Chamarel 7 Colours and Waterfalls – Exclusive South West Tour

The most striking part of this day is the variety. In roughly seven to nine hours, you move from a volcanic crater and a sacred lake to forested mountain viewpoints, a working rum distillery, rainbow-colored earth, and a west-coast beach. The Seven Colored Earth is the headline attraction, but the changing scenery gives the tour its real appeal.

I like the private format, since your group of up to four can set the pace instead of following a large coach. I also like the chance to spend time with a local driver-guide such as Kevin or Sameer, both praised for careful driving, useful explanations, and adding scenic stops when time allows.

The main thing to check before booking is the exact route. The tour description refers to Chamarel Waterfall, but the detailed stop list names Alexandra Falls and does not separately list a Chamarel Waterfall visit. One dissatisfied guest also reported that several advertised stops were missed, so confirm the day’s plan with the operator.

Key points to know before you book

• Eight major stops in one long day: The route covers volcanic, religious, natural, cultural, and beach sights.
• Private transport for up to four people: At $125 per group, the cost can be strong value when shared.
• Kevin and Sameer receive special praise: Ask if one of them is available, though guides cannot be guaranteed.
• Rum tasting is a highlight, but admission costs extra: Rhumerie Chamarel includes a distillery visit and sampling of agricultural rums.
• Lunch is not included: A local seafood restaurant is suggested around Chamarel, but you should budget separately.
• Flic en Flac adds a relaxed finish: You can swim, snorkel, have drinks, or wait for sunset after the sightseeing.

A full day from crater to coast

This is not a short photo stop at the Seven Colored Earth. It is a broad tour of southwest Mauritius, with a private vehicle linking places that would be awkward to combine on your own in one day.

The listed stops account for nearly six hours before driving time, meals, and any extra pauses. That explains the seven to nine-hour estimate. You should expect a busy day, but the private setup gives it a more relaxed feel than a fixed group excursion.

Pickup is offered, and the service operates from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The tour is available as a private activity, so only your own party takes part. Most people can participate, though the day includes walking at several outdoor sites and can feel tiring by the final beach stop.

Trou aux Cerfs and the volcanic start

The first stop is Trou aux Cerfs in Curepipe, a dormant volcano with a clear cone and crater. At about 605 meters above sea level, it gives you an early look at Mauritius as a volcanic island rather than simply a beach destination.

The crater is described as roughly 300 to 350 meters wide and about 80 meters deep. You have around 30 minutes here, enough to take in the view and hear an explanation of the formation without turning the stop into a long walk.

This is a useful opening because it puts the island’s geology in context. The same volcanic forces help explain the later shapes and colors at Chamarel. If you prefer a slow morning, though, thirty minutes is a quick introduction rather than a full visit.

Grand Bassin, Mauritius’s sacred crater lake

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is a crater lake in the mountains of Savanne district. It is regarded as the most sacred Hindu temple site in Mauritius, making it one of the day’s most meaningful stops.

You have approximately 45 minutes here. That gives you time to look around the lake area and temple setting, rather than treating it as a roadside photograph. The mood is very different from the volcanic overlook at Trou aux Cerfs: quieter, more reflective, and tied to the island’s living religious culture.

As with any sacred place, you should follow local customs and give worshippers space. This stop is especially worthwhile if you want the day to include more than scenery. It also breaks up the drive before the waterfalls and forest viewpoints.

Alexandra Falls and the forested mountains

Alexandra Falls offers a short nature stop with about 20 minutes on site. The sound of rushing water and the shaded surroundings make it a pleasant pause after the morning’s driving.

The visit is not designed as a long hike. You are mainly there to reach the viewing area, see the falls, and enjoy a little cool shade. That makes it suitable for people who want natural scenery without committing to a demanding trail.

The short time can be a limitation if you hope to explore at leisure. Still, the stop works well within a packed route. It gives you a taste of the island’s wet mountain country before the wider views at Black River Gorges.

Black River Gorges views and a quick refreshment stop

The Black River Gorges portion focuses on a rugged mountain area on the west side of Mauritius. From the lookout, you can see across the high ground toward the coast, with a sizable waterfall also visible from the area.

You have about 20 minutes here, so think viewpoint rather than national park hike. There is a car park with tourist shops, souvenirs, and ice cream, which can be handy on a warm day but may make the stop feel less wild than the name suggests.

I like this part because it widens the view. The waterfall stops show you water at close range, while this lookout lets you see the scale of the forested interior and the coast beyond. If you want serious walking in Black River Gorges National Park, this tour is not presented as a hiking day.

Rhumerie Chamarel and the taste of sugar cane

The visit to Rhumerie Chamarel lasts about an hour and a half and is one of the most distinctive stops. You learn how rum is made from sugar cane, see the distillery process, and sample several varieties produced at the site.

The tasting includes agricultural rums and different flavors from the distillery. The description also presents the sampling as unlimited, so this is more than a single token taste. If you do not drink alcohol, the distillery visit still provides cultural and industrial context, but the tasting is clearly a central part of the stop.

Admission is not included in the tour price. You should confirm the current entry cost before you go, since it is an additional expense. The private vehicle is also useful here because nobody in your party has to drive after tasting.

This is a good place to ask your guide questions about sugar cane and local rum-making. The stop adds a human and working dimension to a day otherwise focused on geology and scenery.

Chamarel viewpoint and a flexible seafood lunch

The Chamarel viewpoint looks down over the village and the surrounding hills. On a clear day, the view reaches toward the southwest coast, with Le Morne Brabant to the left, La Tourelle du Tamarin to the right, and Ile aux Benitiers visible farther out.

You have around an hour in this part of the route. Sunglasses and a camera are sensible, since the open outlook can be bright and the views are among the day’s best.

