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

The day’s best feature is its variety. In one long sweep through southwest Mauritius, you’ll see a dormant volcanic crater, a Hindu pilgrimage lake, forest viewpoints, crashing surf, colored earth, waterfalls, and a sugar-cane rum distillery. Grand Bassin and Gris Gris Beach provide the strongest sense of place, while the rum visit adds a taste of local industry and island life.

I like that hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, and several entry fees are bundled into the price. I also like the route’s mix of natural and cultural stops, since you are not spending the whole day at lookout points. The main caution is consistency: some departures have had excellent driver-guides such as Hans or Daren, while others have involved a basic taxi, limited explanations, uncomfortable vehicles, or missed stops.

Key points to know before booking

• A full southwest circuit: Expect roughly 8 to 9 hours on the road, with stops from Trou aux Cerfs to the southern coast.
• Grand Bassin adds cultural depth: You’ll visit a sacred crater lake with shrines and a 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva.
• The colored-earth stop is not just a photo break: The site displays seven listed shades, despite the tour title calling it 23-Colored Earth.
• Lunch is included: You receive a traditional three-course Mauritian meal, vegetarian and halal options, and non-alcoholic drinks.
• The itinerary can change: Weather, road damage, closures, or local conditions may mean a waterfall or other stop is skipped.
• Come prepared for walking and weather: Wear non-slip shoes and expect a long day with changing conditions.

What the $131 price really covers

At $131.24 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Mauritius. It becomes more reasonable when you add up what is included: pickup and return to your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius, private transport, a driver-guide, lunch, non-alcoholic drinks, bottled water upon arrival, and entry to Seven Colored Earth, Chamarel Waterfall, and the rum distillery.

The value is strongest if you want to see many parts of the island in one day and do not want to arrange taxis, entrance tickets, and lunch yourself. You also avoid the work of planning a route through the interior, where several sights are spread across mountain roads and southern villages.

Still, you are paying for convenience rather than a leisurely visit at each attraction. The schedule covers a lot of ground. Some stops last only 20 or 30 minutes, and Gris Gris receives about two hours, partly because it includes time in and around Souillac. If you prefer long walks, quiet nature, or detailed guided visits, a private custom day may suit you better.

The booking pattern, with reservations often made about 37 days ahead, suggests that planning early is sensible during busy periods. The experience has a 4.2 rating from 48 reviews, which points to a generally worthwhile day but also a meaningful spread in service quality.

Starting at Trou aux Cerfs, Mauritius’s quiet volcanic crater

Pickup begins at about 8:30 a.m. from your hotel or accommodation. The first stop is Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater near Curepipe, about 605 meters above sea level. The crater measures roughly 350 meters across and reaches about 100 meters deep.

This is a good opening stop because it gives you a quick introduction to Mauritius as a volcanic island. Unlike a bare bowl of rock, Trou aux Cerfs is surrounded by forest, indigenous plants, and tall green pine trees. You’ll have about 30 minutes here, enough for photos and a short look around.

Do not expect a strenuous hike. This is mainly a viewpoint and orientation stop. It can also set the tone for the day: you are moving between short scenic visits rather than settling into one site for hours.

Mare aux Vacoas and a quieter forest view

The next stop takes you to the Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, the largest reservoir on Mauritius, with a capacity of nearly 26 million cubic meters. You’ll have around 20 minutes to look across the water and surrounding forest.

This is one of the less famous stops, and that is part of its appeal. There is no major monument or elaborate visitor setup. Instead, you get a brief pause among wooded hills, with a broad view and some relief from the traffic and crowds of the island’s more famous sites.

The short timing matters. You will not be hiking around the reservoir or spending a full morning here. Think of it as a scenic roadside break that works best when you enjoy quiet views and simple stops.

Grand Bassin and the 33-meter Shiva statue

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is one of the most meaningful stops on the route. The crater lake sits at around 550 meters above sea level, and its shoreline includes 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, it is described as the highest known statue in Mauritius. The setting is peaceful, and the site gives you a chance to see how religion is woven into daily life on the island.

This stop deserves respectful behavior. Dress practically and follow any instructions at the temple area. You’ll have about 40 minutes, which should allow time to see the statue, lake, temple, and nearby shrines without turning the visit into a rushed photo stop.

Grand Bassin is also a useful reminder that Mauritius is more than beaches and resort towns. If you want cultural context from your guide, this is the place to ask questions. The experience is much better when the person driving you can explain what you are seeing.

