The South of Mauritius: 23-Colored Earth & Rhumerie de St Aubin

Mauritius saves some of its best scenery for the southwest. This full-day outing links volcanic craters, forest viewpoints, sacred Grand Bassin, Chamarel’s famous colored earth, Gris Gris cliffs, and a working rum distillery in one long, busy day. I like the way it combines natural sights and Mauritian culture, and I also like that round-trip hotel transport, entry fees, lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks are included.

The price is $131.24 per person, which can be fair for an eight-hour day with so many stops and private air-conditioned transport. My main caution is consistency: some departures have had excellent guides, while others have involved a basic taxi, missed waterfalls, language problems, or an uncomfortable vehicle. Confirm the guide, vehicle, route, and included stops before you set off.

Key points to know before booking

• A packed southwest itinerary: You visit Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges, Chamarel, Gris Gris, and St Aubin in about eight to nine hours.
• A strong mix of scenery and culture: The day includes a Hindu pilgrimage site, volcanic geology, waterfalls, forest views, a coastal village, and rum production.
• Lunch is included: You receive a traditional three-course Mauritian meal with non-alcoholic drinks, including vegetarian and halal options.
• The route can change: Weather, road damage, closures, and operating days may affect Chamarel, waterfalls, or the rum distillery.
• Wear proper shoes: Non-slip footwear matters around viewpoints, wet paths, and waterfall areas.
• Guide quality is important: Drivers named in positive feedback include Hans and Daren, both praised for patience, friendliness, and useful explanations.

Why this day works for first-time visitors

This is a sightseeing sweep rather than a slow village tour. You spend much of the day riding between stops, but the route gives you a useful first look at the island’s highlands, south coast, forests, and religious life.

I like this format if you have limited time in Mauritius. Instead of arranging separate transport to Chamarel, Grand Bassin, and Gris Gris, you make one booking and let someone else handle the driving. That matters on a full day with many winding roads and distant stops.

The schedule begins with hotel pickup at about 8:30 a.m. Pickup is offered from hotels and other accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. The advertised duration is seven to eight hours in one section and eight to nine hours elsewhere, so I would keep the rest of your evening open.

The tour is described as small-group, but the vehicle experience may vary. Positive outings have used comfortable air-conditioned vehicles, while complaints describe a small taxi, a non-air-conditioned vehicle, or four people feeling cramped. Ask what vehicle is assigned to your booking if comfort is important to you.

Trou aux Cerfs and Mare aux Vacoas: Mauritius from above

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 around 100 meters deep.

The crater is surrounded by forest, indigenous plants, and large green pine trees. You get a quick introduction to Mauritius as a volcanic island, although this is a viewpoint stop rather than a long walk or active geological experience. The planned visit lasts about 30 minutes.

From there, you continue to the Mare aux Vacoas reservoir. It is the largest reservoir on the island, with a capacity of almost 26 million cubic meters, and it sits among thick forest.

This is a quiet pause, not a headline attraction. I would enjoy it as a breathing space between busier stops. You have about 20 minutes for the view, so do not expect a hike or an extended nature visit.

Grand Bassin: a sacred crater lake

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is one of the most meaningful stops on the route. This crater lake lies around 550 meters above sea level and is surrounded by a temple and small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu deities.

The huge statue of Lord Shiva is hard to miss. At 33 meters high, it is described as the tallest known statue in Mauritius. The site has a calm, devotional character, and it gives you a better sense of the island’s religious traditions than a standard beach stop would.

You have about 40 minutes here. Use that time respectfully. Dress sensibly, follow any site instructions, and remember that this is an active sacred place, not only a photo stop. The tour description does not promise a formal religious presentation, so the quality of interpretation depends heavily on your guide.

Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges views

Alexandra Falls sits at roughly 700 meters above sea level and is one of Mauritius’ best-known nature sights. You reach a viewpoint where the waterfall and surrounding forest create one of the day’s most photogenic scenes.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. A wooden platform provides a broader view, including a panorama toward the southeast coast and turquoise water in the distance. In wet weather, the falls may look more powerful, but paths and platforms can also become slippery. This is where those non-slip shoes earn their place.

