Mauritius Guided South tour (Private)

Volcanoes, temples, waterfalls, and colored earth await. This private seven-hour tour packs several of southern Mauritius’ best-known sights into one air-conditioned vehicle, with pickup and drop-off offered around the island. I like the private format, which lets your group of up to four travel without strangers, and I like the range of scenery, from the high crater at Trou aux Cerfs to the forested Black River Gorges.

The tour also benefits from a friendly, patient guide. One highly praised driver-guide was named Faroz, who was described as informative and willing to take time with the group. The main drawback is the pace: several stops are short, and La Vallée des Couleurs takes two hours but charges an extra entrance fee. You should also know that lunch is not included.

Key Points to Know Before Booking

• Private transport for up to four: The price is $116.86 per group, not per person, making it especially appealing for a small family or group of friends.
• A full southern circuit: You visit Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Mare aux Vacoas, Black River Gorges, Alexandra Falls, a scenic route near Bassin Blanc, and La Vallée des Couleurs.
• Short photo stops: The crater, gorge viewpoint, and waterfall stops are each planned for about 30 minutes, so this is sightseeing rather than a long hiking day.
• A major Hindu pilgrimage site: Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, has shrines, a crater lake, and a 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva.
• Extra costs to plan for: Lunch and all entrance fees are excluded. La Vallée des Couleurs is the clearest likely added expense.
• Flexible cancellation: You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and bad weather may lead to a new date or full refund.

Why This Private Southern Tour Works

Southern Mauritius gives you a quick lesson in how varied the island can be. In a single day, you move from an extinct volcanic crater to a sacred lake, then through forested highlands and past waterfalls before ending among unusual colored earth formations.

I like the way this route joins natural sights with a living place of worship. It is not just a drive from one viewpoint to the next. Grand Bassin gives the day a cultural center, while Black River Gorges and Alexandra Falls show off the island’s quieter side.

The private setup is the tour’s biggest practical advantage. Your group can include up to four people, and the listed price is $116.86 per group. Split four ways, that is about $29.22 each before optional fees and lunch. For two people, the per-person cost is higher, but you still receive private transport and a driver-guide rather than sharing a coach.

The tradeoff is that the day covers a lot of ground. You get a broad introduction, not a slow, detailed study of every place. If you want long walks, extended wildlife watching, or plenty of time at each viewpoint, you may find the schedule tight.

Trou aux Cerfs: Mauritius Begins at an Old Volcano

Your first stop is Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater in Curepipe. It sits about 605 meters above sea level, measures roughly 350 meters across, and reaches about 100 meters deep.

The crater is surrounded by forest, indigenous plants, and large green pine trees. That mix makes it more interesting than a bare volcanic bowl. You can look into the crater and also take in the greenery around Curepipe from a high point.

The planned stop is about 30 minutes. That is enough for photographs and a look around, but not enough for a long walk or careful study of the plant life. I would treat this as a scenic introduction to the island’s volcanic origin rather than the day’s main attraction.

Your guide can also help explain why the crater is considered extinct and how it fits into Mauritius’ volcanic past. Since the tour begins with pickup anywhere in Mauritius, the exact drive to Curepipe will depend on your hotel.

Grand Bassin and the 33-Meter Shiva Statue

After Trou aux Cerfs, the route continues to Grand Bassin, also known as Ganga Talao. This crater lake lies about 550 meters above sea level in the mountainous southwest of Mauritius.

The shoreline holds a temple and smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu gods. The most striking sight is the 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva, described as the highest known statue in Mauritius. Its size is hard to miss, but the setting matters just as much: the temple complex sits beside the lake, surrounded by high country and forest.

You have about an hour here, which is the longest stop before La Vallée des Couleurs. That gives you time to look at the shrines, view the lake, and take in the religious atmosphere without rushing through the site.

Be respectful. Grand Bassin is an active place of worship, not simply a photo stop. The calm expressions on the statues and the lake setting create a quieter mood than the crowded road-based sights elsewhere on the island.

