South of Mauritius :Full day package including Chamarel Coloured earth & lunch

South Mauritius packs an impressive amount into one day: the strange bands of Chamarel’s seven-coloured earth, a Hindu pilgrimage lake, forest viewpoints, waterfalls, a dormant volcano, and the famous bend at Maconde. This is a private sightseeing day, so you get your own vehicle and can discuss the pace with your driver-guide.

I like the efficient route, with most drives between stops taking 15 to 45 minutes, and I like that lunch, Chamarel entry, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks are included. Guides named Hans, Harsh Dindoyal, and Vic have been praised for friendly service, local food suggestions, and adapting the day when weather or storm damage closes a stop.

The main caution is that this can feel more like a driver-led tour than a formal guided excursion. Some guides walk with you and explain the sights, while others drop you at an attraction and let you explore on your own. A past pickup problem also caused a long wait, so confirm the meeting point carefully, especially at the dock.

Key points to know before booking

• Chamarel brings the headline sights: You see the seven-coloured earth and Chamarel Waterfall, with entry to the private park included.
• Ganga Talao adds cultural depth: The sacred lake, temples, and giant Shiva figures give the day more meaning than a simple nature drive.
• It is a private tour: Only your group participates, and the driver can respond to personal requests.
• The itinerary is packed: You visit more than nine points of interest, but most stops are short photo visits rather than long walks.
• Lunch and small extras are included: A typical Mauritian lunch, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks are part of the package. Bottled water is available on request.
• You see Ile aux Benitiers from above: This is only a viewpoint, not a boat trip or visit to the island.

A full day across Mauritius, not just a Chamarel outing

At $122.99 per person, this experience is priced as a private, all-inclusive sightseeing day rather than a simple transfer to Chamarel. Your price covers a private vehicle, driver assistance, lunch, Chamarel coloured earth entry, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks during lunch.

That makes the value easier to judge. If you want only one attraction, this is too much. If you want to cover much of the island’s south and southwest without arranging separate taxis, park entries, and meals, the package is more useful.

The day begins at 8:30 a.m. and includes a long list of stops. The advertised duration is approximate, and one past booking ended about two hours earlier than expected. Because the schedule depends on road conditions, weather, traffic, and the time you spend at each viewpoint, I would treat this as a full sightseeing day with a flexible finish, not a guaranteed number of hours.

The private format is a real advantage. You are not waiting for a large coach group, and you can tell the driver if you want more time for photos or a quicker visit at a stop that interests you less. Still, the route is ambitious. You will see many places, but several visits last only 10 to 20 minutes.

Chamarel’s coloured earth and waterfall

Chamarel is the natural centerpiece. The seven-coloured earth is a small but unusual area where the soil forms bands of different shades. It is a quick visit, but the colors and smooth, rolling forms make it one of the most distinctive photo stops in Mauritius.

You also visit Chamarel Waterfall, one of the island’s best-known falls. The waterfall is inside a private park, and admission is included. The stop itself is listed at about 15 minutes, so expect a viewpoint and photographs rather than a long walk or swimming session.

The wider Chamarel village adds a local setting around the main attractions. Your driver may point out parts of the village and explain the route, though the amount of walking and commentary can vary. A major practical issue is the road closure noted from February 20, 2024, affecting 52turn Chamarel Road. Diversions may change the order of stops or reduce time at some sites, so ask about the current route before departure.

Ganga Talao, temples, and the sacred lake

Ganga Talao, also called Grand Bassin, shifts the day from scenery to Mauritian religious life. This sacred lake is important to Hindus in Mauritius, and the surrounding temples and Shiva images give you a chance to see a cultural side of the island that a waterfall-only tour would miss.

You have about 45 minutes here. That is enough to walk near the water, look at the colorful temples, and take in the quiet setting. Dress and behave respectfully, since this is a religious place rather than simply a scenic lake.

Monkeys may be close to the lake. They are described as non-aggressive, but you should still avoid feeding or provoking them. The stop works best when you slow down and observe the place rather than treating it as another quick photograph.

Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges views

Alexandra Falls lies within a protected nature reserve and offers a viewpoint over the southern part of the island. You have about 30 minutes, which gives you time for photographs and a short look around the forest setting.

The area is known for endemic trees, so this stop adds some natural interest beyond the waterfall itself. The tour does not promise a hike, and the itinerary is built around viewpoints. If you want long walks through Black River Gorges, this package will give you only a taste.

The route includes Black River Gorges National Park more than once in the broader schedule. One listed stop is the Maccabe viewpoint, described as a strong view into the gorge valley. Another Black River Gorges viewpoint is listed for about 15 minutes. The repeated references appear to represent separate viewpoints or route entries, but you should ask your driver which exact lookout is operating that day.

Wild monkeys may appear at Maccabe. You might see people feeding them, but that does not make feeding a good idea. Keep food secured and enjoy the sight without getting too close.

Rain matters here. The gorge viewpoints are not recommended in wet weather, and your driver is expected to advise you when conditions make the stop unsafe or unappealing. That flexibility is useful, although it also means the precise day can change.

Trou aux Cerfs and Floreal in the central highlands

Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcano in the central part of Mauritius. Its crater is now green and open, with a broad view from the rim. The stop lasts about 20 minutes and is a simple way to see the island’s volcanic origins without committing to a hike.

Floreal is listed as a bonus stop and lasts about 20 minutes. It is described as a well-known tourist area in central Mauritius. The information supplied does not specify exactly which attractions you will visit there, so think of it as an extra pause rather than the main reason to book the tour.