Alexandra Falls and the high forest country

Alexandra Falls sits at roughly 700 meters above sea level and is one of the island’s familiar natural sights. You’ll have around 30 minutes for the waterfall and the wide view toward the southeast coast.

The stop includes a wooden platform where you can take in the falls and the surrounding forest. In good conditions, the contrast is striking: dark forest, falling water, and a distant view toward the turquoise sea.

The word waterfall needs a practical note here. The route includes several waterfall references, but access can change. Heavy rain, road repairs, or damaged roads have caused some departures to miss a waterfall shown in promotional images. One response to a complaint explained that a damaged road blocked access to Rochester Falls and that walking was offered instead.

Ask your guide early in the day which waterfall stops are open. That simple question can prevent disappointment. You may see Alexandra Falls and Chamarel Waterfall while missing Rochester Falls, or the order may change.

Black River Gorges viewpoint

The Black River Gorges stop gives you a broad look across the island’s largest protected forest area. The park covers nearly 17,000 acres, with hills, valleys, waterfalls, and native plants and animals.

You only walk about three to five minutes from the road to the viewpoint, and the planned stop lasts around 30 minutes. This makes it accessible for most people who can manage a short walk, but you should still wear shoes with good grip. The viewing area sits high above the gorge, and a waterfall can be seen to the right.

This is a scenic stop, not a full national park hike. If you arrive expecting trails through the forest, you may feel shortchanged. If you want an impressive view without committing to a long trek, the stop works well.

Weather can change quickly in the high country. Clouds may soften the view, and rain can affect roads and waterfalls. That is not necessarily a flaw in the tour, but it is a reason to keep expectations flexible.

Seven Colored Earth, or the tour’s 23-colored-earth confusion

The colored-earth attraction is one of the day’s headline stops. The site is made from sand dunes formed as basaltic lava changed into clay minerals. The result is a small, unusual area of striped earth in shades listed as red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow.

The tour title calls the experience 23-Colored Earth, while the detailed description calls it Seven Colored Earth and identifies seven shades. Treat the title as marketing shorthand and the site itself as the Seven Colored Earth attraction. You will see colored earth, but not a field clearly presented as 23 separate colors.

You’ll have around 40 minutes here. That is enough to walk through the viewing area and take photographs. The earth is protected, so this is a look-and-photo visit rather than a place to touch or mix the soil.

The setting is part of the charm. The colored dunes sit among green vegetation, creating a sharp contrast between the plant life and the exposed earth. It is a compact attraction, so do not expect a full-day nature experience. Its value comes from being genuinely different from the crater, forest, and beach stops earlier in the day.

Admission is included, along with entry to Chamarel Waterfall. Confirm with the driver that both are on the day’s route, especially if rain or roadworks have affected the schedule.

Chamarel Waterfall and the problem of changing access

The itinerary allows about 25 minutes for Chamouny Waterfall, described as a single-drop waterfall surrounded by thick vegetation. The attraction is also referred to as Chamarel Waterfall in the included admissions.

This is another place where conditions matter. The route passes through areas affected by rain and roadwork, and some departures have skipped a waterfall because the road was closed or badly damaged. In some cases, walking to a waterfall was possible, but not every passenger wanted to make the extra effort.

You should clarify which waterfall you are seeing before leaving the vehicle. Ask whether the stop is Chamarel, Chamouny, Alexandra, or Rochester, and whether the access road is open. The names can become confusing when several waterfalls are included in different versions of the route.

Gris Gris Beach and the force of the southern coast

Gris Gris is the longest stop, with about two hours in the Souillac area. The coast here is known for cliffs, strong waves, and water crashing against the rock. A small garden offers benches and views, and a path leads down toward a beach.

This is not a swimming beach. The surf and currents are described as extremely strong, so you should stay out of the water and enjoy the coast from the garden, path, and viewpoints. The rough sea gives Gris Gris a different character from the calm resort beaches found elsewhere on Mauritius.

I like the fact that this stop lets you slow down. After a string of short viewpoints, you have time to sit, look at the cliffs, and watch the sea. If the weather is poor, though, two hours can feel long. Bring a light rain layer and use the time for photos or a quiet break rather than expecting beach activities.

The nearby village of Souillac adds a look at a part of Mauritius that feels different from the resort belt. This is one of the better places on the tour for seeing the island as a lived-in place, not just a collection of attractions.

Rhumerie de Saint Aubin and sugar-cane rum

The final major stop is Rhumerie de Saint 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.

