Chamarel 7 Colours and Waterfalls – Exclusive South West Tour

The best part of this tour is the sheer variety packed into one day. You move from a volcanic crater and a sacred lake to waterfalls, mountain lookouts, a rum distillery, rainbow-colored earth, and a beach sunset. The Seven Colored Earth and the panoramic views near Chamarel are the big visual rewards.

I like the private format for up to four people, since you can ask for more beach time or accept extra scenic stops. I also like having a local driver-guide such as Kevin or Sameer, both praised for careful driving and useful local knowledge. The main caution is that the day is long, and one reported experience did not receive every advertised stop or the promised lunch stop, so confirm the route before setting off.

Key points to know before booking

• Eight major stops in one day: The route covers volcanic scenery, sacred sites, waterfalls, rum, colored earth, and the coast.
• Private vehicle for up to four: Your group travels alone, with room to request a little more time at a favorite stop.
• Kevin and Sameer receive special praise: Ask if one of them is available, though a specific driver cannot be guaranteed.
• Rum tasting costs extra: Rhumerie de Chamarel is a major stop, but its admission is not included in the tour price.
• Beach time comes last: Flic en Flac offers a chance to swim, snorkel, relax with a drink, or watch the sunset.
• Confirm the exact plan: The written schedule and actual delivery have not always matched, especially for lunch and several early stops.

Why this southwest route works so well

Southwest Mauritius gives you a strong sample of the island in a single outing. The day is not built around one attraction. Instead, it links geological sights, religious places, forest views, local food, rum production, and the coast.

That variety matters because Mauritius can look very different from one district to the next. The interior brings cool mountain scenery and volcanic formations. The southwest adds wide coastal views, sugar cane country, and the distinctive profile of Le Morne Brabant. By late afternoon, you are back beside the sea at Flic en Flac.

The private setup makes the packed schedule more manageable. You are not tied to the pace of a large group, and the driver can sometimes add a scenic stop or adjust beach time. The day still requires energy. With seven to nine hours on the road and several stops, this is an active sightseeing day rather than a slow, relaxed outing.

At $125 per group of up to four, the price can be good value if you fill the vehicle. Split four ways, the cost is about $31.25 per person before extra admission, food, and drinks. For two people, the per-person cost is higher, but you gain privacy and the convenience of a dedicated car and driver.

Trou aux Cerfs opens the day at a volcanic crater

Your first stop is Trou aux Cerfs in Curepipe, a dormant volcano with a clear cone and crater. The site sits at about 605 meters, and the crater is described as roughly 300 to 350 meters across and about 80 meters deep.

You get around 30 minutes here, which is enough for photographs and a quick look around. This is more of a viewpoint and orientation stop than a long walk. It gives you an immediate sense of Mauritius as a volcanic island, with high ground and broad views before the route moves deeper into the interior.

The short visit is useful, but do not expect a full nature walk. If the weather is cloudy, the view may be limited. That is one reason a private vehicle helps: the day has several other scenic points, so one less-than-perfect view does not ruin the whole outing.

Grand Bassin adds a quiet spiritual pause

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is a crater lake in the Savanne district and one of the most sacred Hindu sites in Mauritius. You have about 45 minutes here.

The setting is quiet and mountain-framed, with temples around the lake. This stop changes the tone of the day. After the geological interest of Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin offers a chance to see an important living religious place rather than just a scenic attraction.

Dress and behave respectfully, particularly near temple areas. The stop is free according to the tour details, but it is still worth treating the site as a place of worship, not simply as a photo stop. Your guide can help explain what you are seeing, and this is one part of the day where a local driver-guide adds real value.

Alexandra Falls brings water and shade

Alexandra Falls is scheduled for about 20 minutes. It offers a peaceful break from the road, with rushing water and shaded areas where you can pause.

