Chamarel 7 Colours and Waterfalls – Exclusive South West Tour

Mauritius packs a lot into one day. This private southwest tour links volcanic scenery, sacred places, waterfalls, rum-making, mountain viewpoints, the Seven Colored Earth, and a beach stop in roughly seven to nine hours. I like the private car and flexible pace, and I like that drivers such as Kevin and Sameer have added extra scenic stops when time allowed. The main caution is simple: this is a full day with many stops, and one serious complaint involved several advertised locations being skipped.

The price is $125 per group of up to four, not per person. That can make it good value for a family or small group, especially since pickup is offered and you have a dedicated driver. Still, some entrance fees are extra, the lunch stop is not guaranteed in practical terms, and the schedule may feel rushed if you want long walks, a leisurely meal, or plenty of beach time.

Key points to know before booking

• Private pricing favors small groups: At $125 for up to four people, the cost works out well when shared, though admission fees and food are additional.
• Eight varied stops fill the day: You move from Curepipe’s volcanic crater to Ganga Talao, waterfalls, mountain views, a rum distillery, colored earth, and Flic en Flac Beach.
• Kevin and Sameer earned special praise: If you can request a driver, these names were singled out for careful driving, helpful advice, and extra stops.
• Rhumerie Chamarel is not included in the tour price: The distillery visit and tasting require a separate admission payment.
• The final beach stop adds flexibility: You may swim, snorkel, relax with a drink, or watch the sunset, though giving the beach more time can mean less time elsewhere.
• Weather matters: Poor weather can lead to a date change or a full refund, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

Why this southwest route works so well

The appeal is variety. You are not spending the whole day at one park or viewpoint. Instead, the route gives you a quick introduction to several sides of Mauritius: volcanic geology, Hindu worship, protected forest, sugar-cane rum, local food, and the coast.

That variety is especially useful if you have only a short stay on the island. A private vehicle saves you from arranging separate taxis between distant areas. It also gives you someone who can handle the roads while you focus on the scenery.

I would not treat this as a slow, specialist nature tour. The schedule allows about 20 to 45 minutes at most scenic stops, with 90 minutes at the rum distillery and about an hour for lunch and the Chamarel viewpoint. That is enough for a look, photos, and a short walk, but not enough for a serious hike or long visit at every place.

The private format is the real advantage. You can ask to spend more time at the beach, as one group did, or accept extra scenic stops if the driver has room in the day. That flexibility is far harder to get on a large group excursion.

Trou aux Cerfs gives you a volcanic beginning

The first stop is Trou aux Cerfs in Curepipe, a dormant volcano with a clear cone and crater. At 605 meters, it also provides a useful introduction to the island’s volcanic origins.

The crater is described as roughly 300 to 350 meters across and about 80 meters deep. You are not signing up for a long volcanic walk here. The planned visit lasts about 30 minutes, making it a quick viewpoint and orientation stop.

I like this early pause because it gives the day some context. You can look across the crater, take photographs, and begin to understand why the island has such dramatic high ground and steep changes in scenery.

The drawback is timing. Thirty minutes passes quickly, especially if the viewpoint is busy or you want to linger. Think of Trou aux Cerfs as a compact scenic stop, not a full attraction in its own right.

Ganga Talao adds quiet and spiritual depth

Ganga Talao, also called Grand Bassin, is a crater lake in the mountains of Savanne. It is regarded as the most sacred Hindu temple site in Mauritius, so this stop adds cultural meaning to a day otherwise packed with natural sights.

You have about 45 minutes here. Use the time respectfully, keeping in mind that this is a place of worship rather than just a photo stop. The setting in a secluded mountain area helps create a calmer mood after the busy road portions of the day.

This is one of the stops that gives the tour more substance. You are not only ticking off viewpoints. You are seeing a place that matters deeply to many people in Mauritius.

As with Trou aux Cerfs, the visit is brief. If you want a slow, detailed look at the religious site, 45 minutes may feel limited. The tour’s strength is breadth, so each stop has to share the day.

Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges bring the forest scenery

Alexandra Falls is scheduled for about 20 minutes. Its appeal is the quiet setting, shaded areas, and the sound of rushing water. It offers a short break from the vehicle and a chance to enjoy the mountain air without committing to a long walk.

