Southern Treasures: Bois Cherri Tea Factory & 23-Colored Earth

Southern Mauritius packs an astonishing amount into one day. This private tour links a dormant volcano, a forest reservoir, waterfalls, a sacred crater lake, a tea factory, rough Atlantic surf, and the Twenty-Three Colored Earth without asking you to manage island roads or piece together separate taxis.

I like the hotel pickup and private vehicle, especially because the route covers a wide slice of the island. I also like the generous lunch arrangement: a three-course halal meal, non-alcoholic drinks, and a vegetarian choice when requested ahead of time.

The main caution is simple: this is a long sightseeing day with many stops. You get breadth rather than much time at any one place, and the quality of your experience depends partly on how actively your guide explains the sites. One visitor found the driver more useful as a taxi than as a guide, so make your questions clear from the start.

Key points at a glance

• A full southern circuit in one day: The route takes in nine stops, from Curepipe to Gris Gris and the colored earth.
• Private transport included: Hotel pickup, drop-off, bottled water, and an air-conditioned vehicle remove much of the day’s logistical work.
• Tea and local food are central highlights: Bois Chéri includes the factory, plantation, museum, and tea tasting, followed by a three-course lunch.
• The scenery keeps changing: Expect volcanic views, forest, waterfalls, a crater lake, rugged coast, and unusual colored soil.
• Guiding can vary: Manu and Deva received especially warm praise for kindness, punctuality, and island knowledge, but you should ask your guide to accompany you and explain each stop.
• Wear practical shoes: Non-slip footwear matters at viewpoints, near waterfalls, and on paths leading toward the coast.

Why this private southern Mauritius route works

At $136.44 per person, the price needs to be judged against what is included, not just the number on the page. You receive private transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius, a certified guide-driver, bottled water, lunch, entry to Bois Chéri, and entry to the Twenty-Three Colored Earth and waterfall area.

That makes the tour especially useful if you want to see the south without renting a car. The route is spread across highland roads, forested viewpoints, inland religious sites, tea country, and the coast. Doing it independently would mean arranging transport between places that are not clustered together.

The trade-off is time. The listed stops add up to a busy day, and driving between them fills the gaps. You will see a lot, but this is not a slow nature walk or a single focused cultural visit. It is best viewed as a guided introduction to southern Mauritius, with enough time to take photographs and get a feel for each place.

The private format gives you some control. You can ask for more time at the tea plantation, move along from a viewpoint that feels less interesting, or request explanations at religious sites. The exact flexibility depends on the driver and the day’s traffic, so discuss your priorities early.

Trou aux Cerfs, a volcano above Curepipe

The morning begins at Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater about 605 meters above sea level. The crater measures roughly 350 meters across and about 100 meters deep, making it more than a roadside photo stop.

What makes it unusual is the setting. The crater is surrounded by forest, indigenous plants, and large green pine trees rather than bare volcanic rock. It is believed to have erupted once and remained dormant for around 700,000 years.

The main reward is the broad view from the rim. You can look across Curepipe toward Rempart Mountain, Trois Mamelles, and the Port-Louis-Moka mountain range. Allow about 35 minutes here, enough for photographs and a short look around.

This stop is a good reminder that Mauritius is volcanic at its core. Do not expect to walk down into the crater. The attraction is the view, the scale of the formation, and the chance to see a busy town from a high natural point.

Mare aux Vacoas and the quiet side of the island

Mare aux Vacoas is the largest reservoir in Mauritius, with a capacity of almost 26 million cubic meters. It is not as dramatic as a waterfall or a crater lake, but that is part of its appeal.

The reservoir sits among thick forest and gives you a calmer pause between major sights. You have about 30 minutes to take photographs and enjoy the open view. If your day already feels packed, this is one of the stops where a few quiet minutes can be more useful than another rushed attraction.

Do not come expecting visitor facilities or a formal attraction. This is a scenic viewpoint, not a full activity. Its value lies in the forest setting and the change of pace.

