Mauritius Guided South tour (Private)

The best part of this private southern Mauritius tour is the variety packed into one day. You move from an extinct volcano to a sacred crater lake, then into forested mountain country, waterfalls, and the unusual 23 Colored Earth at La Vallée des Couleurs. It gives you a quick but broad look at the island beyond its beaches.

I like the private car and flexible attention, especially for a group of up to four sharing the $116.86 price. I also like the mix of natural and cultural sights: Trou aux Cerfs and Alexandra Falls show off Mauritius outdoors, while Ganga Talao offers a close look at Hindu worship on the island. The main drawback is that seven hours goes quickly, and the final park has extra entry fees and paid activities.

Key points to know before booking

• Trou aux Cerfs reaches about 605 meters above sea level, with a broad dormant volcanic crater and forest around its rim.
• Ganga Talao combines a crater lake, shrines, and a 33-meter Lord Shiva statue in one of Mauritius’ most important Hindu sites.
• Black River Gorges and Alexandra Falls provide the strongest scenery, with mountain views, rainforest, and a waterfall near Mt Cocotte.
• The private vehicle suits families and small groups, since up to four people share the car and transport.
• La Vallée des Couleurs takes about two hours, but admission, lunch, and other fees are not included.
• Faroz has been praised for being friendly, patient, and informative, though the assigned driver can vary.

Why this seven-hour route works

Southern Mauritius has enough sights to fill several days, but they are spread across the island. This tour links them by private air-conditioned vehicle, saving you from working out a route between Curepipe, the central highlands, the southwest, and Chamouny.

I see this as a first-look tour, not a slow nature expedition. Most stops last about 30 minutes to one hour, while La Vallée des Couleurs receives about two hours. That balance lets you sample the region without spending the whole day at one attraction.

The private format matters here. Your group alone takes part, with pickup and drop-off offered from around Mauritius. You can ask the driver to explain what you are seeing, and you avoid being tied to a large coach group. The tradeoff is that the route is fairly full. If you want long walks, extended temple time, or a proper hike in Black River Gorges, you may find the schedule too brisk.

The price is $116.86 per group of up to four, not per person. For four people, that is about $29 per person before admission fees and lunch. For one or two people, the value is less striking, but the convenience of a private car still has real worth, especially if you want one day to connect several distant stops.

Trou aux Cerfs and the volcanic heart of Curepipe

Your day begins with pickup at your hotel, followed by a drive through Curepipe toward Trou aux Cerfs. The crater sits around 605 meters above sea level, measures roughly 350 meters across, and reaches about 100 meters deep.

This is not a smoking volcano or a dramatic lava field. It is a dormant volcanic crater surrounded by thick greenery, indigenous plants, and tall green pine trees. The appeal is the contrast between a volcanic formation and the calm, wooded setting around it.

You have about 30 minutes here. That is enough for a look around, photographs, and a few questions about Mauritius’ volcanic origins. It is not enough for a long walk or a detailed geological study, so keep your expectations realistic.

The stop also gives you a useful sense of the island’s central highlands. Mauritius is often sold through its beaches, but the cooler upland setting around Curepipe offers a different side of the country. Bring a light layer if you are sensitive to cooler or damp conditions, though the tour information does not promise any particular weather.

Ganga Talao: a sacred lake with a giant Shiva

After Trou aux Cerfs, the route continues to Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao. This crater lake lies about 550 meters above sea level, and its shore is lined with a temple and smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu gods.

The huge Lord Shiva statue is the feature you will notice first. At 33 meters, it is described as the tallest known statue in Mauritius. The scale is striking, but the real value of the stop is seeing a living religious site rather than simply a scenic viewpoint.

Allow about an hour here. You can look across the lake, visit the temple area, and observe the shrines. Keep your behavior respectful. This is a place of worship, so quiet attention is more appropriate than treating every corner as a photo set.

The tour description says you may see some of the most prayed-to Hindu gods here. That makes the guide’s role useful. Ask questions about the symbols and worship practices instead of rushing through for a quick picture. Faroz, named in a highly positive account of the experience, was described as friendly, patient, and informative. If he is assigned to your car, you can expect that kind of personal explanation, though the information does not guarantee a particular driver.

Mare aux Vacoas for a quieter pause

The next stop is Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, the largest reservoir on Mauritius, with a capacity of nearly 26 million cubic meters. It is surrounded by thick forest and offers a peaceful view away from the island’s busier attractions.

This is a short scenic pause rather than a headline attraction. You will not find a long program of activities here, and the appeal depends on the weather and the view on the day. Still, I like the inclusion because the stop breaks up the drive and shows how much of southern Mauritius is made up of wooded uplands and water catchment areas.

Use this moment to stretch, take a few photographs, and enjoy a quieter stretch of the route. The tour does not give a fixed time for this stop, so the actual pause may depend on the day’s pace.

Black River Gorges for wide mountain views

Next comes the Black River Gorges area, including a gorge viewpoint. This is one of the scenic high points of the day. From the lookout, you can see broad green slopes, deep valleys, and a waterfall in the distance.

Black River Gorges National Park covers almost 17,000 acres of hills, valleys, waterfalls, plants, and wildlife in southwestern Mauritius. The tour does not turn into a full park hike. Instead, you spend about 30 minutes at the viewpoint, taking in the scale of the forested interior.

