Southern Treasures: Bois Cherri Tea Factory & 23-Colored Earth

Mauritius packs a lot into one small island. This full-day southern circuit brings together volcanic craters, rainforest viewpoints, sacred Hindu sites, a tea factory, rough Atlantic surf, and the famous 23-Colored Earth. I especially like the private air-conditioned vehicle and the fact that hotel pickup, lunch, bottled water, and major entry fees are included. The main drawback is simple: nine stops in roughly eight hours can make the day feel more like a highlights reel than a slow look at southern Mauritius.

I also like that you can shape the day around your pace, an advantage noted by one guest who said the driver gave enough time at each stop. Guides named Manu and Deva received particular praise for kindness, punctuality, and island knowledge. Still, guide quality matters here. One unhappy guest felt more like they had a taxi driver than a guide, especially at Grand Bassin, so I would confirm that you want active commentary and accompaniment before setting off.

Five things to know before booking

• The route covers nine southern sights: You can visit Trou aux Cerfs, Mare aux Vacoas, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges, Grand Bassin, Bois Cheri, Gris Gris, 23-Colored Earth, and Chamouny Waterfall in one day.
• Lunch is part of the price: The three-course meal includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, halal food, and non-alcoholic drinks.
• The most useful feature is private transport: Pickup and drop-off are available at any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius, with a qualified guide-driver in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Bois Cheri gives the tour its cultural flavor: You see tea production, visit the factory and museum, and learn how tea became part of Mauritian life.
• The coast is for looking, not swimming: Gris Gris has striking cliffs and powerful surf, but swimming is not advised because of strong waves and currents.
• The pace is ambitious: The advertised duration is seven to eight hours, so expect short visits at several viewpoints.

What the $136.44 price really covers

At $136.44 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a few viewpoints in southern Mauritius. But the price includes much more than transport. You receive hotel pickup and return, a private air-conditioned vehicle, a certified guide-driver, bottled water, a three-course lunch, drinks with lunch, the Bois Cheri factory visit, and entry to the 23-Colored Earth and waterfall area.

That bundle changes the value calculation. Renting a car may cost less for a couple, but you would need to manage unfamiliar roads, fuel, parking, directions, and the timing of a long list of stops. A taxi might cover the route, but you would need to arrange the day and may not receive the same explanation of the places you see.

I consider this tour strongest for someone who wants one organized day with many included costs. It is also useful if you are staying in Mauritius without a car. The private format gives you more control than a large coach trip, though the exact style depends heavily on the individual guide.

The tour starts at about 8:30 a.m. and lasts around seven to eight hours. That is a tight schedule for nine locations. You should expect each stop to offer a clear taste of the site rather than a long walk, a full hike, or extended free time.

Trou aux Cerfs, a volcano above Curepipe

The day begins at Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater about 605 meters above sea level. The crater measures roughly 350 meters across and about 100 meters deep, and it is surrounded by forest, native plant life, and tall green pine trees.

What makes this stop interesting is the contrast. You are looking into an old volcanic crater, yet the setting is heavily covered with vegetation rather than bare rock. The volcano is believed to have erupted once and then remained dormant for about 700,000 years. Experts believe it could potentially become active again, though the visit is about views and geology, not volcanic drama.

Allow about 35 minutes. The main reward is the 360-degree view over Curepipe and toward Rempart Mountain, Trois Mamelles, and the Port Louis and Moka mountain ranges. I would treat this as a quick orientation stop. It gives you a sense of the island’s interior before the route moves into reservoirs, forest, and the southern coast.

Mare aux Vacoas and the quiet side of Mauritius

Mare aux Vacoas is the largest reservoir in Mauritius, with a capacity of nearly 26 million cubic meters. You get about 30 minutes here, enough to pause among thick forest and take in the water and surrounding hills.

This is not a grand monument or a major activity. That is exactly why it works. After the crater viewpoint, the reservoir provides a quieter stretch with fewer formal attractions. If you enjoy simple natural views and a short break from roads and towns, you will appreciate it.