Alexandra Falls and the Black River Gorges

Alexandra Falls is one of the most recognizable natural sights in Mauritius. Located around 700 meters above sea level, it offers a waterfall view along with a wide outlook toward the southeast coast and the turquoise ocean.

You can usually see the falls from the viewpoint and climb to a wooden platform for a fuller view. Plan on about 30 minutes. This is enough for pictures, but not for an extended walk through the surrounding area.

The next stop is a gorge viewpoint in Black River Gorges National Park. The park covers nearly 17,000 acres of hills, valleys, waterfalls, and native plant and animal life. From the roadside viewpoint, it is only a three to five minute walk to a large panorama above the gorge.

This is one of the most rewarding short walks on the route. The view feels much bigger than the effort required to reach it. A waterfall is visible to the right, and the forested gorge drops away below the viewing area.

The limitation is that you are seeing only a small part of the national park. The stop provides a strong overview, not a proper hike. If you want long walking time, this tour is not designed around it.

Grand Bassin, a sacred lake in a volcanic crater

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, sits about 550 meters above sea level in the southwest of Mauritius. The lake fills the crater of an extinct volcano and is one of the island’s important Hindu religious sites.

The setting is peaceful, with a temple and smaller shrines along the shore. The enormous Lord Shiva statue is hard to miss. At 33 meters high, it gives the visit a striking visual center before you even reach the water.

You have about 40 minutes here. Use that time for the lake, the temple area, and the statue. Dress and behave respectfully around the religious buildings, and do not assume that your driver will walk in with you. One disappointing experience came from being left at the temple with little explanation, so ask directly if you want a guided visit rather than a drop-off.

Grand Bassin adds cultural meaning to a day otherwise dominated by scenery. You are not just looking at another crater. You are seeing a place that remains significant to Mauritius’s Hindu community.

Bois Chéri, tea production and a proper lunch

Bois Chéri is the tour’s main industry and food stop. A guide takes you through the tea factory and plantation, then introduces the tea museum and the role of tea production in Mauritius.

The factory visit gives the day some local texture. Instead of only viewing scenery, you see how a well-known Mauritian product is made and learn about the stories connected with the estate. The plantation also provides broad southern views.

Allow about an hour for the visit, though the full experience includes lunch and tea-related tasting. Tea is the focus here, so this stop suits you if you enjoy food production, local agriculture, or a guided look behind a familiar product.

The included meal is a real advantage. You receive three courses with a vegetarian option, halal food, and non-alcoholic beverages. A typical meal described for this experience included chicken curry, fish salad as a starter, and vanilla ice cream, though you should not treat those dishes as a guaranteed menu.

Tell the provider about vegetarian needs, allergies, or illness when you book. That is more useful than trying to solve food concerns once you are already on the road.

Gris Gris Beach and the force of the sea

After passing through Souillac, the route reaches Gris Gris Beach. This is not the white-sand swimming beach you may picture when you think of Mauritius. The attraction here is the cliff edge, the rough water, and the sound of waves striking the rock.

A small garden offers benches and sea views. From there, a path leads toward a small beach where you can get closer to the water. The stop is listed as about two hours, making it one of the longest pauses of the day.

That extra time gives you room to stroll rather than simply take a quick photograph. The coast is dramatic because the waves and currents are strong. Do not swim here. Enjoy the view from safe ground and follow your guide’s advice near the edge.

Gris Gris is a useful counterpoint to the gentler coastal scenes elsewhere on the island. It shows the ocean as a powerful natural force, not just a postcard background.

The Twenty-Three Colored Earth and Chamouny Waterfall

The tour then reaches the Twenty-Three Colored Earth at Valle Advenature Park. This natural formation developed as basaltic lava changed into clay minerals, producing bands of colored earth in red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow shades.

The earth forms rounded sand dunes with a lunar appearance. The colors are easier to appreciate from the viewing area than from a distance, and the surrounding greenery makes the bare tones more striking.