The time is enough for a view and photographs, but you should not expect a full forest outing. If you enjoy sitting beside water and taking your time, you may wish the schedule allowed more.

The next stop is Black River Gorges National Park, also planned for about 20 minutes. The lookout covers a rugged mountain area on the west side of Mauritius, with views toward the coast and a waterfall. A parking area has tourist shops selling souvenirs and ice cream.

That combination is practical. You get a major view without a demanding hike, plus an easy place to buy a cold treat. The short stop also keeps the tour moving toward Chamarel.

The limitation is clear: 20 minutes gives you a snapshot rather than a proper park visit. If your main goal is walking through protected forest, this tour may not offer enough time. If your goal is seeing the park’s broad scenery from a lookout, it works better.

Rhumerie Chamarel explains the island’s rum tradition

The stop at Rhumerie de Chamarel lasts about an hour and a half, making it the longest scheduled visit. Here you learn how rum is made from sugar cane, see the distillery process, and sample different agricultural rums.

The tasting is a major attraction for adults who want more than a quick sip at a hotel bar. You can compare flavors and learn how the distillery handles its rum-making process. The setting is described as warm and authentic, which gives the stop a more local feel than a simple retail counter.

I also like the balance this creates in the day. After several natural viewpoints, you get an indoor and educational stop with food and drink connected to Mauritius.

There are two practical points to remember. Admission is not included, so allow extra money. Also, unlimited tasting does not mean you should rush through every sample. You still have a drive and several stops ahead, so moderation is wise.

The 90-minute visit takes a noticeable portion of the day. That is worthwhile if you enjoy rum and production tours. If you do not drink alcohol, this stop may feel long, even though the distillery visit itself provides more than tasting.

Chamarel viewpoint opens the southwest

The Chamarel viewpoint is designed for broad, dramatic views. From here, you can look across the village, green hills, and the southwest coast. Le Morne Brabant is visible to the left, while La Tourelle du Tamarin appears to the right. Ile aux Benitiers can also be seen from the elevated viewpoint.

Bring sunglasses and a camera. The open view can be bright, and this is one of the best places on the route for a wide photograph rather than a close-up waterfall picture.

The stop lasts about an hour and is paired with lunch at a local restaurant offering seafood. This is useful because the day needs a proper pause, not just snacks at parking areas.

Still, lunch is not described as included in the price. Plan to pay for your meal, and remember that the schedule may not guarantee a long restaurant visit. If you have dietary needs, ask about the meal arrangements before departure rather than assuming seafood will be the only choice or that a table is secured.

Seven Colored Earth is the visual star

The Seven Colored Earth Geopark is the stop most closely associated with the tour’s name. The site contains sand dunes in seven shades, including red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow.

The colors formed as basaltic lava changed into clay minerals. The result is a compact, unusual geological display surrounded by green vegetation. It looks almost lunar, with bands of color that remain visible even though the area is not enormous.

You have about 45 minutes here. That is enough to walk around the viewing area, take photographs, and appreciate the odd contrast between colored earth and tropical plants. It is not a place where you can wander freely across the dunes, so expect a managed attraction rather than untouched countryside.

Admission is not included. This matters when comparing the $125 group price with the total cost of the day. Add the Seven Colored Earth entrance fee, the Rhumerie admission, lunch, drinks, and any other personal purchases.

The site can be busy and photogenic, so patience helps. I would take a few minutes to look beyond the camera screen. The colors are the point, but the geological explanation is what makes the sight more interesting than a collection of pretty stripes.

Chamarel Waterfall is part of the tour’s main promise

The tour is presented around Chamarel’s colored earth and waterfalls, with the waterfall experience forming a central part of the southwest route. Alexandra Falls is specifically scheduled, and the Chamarel area also provides the larger waterfall scenery associated with this excursion.

Because the listed stop times focus on several viewpoints and attractions, you should confirm the exact waterfall viewing arrangements with the operator before setting out. This is especially sensible because one dissatisfied customer reported that Trou aux Cerfs, Ganga Talao, and Alexandra Falls were not visited as expected.