Next comes a gorge viewpoint in Black River Gorges National Park. The park covers almost 17,000 acres of hills, valleys, waterfalls, and native plant and animal life. You only walk three to five minutes from the road to the viewpoint, so this is accessible for most people who can manage a short walk.

The planned stop is about 30 minutes. The view over the gorge is the main event, with a waterfall visible to one side. This is not a park hike, so you should not book this excursion expecting a long forest trek. You get a scenic lookout and a quick taste of the park.

Chamarel’s colored earth and waterfall

The colored earth at Chamarel is the visual centerpiece of the day. The tour calls it 23-Colored Earth, while the description also presents seven distinct colors, including red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow.

The colors formed as basaltic lava changed into clay minerals. The result is a series of smooth, rainbow-toned earth dunes set against green vegetation. It has an almost lunar appearance, and the compact viewing area makes it easy to appreciate during a 40-minute stop.

I would keep expectations sensible. This is a striking geological sight, but it is not a place where you wander freely across the colored soil. Your time is mainly for viewing and photographs from the designated area. Weather and road conditions can affect access, particularly in the wetter months.

The itinerary also includes a waterfall stop identified as Chamouny Waterfall. It is described as a single-drop waterfall surrounded by dense vegetation, with about 25 minutes allotted.

Here is an important practical point: waterfall access has not always gone according to plan. Road damage has prevented some vehicles from reaching a waterfall, and one departure did not include the advertised waterfall because of access problems or route confusion. In one case, walking to the falls was offered but declined. If a particular waterfall is essential to you, ask about road conditions on the morning of the tour.

Gris Gris Beach and the wild south coast

The route continues through Souillac village toward Gris Gris Beach. This section gives you a glimpse of a different Mauritius, one shaped by strong surf and exposed cliffs rather than a sheltered swimming lagoon.

At Gris Gris, you can look from the cliffs toward waves breaking against the rock. A small garden has benches and quiet spots, and a path leads closer to the beach. The coastal stop is scheduled for about two hours, making it the longest pause of the day.

Do not swim here. The description specifically warns about strong waves and currents. The point of Gris Gris is the sea view, the cliffs, and the rougher character of the southern coast. I like that this stop balances the polished appeal of Mauritius’ beaches with a more forceful side of the island.

Because two hours is a generous allowance, this is also where delays can be absorbed if earlier stops run long. Still, the overall day is packed. If you linger at every viewpoint, the final stops may feel rushed.

Rhumerie de St Aubin: the flavorful finish

The last major stop is Rhumerie de St Aubin, where you learn how rum is made from sugar cane. The visit includes a guided look at the distillery and a tasting of the agricultural rums produced there.

This adds useful local context to the day. Sugar cane is closely tied to Mauritius, and rum production gives you a taste of the island’s agricultural and culinary identity. The tasting includes different rum flavors, making this more than a quick souvenir-shop visit.

The distillery portion is planned for about one hour. It is a good closing stop because it shifts the pace from viewpoints and waterfalls to food, drink, and production. You should remember that this part may not operate normally on Sundays or other closure days. One particularly poor outing was scheduled when several places, including the rum facility, were closed.

The tour includes a visit to Rhumerie de Chamarel in the inclusions, while the itinerary names Rhumerie de St Aubin. Since those are different names, I would confirm the exact distillery before booking. That small check can prevent a large disappointment.

Lunch, drinks, and what the price really covers

The $131.24 price is not simply payment for a driver and a few viewpoints. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off, private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a qualified guide or driver, entrance to Seven Colored Earth and Chamarel Waterfall, entrance to the rum distillery, bottled water upon arrival, and a three-course lunch.

The meal is described as traditional Mauritian food with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. Halal food is available, and non-alcoholic drinks are included with lunch. Tell the operator about allergies, illness, or dietary needs when booking.

The restaurant may be simple. One useful expectation is to picture a basic local place by the road rather than a polished resort dining room. That is not necessarily a weakness. A modest meal can feel more connected to ordinary island life, but you should not choose this tour for fine dining.