The name refers to the attraction itself, while the supplied description identifies seven distinct colors. Either way, this is a quick visual stop rather than a place for wandering across the soil. Give yourself about 40 minutes for the viewing area and photographs.

Entrance to the Twenty-Three Colored Earth and waterfall area is included. That matters because the tour price already covers the two paid attractions most central to the advertised route.

Chamouny Waterfall follows, with about 25 minutes at the single-drop fall. It sits among dense vegetation and is presented as one of Mauritius’s key waterfalls. The short visit works well late in the day, when you may appreciate a final nature stop without another long walk.

The guide can shape the whole day

The private guide-driver is more than a transport detail. This route crosses several parts of Mauritius, and the explanations can determine whether each stop feels meaningful or merely scenic.

Manu was described as kind, informative about the south, and connected with a particularly enjoyable meal experience. Deva was praised for being respectful, friendly, and well informed about the island. A pleasant surprise viewpoint was also added at the end of one outing, though an unscheduled stop should be treated as a bonus rather than a promise.

The feedback is not uniformly positive. One person felt the guide acted more like a taxi driver and did not accompany the group into the temple or provide enough information. You can reduce that risk by asking at the beginning:

• Will you walk with us at Grand Bassin?
• Which stops include explanations?
• How much time do we have at each place?
• Can we ask for an extra viewpoint if the schedule allows?

A private tour gives you the chance to speak up. Use it.

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

The advertised start time is 8:30 a.m., and the total outing lasts about seven to eight hours. Pickup and drop-off are available at any hotel or accommodation in Mauritius, which is convenient but also means the day’s road time can vary depending on where you are staying.

The air-conditioned vehicle is important in a full-day route. You will move between high, forested areas and the coast, with repeated short stops and time in the vehicle between them. Bottled water is provided on arrival, and drinks are included with lunch.

Wear non-slip shoes. Viewpoints, waterfall areas, and the path near Gris Gris are better handled with practical footwear than smooth sandals. Carry sun protection and a light layer if you are sensitive to changing temperatures, though the supplied information does not specify clothing requirements beyond suitable shoes.

Most people can participate, but the day is not built around extensive walking. The key movement involves short walks to viewpoints, time outdoors, and getting in and out of the vehicle many times.

Who should book this tour

I would choose this tour if you have one day for southern Mauritius and want variety. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families who prefer private transport, and anyone who would rather watch the island pass by than navigate unfamiliar roads.

It is also a good fit if you want several types of experience in one day: scenery, religious culture, local food, tea production, and unusual geology. The included lunch and paid entries improve the value, especially for a solo visitor or small private party that does not want to arrange each piece separately.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a slow hike, a long beach stay, or detailed time inside every temple and museum. The route covers a lot of ground, and some stops are brief. It also may not suit you if you dislike a tightly packed schedule.

The overall rating is 4.6 from nine ratings, with especially strong praise for punctuality, courtesy, flexibility, lunch, tea tasting, waterfalls, and the colored earth. The lower experience shows why guide involvement matters. Ask for an active guide, not just a driver.

Should you book Southern Treasures?

Book it if you want a private, efficient overview of southern Mauritius with hotel transport and meals handled. The mix of Bois Chéri tea, Grand Bassin, Gris Gris, waterfalls, and volcanic viewpoints gives you a broad sense of the island in one day.

Before departure, confirm your dietary needs, tell the guide which stops matter most, and ask to be accompanied at cultural sites. If you accept a busy schedule and value convenience over long visits, $136.44 is a reasonable price for the transport, entries, lunch, and private service included.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours and begins at 8:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

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

Is the tour private?

Yes. The experience includes private transportation in a fully air-conditioned vehicle and the services of a certified private guide-driver.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course lunch is included, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, halal food, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Can I request a vegetarian meal?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available. You should advise the provider when booking and provide details about food allergies or illness.

What entrance fees are included?

Entry to the Twenty-Three Colored Earth and waterfall area is included, as is entrance to the Bois Chéri Tea Factory.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.