop brings you to a viewpoint in or near Black River Gorges National Park. The protected area covers almost 17,000 acres and includes rolling hills, deep valleys, waterfalls, and native plant and animal life.

You have about 30 minutes at the Gorge Viewpoint. The reward is a broad look across the wooded interior, with another waterfall visible from the right side of the viewing area. The short path to the viewpoint has souvenir stalls, so this is not a completely wild or isolated setting.

Keep your eyes open for local plants and wildlife, although the tour information does not promise sightings. The value here is the scale of the view. You get a sense of how much of Mauritius’s interior remains forested, and why the national park matters for protecting native vegetation.

This is another stop where expectations matter. You are getting a viewpoint visit, not a national park hike. If you want walking time, tell your guide early and ask whether the schedule allows more time at this stop.

Bois Chéri, tea production, and a panoramic lunch

Bois Chéri is one of the most substantial stops of the day, with about an hour devoted to the tea factory and tea route. A guide leads you through the factory and plantation, explaining how tea is produced and the role it plays in Mauritius.

You also visit a tea production museum, which adds historical context to the machinery and working process. The factory produces flavored teas, green teas, and herbal teas, and tasting is included.

The tea experience is valuable because it connects the scenery with something made locally. You are not only looking across fields from a roadside viewpoint. You get an explanation of production, a look at the factory, and a chance to taste the finished drink.

The tea tasting takes place at the Le Bois Chéri restaurant, which has a panoramic view of the south. Lunch is a three-course meal with non-alcoholic drinks. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices are available, and the meal is halal.

The supplied details do not list a fixed menu, so if you have food allergies, an illness, or a strict dietary need, tell the operator when booking. You are also asked to wear non-slip shoes, a sensible choice for factory and outdoor surfaces.

For the price, the meal adds real value. You would otherwise be paying separately for lunch, drinks, tea tasting, and entry to the tea facility. The only caution is that a three-course lunch takes time in an already packed day, so this part may feel like both a meal and another scheduled stop rather than a long, relaxed restaurant afternoon.

Gris-Gris Beach and the open Indian Ocean

At Souillac, the tour reaches Gris-Gris Beach. This is one of the most dramatic coastal viewpoints in southern Mauritius because the high cliffs drop sharply to the sea.

Unlike much of the island’s sheltered coast, this section is not protected by coral reefs. Large waves can therefore crash directly against the cliffs. You will see the surf from above rather than take a gentle swim in calm water.

You have about an hour in the Gris-Gris area, including time for the coastal view and the move toward lunch. The fresh wind and rougher sea make this a useful contrast to Mauritius’s postcard beaches. It shows the island’s coastline in a more forceful mood.

Take care near cliff edges and follow your guide’s instructions. The information provided does not promise swimming, and this stop should be treated as a viewpoint visit rather than a beach-bathing break.

Rhumerie St Aubin and the rum tasting

The last major stop is Rhumerie St Aubin, set in a colonial house with tropical surroundings. Here, a guide explains how rum is made and takes you behind the scenes at the distillery.

You also taste different rum flavors produced at the distillery. The tasting gives the stop a sense of discovery, but remember that the tour includes non-alcoholic drinks with lunch, not an unlimited supply of rum. Drink sensibly, especially if you still have a ride back to your hotel.

St Aubin is a good finish because it gives you a distinctly Mauritian product to compare with the tea from Bois Chéri. The two stops also show different sides of local agriculture and food production.

The stop lasts about an hour. One useful piece of practical advice is to speak up if the rum distillery is the part you most want to enjoy. One account of this experience described the day as rushed and said that spending more time at the distillery made the outing feel worthwhile. Since this is a private tour, you have a better chance of shaping the pace than you would on a large group excursion, but the number of stops still puts pressure on the clock.

How much value do you get for $143.72?

At $143.72 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see southern Mauritius. The value comes from what is bundled into that price.

You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, private air-conditioned transportation, a certified guide and driver, bottled water on arrival, entrance to Bois Chéri, entrance to Rhumerie St Aubin, tea tasting, rum tasting, a three-course lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks.

For a couple or small group, private transport can make the cost easier to justify. You are paying for convenience as well as admission. You also avoid arranging a driver, finding a suitable restaurant, and working out how to connect the highland sights with the southern coast.

The value is weaker if you mainly want one or two attractions. In that case, a shorter outing may give you more time at each place. This tour is best when you want range and a full day of seeing the south.

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

The tour begins at 8:30 a.m. and lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours. Pickup is available from any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius, but the exact amount of driving time will depend on where you are staying.

Wear non-slip shoes. You move between outdoor viewpoints, a tea facility, and a distillery, and the operator specifically recommends footwear with a good grip. Bring sun protection and a light layer for the higher interior areas, though those items are not formally listed as inclusions.

The tour is private, and only your group participates. Most people can take part, and the experience is near public transportation, though the included hotel transfers are the more useful option for this full-day route.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can also lead to a different date or a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the cut-off uses local Mauritius time.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you want one organized day that covers the south’s main natural, cultural, and food-producing sights. It is especially suitable for couples, families, and small groups who value a private vehicle, hotel pickup, and a guide who can answer questions along the way.

You should think twice if your ideal day means hiking, swimming, or spending several hours at one attraction. The schedule is broad and fairly tight. A private tour gives you some control, but it cannot turn eight stops into a slow-paced day.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at 8:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course lunch with non-alcoholic drinks is included. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian food is available, and the meal is halal.

Are the tea and rum tastings included?

Yes. Tea tasting at Le Bois Chéri and rum tasting at Rhumerie St Aubin are included, along with entrance to both facilities.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this Wild South tour if you want a well-filled private introduction to southern Mauritius, with the practical extras already handled. The tea factory, rum distillery, Grand Bassin, and Gris-Gris cliffs give the day more variety than a beach-only excursion.

Just go in knowing that the schedule is ambitious. Tell your guide which stops matter most, wear secure shoes, and accept that some viewpoints will be brief. For a full day of scenery, culture, lunch, tastings, and hotel transport, the price is reasonable, particularly when shared by a small group.