Mauritius Guided South tour (Private)

Mauritius packs volcanoes, Hindu shrines, mountain forests, waterfalls, and unusual colored earth into one compact southern circuit. This private seven-hour tour gives you a useful first look without asking you to manage unfamiliar roads or piece together several separate trips.

I like the flexible car-and-driver format, especially for a group of up to four. I also like the range of scenery: the quiet crater at Trou aux Cerfs, the sacred lake of Ganga Talao, and the forest views near Black River Gorges feel quite different from one another. The main drawback is that the day can feel rushed, and the final stop at La Vallée des Couleurs may include extra costs for entry and activities.

Key points at a glance

• Trou aux Cerfs sits inside a dormant volcanic crater: You get a quick view of Curepipe and one of Mauritius’s best-known volcanic sites.
• Ganga Talao is both scenic and sacred: The crater lake, shrines, and 33-meter Lord Shiva statue make this more than a photo stop.
• Black River Gorges brings the island’s wild side: Forested valleys, waterfalls, and high viewpoints replace the resort scenery.
• Alexandra Falls is a short but worthwhile stop: The waterfall sits among thick greenery near Mount Cocotte.
• La Vallée des Couleurs takes about two hours: The 23 Colored Earth is the headline attraction, with optional local activities nearby.
• The price works best for a small group: At $116.86 per group of up to four, the cost is attractive before lunch, taxes, and admission charges.

One private drive through southern Mauritius

The appeal here is simple: you see several major southern sights in one day, with your own vehicle and a pickup arranged around the island. That matters in Mauritius, where the stops are spread through the central highlands and southwest.

You are collected at your hotel or another location around Mauritius in an air-conditioned vehicle. The driver also acts as your guide, so you can ask questions and adjust the pace within the limits of a seven-hour day. Faroz is one driver associated with this experience, and the available feedback gives him particular credit for being friendly, patient, and informative.

The tour is private, not a shared coach outing. Only your party participates, with space for up to four people under the listed price. For a couple or small family, this can be a better value than paying individual rates for several seats, though the final total rises once you add food, taxes, and any paid attraction fees.

Trou aux Cerfs and the highlands near Curepipe

Your first stop is Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater above Curepipe. The crater measures about 350 meters across and roughly 100 meters deep, with its rim sitting around 605 meters above sea level.

You should expect about 30 minutes here. The crater is surrounded by forest, including indigenous plants and large green pine trees. From the high point, you can take in views over Curepipe and the central part of the island, weather permitting.

This is a good opening stop because it explains the island’s volcanic shape before the tour moves toward temples and waterfalls. It is not a long walk or a demanding hike, so most people can enjoy it without special preparation.

The limitation is time. Thirty minutes gives you room for photos and a quick look, not a full exploration of Curepipe or the crater area. If you want a slower visit to the town, this itinerary does not leave much space for it.

Ganga Talao, where scenery and faith meet

After Trou aux Cerfs, the drive continues to Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao. The lake fills another volcanic crater at about 550 meters above sea level, and the setting is quiet, wooded, and important to Mauritius’s Hindu community.

The shoreline has a temple and small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu gods. The most striking feature is the giant statue of Lord Shiva, which rises 33 meters and is described as the highest statue in Mauritius.

I would treat this as more than a quick sightseeing stop. Ganga Talao is an active sacred place, so modest behavior and respect for worshippers matter. Take time to look at the shrines and the lake rather than focusing only on the large statue.

The planned visit lasts about an hour, giving you more breathing room than at several of the later stops. You can see the religious site, enjoy the crater-lake setting, and take photographs without having to sprint back to the car.

The tour description notes the chance to see some of the most prayed-to Hindu gods. Exact religious activity can vary by day, so the value of this stop is the place itself, not a guaranteed ceremony or special event.

A quiet pause at Mare aux Vacoas reservoir

The route also includes Mare aux Vacoas, the island’s largest reservoir by capacity, holding almost 26 million cubic meters of water. It sits among thick forest and offers a calm break from the busier sightseeing points.

This is a short scenic stop rather than a major attraction. You might find it especially pleasant if you enjoy quiet views, forest roads, and simple photo opportunities. The reservoir gives the day a slower beat between the temple and the national park.

Do not expect facilities or a long activity here. Its value comes from the drive and the view, not from an organized visit. Since the stop is not assigned a fixed duration in the supplied schedule, your driver’s timing and the conditions on the day will shape the experience.

Black River Gorges from the Gorge Viewpoint

The next major section takes you into Black River Gorges National Park, the largest protected forest area described in this tour. The park covers almost 17,000 acres of hills, valleys, waterfalls, and native plant and animal life in southwest Mauritius.

At the Gorge Viewpoint, you stop for about 30 minutes. The view opens across long green ridges and deep valleys, with a waterfall visible to one side. The height of the viewpoint gives you a clear sense of how sharply the land drops away.

This is one of the tour’s strongest scenic stops. The view contrasts nicely with the developed coast and the cultivated areas elsewhere on the island. You also get a quick taste of Mauritius’s forest interior without committing to a long trail.

A path leads toward the viewpoint, with souvenir stalls along the way. You might also see monkeys in the area. One important practical point: the stop is designed for views, not a full national park hike. If your main goal is walking forest trails, a dedicated park outing would give you more time than this circuit.

Alexandra Falls and the Mount Cocotte view

Alexandra Falls is a short drive from the gorge viewpoint and another 30-minute stop. The waterfall is set in thick forest near Mount Cocotte, with a view stretching toward the southern coast.

