Wild South: Full-Day tour incl Rhumerie St Aubin, Bois cheri Tea factory & Lunch

The best part of this private south Mauritius tour is the range. In one long day, you move from a dormant volcanic crater and a sacred lake to rainforest views, crashing surf, tea fields, and a colonial rum distillery. It gives you a useful first look at the island beyond its beaches.

I like the included three-course lunch with non-alcoholic drinks, and I like that hotel pickup and drop-off are covered anywhere in Mauritius. The main caution is timing: eight major stops in seven to eight hours is a lot. One published account describes a rushed day with several promised stops missed, so confirm the route with your guide at the start.

Key points to know before booking

• Private transport from your hotel: Your group rides in an air-conditioned vehicle with a certified guide and driver.
• A full southern circuit: The route includes Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges, Gris-Gris, Bois Chéri, and St Aubin.
• Tea and rum tastings included: You learn how each drink is made, then sample products at both sites.
• Lunch is part of the price: A three-course vegetarian or non-vegetarian halal meal with non-alcoholic drinks is included.
• Expect a brisk pace: Stop times range from 20 minutes to one hour, with many sights packed into one day.
• Good value for first-time visitors: At $143.72 per person, the cost covers transport, guide service, admissions, lunch, water, tea, and rum tasting.

What this full-day Mauritius tour is really trying to do

This is not a slow beach day or a single attraction visit. It is a broad introduction to the island’s southwest, with nature, religion, agriculture, food, and local drinks all folded into one circuit.

You start at 8:30 a.m. with pickup at your hotel or accommodation. The vehicle is private to your group, which matters here. You can ask questions, adjust the pace where possible, and avoid being tied to a large coach schedule.

The route is ambitious. Trou aux Cerfs and Grand Bassin are inland mountain stops. Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges bring you into the island’s forested interior. Gris-Gris takes you to the exposed southern coast, while Bois Chéri and Rhumerie St Aubin add working agricultural and food-production sites.

That mix is the tour’s strength. It also creates its main weakness. Several stops are viewpoint visits rather than long walks, and the day may feel like a succession of short introductions instead of a deep look at one part of Mauritius.

Trou aux Cerfs and Mare aux Vacoas

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

The setting is greener than the word crater may suggest. Indigenous plants and large green pine trees surround the depression, giving the site a cool, wooded feel. You have about 40 minutes here, enough to look around and take photographs without turning the visit into a hike.

I find this a useful first stop because it immediately explains Mauritius as a volcanic island. You are not simply looking at a hole in the ground. You are seeing the remains of the forces that shaped the island’s mountains and high interior.

The next stop, Mare aux Vacoas, is shorter at about 20 minutes. It is the largest reservoir on Mauritius, with a capacity of almost 26 million cubic meters, and it sits among thick forest.

Do not expect a major monument or an elaborate visitor center. This is a quiet viewpoint and a pause between larger sights. The appeal is the open water, forest, and broad view. If the schedule is running late, this may be one of the places where your guide keeps the stop brief.

Grand Bassin and the 33-meter Shiva statue

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is one of the most important cultural stops on the route. This crater lake sits at about 550 meters above sea level, with a temple and small shrines along the shore.

The huge statue of Lord Shiva is the image most people remember. At 33 meters high, it is the tallest known statue in Mauritius. The scale is striking, but the site is more than a photo stop. It is a sacred place for the island’s Hindu community.

You have about one hour here, the longest stop among several of the inland sights. Use that time respectfully. Walk slowly around the lake, look at the shrines, and follow any site rules your guide gives you. Dress practically and avoid treating the temple area as a casual backdrop for noisy photographs.

The hour also helps break up the driving. After two shorter nature stops, Grand Bassin gives you time to pause and understand a part of Mauritius that beaches and resort areas do not show.

Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges

Alexandra Falls is located around 700 meters above sea level and is one of the island’s best-known nature views. The waterfall itself is attractive, but the wider setting is just as important. From the area, you can look toward the southeast coast and see the turquoise sea beyond the forest.

You have roughly 35 minutes. A wooden platform offers a fuller view, so wear shoes with good grip. The tour information specifically advises non-slip footwear, and that is sensible for the day as a whole.

Next comes the 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. The viewpoint gives you a broad look over the green interior, with another waterfall visible to one side.

This is a good place to keep your eyes open for local flora and fauna, though the tour does not promise a wildlife sighting. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, so you should think of it as a scenic overlook rather than a park hike.

Souvenir stalls line the path leading to the viewpoint. That may appeal to you if you want a small local purchase, though it slightly changes the feel of an otherwise natural stop. The important point is to keep expectations realistic: you will see the gorge and its forested setting, but you will not have time for a long trail walk during this itinerary.

Gris-Gris Beach and the exposed southern coast

Gris-Gris gives the day a different mood. Here, high sea cliffs fall sharply toward the Indian Ocean, and strong waves hit the coast without the protection of coral reefs.

That lack of a reef is the key detail. Many Mauritius beaches are known for calm, clear water, but Gris-Gris is not a swimming stop. It is a place for wind, cliffs, surf, and a wide view from above.

You have about one hour in the Gris-Gris area. Take care near the cliff edges and stay on established viewing areas. The attraction is the power of the water, not a gentle tropical beach experience.

A stop here also gives you a better sense of the island’s southern coast. It feels more exposed and dramatic than the sheltered resort beaches. If you want a polished beach day, this may not be your favorite stop. If you want to see a less postcard-perfect side of Mauritius, it is one of the most worthwhile parts of the route.

Bois Chéri Tea Factory and the Tea Route

Bois Chéri is where the tour shifts from scenery to production. It is the first stop on the Mauritian Tea Route, and the visit includes the factory, tea plantation, and tea museum.

