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

The most striking part of this day is its range. In one long sweep, you move from a dormant volcanic crater and a sacred Hindu lake to rainforest viewpoints, crashing surf, rainbow-colored earth, and a sugar-cane rum distillery. Southwest Mauritius gives you far more than a beach day, and this tour packs the island’s natural and cultural contrasts into one outing.

I like the combination of Grand Bassin and Rhumerie de St Aubin. One offers a look at Mauritius’s living Hindu traditions, while the other explains an important local industry through a distillery visit and rum tasting. I also like that lunch, entry fees, transport, and hotel pickup are included. The main concern is consistency: several bookings have had guide, vehicle, language, or stop changes, and some people were not taken to the advertised waterfall.

Key points to know

• A full southwest circuit: The route covers Trou aux Cerfs, Mare aux Vacoas, Grand Bassin, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges, Chamarel, Gris Gris, and a rum distillery.
• Seven Colored Earth is the actual named attraction: The title calls it 23-Colored Earth, but the description explains the familiar seven-color formation at Chamarel.
• Lunch is included: You receive a three-course vegetarian or non-vegetarian halal meal with non-alcoholic drinks at a simple local restaurant.
• The day is long but efficient: Allow roughly 8 to 9 hours, with a start around 8:30 a.m. and return transport to your accommodation.
• Waterfalls can be weather-dependent: Roads, rain, and damage have caused some planned waterfall stops to change or be skipped.
• Guide quality matters: Some guides, including Hans and Daren, have been praised for patience and useful explanations, but other bookings have involved little guiding.

Why this tour works as a southwest Mauritius sampler

Mauritius is easy to picture as a place of white sand and warm water. That picture is accurate, but incomplete. The island’s southwest has volcanic highlands, reservoirs, forest, religious sites, farming traditions, rough coastal water, and a long connection to sugar cane.

This tour is useful if you have limited time and want to see several sides of the island without arranging separate taxis, admission tickets, meals, and a distillery visit. It is not a slow, deep exploration of one place. It is a moving day, with many short stops and a longer visit at Gris Gris.

The stated price is $131.24 per person. That is not a bargain-basement sightseeing ride, but the value depends on what you would otherwise pay for transport and admissions. Hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius are included, along with the Chamarel attractions, distillery entry, lunch, drinks, and bottled water on arrival.

The catch is that this is a busy route. You should book it for variety, not for long walks or extended time at every stop. The quality of the day also depends heavily on the person assigned as both driver and guide.

Trou aux Cerfs begins the day above Curepipe

Pickup begins at about 8:30 a.m. from your hotel or accommodation. After meeting the guide and boarding the vehicle, the first stop is Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater near Curepipe.

The crater sits at roughly 605 meters above sea level, measures about 350 meters across, and reaches around 100 meters in depth. A broad belt of forest surrounds it, with indigenous plants and tall green pine trees.

This is a good opening stop because it gives you a quick sense of Mauritius’s volcanic origins without demanding a strenuous walk. You have about 30 minutes here, enough for views and photographs. The visit is free, but the stop is exposed to changing highland weather, so a light rain layer can be useful.

Do not expect a full geological presentation unless your guide provides one. The tour promises a qualified guide and driver, but the amount of explanation has not been consistent for every booking. If the guide is engaged, this is a better place to ask how the volcanic interior shaped the island.

Mare aux Vacoas offers a quiet forest pause

The route continues to Mare aux Vacoas reservoir, the largest reservoir in Mauritius by capacity, at almost 26 million cubic meters. You spend about 20 minutes here.

This is not a grand monument. Its value is the pause. The reservoir sits among thick forest, and the viewpoint gives you a calmer scene after the road time. It is also a reminder that Mauritius is not only a holiday setting. Fresh water, upland forests, and carefully managed reservoirs are part of everyday island life.

The stop is free and short. Keep your expectations modest. This is a viewpoint, not a major attraction, but it adds breathing room to a packed schedule.

Grand Bassin connects scenery with living faith

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is one of the most meaningful stops on the route. This crater lake lies at about 550 meters above sea level in the southwest highlands. Along the shore are a temple and smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu deities.

The 33-meter statue of Lord Shiva is the visual centerpiece. It is one of the most recognizable religious landmarks in Mauritius and the highest known statue on the island according to the tour information.

You have around 40 minutes here. That allows time to see the statue, lake, temple area, and shrines, though it is not enough for a long, unhurried visit. This is a sacred place, so treat it with care. Avoid turning the stop into a rushed photo session, and follow any signs or instructions at the site.