That complaint does not match the many highly positive accounts, but it points to a real issue with a tightly packed private day: route changes can matter. Ask the driver to confirm the planned sequence at pickup and speak up if a major stop is being removed.

Flic en Flac closes the day by the sea

The final stop is Flic en Flac Beach, with about an hour set aside. You can swim, snorkel, relax with a drink, or watch the sunset. After a day of driving and sightseeing, this slower ending is welcome.

The beach stop is also the most flexible part of the route. One group requested more time there and had that request accommodated. If sunset or swimming matters more to you than another quick viewpoint, discuss that early with the driver.

The tradeoff is timing. An hour may be enough for a dip and a short rest, but not for a relaxed beach afternoon. If the tour begins later, traffic or extended visits could also affect how much time remains by the coast. The advertised tour hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., while the total duration is about seven to nine hours, so the exact day can vary.

Drivers make or break a private day

The strongest part of this experience is the human element. Kevin was praised for being helpful, careful, accommodating, and informative. Sameer was also singled out as an excellent driver, with a reputation for making the day easier and more enjoyable.

Several positive accounts describe drivers adding natural beauty spots not listed in the planned route. That is a valuable benefit of a private tour, provided the main stops are still covered and the extra detours do not create a rushed finish.

A careful driver matters in Mauritius because the tour crosses varied terrain and covers a lot of ground. You are paying not only for transport but also for local judgment, timing, and the ability to adjust the day.

When you meet your driver, confirm three things: the stops you most want to see, the amount of time you want at Flic en Flac, and how lunch will work. Clear priorities help prevent disappointment later.

What the $125 group price really buys

At $125 for up to four people, the price is attractive for a small private group. Four people would share the base cost, while a solo visitor pays the full group rate. Pickup and private transport add real value, especially if you would otherwise need several taxis.

The price does not cover everything. Rhumerie Chamarel and the Seven Colored Earth have separate admission charges, and lunch is not included. Drinks, souvenirs, and beach purchases are also your responsibility.

I would compare the price with the convenience of covering the southwest in one day. A cheaper shared excursion might exist, but it would normally offer less control over timing and fewer chances to ask for extra stops or more beach time.

The rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 34 ratings, with 94 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong overall result, but the single poor account is useful because it highlights the importance of confirming the route.

Who should choose this Mauritius tour?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and groups of up to four who want a broad first look at southwest Mauritius. It suits you best if you prefer seeing many major places in one day and like having a driver who can adjust the plan.

It is also a good fit if you want a mix of nature, culture, food, rum, viewpoints, and beach time. Families may appreciate the short stops and the chance to finish with swimming or snorkeling.

I would think twice if you want long hikes, a quiet full-day visit in Black River Gorges, or several hours at the beach. The schedule is active, and much of the day is spent moving between attractions.

You should also be comfortable with extra costs. The base price is clear, but the final spend will be higher once you add entry fees and lunch.

Final verdict: book it with clear priorities

I would book this tour if I had one day for the southwest and wanted convenience without joining a large group. The combination of private transport, scenic stops, cultural interest, rum tasting, colored earth, and a beach finish gives you a strong overview of Mauritius.

Before departure, confirm that Trou aux Cerfs, Ganga Talao, Alexandra Falls, the Chamarel waterfall area, Rhumerie Chamarel, Seven Colored Earth, and Flic en Flac are all on the plan. Ask for Kevin or Sameer if possible, and tell the driver which stop matters most to you.

The tour requires good weather. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, while cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven to nine hours.

What is the price for the tour?

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

Is hotel pickup offered?

Yes, pickup is offered.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the private activity.

What places are included in the route?

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

Are entrance fees included?

No. Admission to Rhumerie de Chamarel and Seven Colored Earth is not included. Alexandra Falls lists admission as included, while several other stops are free.

Is lunch included?

No. The tour takes you to a local restaurant offering seafood, but the meal is not included in the tour price.

Can I swim or snorkel during the tour?

Yes. At Flic en Flac Beach, you can swim, snorkel, or relax with drinks.

Can I request more time at a specific stop?

The private format allows requests, and extra time at Flic en Flac Beach has been accommodated. Any change depends on the day’s timing.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

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.