Do not book this tour expecting every stop to be a showstopper. Mare aux Vacoas is more of a scenic pause than a destination that fills an afternoon. Its value comes from the variety of the route. In one morning, you move from a crater to a reservoir, then onward to a waterfall.

Alexandra Falls and the high southern views

Alexandra Falls sits at about 700 meters above sea level and is one of Mauritius’s best-known nature sites. The waterfall is viewed from a lookout, with a wooden platform available for a broader view. From here, you can also see toward the southeast coast and its turquoise water.

You have around 30 minutes. That should be enough to take photographs, walk to the viewing area, and enjoy the forest setting. If you want the full panorama, make time for the wooden platform rather than stopping at the first roadside view.

The practical issue is timing. A short stop may leave you choosing between the waterfall itself and the distant coastal view. Ask your guide where the best viewing point is as soon as you arrive. The route includes several lookout points, and a little direction saves time.

Black River Gorges, rainforest from the roadside

The Black River Gorges viewpoint is only a three to five minute walk from the road, making it one of the easiest scenic stops. You get about 30 minutes to look across the gorge, rolling hills, forest, valleys, and a waterfall visible to the right.

The national park covers almost 17,000 acres in the southwest of Mauritius. This tour does not turn the visit into a hiking day, but the viewpoint gives you a useful glimpse of the park’s scale and plant life.

I like this stop because it adds depth to the day. You are not seeing only beaches and postcard colors. The route also shows the island’s high forest country and steep interior. Wear shoes with good grip, as recommended for the tour, especially if the ground is damp.

Grand Bassin and the giant Shiva statue

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is a sacred lake in the crater of an extinct volcano at about 550 meters above sea level. Along the shore are a temple and smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu deities.

The enormous statue of Lord Shiva is the visual centerpiece. At 33 meters high, it is hard to miss and gives the stop a strong sense of scale. The lake itself is calm and scenic, but the religious setting is the important part. This is a place to slow down, observe respectfully, and allow worshippers space.

The scheduled visit lasts about 40 minutes. That is enough for a look around, though not necessarily enough for a detailed temple visit if you also want photographs and time by the lake. Here, the guide’s role matters most. One guest felt disappointed after being left at the temple without an explanation and had to search for information independently.

Before arrival, I would ask your guide to explain the site, identify the areas open to you, and accompany you where appropriate. This small request can turn a simple photo stop into a much more meaningful visit.

Bois Cheri, where the tour finds its local flavor

Bois Cheri Tea Factory is the cultural center of the day. A guide leads you through the factory and tea plantation, explaining the history of the estate, the production process, and the importance of tea in Mauritius. You also visit a tea museum, then have time to appreciate the broad view over the south.

The visit lasts about an hour. That is long enough to make it more than a quick shop stop. You get an explanation of how tea is made and a better sense of an industry that remains closely linked with the island’s identity.

Tea production also gives the route a welcome change of pace. Earlier stops focus on geology, forest, and religion. At Bois Cheri, you learn about work, farming, manufacturing, and daily life. The tea visit and tasting were singled out as especially enjoyable, and the lunch also received strong praise.

The three-course meal includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, halal food, and non-alcoholic drinks. A sample meal praised by one guest included chicken curry, fish salad as a starter, and vanilla ice cream. That is useful if you are wondering if lunch is merely a basic included meal. You should still advise the operator about allergies, dietary needs, or illness when booking.

Gris Gris, powerful surf and a no-swimming warning

Gris Gris is one of the day’s most dramatic coastal stops. From the viewpoint, you look over cliffs while waves hit the rock below. A small garden has benches, and a path leads down toward a beach where you can see the sea more closely.

You may spend up to two hours here, making it one of the longest stops. That extra time matters because Gris Gris is not just a single lookout. You can sit in the garden, walk along the path, view the cliffs, and take in the force of the water.

