Chamarel 7 Colours and Waterfalls – Exclusive South West Tour

The best part of this private Mauritius tour is its range. In one long day, you move from a dormant volcano and a sacred crater lake to waterfalls, mountain lookouts, a working rum distillery, Chamarel’s famous colored earth, and a sunset beach. It gives you a strong first look at the island’s southwest without having to arrange separate taxis.

I like the private vehicle for up to four people, since you can ask for more beach time or pause at a scenic spot. I also like the human touch: guides such as Kevin and Sameer have been singled out for careful driving, useful local knowledge, and adding worthwhile stops. The drawback is the pace. Eight stops in 7 to 9 hours can feel full, and lunch, rum distillery admission, and Seven Colored Earth admission cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• A full southwest circuit: See Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges, Chamarel, Seven Colored Earth, and Flic en Flac in one day.
• Private touring for up to four: Your group has its own driver-guide, with more control over timing than on a large coach.
• Strong guide element: Kevin and Sameer have received particular praise for careful driving, flexibility, and adding scenic stops.
• Rum tasting is part of the appeal: Rhumerie de Chamarel includes a guided distillery visit and tastings, but admission is not included.
• Plan for extra costs: Lunch and the Seven Colored Earth and rum distillery tickets are not covered by the $125 group price.
• Beach time finishes the day: Flic en Flac offers time to swim, snorkel, relax with a drink, and possibly watch sunset.

Why this private southwest tour works

Southwest Mauritius is where the island’s volcanic past, mountain scenery, religious life, farming, and beaches come together. This tour does not focus on one attraction. Instead, it links several very different places, so you get a broad sense of the region in a single outing.

The price is $125 per group of up to four, not per person. That makes the arithmetic attractive for a small family or group of friends. Split four ways, the transport and private guiding cost is modest, though you still need to budget for attraction tickets and lunch.

The private format matters more here than it might on a simple beach transfer. The day has several short stops, and your time at Flic en Flac can be adjusted. One party was able to request more time at the beach, while other accounts describe guides adding scenic places beyond the planned route.

The advertised driving day lasts about 7 to 9 hours. That is a substantial outing, and the route includes mountain roads and many separate stops. I would choose this if you want variety and photographs. I would not choose it if you prefer a slow day at one site.

Trou aux Cerfs opens with a volcanic view

Your first stop is Trou aux Cerfs in Curepipe, a dormant volcano with a clear cone and crater. At 605 meters, it gives the day an immediate sense of Mauritius as a volcanic island rather than just a collection of beaches.

The crater is described as roughly 300 to 350 meters across and about 80 meters deep. You have around 30 minutes here, enough to look over the crater and take photographs without turning the stop into a long walk.

This is a short orientation stop, not a full volcano hike. Its value is the setting and the easy introduction to the island’s geology. If mist or cloud settles over the high ground, the view may be less impressive, but the stop still gives useful context for the later scenery around Chamarel.

Grand Bassin adds a sacred side of Mauritius

From Trou aux Cerfs, the route continues to Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao. This crater lake sits in a secluded mountain area in Savanne district and is regarded as the most sacred Hindu temple site in Mauritius.

You have about 45 minutes here, longer than at Trou aux Cerfs. Use the time to take in the lake, the religious setting, and the surrounding mountain air. This is not simply another viewpoint. It gives you a look at the living faith and cultural practices that shape the island.

Keep your behavior respectful around the temple area. The tour information does not specify a dress code or ceremony schedule, so you should follow any local signs and guidance from your driver. Grand Bassin is one of the more meaningful stops because it adds cultural depth to a day otherwise centered on scenery.

Alexandra Falls offers a quieter pause

Alexandra Falls is allotted about 20 minutes. The appeal is not only the waterfall itself, but also the calm around it. Shaded areas make it a useful break from the sun, and the sound of falling water changes the mood after the road time.

This stop is brief, so expect a viewpoint and a short visit rather than a long forest walk. If you like quiet natural places, it may be one of the most restful moments of the day. If waterfalls are your main reason for booking, remember that Chamarel Waterfall is the major waterfall attraction associated with the experience, while Alexandra Falls is a separate short stop.

Wear shoes that you find comfortable for uneven outdoor viewing areas. The supplied details do not promise a particular trail or swimming opportunity at Alexandra Falls, so treat it as a scenic stop.

Black River Gorges puts the mountains in view

The Black River Gorges portion takes around 20 minutes. A lookout shows the rugged mountain area toward the west coast, with views extending toward the sea and a waterfall visible from the area.

This is another short stop, but it helps connect the inland highlands with the southwest coast you will see later from Chamarel. There are souvenir shops and ice cream near the car park, which can be handy if you want a quick refreshment. It also means the setting is not completely remote or silent.

Do not expect a full national park walk during this visit. The time allocation is built around a lookout, a waterfall view, and a quick break. The wider park deserves longer if you are a serious hiker, but this tour is designed to sample several major sights rather than explore one area on foot.

Rhumerie de Chamarel explains Mauritius through sugar cane

The visit to Rhumerie de Chamarel lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, making it one of the day’s main stops. A guided visit explains how rum is made from sugar cane, followed by tastings of the agricultural rums produced at the distillery.

This is more interesting than simply stopping for a drink. You get the production story, the distillery setting, and a chance to compare different flavors. The description includes unlimited tastings, so pace yourself. You still have more sightseeing and driving afterward.

Admission is not included in the tour price. Confirm the current entry cost when booking, and remember that alcohol tastings are not a good match for anyone who needs to avoid alcohol. The stop is also less suitable for children as a central highlight, though the rest of the route has broad family appeal.