A guide explains how tea is produced and discusses the role of tea in Mauritius. You also learn about Bois Chéri itself, including its products and the development of tea production on the island.

The factory visit lasts about one hour. This is more useful than simply sitting down for a cup of tea because you can connect the drink in your glass with the fields and processing work behind it.

Bois Chéri produces flavored teas, green teas, and herbal teas. Tea tasting is included at the restaurant, which has a panoramic view over the southern part of the island. The setting makes this a natural place for a meal, and the included three-course lunch adds real value to the stop.

Lunch includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, and the food is halal. Non-alcoholic drinks are included. You should advise the operator about food allergies, illness, or dietary needs when booking rather than waiting until the meal.

The tea stop is also a good buying opportunity if you want a practical souvenir. The supplied details do not promise a shop purchase or specify what is available, so treat shopping as optional rather than a central part of the tour.

Rhumerie St Aubin and the rum tasting

The final major stop is Rhumerie St Aubin, set in a colonial house with tropical surroundings. The distillery visit focuses on how rum is made in Mauritius.

A guide takes you through the process and explains the different flavors produced at the distillery. Rum tasting is included, so you can compare the products rather than simply hearing a description of them.

You have about one hour here. That is enough time for the guided visit and tasting, though the pace may depend on how much time remains after the earlier stops. One important practical point comes from the experience record: taking your time at the rum house helped make the day feel worthwhile when other planned stops had been shortened. If rum interests you, make sure this part is not treated as a rushed final pause.

The tasting is alcoholic, so pace yourself, especially after a long day and a full lunch. Bottled water is provided when you arrive, and you can ask your guide about the tasting if you have questions about the products.

Rhumerie St Aubin gives the tour a strong finish because it is a working food and drink experience, not just another lookout. It also balances the tea visit nicely. Bois Chéri shows you one important crop and drink tradition, while St Aubin covers another.

Transport, guide service, and the pace of the day

Pickup begins at 8:30 a.m. from any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius. You travel in a fully air-conditioned private vehicle, with a qualified certified guide who also serves as driver.

Private transport is especially useful for this route. The sights are spread across the island, and driving between them would be difficult without a car. You also avoid sharing the vehicle with other groups, which gives you a more personal day.

The published stop times add up to several hours before driving is counted. That is why the seven to eight-hour estimate should be treated as a fairly tight schedule, not a relaxed promise. If traffic, weather, or a long lunch slows the morning, later stops may be shortened.

The route description and one account of the experience do not line up perfectly. One published account describes a north Mauritius tour with a guide named Paco, including a botanical garden and sugar museum, while this southern itinerary lists different attractions. Do not assume Paco is your guide or that the north route is included. Confirm the exact southern stops when your guide collects you.

That mismatch is worth noting because it affects expectations. Ask directly about Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges, Bois Chéri, Gris-Gris, and St Aubin. A clear conversation at the start can prevent disappointment later.

Is $143.72 per person good value?

At $143.72 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see southern Mauritius. But the price includes much more than transport.

You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, a private air-conditioned vehicle, a certified guide, bottled water on arrival, admission to Bois Chéri, admission to Rhumerie St Aubin, tea tasting, rum tasting, and a three-course lunch with non-alcoholic drinks.

That package can be good value if you want a single organized day and do not want to arrange a rental car, meals, admissions, and a guide separately. It is also useful if your stay is short and you want to cover several parts of the island in one outing.

The value drops if you prefer long walks, slow meals, or plenty of time at each attraction. You are paying for range and convenience, not a leisurely visit to one plantation or national park.

The private format helps justify the cost. Your group is the only group on the activity, so you have more control than on a large coach tour. Still, the number of stops limits how much control you really have. The route is private, but the day remains tightly scheduled.

Who should book this southern Mauritius tour?

I would choose this tour if you are visiting Mauritius for the first time, have limited time, and want a guided overview of the southwest. It suits people who enjoy scenery but also want cultural and food stops.

It is a good match for couples, families, and small groups that value hotel pickup and a private vehicle. The vegetarian option and halal lunch also make the food arrangements easier for many groups.

You should think twice if your main goal is hiking in Black River Gorges, swimming at beaches, or spending half a day at a tea estate. This tour gives you a sample of each place, not a long, focused visit.

Wear non-slip shoes, bring sun protection, and carry a little patience for the schedule. The route includes high viewpoints, forest stops, ocean cliffs, a sacred site, and tastings, so comfort matters more than dressing for the beach.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start. The activity requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the widest possible southern Mauritius sampler in one private day. The included lunch, transport, admissions, tea, and rum tasting make the price easier to defend, and the mix of volcano, sacred lake, waterfalls, forest, cliffs, and plantations is unusually broad.

Do not book it expecting an unhurried itinerary. Before setting off, confirm that every southern stop is planned and ask how the guide will handle the timing. If you accept a brisk day and value variety, this is a practical way to see far more than the resort coast.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup begins at 8:30 a.m. from any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates, and private transportation is provided in a fully air-conditioned vehicle.

What attractions are included?

The route includes Trou aux Cerfs, Mare aux Vacoas, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges Gorge Viewpoint, Bois Chéri Tea Factory and Tea Museum, Gris-Gris Beach, and Rhumerie St Aubin.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course halal lunch is included, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options and non-alcoholic drinks.

Are tea and rum tastings included?

Yes. Tea tasting at Bois Chéri and rum tasting at Rhumerie St Aubin are included.

What should I wear?

Non-slip shoes are recommended. You should also advise the operator about food allergies or illness when booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.