A small caution: the day’s descriptions include opportunities to see the most prayed-to Hindu gods, but the experience is not presented as a formal religious tour. If you want detailed explanations of Hindu beliefs or ritual practice, ask your guide what can be explained during your visit.

Mare aux Vacoas, a Short Pause by the Reservoir

The drive then reaches Mare aux Vacoas, the largest reservoir on Mauritius, with a capacity of nearly 26 million cubic meters. It is surrounded by thick forest and offers a simple scenic break.

This stop is not promoted as a major attraction, and that is part of its appeal. You get a few quiet minutes away from the more visited temple and viewpoints. The reservoir provides a broad view, while the surrounding trees add a sense of calm.

The exact time allocated here is not stated. Think of it as a brief roadside pause rather than a full activity. If your day is running late, this may be one of the places where your driver can adjust the timing, though no specific flexibility is guaranteed.

Black River Gorges: Wide Views Over the Southwest

At Black River Gorges Nature Park, the tour heads to a gorge viewpoint. The park covers almost 17,000 acres of rolling hills, forest, valleys, waterfalls, and native plant and animal life in southwestern Mauritius.

The viewpoint gives you a broad look over the green stretches of the gorge. A waterfall can be seen to the right of the viewing area, and souvenir stalls line the path leading toward the viewpoint.

The planned visit lasts about 30 minutes. This is enough to enjoy the view and take photographs, but it is not a hiking excursion through the park. The tour gives you a taste of the area rather than access to its full network of trails.

You might also come across monkeys near the viewpoint. One particularly positive account praised the chance to feed them. Treat this as a possible moment, not a guaranteed feature, and follow your guide’s instructions about food and contact with animals.

The souvenir stalls are worth noting because they may not suit everyone. One three-star account praised the route and driver but warned that the day can push you through tourist-oriented stops. That concern is useful even though the comment did not specify which stops caused the problem. If you prefer nature over shopping, tell your driver early that viewpoints and local scenery are your priority.

Alexandra Falls and the Cloud Forest of Mount Cocotte

Alexandra Falls is the next major nature stop. The waterfall sits in the Black River Gorges area, with the cloud forest of Mount Cocotte nearby and views extending toward the south coast.

This is one of the tour’s most appealing photo stops. Water drops through thick jungle, with local bird sounds and forest around it. The setting has a cinematic feel without requiring a full-day walk.

You have about 30 minutes here. That works well for a viewpoint visit, but it limits your chance to linger. If you love waterfalls, this is a stop to protect in the schedule. I would not allow extra time at a less important roadside pause to cut into Alexandra Falls.

The wording of the tour suggests that you can stroll around the area, but it does not promise a long trail or a guided forest walk. Come prepared for a scenic stop, not a strenuous outdoor activity.

The Bassin Blanc Road: A Scenic Drive With a Sharp Turn

The road toward Bassin Blanc adds a scenic stretch between the main stops. It passes through thick forest and includes an almost 180-degree bend.

This part of the day is about the drive itself. Tall trees form a canopy over the road, and the bend gives the route a dramatic change in direction. It is a good chance to watch the countryside pass by rather than hurry from attraction to attraction.

No separate duration is provided for this section, and there is no promise of a formal stop at Bassin Blanc. Keep your camera ready, but do not assume the vehicle will pull over at every attractive view.

La Vallée des Couleurs and the 23 Colored Earth

The final stop is La Vallée des Couleurs Reserve in Chamouny. The reserve is known for its 23 Colored Earth, along with native plants and animals, plateaus, mountains, valleys, craters, and crater lakes.

This is the day’s longest visit, with about two hours set aside. That gives you more room to explore than the brief crater and waterfall stops. The reserve also offers a range of local activities, though the supplied details do not identify each activity or state which ones are included.

The entrance fee is not included in the tour price. All fees and taxes are excluded, so ask about the current entry cost and any activity charges before you begin. This matters when judging the real cost of the day, especially if you are traveling with four people and planning to add activities.

