South of Mauritius :Full day package including Chamarel Coloured earth & lunch

The best thing about this South Mauritius tour is its range. In one day, you move from the strange red, yellow, and violet earth at Chamarel to a Hindu pilgrimage lake, forest viewpoints, waterfalls, a dormant volcano, and the famous hairpin road at Maconde. You get a lot of Mauritius in a single outing.

I like the private vehicle, which lets you ask for photo stops and adjust the pace. I also like the short drives between many sights, usually 15 to 45 minutes, so the day feels active rather than spent on motorways. The main caution is that the quality depends heavily on your assigned driver. Some guides, including Hans and Harsh Dindoyal, have added food, history, and warm local help, while other bookings have felt more like transport than a guided tour.

Key points to know

• Chamarel covers several highlights: colored earth, a waterfall, village views, and a lookout over the southwest.
• Grand Bassin adds cultural depth: temples, sacred water, and possible monkey sightings.
• The private format gives you flexibility: your group travels alone and can make personal requests.
• Lunch, snacks, entry fees, and nonalcoholic drinks are included: bottled water is available on request.
• The day packs in ten or more stops: expect photographs and short walks, not long visits at every site.
• Road and weather conditions matter: the 52 Turns Chamarel Road was closed from February 20, 2024, and Black River Gorges viewpoints may be unsuitable in rain.

Why this route gives you a broad taste of Mauritius

This is not a slow, single-site excursion. It is a fast-moving circuit through the island’s southwest and central highlands, with nature, religion, scenery, and local food all sharing the same day.

The route begins at 8:30 a.m. and is designed for a private group. That matters in Mauritius, where a good viewpoint can invite a quick photograph, a longer pause, or a change of plan based on clouds and road conditions. A driver who listens can make the difference between a pleasant day and a rushed checklist.

The experience is advertised as lasting up to a full day, although the published duration also says approximately one to eight hours. One booking finished about two hours earlier than expected, so I would confirm the expected return time before you set out. The number of stops is ambitious, and each one is usually brief.

You should also understand the guiding style. Your driver may explain sites and walk with you in some places, but this is not guaranteed to feel like a formal, constantly narrated tour. At certain viewpoints, you may be dropped near the entrance and left to follow signs. If you want detailed commentary at every stop, ask for that clearly when booking.

Chamarel’s colored earth and waterfall

Chamarel is the main attraction, and rightly so. The colored earth is a compact natural site where exposed ground shows bands of red, brown, yellow, and violet tones. The colors are easiest to appreciate from the viewing area, where you can frame the unusual ground against the surrounding hills.

You do not need a long hike to see it. The stop is simple and photogenic, making it suitable for most people who can manage ordinary sightseeing walks. The admission fee to the colored earth is included.

Chamarel Waterfall is treated as a separate stop within the same general area. It is found in a private park and gives you another strong photo opportunity. The listed visit is only about 15 minutes, so do not expect a long trail or a swim. You will see the falls, take photographs, and move on.

The Chamarel area also offers a chance to see the local village rather than only its paid attractions. Your driver may point out village details and explain the setting, but the amount of walking and commentary depends on the person behind the wheel.

One practical warning matters here. The 52 Turns Chamarel Road was closed by the Mauritian government from February 20, 2024. That can affect the route and may require a diversion. A good driver should explain the change and suggest an alternative, but you should not assume every road shown in older descriptions will be open.

Grand Bassin, sacred water, and temple colors

Grand Bassin, also known as Ganga Talao, brings a different side of Mauritius into the day. This sacred lake is important to the island’s Hindu community, and colorful temples surround the peaceful water.

The stop is about 45 minutes. That gives you enough time to look at the temple buildings, walk near the lake, and take in the religious setting without turning the visit into a long cultural lecture.

You might see monkeys in the area. They are described as nonaggressive, but you should still give them space and avoid treating them like tame pets. The setting is more peaceful when you watch quietly rather than trying to force a close photograph.

This is one of the places where a guide can add real value. A short explanation of the lake, the temples, and the role of Hindu worship in Mauritius helps you understand what you are seeing. Some guides have been praised for explaining local culture and introducing visitors to Mauritian snacks. Others have provided less commentary, so ask for cultural background if it matters to you.

Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges

Alexandra Falls sits inside a protected nature reserve with endemic trees and a viewpoint toward the southern part of the island. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, enough for photographs and a short look around.

The appeal here is not only the waterfall. You are seeing a section of Mauritius where forest, highland air, and open valley views replace the coast. For anyone who wants more than beaches, this is a useful part of the day.

Black River Gorges appears twice in the planned route, with the Macabe viewpoint and another gorges viewpoint listed separately. In practice, the exact stops may depend on road access, weather, and the driver’s judgment. The views look into a broad forested valley, and the scale is much greater than at the smaller waterfall stops.

You may also see wild monkeys near Macabe. Some people have been seen feeding them, but feeding wildlife is not a good reason to approach. Keep your belongings secure and give the animals room.

Rain can change this part of the day. The route notes that Black River Gorges viewpoints are not advisable during wet weather. Visibility can disappear into cloud, and slippery conditions make a short stop less enjoyable. If rain arrives, accept a change of plan rather than insisting on a viewpoint that offers little to see.

Ile aux Benitiers from above, not from the island

The Ile aux Benitiers stop is easy to misunderstand. You do not travel to the island itself. You stop at a higher viewpoint where you can see Ile aux Benitiers and the blue lagoon from a distance.

The stop is listed at only 10 minutes, so think of it as a photograph break. It gives you a broad coastal view and a quick sense of the island’s shape, but it is not a beach visit, boat trip, or island excursion.

That distinction matters when comparing this tour with packages that include a lagoon cruise. This experience stays on land and focuses on seeing many sights in one day.

Trou aux Cerfs and the central highlands

Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcano in the central part of Mauritius. Its crater is now green and open, with views from the rim across the surrounding area.

The visit lasts about 20 minutes. You can expect a short stop for photographs and a look into the crater, not a serious hike. The site works well in this route because it changes the mood again: after waterfalls and forest, you are standing at a volcanic viewpoint near the island’s central highlands.

The tour also includes Floreal as a bonus stop. It is described as a popular tourist area in central Mauritius, with about 20 minutes available. The details are not fully specified, so I would treat this as an extra pause rather than the reason to book the experience. It may interest you if you enjoy seeing a more developed, tour-focused side of the island, but the natural sites are the stronger draw.

A reservoir in a protected forest is also mentioned as part of the drive. It sounds like a scenic roadside section rather than a clearly timed main attraction. You may see calm water and forest views from the vehicle, depending on the route taken that day.

Maconde and the famous coastal road

Maconde Viewpoint is one of the most recognizable photo stops in southern Mauritius. The road bends dramatically around the coast, and the viewpoint gives you a chance to capture the road, sea, and rugged coastal setting in one frame.

The stop is listed at about 20 minutes. That should be enough for photographs, but not for a long coastal walk. Bring your phone or camera ready because the stop is short and the road may be busy.

Maconde is especially useful for people who want a memorable image from Mauritius without booking a separate scenic drive. It also gives the day a final change of scenery after the inland forests and volcanic sites.

As with Chamarel, roads and weather can affect access. Your driver is expected to advise you if a viewpoint is unsafe or impractical. The best approach is to stay flexible rather than treating every named stop as guaranteed in exactly the same form.

Lunch, snacks, and the local touch

Lunch is included, along with nonalcoholic beverages. Snacks are also included, and bottled water can be provided when you request it from the driver.

This is more useful than it may sound. A route with ten or more stops leaves little time to search for food, and a private driver can sometimes introduce you to local snacks or street food. Hans was specifically praised for stopping for Mauritian snacks and water, while another booking described a memorable chance to eat street food during the day.

The food experience is not perfectly consistent. One booking found lunch inedible, while others enjoyed the local food and personal attention. I would not book this tour mainly for the meal. Think of lunch as a practical inclusion that keeps the day moving, with a chance of a pleasant local touch depending on the driver and venue.

If you have dietary needs, tell the company in advance. The booking information asks you to report special requirements, but it does not list specific meal alternatives.