The beach may look inviting, but do not swim. The waves and currents are described as extremely strong. This is a place for a stroll and a sea view, not a water activity. If you have been sitting in the vehicle for several hours, Gris Gris is also a useful chance to stretch your legs.

The stop includes a glimpse of Souillac village on the way. That small detail adds a local touch to a route otherwise focused on named attractions.

23-Colored Earth and Chamouny Waterfall

The 23-Colored Earth is the tour’s most unusual natural attraction. The sand dunes show several distinct shades, including red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow. The colors formed as basaltic lava changed into clay minerals, creating a strange, carefully contained area of multicolored earth among green vegetation.

The description uses the name 23-Colored Earth, while the visible shades are commonly described here as seven main colors. Either way, the appeal is visual. You are looking at curved bands of colored ground that seem almost artificial, yet they come from natural geological change.

You have about 40 minutes at the attraction. Entry is included, along with access to the waterfall area. The tour also visits Chamouny Waterfall, a single-drop fall surrounded by dense plant growth. Its stop lasts about 25 minutes.

These two sights make a good final pair. The colored earth gives you unusual geology, while Chamouny returns you to water and forest. Keep your expectations sensible. This is a viewpoint-based visit, not a long wilderness walk or an adventurous waterfall trek.

The private vehicle and guide make the difference

The vehicle is fully air-conditioned, which matters in Mauritius when a day includes long stretches between stops. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered anywhere in Mauritius, so you do not need to find a central meeting point.

The private format is the largest practical advantage. You can ask for more time at Gris Gris, move along sooner from Mare aux Vacoas, or request extra explanation at Grand Bassin. The tour description says the guide-driver is qualified and certified, but the feedback shows that the level of guiding can vary.

Manu was praised for being kind and informative, while Deva was described as respectful, friendly, and well informed about the island. Another guide added an unexpected viewpoint at the end, which suggests that some drivers may adjust the route when time allows. I would still make your preferences clear at the start rather than relying on a surprise.

The tour is not presented as a large group excursion. Its private transport and private guide setup should appeal to couples, families, and small parties who prefer not to follow a fixed bus schedule.

Who should book this southern Mauritius day?

I would choose this experience if you want to see a wide range of southern Mauritius in one organized outing. It suits you especially well if you value:

• Hotel pickup and return
• A private vehicle rather than a large coach
• A guide-driver who can explain the sights
• A substantial included lunch
• A mix of natural, cultural, religious, and industrial attractions
• Short walks instead of demanding hikes

It is less suitable if you want a slow day at one waterfall, a long tea estate visit, or several hours on a beach. The schedule is full, and the number of stops means you will often be watching the clock.

Bring non-slippery shoes, water-friendly patience for changing weather, and a willingness to follow local customs at Grand Bassin. Bottled water is supplied on arrival, and non-alcoholic drinks are included with lunch.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Should you book Southern Treasures?

Book it if you want maximum variety in one private day. The strongest parts are the included transport and lunch, the tea factory, Grand Bassin, Gris Gris, and the 23-Colored Earth. You also get a useful sample of Mauritius’s volcanic interior and forest country without having to plan the roads yourself.

Before confirming, send a note asking for a guide who will accompany you at cultural sites and explain the places rather than simply dropping you at each entrance. If that point is clear, this is a good-value choice for a first look at southern Mauritius, especially when you want scenery, food, and local context in the same day.

FAQ

How long does the Southern Treasures tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available at any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius.

Is transportation private?

Yes. The tour uses private transportation in a fully air-conditioned vehicle with a qualified certified guide-driver.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course lunch is included, along with non-alcoholic beverages.

Are vegetarian meals available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available. You should advise the operator when booking.

Is halal food available?

Yes. The included lunch is described as halal.

Are entrance fees included?

Entry to the 23-Colored Earth and Waterfall area and the Bois Cheri Tea Factory is included.

Can you swim at Gris Gris Beach?

No. Swimming is not advised because the waves and currents are extremely strong.

What should you wear for the tour?

Wear non-slippery shoes. You should also advise the operator about food allergies or illness before the tour.