Grand Bassin is where a good guide adds real value. A driver who only waits in the vehicle leaves you to work out the importance of the place yourself. Some highly rated guides, including Hans and Daren, have been praised for answering questions and explaining the island. The experience is much stronger when that level of attention is present.

Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges bring the highland views

Alexandra Falls is the next major nature stop. The waterfall sits at roughly 700 meters above sea level and is one of Mauritius’s best-known scenic sites. A wooden platform provides a wider view, including a panorama toward the southeast coast and the turquoise ocean.

You have about 30 minutes. That is enough for photographs and a look from the viewing area, but not for a long trail outing. Rain can change the mood of the falls. Wet weather may make paths slippery, which is one reason the operator asks you to wear non-slip shoes.

The route then reaches a gorge viewpoint in Black River Gorges National Park. The park covers almost 17,000 acres of forest, hills, valleys, waterfalls, and native plant and animal life. The viewpoint is only a few minutes from the road, so you do not need to be a serious hiker to enjoy it.

You get about 30 minutes at the gorge. The view is broad and dramatic, with the gorge dropping below and a waterfall visible to one side. It is one of the most rewarding short stops on the route because you see a large sweep of the southwest without committing to a lengthy walk.

There is an important practical warning here. Waterfall access and roads can be affected by rain, repairs, or storm damage. Some bookings have missed a waterfall shown in promotional material, while the operator has said that a damaged road blocked vehicle access and that walking was offered instead. If a particular waterfall is the main reason you want this tour, ask before departure which falls are open that day.

Chamarel’s colored earth needs a small name correction

The tour title refers to 23-Colored Earth, but the detailed description identifies the famous Seven Colored Earth at Chamarel. The site is a natural formation of colored sand and soil, usually described here as red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow.

The colors formed as basaltic lava weathered into clay minerals. The result is a series of smooth, rainbow-toned earth sections surrounded by green vegetation. You do not walk freely across the formation. The attraction is viewed from the designated area, which helps protect the fragile surface.

You have around 40 minutes, and admission is included. This is the most distinctive stop on the tour, though it is smaller than some photographs can suggest. I would treat it as a fascinating geological display rather than a full-day nature park.

The naming mismatch is worth noting before you pay. If you search for 23-Colored Earth, you may expect a separate attraction. The experience described here is the Chamarel Seven Colored Earth site, paired with Chamarel Waterfall admission.

Chamarel Waterfall may be the day’s most changeable stop

A further stop is described as Chamouny Waterfall, while the included entry refers to Chamarel Waterfall. The information also says the attraction is a single-drop waterfall surrounded by thick vegetation. This creates another point worth confirming, since different waterfall names appear in the tour details.

The planned time is about 25 minutes. That is enough to view the falls and take photographs, but not enough for an extended walk. As with Alexandra Falls, heavy rain, road conditions, and maintenance can affect access.

If you are comparing this tour with a waterfall-focused excursion, this distinction matters. The route gives you scenic waterfall viewpoints, but the operator may change the exact stop when roads are damaged or access is closed.

Gris Gris shows Mauritius at its roughest edge

After passing through Souillac village, the tour reaches Gris Gris Beach. This is the longest scenic stop, with about two hours allocated.

Gris Gris is not a swimming beach. Strong waves and currents strike the cliffs, and the sea can look far more powerful here than at Mauritius’s sheltered resort beaches. A small garden has benches and viewpoints, and a path leads down toward the beach for a closer look.

I like this stop because it breaks the postcard pattern. You see the island’s south coast in a rawer mood, with rock cliffs, strong surf, and open sea. The village of Souillac also gives the drive a more local feel than a route that stays among major resort areas.

Two hours is generous compared with the other stops. You can sit, walk a little, photograph the waves, and take a break from the vehicle. Still, do not enter the water simply because there is sand. The supplied information specifically warns against swimming here.

Rhumerie de St Aubin explains Mauritius through sugar cane

The final major visit is Rhumerie de St Aubin, where you learn about rum production and taste a selection of agricultural rums made at the distillery. The visit lasts about one hour.

This is more than a tasting stop. Sugar cane has shaped Mauritius’s farming, trade, and food culture, so the distillery gives the day an economic and cultural thread. You see the rum-making process and learn how sugar cane becomes different styles of rum.

The tasting is alcoholic, despite the lunch drinks being non-alcoholic. Pace yourself, especially after a full day in the sun and on winding roads. If you do not drink alcohol, the distillery remains useful for its production story, but the tasting will naturally be less important to you.