This is a place where a good driver-guide can make a difference. Guides who explain the route and help manage the day keep the distillery stop from feeling like an isolated commercial visit. The strongest accounts of the experience repeatedly praise guides for being helpful, flexible, and careful behind the wheel.

Chamarel viewpoints turn the day toward the coast

The Chamarel viewpoint offers a broad look over the village and the southwest. From here, you may see green hills, the turquoise sea, Le Morne Brabant to the left, La Tourelle du Tamarin to the right, and an aerial view toward Ile aux Benitiers.

Bring sunglasses and a camera. This is one of the places where the light and weather will shape your experience, and the colors can change quickly across the hills and coast. The viewpoint is described as family-friendly, with about an hour set aside for the Chamarel portion, including a local restaurant option.

Lunch is not clearly included in the $125 price. The route describes a local seafood restaurant where you are free to try the dishes, so ask your guide about the lunch plan and cost before ordering. One published account indicates that a planned lunch stop was missed, so I would confirm this part of the schedule at the start of the day rather than assume a meal is guaranteed.

That small check can prevent the day’s main practical annoyance. With several attractions already packed into the route, lunch needs to be planned rather than left to chance.

Seven Colored Earth is striking, but keep expectations realistic

Chamarel Seven Colored Earth Geopark is the signature stop. The ground displays distinct shades described as red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow. The colors formed as basaltic lava changed into clay minerals, creating an unusual stretch of smooth, multicolored earth.

The setting is striking because the colored ground sits amid green vegetation. The result feels almost lunar, though the area is more compact than a giant national park. You have about 45 minutes, which should allow time to view the formations and take photographs.

Admission is not included. Add the ticket to your budget, along with the rum distillery entry and lunch. This is an important value point: the low group price covers the private touring arrangement, but the headline attractions still create extra spending.

You should also know what this stop is and is not. It is a protected viewing area for a geological oddity, not a place where you walk freely across the colored earth or mix the sands yourself. The colors are the attraction, and the visit is relatively short.

Flic en Flac closes the route with choice

The final stop is Flic en Flac Beach, with about an hour available. After the mountain roads and sightseeing, the chance to swim, snorkel, relax with a drink, or sit by the water gives the day a useful change of pace.

The beach is also presented as a sunset location. If timing and weather cooperate, this can be a pleasant finish, particularly after a full day in the car. One party requested more beach time, and the private format allowed that preference to be accommodated.

The main limitation is timing. Since the tour includes seven earlier stops, you may arrive later than planned or have less than an hour if the day runs long. Tell your guide at the beginning if beach time matters most to you. The route can then be paced with that priority in mind, although the exact flexibility is not guaranteed.

The tour information mentions swimming and snorkeling but does not state that equipment is supplied. Ask the provider if you need specific equipment, and do not assume that beach activities are included in the price.

The driver-guide can shape the whole day

The clearest strength of this experience is the private driver-guide arrangement. Kevin is praised for being accommodating, informative, and careful, while Sameer is singled out for an outstanding approach to the day. These details matter because the route is long and varied.

A strong driver does more than move you between points. The guide can explain what you are seeing, help you judge how long to spend at each stop, and point out extra natural spots. Several accounts describe additional stops beyond the planned route, though you should treat those as possible additions rather than guaranteed features.

You can also ask for practical adjustments. More time at the beach may be possible, but adding time in one place could mean less time elsewhere. Be clear about your priorities: rum, temples, waterfalls, colored earth, photographs, or swimming.

The experience has a 4.7 rating from 34 submitted ratings, with 94 percent recommending it. Those figures suggest a strong overall record, but they do not remove the need to confirm the day’s details. The route is ambitious, and at least one account describes several advertised stops and lunch not taking place. Ask the provider to confirm the planned stops before departure.

Who should book this Mauritius day tour?

I would choose this tour for a first visit to Mauritius if you want to cover the southwest efficiently. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who value a private car and want to share the cost among up to four people.

It is also a good fit if you want a mix of nature, culture, food, rum, photography, and beach time. The route does not force you to choose between Grand Bassin and Chamarel, or between waterfalls and Flic en Flac.

I would hesitate if you dislike long days in a vehicle, need a relaxed lunch schedule, or want serious hiking. The stops are generally short, and the day’s success depends on timing. It is a sightseeing sampler, not a slow retreat.

Pickup is offered, the ticket is mobile, and confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted.

Should you book Chamarel 7 Colours and Waterfalls?

Book it if you want maximum variety in one private day and can accept extra costs for admission and lunch. At $125 for up to four people, the transport and private format offer good value, especially when a flexible guide such as Kevin or Sameer is available.

Before you go, confirm three things: which stops will operate that day, the cost of Rhumerie de Chamarel and Seven Colored Earth admission, and how lunch will be handled. If you do that, this is a practical way to see the southwest, with enough scenery and cultural interest to make the long day worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 to 9 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $125 per group of up to four people.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Does the tour include pickup?

Yes, pickup is offered.

Which main attractions are included in the route?

The route includes Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges National Park, Rhumerie de Chamarel, the Chamarel viewpoint, Seven Colored Earth Geopark, and Flic en Flac Beach.

Is admission to Rhumerie de Chamarel included?

No. Admission to Rhumerie de Chamarel is not included in the tour price.

Is admission to Seven Colored Earth included?

No. Admission to the Seven Colored Earth Geopark is not included.

Can I swim or snorkel at Flic en Flac Beach?

The final stop allows time for swimming, snorkeling, relaxing with drinks, and possibly watching sunset. The tour details do not state that snorkeling equipment is provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

Because the experience requires good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions may lead to a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.