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

Mauritius packs its best south views into one day. I like the quick succession of Chamarel’s seven-colored earth and waterfalls, and I like the chance to see the island through local food, snacks, and a private driver rather than from a large coach. The main drawback is that the day can feel rushed, and the level of guiding may depend heavily on your driver.

The tour costs $122.99 per person and includes pickup, lunch, snacks, nonalcoholic drinks with lunch, and entry fees for the paid sights. I would confirm the pickup point carefully, especially if you are meeting at the dock, since one reported pickup mix-up caused a 45-minute delay.

Key points to know before booking

• Chamarel’s colored earth is the headline stop: Entry is included, along with time for the nearby waterfall and village.
• You visit viewpoints, not Ile aux Benitiers: The blue lagoon and island are seen from above, but you do not travel to the island.
• The day covers more than nine southern sights: Expect waterfalls, volcanic craters, forest roads, temples, reservoirs, and sea views.
• It is a private tour for your own group: That gives you more flexibility than a shared bus, though the experience is still driver-led.
• Local touches add value: Snacks, a typical Mauritian lunch, bottled water on request, and food stops can make the day feel less packaged.
• Road closures and weather can change the plan: Chamarel Road has been closed by the Mauritian government from February 20, 2024, and Black River Gorges viewpoints may be skipped in rain.

A packed day across southern Mauritius

This is a sightseeing-heavy day for people who want to cover a lot of ground. You start at 8:30 a.m. and move through Chamarel, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges, Trou aux Cerfs, Maconde, Floreal, and several other viewpoints.

The driving stretches are usually short, around 15 to 45 minutes between major stops. That matters in Mauritius, where a day can disappear quickly on winding roads. Here, the route keeps giving you a new reason to get out of the vehicle.

The tour is described as a full-day experience, but the listed stop times add up to only a few hours. Traffic, lunch, photo stops, road conditions, and pickup locations fill out the day. Still, I would not assume an especially long day without confirming the expected return time. One booking ended about two hours earlier than expected.

You travel privately, so only your own group participates. That is useful if you want to linger at a viewpoint, request a food stop, or adjust the order of sights. The driver assists with personal requests, but this is not necessarily a formal guided tour with a detailed explanation at every location.

Chamarel’s colored earth and waterfall

Chamarel is the center of the day. The area is known for its unusual seven-colored earth, where bands of red, brown, yellow, violet, and other tones form rolling patterns in the soil. The colors are most striking when the ground is dry and the light is good, but the site remains worthwhile even if clouds soften the effect.

You also visit Chamarel Waterfall, located in a private park. The stop is short, listed at about 15 minutes, so think of it as a scenic photo break rather than a long walk or nature outing. The waterfall is a strong pairing with the colored earth because the two sights feel quite different: one is geological and close-up, the other is a broad, dramatic drop surrounded by greenery.

A useful detail is that entry to the colored earth and Chamarel Waterfall is included. That removes one of the common small costs of a sightseeing day. The tour also gives you a look at Chamarel village, which adds a local setting instead of keeping you inside a park all day.

Road access needs attention. The operator notes that 52 Turn Chamarel Road has been closed by the government from February 20, 2024. Diversions may affect the route, the order of stops, or the amount of time available at Chamarel. Ask about the current road plan before you pay, especially if Chamarel is the main reason you are booking.

Grand Bassin and the sacred lake

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, offers a cultural pause after the nature stops. This sacred lake is important to the Hindu community in Mauritius, and the surrounding temples and religious statues give the area a calm, reflective feel.

The visit lasts about 45 minutes. You can walk near the water, see the colorful temples, and take in the setting around the lake. The driver may explain the religious meaning and local customs, but the amount of interpretation depends on the person assigned to your group.

Monkeys are often seen in this area, and the tour notes that they are not aggressive. You might see people feeding them. Keep your attention on the temple and lake as well, though, because this stop is more than an animal sighting. It is one of the best chances during the day to connect the island’s scenery with its living culture.

Dress and behavior should be respectful around the sacred site. The tour does not specify a formal dress code, so ask your driver if you are unsure about what is appropriate.

Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges

Alexandra Falls sits in a protected nature reserve and is reached by a viewpoint. You get about 30 minutes here, enough for photographs and a look at the southern part of the island. The setting is valued for its endemic trees as well as the waterfall, so it gives you a little more nature than a quick roadside stop.

Black River Gorges adds some of the strongest high views of the day. The Maccabe viewpoint looks into the gorge valley and provides a wide view across forested slopes and deep ravines. You may also see local wild monkeys in this area, although that is not guaranteed.

The route includes two references to Black River Gorges viewpoints, with visits of roughly 15 minutes each. The exact viewpoint may vary according to road access and conditions. The tour specifically advises against visiting Maccabe in rain, and the driver may change the plan if the weather turns poor.

That flexibility is useful, but it also means the advertised sequence should not be treated as fixed. If the gorge is important to you, ask at the start of the day which viewpoint is open and how long you are likely to have there.

Ile aux Benitiers from above

This stop is easy to misunderstand. You do not go to Ile aux Benitiers. Instead, you stop at a higher viewpoint where you can see the island and the blue lagoon from above.

The stop is listed at about 10 minutes, so it is primarily for photographs. The elevated view gives you a sense of the island’s position in the sea, but it is not a boat trip, beach visit, or island excursion. If you are hoping to swim or see the lagoon from the water, this tour does not provide that.

I like the stop as a short change of pace. After forests and waterfalls, the open coastal view helps show how varied southern Mauritius can be in a single day. Just keep your expectations clear.

Trou aux Cerfs and Floreal

Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcano in the central part of Mauritius. Its crater is now green and offers a broad view from above. The stop lasts around 20 minutes, which is enough to look into the crater and take photographs without turning the visit into a long walk.