The 23 Colored Earth is the main draw, but the reserve is not only about the unusual soil colors. Its mix of craters, lakes, valleys, and native growth gives you a change of pace after the road-based viewpoints.

Two hours sounds generous, but it can pass quickly if you want to see the colored earth and try optional activities. If you prefer a simple visit, the allotted time should feel more comfortable. If you want to add several activities, confirm the plan with your driver at the start of the day.

Transport, Lunch, and the Real Price

The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup and drop-off are offered from around Mauritius, which saves you from arranging separate transport to a meeting point.

That convenience is important on an island route covering Curepipe, the southwest highlands, Black River Gorges, and Chamouny. A private vehicle also means your group does not share the day with a busload of people, and you can speak directly with the driver-guide about timing and priorities.

Lunch is not included. The driver can recommend restaurants, but the tour price does not cover the meal. All entrance fees and taxes are also excluded.

At $116.86 for up to four people, the base price is strong for a private seven-hour outing. It becomes particularly good value when four people share it. For a couple, the price is still reasonable if private transport and a personal guide matter to you, but you should add lunch and reserve money for La Vallée des Couleurs.

The tour is booked an average of 29 days ahead, so it is sensible to reserve early if your Mauritius dates are fixed. Confirmation is provided at booking.

The Driver-Guide Can Shape the Whole Day

The most warmly praised part of the experience is the driver-guide. Faroz was singled out as friendly, informative, and patient, with one group calling the trip worth the cost and noting the chance to feed monkeys.

That kind of guide matters on a route with several short stops. A good driver can explain what you are seeing, help you use limited time well, and keep the day pleasant during the longer drives.

The feedback is not completely one-sided. Another account gave the tour three out of five and liked the driver’s care and information but felt the route pushed the group through tourist traps. The operator disputed that comment and asked for more detail, so there is no clear list of problem stops. Still, the warning is useful: tell your guide whether you want shopping, activities, or mainly nature and culture.

The overall score is 4.6 from five reviews. That is encouraging, though the sample is small. I would place more weight on the repeated praise for the guide and the clear description of what is included than on the score alone.

Who Will Get the Most From This Tour?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad first look at southern Mauritius and prefer a private car to a large group. It suits couples, families, and small groups of friends who want to share the cost.

It is also a good match if you want both culture and scenery. Grand Bassin adds a meaningful religious site, while Trou aux Cerfs, Black River Gorges, Alexandra Falls, and La Vallée des Couleurs provide different kinds of natural scenery.

You may want a different plan if your priority is hiking. The route includes viewpoint visits and short walks, but the stated times at the crater, gorge, and waterfall are only about 30 minutes each.

I would also be cautious if you dislike paid attractions or activity parks. La Vallée des Couleurs is a central part of the final stop, yet admission is extra. Ask about costs before adding anything there.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should You Book the Southern Mauritius Tour?

Book it if you want an efficient, private introduction to the island’s southern highlands, sacred places, waterfalls, and colored earth. The price works best for four people, and the air-conditioned vehicle plus pickup around the island removes much of the day’s transport hassle.

Before booking, set realistic expectations. This is a scenic circuit with short stops, not a slow hiking tour. Confirm your lunch plan, budget for entrance fees, and tell the driver that you want time for the places you care about most.

If Faroz is available, his friendly and patient approach could add real value, but guide availability is not guaranteed. For a first day in southern Mauritius, this tour gives you a lot in seven hours. Just keep the pace in mind and treat the schedule as a strong overview rather than the final word on the island.

FAQ

How long does the Mauritius Guided South tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one group of up to four people.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from around the island.

What transportation is provided?

Private transportation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is lunch included?

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

Are entrance fees and taxes included?

No. All fees and taxes are excluded from the tour price.

What is the first stop?

The first stop is Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater near Curepipe.

How long is the visit to Grand Bassin?

The planned visit to Grand Bassin lasts about one hour.

How much time is planned at La Vallée des Couleurs?

About two hours are planned at La Vallée des Couleurs.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.