The tasting is a strong finish for adults who enjoy local food and drink. You can compare different rum flavors and learn how sugar cane becomes a finished spirit. It also connects the drink to Mauritius’s agricultural economy rather than presenting rum as just a resort cocktail.

The tour includes the distillery entrance, but the timing of the visit matters. A complaint described a Sunday departure when several places, including the rum facility, were closed. Confirm operating days before you book, especially if your date falls on a Sunday or a public holiday.

The tasting is alcoholic, while the lunch drinks are non-alcoholic. Anyone avoiding alcohol can still join the distillery visit for the production story, but the main tasting will not be the point of the stop.

Lunch, transport, and the real comfort level

Lunch is a traditional three-course Mauritian meal at a local restaurant, with vegetarian and halal food available. You should report allergies, illness, or dietary needs when booking. Non-alcoholic drinks during lunch are included.

Keep your expectations realistic. The restaurant has been described as a simple place by the road rather than a polished dining room. That can be a plus if you want an everyday Mauritian meal, but it is not a special-occasion restaurant.

The advertised vehicle is a fully air-conditioned vehicle, with bottled water supplied on arrival. Yet some departures have involved a small taxi, no air conditioning, or no water offered. The difference is important on a long day with several hours of driving.

Ask what vehicle is assigned and confirm that air conditioning and water are available. A small group can be pleasant, but four people have reported being crowded into a small taxi. The tour is described as small-group, but no fixed group size is provided, so do not assume a spacious minivan.

The driver is a major part of the experience. Some drivers combine friendly service with good explanations. Hans and Daren are two names associated with especially warm and capable guiding. Other departures have had drivers who stayed in the vehicle, spoke limited English, or offered little information.

If you need French or another language, confirm it in writing before the pickup. One departure requested French but received an English-speaking driver. That can affect the value of a sightseeing day built around local culture and history.

How the long day feels in practice

The route covers a large part of southwest Mauritius, so expect frequent driving and many short visits. The reward is range: you see inland volcanic country in the morning, high forest and waterfalls around midday, the southern coast later, and rum production toward the end.

The tradeoff is pace. You will not have time for a long hike at Black River Gorges, an extended temple visit, or a slow exploration of every waterfall. The itinerary may also run out of order if traffic, weather, road damage, or opening hours require changes.

Wear non-slip shoes. You will walk on viewpoints, paths, and possibly damp ground near waterfalls. Bring sun protection, a small rain jacket, and a phone or camera with room for plenty of photographs.

This tour suits you best if you are visiting Mauritius for a short stay and want a broad first look at the southwest. It also works for anyone who prefers an organized day with transport and meals included.

I would hesitate to book it if your top priority is a guaranteed visit to one particular waterfall, a luxury vehicle, or a highly structured history lesson. For those needs, confirm the exact route and guide language before paying, or consider arranging a private driver.

Should you book this southwest Mauritius tour?

Book it if you want a full day of varied sights and appreciate convenience. The combination of Grand Bassin, Gris Gris, Seven Colored Earth, waterfalls, lunch, and rum tasting gives you a solid introduction to the island’s interior and southern coast.

Book with care if the exact waterfall, vehicle type, or guide language matters greatly to you. Ask about Sunday closures, current road conditions, the assigned driver, and which attractions are operating on your date.

The tour is a good-value overview when everything runs as planned. Its weakness is uneven delivery, not a lack of interesting places. If you approach it as a flexible scenic and cultural circuit, it can be a memorable day. If you expect every advertised stop to be guaranteed and every driver to provide a full guided tour, you may come away frustrated.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather cancels the experience, you should be offered another date or a full refund.

FAQ

How long does the southwest Mauritius tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours. Pickup begins around 8:30 a.m., with return transport to your accommodation at the end of the day.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What food is included at lunch?

You receive a traditional three-course Mauritian lunch with non-alcoholic drinks. Vegetarian and halal options are available, and you should provide details about allergies or illness when booking.

Are entrance fees included?

Entry to Seven Colored Earth, Chamarel Waterfall, and Rhumerie de Chamarel is included. Other stops listed on the route have no admission ticket noted.

Is the rum tasting included?

The visit to Rhumerie de Saint Aubin includes a guided distillery visit and rum tasting. The lunch beverages are non-alcoholic.

Can most people take part?

Most travelers can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. You should wear non-slip shoes because some stops involve paths and viewpoints.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation for a full refund is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.