These central stops break up the southern route. They also show how varied Mauritius is within a single day: volcanic high ground, forest reserves, religious sites, and coastal viewpoints all fit into the same outing.

A quiet reservoir and the view toward Ile aux Benitiers

The route also passes a beautiful reservoir in a protected forest. The stop description focuses on the serene road and surrounding scenery rather than a named attraction or set walking time. It sounds like a scenic drive, not a formal activity.

At the Ile aux Benitiers viewpoint, you look down toward the island and its blue lagoon from higher ground. The visit lasts only about 10 minutes, so use it as a photo stop.

Be clear about one point before booking: you do not go to Ile aux Benitiers. There is no island visit included in this package. You see it from the viewpoint, which is useful if you want a quick coastal panorama but disappointing if you expected a boat trip, beach time, or snorkeling.

Maconde Viewpoint and the famous coastal road

Maconde Viewpoint is one of the best-known photo stops on the southern coast. The road curves along the rocky shoreline, and the viewpoint gives you a memorable angle over the sea and road.

You have about 20 minutes here. That should be enough for photographs and a quick look, but not for a relaxed coastal walk. The stop is especially worthwhile for anyone who enjoys road scenery and dramatic ocean views.

As with Chamarel, road conditions can affect the route. Mauritius has experienced cyclone damage, and one guide had to replace a closed activity with an alternative. That is a good example of why the itinerary should be treated as a plan rather than a rigid contract.

What lunch and the local touches add

Lunch is described as a typical Mauritian meal, with non-alcoholic beverages included. Snacks are also included, and bottled water is available when requested from the driver. These details matter on a busy route with many short stops, since you do not need to organize every drink or meal yourself.

The quality of lunch can vary. One harsh account described the meal as inedible, while other accounts praised local snacks and food stops. I would not book this experience solely for the meal. Think of lunch as a convenient part of the package, with the local-food element depending on the driver and the day.

The best version of this tour seems to come from a driver who adds context and helps you find local snacks. Hans was praised for stopping for Mauritian food and water, while Harsh Dindoyal was credited with adding history, culture, and food knowledge to the sightseeing. Vic was praised for explaining the day at pickup and responding to personal wishes.

Those names may not be assigned to your booking. The important point is to tell the company in advance if you want more explanation, more local food, or more independent time at each stop.

Driver-guide style and what to expect

This is a private tour with driver assistance, not necessarily a formal walking tour at every attraction. Some drivers explain the sights and accompany you to viewpoints. Others leave you to follow signs and explore independently.

That distinction can shape your experience. If you want a guide who talks throughout the day, ask for that clearly when booking. If you prefer privacy and a flexible vehicle, the lighter driver-led style may suit you well.

Several specific guides have received strong praise for being punctual, friendly, accommodating, and willing to adjust the route. At the same time, the overall rating is 4.4 from 26 reviews, not a perfect score, and the lower ratings identify real risks: unclear pickup coordination, an unexpectedly short day, limited guiding, an uncomfortable vehicle experience, and unwanted shopping stops.

Shopping stops are particularly important to clarify. One complaint described several shopping visits that were not expected. The supplied itinerary does not present shopping as a main attraction, so tell the company that you want the advertised sightseeing route and no shopping detours unless you agree to them.

Pickup, timing, and practical planning

Pickup is offered, and the stated start time is 8:30 a.m. The tour is near public transportation, though most people will likely use the arranged pickup. Confirm the exact location and contact details before the morning begins.

A previous dock pickup went wrong and caused a 45-minute search for the driver. That may have been a coordination problem between booking services and the operator, but it is still a useful warning. If you are boarding a ship or meeting near a port, do not rely on a vague dock description. Confirm the terminal, meeting point, and driver contact process.

The company says vehicles are sanitized and that COVID-19 protocols are followed. Most people can participate, but you should notify the company about special requirements. The driver is expected to assist with personal requests where possible.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and the experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this South Mauritius day?

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Mauritius and want a broad first look at the island. It suits couples, families, and small private groups who value their own vehicle and want scenery, culture, viewpoints, and food in one day.

It is also a good fit if you want to avoid planning a complicated route through Chamarel, Grand Bassin, Black River Gorges, and the central highlands. The short drives between many stops keep the day moving.

I would hesitate if you want a slow nature day, serious hiking, or a full beach and boat experience. You will not visit Ile aux Benitiers itself, and most stops are brief. I would also look elsewhere if a professional guide with structured commentary at every attraction is essential.

Should you book it?

Book this South Mauritius tour if you want maximum sightseeing from a private vehicle and value having lunch and key entry fees bundled into the price. The best days appear to depend heavily on the driver, with Hans, Harsh Dindoyal, and Vic associated with especially personal and flexible service.

Before paying, confirm three things: the current Chamarel road route, the exact pickup point, and whether your driver will accompany you and explain each stop. Ask how shopping stops are handled, too.

At $122.99 per person, the package is worthwhile for a first visit when you want many highlights in one day. Skip it if you prefer a slow pace, long walks, or a guaranteed formal guide. This is a fast, scenic sampler of southern Mauritius, with enough local culture to keep it from feeling like a simple viewpoint shuttle.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

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

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Does the tour include hotel or location pickup?

Pickup is offered. You should confirm the exact meeting point, especially if you are meeting at a dock.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A typical Mauritian lunch and non-alcoholic beverages are included.

Are snacks and bottled water included?

Snacks are included. Bottled water is available on request to the driver.

Is entry to Chamarel coloured earth included?

Yes. Admission to Chamarel coloured earth is included in the package.

Do you visit Ile aux Benitiers island?

No. The tour stops at a viewpoint overlooking Ile aux Benitiers. You do not go to the island itself.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.