Entry is included here. That is a small but helpful saving, particularly when several paid attractions can otherwise push up the cost of a private tour.

Floreal is described as a bonus stop in the central part of the island. You spend about 20 minutes there, and the exact appeal depends on the day’s route and what your driver shows you. It is not as famous as Chamarel or Grand Bassin, but it helps break up the main sightseeing stops and offers a more developed, tour-focused location.

The combination of Trou aux Cerfs and Floreal also shows the broad reach of the tour. You are not seeing only the southwest. The route moves inland and through the central part of the island before returning toward the southern sights.

Maconde Point and the coastal road

Maconde Viewpoint is one of the most photographed road stops in Mauritius. The road curves along the coast, and the viewpoint gives you a memorable place for pictures.

You get around 20 minutes here. That is enough for photographs and a quick look, but not for a long coastal walk. The stop works best when you want a visual record of the day rather than a slow, quiet visit.

Maconde is especially useful because it changes the mood again. Chamarel and Black River Gorges are forest and mountain stops. Maconde brings you back to the sea, with open coastal views and a dramatic road setting.

As always, weather affects the experience. Strong sun can make the sea views sharp, while rain or cloud may reduce visibility. The driver can advise you about conditions, but short stops mean you should be ready to get out quickly when the weather is favorable.

Lunch, snacks, and the driver’s role

Lunch is included and is intended to be a typical Mauritian meal, with nonalcoholic beverages included as well. Snacks are also part of the package, and bottled water is available when you request it from the driver.

The food can add real value to a private sightseeing day. Instead of stopping only at a standard tourist restaurant, you may get a chance to try local snacks or roadside food. One highly praised day included Mauritian snacks and a food stop, which made the experience feel more personal.

At the same time, food is the area where expectations need care. One person found the lunch inedible, so I would tell the company about dietary needs or preferences before departure. The supplied details do not list a specific menu, restaurant, or vegetarian arrangement.

Your driver matters a lot here. Hans received especially warm praise for finding good photo spots, seeing monkeys, arranging snacks, and adding local food and culture to the day. Harsh Dindoyal was also praised for explaining Mauritian history, culture, and food while adjusting to personal requests. Other positive experiences mention Vic as punctual and clear about the day’s plan.

But the service is not always a full guided tour. In some cases, the driver may drop you near a sight and let you follow signs on your own. At other stops, the driver may walk with you and explain more. If you want detailed commentary at every site, ask the company to confirm that before booking.

What $122.99 buys you

At $122.99 per person, the price is reasonable if you value a private vehicle and want to cover many parts of the island in one day. You are paying for transport, pickup, lunch, snacks, drinks with lunch, assistance from a driver, and admission to the paid stops.

The private format is the key value. A shared bus may cost less, but it can give you less control over photo stops and personal requests. A private day also works well for a small group that wants to avoid spending several days arranging separate trips.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a slow visit to one or two places. Chamarel receives limited listed time, and many viewpoints last only 10 to 20 minutes. You may leave with many photographs but little time for walking or quiet observation.

The overall rating is 4.4 out of 5 from 26 ratings, which suggests a generally positive experience but not a flawless one. The biggest variable is the driver. A friendly, flexible driver can turn the route into a memorable introduction to Mauritius. A driver who offers little explanation may make it feel like transport between photo stops.

Timing, pickup, and practical cautions

Pickup is offered, and the start time is 8:30 a.m. The tour is near public transportation, though you should still provide precise hotel, port, or dock details. A dock pickup went badly once because the driver and booking service did not appear to have the same meeting information.

I would contact the operator shortly before the day and confirm:

• The exact pickup location and the driver’s contact details
• The expected return time
• The current status of Chamarel Road
• Which Black River Gorges viewpoint is planned
• Whether lunch can meet your dietary needs
• How much walking is expected at each stop

Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility specifications. Tell the company about special requirements in advance. The vehicle is sanitized, and the company says it follows COVID-19 protocols.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour period are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Who should book this southern Mauritius tour?

I would choose this tour if you have limited time and want a broad first look at Mauritius. It suits people who enjoy waterfalls, temple visits, volcanic scenery, coastal viewpoints, and frequent short stops.

It is also a good fit for couples, families, and small private groups who want a flexible day without sharing a bus. The local snacks and lunch are valuable if you want more than a string of viewpoints.

I would think twice if you prefer long walks, wildlife time, or a slow photographic visit. The day moves quickly. I would also avoid booking it without clarification if you expect a professional guide at every stop, since the actual service can be closer to a driver tour.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is variety. Chamarel, Ganga Talao, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges, Trou aux Cerfs, Maconde, and the coastal viewpoints give you a strong range of Mauritius in one organized day.

Before booking, confirm the road closures, pickup point, lunch arrangements, and guiding style. If you get a driver such as Hans, Harsh, or Vic, the added local knowledge and flexibility can make the day special. If your main goal is one deep, unhurried visit, choose a shorter private tour focused only on Chamarel and the southwest.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m.

Is hotel or port pickup available?

Pickup is offered. You should provide exact location details, especially when meeting at a dock, and confirm the meeting point before the day begins.

Is Ile aux Benitiers included as an island visit?

No. You stop at a viewpoint where you can see Ile aux Benitiers and the lagoon. You do not go to the island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A typical Mauritian lunch and nonalcoholic beverages during lunch are included. Snacks are also included, and bottled water can be requested from the driver.

Are entrance fees included?

Entry to Chamarel’s colored earth, Chamarel Waterfall, and Trou aux Cerfs is included according to the tour details.

Can the tour change because of weather?

Yes. Black River Gorges viewpoints are not advised in rain, and the driver may adjust the route. If poor weather cancels the experience, you can be offered another date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.