You can expect a lookout rather than a long trek. The setting is the attraction: falling water, heavy greenery, and the sounds of birds and other forest life. It has a different feel from the broad Gorge Viewpoint because the focus narrows to the waterfall and the surrounding woodland.

I like the way this stop adds detail to the forest portion of the day. The gorge viewpoint gives you scale, while Alexandra Falls gives you a closer look at the wet, wooded interior.

Again, keep expectations in check. Thirty minutes is enough to see the waterfall and take pictures, but not enough for extended wandering. If rain or poor weather affects visibility, the stop may be less rewarding. The experience requires good weather, and a cancellation for bad conditions comes with the choice of another date or a full refund.

The Bassin Blanc scenic road

The drive also passes the scenic route toward Bassin Blanc. Thick forest borders the road, and one dramatic section makes an almost 180-degree bend through the greenery.

This part of the day is about the journey itself. The road offers a strong sense of Mauritius’s central mountain country, where dense vegetation closes around the car and the route curves through the hills. It is a good chance to watch the scenery between formal stops.

Because the itinerary does not give this section a fixed stop length, do not count on a long walk or a separate attraction visit. Think of it as a scenic drive and a possible photo opportunity, depending on traffic, weather, and the driver’s timing.

La Vallée des Couleurs and the 23 Colored Earth

The final major stop is La Vallée des Couleurs in Chamouny, where the famous 23 Colored Earth is found. The reserve also includes plants and animals native to Mauritius, along with plateaus, mountains, valleys, craters, and crater lakes.

The schedule allows about two hours here, making it the longest stop of the day. That extra time matters because this is not simply a lookout. The reserve offers a range of local activities, though the supplied details do not specify which activities are included in the tour price.

The 23 Colored Earth is the headline feature, but you can also use the time to enjoy the wider reserve. If you like nature parks with several small points of interest, this may be the most flexible part of the day. If you prefer quiet, free public scenery, it may feel more commercial than the gorge, reservoir, or waterfall stops.

Entry is not included, and all fees and taxes are excluded from the advertised price. Ask your driver about the current admission cost and activity charges before choosing extras. Lunch is also not included, although the driver can recommend a restaurant.

This is the stop most likely to affect your final budget. The base fare looks attractive, but add the reserve admission, any activities, lunch, and other fees when comparing it with a tour that bundles everything.

Timing, transport, and what the price means

The tour lasts about seven hours, including driving between stops. Pickup and drop-off are offered around Mauritius, which is a major convenience if you are staying outside the main resort areas.

You ride in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. That gives you more comfort than a large coach and avoids the need to arrange taxis between scattered sights. It also lets you ask for small adjustments, although the number of stops means you cannot linger everywhere.

At $116.86 per group of up to four, the advertised rate is good for a full private day route. A couple pays more per person than a group of four, but still gets a dedicated car and driver rather than a shared excursion.

Keep these costs in mind:

• Lunch is extra.
• Admission to La Vallée des Couleurs is not included.
• All fees and taxes are excluded.
• Other stop admissions are listed as free, but you should still confirm any charges for optional activities.

The strongest value comes when four people share the booking and want a broad introduction to southern Mauritius. It is less compelling if you plan to spend most of the day at one waterfall, one temple, or one nature reserve.

Who should book this southern circuit?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want to cover several major sights in one day. It also suits families and small groups that value a private car, hotel pickup, and a driver who can explain the places along the way.

The route works well for people who enjoy variety. In seven hours, you move from volcanic geology to Hindu worship, then to reservoirs, forest viewpoints, waterfalls, and a nature reserve. You get a useful sense of how different southern Mauritius can feel from the beach areas.

It is less suitable if you want a slow, deeply local day. The route includes well-known attractions and a commercial nature reserve, and the schedule leaves only short visits at most stops. One piece of feedback raised concern about being pushed toward tourist-oriented places. That criticism is worth considering, especially if your priority is quiet villages, long conversations, or lesser-known roads.

The tour is also not the best choice for serious hikers. The national park portion is mainly viewpoints, and the waterfall stops are brief. Choose it for access and variety, not for extended trails.

Final call: a useful first look with a few caveats

Book this tour if you want a private introduction to southern Mauritius, especially if you are sharing the cost with three other people. The combination of Ganga Talao, Black River Gorges, Alexandra Falls, and La Vallée des Couleurs gives you a broad day of scenery and culture for a reasonable base price.

Before booking, confirm the planned pickup area, the current fees at La Vallée des Couleurs, and where lunch will fit into the seven-hour schedule. If you want a slower day or more time in the forest, ask whether the route can be adjusted.

The tour’s strongest points are its private transport, varied stops, and the friendly, patient service associated with driver-guide Faroz. Its weak points are the short visits, extra costs, and the possibility that some stops feel more visitor-focused than authentic. For a compact first look at Mauritius’s south, those tradeoffs are fair.

FAQ

How long does the Mauritius Guided South tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours, including the drive between stops.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, and the price covers up to four people.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from locations around Mauritius.

What type of vehicle is used?

Private transportation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

What places are included on the route?

The route includes Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin or Ganga Talao, Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, Black River Gorges, Alexandra Falls, the Bassin Blanc scenic route, and La Vallée des Couleurs.

How long is the stop at Trou aux Cerfs?

The planned stop at Trou aux Cerfs lasts about 30 minutes.

How much time is planned at Ganga Talao?

The visit to Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, lasts about one hour.

Is lunch included?

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

Is admission to La Vallée des Couleurs included?

No. Admission to La Vallée des Couleurs is not included, and all fees and taxes are excluded.

Can I cancel the tour for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather causes the tour to be canceled, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.