The visit is brief, so think of it as a lookout stop rather than a long trail excursion. You will have time to admire the falls and surrounding greenery, but not necessarily to wander far. The cooler, shaded setting also gives you a break from the sun, which becomes useful later at the exposed Seven Colored Earth site and the beach.

Admission is included according to the tour information. If waterfalls are your main reason for booking, confirm exactly which falls you will visit. The general description highlights Chamarel Waterfall, while the timed schedule specifically names Alexandra Falls and a waterfall view at Black River Gorges. That difference is worth clearing up before the tour begins.

Black River Gorges offers the broadest mountain view

The Black River Gorges stop lasts about 20 minutes and focuses on a lookout over the rugged southwest interior. From the car park area, you can see across the high ground toward the coast, with a sizable waterfall also visible.

This is one of the better places to understand the shape of southwest Mauritius. The view is not just a single waterfall or crater. It opens across hills, forest, and distant coastal scenery. You may also find souvenir shops and ice cream near the car park, giving you an easy chance to refresh yourself.

Again, the stop is short. If you want a long forest walk, this tour is not designed for that. It gives you a scenic taste of the national park, then moves on to the distillery and Chamarel. The compressed timing is the trade-off for seeing so many different sites in one day.

Rhumerie de Chamarel explains Mauritius through sugar cane

The visit to Rhumerie de Chamarel lasts about an hour and a half, making it one of the longest stops. You learn how sugar cane becomes rum, see the distillery process, and sample different agricultural rums produced there.

The tasting is a highlight for adults who enjoy spirits, but remember that admission is not included in the $125 tour price. Ask about the current entry cost when booking, and allow extra money if you want to purchase a bottle or other products. The tour description promises unlimited tastings, so pace yourself carefully. You still have several stops ahead.

I like this stop because it connects scenery with local production. Sugar cane is not just part of the view around Mauritius. It also supports an important island industry. A guided visit gives the countryside more meaning than simply passing it from a car window.

Alcohol is obviously not for everyone. If some members of your group do not drink, the distillery may be less appealing, though the production process itself can still be interesting. The private format lets you discuss timing with the driver, but the distillery remains a scheduled part of the route.

Chamarel viewpoint delivers the postcard moment

The Chamarel viewpoint gives you about an hour, including time for a possible local lunch. From here, you can look over Chamarel village, green hills, and the southwest coast. Le Morne Brabant is described to the left, with La Tourelle du Tamarin to the right, and Ile aux Benitiers visible from the high ground.

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 attraction.

The lunch plan needs a little care. The description says you can visit a local restaurant specializing in seafood, but the meal is not stated as included. One poor experience reported no restaurant guidance and no time for lunch, so I would confirm three things in advance: which restaurant you will use, whether lunch is included, and how much time is reserved for eating.

Do not wait until late in the day to mention dietary needs or a preference for a full meal. A private driver can often help with timing, but the written tour details do not guarantee a specific restaurant or menu.

Seven Colored Earth is unusual, but smaller than the hype suggests

The Seven Colored Earth Geopark is the signature stop. Its dunes contain distinct shades described as red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow. The colors formed as basaltic lava changed into clay minerals, creating a strange, striped display among green vegetation.

You get about 45 minutes here. The site is best understood as a geological curiosity rather than a huge walking area. The colors are most striking when the light is good, and the contrast between the colored earth and surrounding plants makes the photographs work.

The name can create oversized expectations. This is not an endless field of rainbow sand. It is a defined attraction, and your visit will likely focus on viewpoints and short paths around the formations. Still, the colors are unusual enough to justify the stop, especially when paired with the waterfalls and mountain scenery earlier in the day.

Admission is not included. Factor that into the final cost, along with Rhumerie de Chamarel and lunch. If you are traveling with children, the site is family-friendly, but keep in mind that the day includes many short visits rather than one long activity.

Flic en Flac finishes the day by the water

The final stop is Flic en Flac Beach, with about an hour available for swimming, snorkeling, relaxing with a drink, or watching the sunset. This is a smart ending after a full day of road travel and sightseeing.