There is one odd point to clarify: bottled water is listed as included upon arrival, yet some passengers reported that water was not provided or offered. Bring your own bottle anyway. It is a low-cost safeguard on a long day in a warm climate.

The value is strongest if you want convenience and a broad introduction. It is weaker if you prefer a spacious vehicle, long walks, flexible timing, or deep explanation at every stop.

Guide quality can shape the entire experience

The best outings seem to depend on the individual guide. Hans is praised for combining driving with detailed explanations and keeping the day interesting. Daren is described as patient, friendly, and helpful during a beautiful day of sightseeing.

That is the experience you want: a driver who gets you safely between stops and a guide who leaves the vehicle, points out what matters, answers questions, and explains Mauritian culture. Some departures have fallen short, with the driver remaining in the vehicle, speaking little English, or offering limited information.

Language is another point to settle in advance. At least one person requested French but received an English-speaking driver. If you need French or another language, have the request confirmed rather than assuming it will be available.

The company is Freshverde Holidays. The overall rating is 4.2 from 48 ratings, which suggests a generally positive experience but also a noticeable spread between excellent and poor days. I would treat the guide and vehicle assignment as key parts of the booking, not minor details.

Weather, closures, and route changes

This outing depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund. Weather can also change the look and access of the waterfalls, forest viewpoints, and coastal cliffs during an otherwise operating trip.

Road conditions matter too. Heavy rain, construction, and damaged access roads have caused changes, including missed waterfalls and altered stop orders. The operator has said in one case that a road was damaged and no vehicle access was available, though walking was possible.

Sunday scheduling deserves special care. The itinerary includes a distillery and paid attractions with operating hours, and one bad experience occurred because several sites were closed. Ask specifically if every paid stop will be open on your chosen date.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

Who should book this Mauritius tour?

I would recommend it to a first-time visitor who wants to cover a lot of southwest Mauritius in one day. It suits you if you value hotel pickup, included admission, a local lunch, and a mixture of scenery and culture more than a relaxed pace.

It is also a good fit if you are staying outside the southwest and do not want to arrange several long taxi rides. The combination of Grand Bassin, Chamarel, Gris Gris, and the rum distillery gives you a broad introduction to the island.

I would hesitate if you are very particular about vehicle comfort, guide language, or a specific waterfall. In that case, ask for written confirmation of the vehicle type, guide language, exact distillery, lunch arrangements, and current road access.

Should you book the South of Mauritius tour?

Book it if you want a full sightseeing day with many major southwest stops bundled into one price. The strongest features are the varied route, hotel transport, included food and entry fees, and the chance to finish with a rum tasting at St Aubin.

Do not book it blindly. Confirm the exact route and operating status before departure, bring water, wear non-slip shoes, and allow for changes caused by rain or road damage. With a guide like Hans or Daren, this can be a memorable and efficient introduction to Mauritius. With a disengaged driver or cramped vehicle, the same itinerary can feel hurried and disappointing.

FAQ

How long does the South of Mauritius tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight to nine hours. Some details describe the day as seven to eight hours, so you should allow a full day and keep your evening schedule flexible.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at approximately 8:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from hotels or other accommodation anywhere in Mauritius.

What places are included on the route?

The planned route includes Trou aux Cerfs, Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges National Park, Chamarel’s colored earth, Chamouny Waterfall, Gris Gris Beach, and a rum distillery visit.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A traditional three-course Mauritian lunch is included, along with non-alcoholic drinks.

Are vegetarian and halal meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian food is available, and the tour information specifies halal food. You should advise the operator about allergies or other dietary needs when booking.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entry to Seven Colored Earth, Chamarel Waterfall, and the rum distillery is included.

Is bottled water provided?

Bottled water is listed as included upon arrival. Since some people did not receive or were not offered water, bringing your own bottle is a sensible precaution.

What should I wear?

Wear non-slip shoes. They are useful for viewpoints, waterfall areas, and paths that may be wet.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel the booking?

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 tour are not accepted for a refund.