What the private format is really worth

The price is $122.99 per person. For a private tour, that can be reasonable if you want a full day of transport, several paid entries, lunch, snacks, drinks, and the freedom to travel with only your own group.

The value is strongest when your group would otherwise need to arrange several taxis or rent a car. You avoid driving unfamiliar roads and can ask the driver to help with timing, weather decisions, and photo stops. Entry to Chamarel’s colored earth and the Chamarel waterfall park is included, as is entry at Trou aux Cerfs according to the supplied details.

The value is weaker if you prefer to spend an hour or more at each attraction. This is a sampler. You see many places, but the short stops mean you will not have time for extended walks or quiet exploration.

It is also worth clarifying what all-inclusive means here. It covers the listed admissions, lunch, snacks, and nonalcoholic drinks, but it does not mean every possible activity in southern Mauritius. You are not going to Ile aux Benitiers, and there is no stated boat ride, beach time, or long nature hike.

The driver can make or break the day

The strongest part of this experience is often the individual driver. Hans has been praised for finding monkeys, introducing local food, and making the day memorable. Harsh Dindoyal was praised for adding Mauritian history, culture, and food while staying flexible. Vic was described as punctual, friendly, and clear about the day’s plan. C Hans was praised for adapting the route after cyclone damage closed one activity.

Those examples show what the best version of the tour can be: transport with useful local interpretation and personal attention.

But you should set expectations. The service is not always a formal guided tour. Some drivers mainly take you to each sight, then wait while you explore. One booking also reported a 45-minute delay locating the vehicle at a dock pickup point, while another described confusion over the pickup location.

Confirm your pickup details carefully, especially if you are meeting near a port. At the start of the day, ask how much walking is planned, which stops will receive an explanation, and what the expected return time is. These simple questions can prevent disappointment.

A serious complaint also concerned shopping stops, air-conditioning, and driver knowledge. These issues were disputed by the company, but they are useful reminders to state your preferences plainly. If you do not want shopping stops, say so. If you need air-conditioning, mention it before departure.

Who should book this South Mauritius tour

I would recommend this tour to you if you have one day for the south and want a wide introduction rather than a deep visit to one attraction. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families, and small private groups that value door-to-door transport.

It is a good fit for photographers because the route supplies frequent viewpoint stops. It also works for people interested in seeing both natural places and religious sites in the same day.

I would hesitate if you dislike a tight schedule, want long walks, or need a fully scripted guide. The published route is ambitious, weather can force changes, and the guiding style depends on the driver assigned to you.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and bad weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

My verdict on the $122.99 day

Book it if you want convenience, variety, and a private vehicle, and if you are willing to accept short stops and some flexibility. The combination of Chamarel, Grand Bassin, Black River Gorges, Alexandra Falls, Trou aux Cerfs, and Maconde gives you a strong first look at Mauritius beyond the coast.

Before paying, confirm the pickup point, expected duration, lunch arrangements, road diversions, and whether your driver will provide explanations at the sights. If you receive someone like Hans, Harsh Dindoyal, Vic, or C Hans, the day may feel personal and full of local detail. If the service is limited to driving and waiting, the price is harder to justify.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:30 a.m.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Is hotel pickup offered?

Pickup is offered, but the exact meeting point must be confirmed. One reported problem involved confusion at a dock pickup location.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and nonalcoholic beverages are included.

Are snacks included?

Yes. Snacks are included, and bottled water is available on request to the driver.

Is the entrance fee to Chamarel’s colored earth included?

Yes. Entry to Chamarel’s colored earth is included.

Do I visit Ile aux Benitiers itself?

No. You stop at a viewpoint overlooking Ile aux Benitiers. The tour does not take you onto the island.

Can I expect to see monkeys?

You might see monkeys near Grand Bassin or Macabe viewpoint, depending on weather and other conditions. They are described as nonaggressive.

Does the tour include a formal guide?

A driver assists you and may explain or walk with you at some locations, but the experience can also feel like a driver tour rather than a fully narrated guided tour.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund. Black River Gorges viewpoints may not be advisable in rain.