You may want to bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and a change of clothes if you plan to enter the water. The tour details specifically allow time for swimming and snorkeling, but they do not state that equipment is provided. If those activities matter to you, ask what you need to bring.

The beach stop is also where the private format can make a difference. One group requested more time at the beach, and the driver accommodated it. That flexibility cannot be promised every day, but it is one of the main reasons to choose a private tour instead of a fixed large-group schedule.

The sunset option depends on the date, weather, and the day’s timing. Since the tour lasts roughly seven to nine hours, an early start is likely useful, but the supplied details do not specify a fixed pickup time. Confirm your start time and expected beach arrival before departure.

Guides, vehicle time, and the real pace of the day

The driver-guide is central to this experience. Kevin is praised for being informative, accommodating, and careful behind the wheel. Sameer is also singled out as an outstanding driver, with a strong recommendation to request him if available.

You cannot assume either guide will be assigned, but you can ask. The strongest part of a private island tour is often the person behind the wheel, especially when the schedule includes eight stops and several mountain roads.

Expect a day with plenty of vehicle time. The stops are spread across Curepipe, Savanne, Black River Gorges, Chamarel, and the west coast. Some visits last only 20 minutes, while the distillery and Chamarel viewpoint receive more time. Wear comfortable shoes and prepare for changing conditions, from shaded falls to bright coastal sun.

The tour is listed as suitable for most people, with service animals allowed and public transportation nearby. It is a private activity for your group only. The supplied details do not give vehicle size, child-seat information, or a precise pickup area, so ask about those points if they affect your plans.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The $125 rate covers the private tour for up to four people, with pickup offered and a mobile ticket. Its best value comes when four people share the cost. You are paying for a full day of transport, a dedicated driver-guide, and the ability to adjust the pace within reason.

Several costs are separate. Rhumerie de Chamarel and Seven Colored Earth list admission as not included. Lunch, seafood, drinks, and possible purchases at the distillery or souvenir area are also extra unless your booking confirmation says otherwise.

The tour’s 4.7 rating from 34 ratings and 94 percent recommendation suggest a strong overall experience, but the single poor account raises a practical concern: verify the route. Ask the operator to confirm Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, lunch, and the beach stop, since these details were not delivered consistently in at least one case.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this tour if you want to see many sides of Mauritius in one day and value your own vehicle. It suits couples, families, and small groups of friends who want mountain views, cultural sites, rum, unusual geology, and a beach finish without joining a large coach.

It is less suitable if you want a slow day, a serious hike, or a long stay at each attraction. The route is full, and some stops are short. It is also not the best choice for anyone who wants a guaranteed seafood lunch, a specific waterfall, or included entrance fees without confirming those details first.

Should you book the southwest tour?

Book it if you have one open day, can handle a busy schedule, and want the broadest possible introduction to southwest Mauritius. The combination of Grand Bassin, Black River Gorges, Rhumerie de Chamarel, Seven Colored Earth, and Flic en Flac gives you a lot for the price, especially with four people sharing the vehicle.

Before paying, ask for written confirmation of the exact stops, the Chamarel waterfall question, the lunch arrangement, admission costs, pickup time, and the assigned driver. If Kevin or Sameer is available, requesting one of them is sensible. With those details settled, this is a strong choice for a private, scenery-heavy day rather than a quiet beach excursion.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 to 9 hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price is for one group of up to four people, and only your group participates.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered. The exact pickup details should be confirmed at booking.

Is admission to Rhumerie de Chamarel included?

No. Admission to Rhumerie de Chamarel is listed as not included.

Is admission to Seven Colored Earth included?

No. Admission to the Chamarel Seven Colored Earth Geopark is listed as not included.

Can I swim or snorkel during the tour?

Yes. The final stop at Flic en Flac Beach allows time to swim, snorkel, relax with drinks, or watch the sunset.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. For a normal cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.