The approach has souvenir stalls, and you might see monkeys along the way. The chance to feed monkeys was specifically praised by one guest, but you should follow the driver’s guidance and local rules before offering any food. Wildlife encounters are never guaranteed, and feeding animals can be inappropriate in some settings.

This is also the part of the day where the tour’s packed schedule becomes most obvious. A half-hour gives you the main view, but not much time to explore trails or linger. If your priority is hiking, consider asking before booking whether the route can be adjusted. The provided tour details do not promise trail time.

Alexandra Falls and the Mt Cocotte view

Alexandra Falls is another 30-minute stop, set within the Black River Gorges area. You look toward the cloud forest of Mt Cocotte, the waterfall, and the southern coast below.

The falls are surrounded by thick jungle, local birdlife, and green mountain scenery. The setting has a cinematic quality, but the practical point is simple: this is an easy scenic stop that gives you a waterfall without requiring a long trek.

The viewpoint and surrounding area can be especially rewarding after the wider gorge panorama. At the gorge lookout, you see the scale of the region. At Alexandra Falls, you focus on falling water, forest, and the coast beyond.

Again, half an hour is enough for a view and photographs, not a relaxed exploration. Wear sensible shoes if you plan to walk around the viewing area, but do not assume this tour includes a guided hike or access to every part of the park.

The scenic road toward Bassin Blanc

The route also passes along the scenic road toward Bassin Blanc. This stretch winds through thick forest and includes an almost 180-degree bend, creating a dramatic drive through the highlands.

This is a moving viewpoint rather than a formal stop with a set admission or activity. Have your camera ready, but remember that the best view may come and go quickly from the car. The road adds atmosphere to the day and connects the waterfall country with the final attraction at Chamouny.

Because the tour involves several mountain roads, anyone prone to motion sickness should consider taking normal precautions. The supplied details do not specify road conditions, so I would ask the operator about comfort if winding routes are a concern.

La Vallée des Couleurs and the 23 Colored Earth

The final major stop is La Vallée des Couleurs Reserve in Chamouny. You spend about two hours here, making it the longest stop on the tour.

The reserve is best known for the 23 Colored Earth, a natural formation with different shades of earth visible in the ground. The park also includes views of plateaus, mountains, valleys, craters, and crater lakes, along with local plant and animal life.

Unlike the earlier viewpoints, this stop offers a wider range of local activities. That can be a plus if you want more than photographs, but it affects the final cost. Admission is not included, and the tour price also excludes all fees and taxes. Ask the driver what is included before choosing any paid activity, and bring extra money if you want to spend more time here.

Two hours gives you a reasonable chance to see the main features without feeling rushed. It is also the point where the tour can feel more commercial than the forest and temple stops. One guest described being pushed through tourist-focused places, while the operator disputed that criticism. My advice is to treat La Vallée des Couleurs as an attraction with optional activities, not as an untouched natural area.

Lunch, timing, and what the price really covers

Lunch is not included. The driver can recommend a restaurant, which is useful because you do not need to plan a meal stop in advance. Still, the day is only about seven hours, so ask when lunch will happen and how long it will take.

The included package is straightforward: private transportation and an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup and drop-off are offered around the island, and only your group participates.

You should budget separately for:

• Lunch
• Admission to La Vallée des Couleurs
• Any local activities there
• Other fees and taxes connected with the attractions

For a group of four, the base price is good value for a private route covering this much ground. For a couple, it is more of a convenience purchase. The strongest value comes from having a driver handle the roads and connect sites that would be awkward to visit in one day without your own transport.

The tour is generally suitable for most people, but the details do not promise wheelchair access or describe walking distances at each stop. Ask the operator directly if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

Who should book this southern Mauritius tour?

I would choose this tour if you want to see several major southern sights in one day and prefer a private car to a large group. It suits first-time visitors, families, couples, and small groups who value pickup, air conditioning, and a driver-guide who can explain the places along the way.

It is also a good fit if your interests are mixed. You get volcanic scenery, Hindu culture, forest views, waterfalls, and a colorful geological attraction rather than one narrow theme.

I would hesitate if you want a slow day in nature. The itinerary includes many stops, but most are short. You also need to pay extra for lunch and La Vallée des Couleurs, and some parts of the route include souvenir stalls or optional commercial activities.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this private southern Mauritius tour if you want an efficient overview with your own driver and a strong mix of sights. The best reasons are the private format, the manageable group size, the informative and patient service associated with Faroz, and the chance to see Ganga Talao, Black River Gorges, Alexandra Falls, and La Vallée des Couleurs in one outing.

Skip it if your ideal day means long hikes, extended temple visits, or no paid attractions. Before you confirm, check the assigned driver, ask about the lunch plan, and set aside money for La Vallée des Couleurs. With those points clear, the $116.86 group price can be a sensible way to cover southern Mauritius without managing the driving yourself.

FAQ

How long does the Mauritius south tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates, with a maximum of four people per booking.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from around Mauritius.

What transportation is provided?

Private transportation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is excluded, but the driver can recommend restaurants.

Are attraction fees included?

No. All fees and taxes are excluded. Admission to La Vallée des Couleurs is specifically not included.

How long do you spend at La Vallée des Couleurs?

The planned visit lasts about two hours.

Does the tour visit Grand Bassin?

Yes. Grand Bassin, also known as Ganga Talao, includes a crater lake, a temple, shrines, and a 33-meter Lord Shiva statue.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. For a full refund under normal cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.