Lunch is suggested at a local restaurant known for seafood, including Le Chamarel. The meal is not included, and the supplied details do not guarantee that the driver will arrange it automatically. I would ask at the start of the day where lunch will happen and how much time is available.

This is also where the private arrangement helps. One party used the flexibility to request more time at the beach, and similar adjustments may be possible if your driver agrees and the route still fits the day.

Seven Colored Earth, the main attraction

The Seven Colored Earth Geopark is the tour’s signature stop. Here, sand dunes appear in distinct shades commonly described as red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow.

The colors formed as basaltic lava changed into clay minerals. You are not looking at painted sand or a man-made display, but at a natural geological feature set among green vegetation. The result has an unusual, almost lunar appearance.

The stop lasts about 45 minutes, with admission extra. That is enough time to walk around the viewing area, study the color bands, and take photographs. The site is relatively compact, so the visit does not require a full afternoon.

Keep your expectations practical. The colors may look stronger in photographs than they do in changing light, and this is a viewing stop rather than a place to walk across the dunes. Even so, it is a rare sight and a clear reason to choose this particular route.

The description says Chamarel Waterfall is a major part of the experience, but the detailed sequence specifically lists Alexandra Falls and the Seven Colored Earth. Since this distinction matters, ask before departure if Chamarel Waterfall is included on your date. Do not assume that the word waterfalls means both falls will be visited.

Flic en Flac for swimming and sunset

The final stop at Flic en Flac gives the day a welcome change of pace. After the crater, lake, forest, viewpoints, and distillery, you can swim, snorkel, relax with a drink, or simply sit by the beach.

You have about an hour here. The beach is also presented as a good place to watch sunset, although the exact timing depends on the season and the day’s schedule. If you care more about swimming than sightseeing, tell the driver early. The private format may allow extra beach time when the route permits.

This ending is one of the tour’s smartest features. Many full-day excursions finish at the last monument, leaving you tired and back in a vehicle. Flic en Flac lets you recover beside the water before returning.

What the $125 group price really offers

At $125 for up to four people, the price can be very good value for a private full-day outing. Split four ways, the transport and guiding cost is modest compared with arranging separate taxis between distant southwest sights.

The value depends on what is included. Pickup is offered, but admission to Rhumerie Chamarel and the Seven Colored Earth is not included. Lunch is also extra, and you may pay separately for drinks or other personal purchases.

For a couple, the per-person cost is higher, but the private vehicle still buys flexibility. For a family or group of friends, the price is easier to justify because everyone shares one vehicle and can request reasonable adjustments.

The strongest part of the value is not simply seeing eight places. It is having a driver-guide handle a long route while you focus on the views. Past guests singled out Kevin and Sameer for being careful, helpful, and willing to add scenic stops when possible. You can request them, but availability is not promised.

Pace, comfort, and the one concern to address

This day asks a lot from you. There are multiple short stops, long stretches between districts, walking on uneven outdoor surfaces, and a late beach visit. The route suits people who want to see many sides of Mauritius in one outing, not people seeking a slow, single-area day.

The private arrangement softens the pace. You are not sharing the schedule with strangers, and your driver may be able to add a viewpoint or allow more beach time. Several guides are described as careful drivers, which matters on a full day with substantial road time.

The biggest concern is route accuracy. A Japanese-language complaint reported that Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, and Alexandra Falls were not visited, and that lunch was not arranged. That account conflicts with the planned route, but it is enough reason to confirm the stops, meal plan, and waterfall visit directly.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Changes made inside the 24-hour window are not accepted, and no refund is given for late cancellation.

Who should choose this southwest Mauritius tour

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the island in one day. It is particularly suitable for couples, families, and small groups who value a private vehicle and do not want to organize several separate journeys.

It also suits you if your priorities include geology, Hindu culture, mountain views, rum, and a beach finish. The route has enough variety that few stops feel identical.

You may want another option if your main goal is a long hike, a quiet beach day, or a detailed distillery experience without other stops. The schedule is full, and each attraction receives a limited amount of time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the widest possible taste of southwest Mauritius and can handle a long, active day. The Seven Colored Earth, Grand Bassin, the mountain lookouts, and Flic en Flac create a strong mix, while the private format gives you more control than a standard group trip.

Before paying, confirm three details: the current admission costs, the lunch arrangement, and whether Chamarel Waterfall is included in addition to Alexandra Falls. If those points are clear, the $125 group rate offers solid value, especially for four people. Ask for Kevin or Sameer if possible, then bring water, sun protection, and enough room in your schedule for a memorable beach finish.

FAQ

How long does the Chamarel 7 Colours and Waterfalls tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to nine hours. The exact length can vary with driving time, weather, meal timing, and any agreed changes to the route.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is a private activity for your group only, with up to four people included in the listed group price.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered. The supplied details do not specify every pickup location, so confirm the exact meeting arrangement when booking.

What places are included in the planned route?

The planned stops are Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges National Park, Rhumerie de Chamarel, the Chamarel viewpoint, the Seven Colored Earth Geopark, and Flic en Flac Beach.

Is admission to the Seven Colored Earth included?

No. Admission to the Seven Colored Earth Geopark is not included in the tour price.

Is the Rhumerie Chamarel entry fee included?

No. The distillery admission is listed as not included. The visit includes a guided tour and rum tasting once entry has been arranged.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. A local seafood restaurant around Chamarel is suggested, but you should confirm the lunch arrangement with the driver.

Can I swim or snorkel at Flic en Flac?

The final stop allows time to swim, snorkel, relax with drinks, or watch the sunset. The stop is scheduled for about one hour.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered a different date or a full refund.