The details name Rhumerie de St Aubin, while another section lists entry to Rhumerie de Chamarel. Confirm the actual distillery before the day begins. The supplied route clearly describes St Aubin, but the conflicting wording could cause confusion.

Lunch is practical local fuel, not a polished dining event

A three-course Mauritian lunch is included, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. The meal is halal, and non-alcoholic beverages are provided during lunch. Vegetarian requests and food allergies should be given when booking.

Expect a simple local restaurant rather than a formal dining room. That is not necessarily a weakness. A straightforward roadside meal can be a useful part of the day, and the food has received positive comments. Just do not book this excursion expecting a long gourmet experience or a carefully designed tasting menu.

The timing of lunch is not specified, so bring a little patience. The tour includes bottled water on arrival, but some bookings have reported not receiving water. I would carry extra water anyway. That is sensible on any eight-hour outing with outdoor stops.

Vehicle comfort and guiding deserve your attention

Private transportation in a fully air-conditioned vehicle is included in the official details. Yet some bookings have involved a small taxi, a non-air-conditioned vehicle, or cramped seating. The phrase small-group does not guarantee a minivan or a particular number of passengers.

The driver is also described as a qualified guide. That arrangement can work very well. A patient guide who explains the sites and answers questions turns a string of viewpoints into a connected story. Hans and Daren have been praised by name for doing exactly that.

It can also work poorly. Some people have received little explanation, had difficulty communicating in the requested language, or felt that the driver remained in the vehicle instead of showing them around. Before setting out, confirm the vehicle, guide language, included lunch, water, and planned waterfall stops.

The overall rating is 4.2 from 48 ratings, which suggests a generally positive experience but not a uniformly reliable one. The spread from excellent marks to very low scores is important. This is a tour where the assigned guide, weather, road conditions, and operating day can shape your result.

What to pack for an eight-hour road day

Wear non-slip shoes. You will be near waterfalls, forest viewpoints, and uneven outdoor surfaces, and rain can make them slick.

Bring sunglasses, sun protection, a light rain layer, and extra drinking water. The highland stops may feel different from the coast, and the weather can change during the day.

You should also bring a phone or camera with enough battery. The route is built around short scenic stops, so you will want quick access to photographs without spending the entire visit setting up equipment.

The tour offers hotel pickup anywhere in Mauritius, but the exact pickup time can vary from the stated 8:30 a.m. start. Keep the morning open and make sure the operator has your correct accommodation details.

Who should book this southwest Mauritius tour

I would choose this tour if you want one organized day that covers nature, religion, local food, coastal scenery, and rum production. It suits first-time visitors who do not want to arrange a series of separate rides.

It is also a good fit if you prefer viewpoints and short walks to demanding hikes. The longest time outside the vehicle is at Gris Gris, while most other stops last 20 to 40 minutes.

I would hesitate if you care deeply about one specific waterfall, require a guaranteed large air-conditioned vehicle, or want detailed guiding in a particular language. In those cases, a private custom tour may give you more control, though likely at a higher cost.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and poor weather can affect the route even when the tour goes ahead.

Should you book it?

Book this tour for breadth and convenience. The combination of Grand Bassin, Black River Gorges, Chamarel’s colored earth, Gris Gris, lunch, and rum tasting gives you a strong first look at southwest Mauritius for $131.24, especially when transport and admissions are counted.

Book with clear expectations. The schedule is full, the restaurant is simple, the colored-earth attraction is the seven-color site despite the 23-color title, and waterfalls may change because of weather or road access. Confirm the guide language, vehicle, water, lunch, distillery, and waterfall stops before departure.

If you get a guide with the patience and explanations credited to Hans or Daren, this can be a memorable day. If you mainly receive a taxi ride between viewpoints, its value drops sharply.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours. The stated start time is 8:30 a.m., with return transport to your hotel or accommodation.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered at any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius.

What is included in the price?

The price includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, a qualified guide and driver, a three-course lunch, non-alcoholic lunch drinks, bottled water upon arrival, entry to Seven Colored Earth and Chamarel Waterfall, and entry to the rum distillery.

Is lunch vegetarian and halal?

Yes. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices are available, and the included meal is halal. You should advise the operator about vegetarian needs, allergies, or illness when booking.

Is rum tasting included?

The visit to Rhumerie de St Aubin includes a guided distillery visit and a rum tasting session featuring agricultural rums made there.

Is swimming allowed at Gris Gris Beach?

Swimming is not advised at Gris Gris because the waves and currents are extremely strong.

What should I wear?

Wear non-slip shoes. The route includes waterfalls, viewpoints, forest areas, and outdoor paths that may become slippery.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive 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.