Mauritius Guided South Tour (Private)

Southern Mauritius packs remarkable variety into one day: a dormant volcanic crater, a sacred Hindu lake, rainforest waterfalls, high viewpoints, and the colorful earth of La Vallée des Couleurs. This private tour gives you a spacious, air-conditioned vehicle and pickup anywhere in Mauritius, so you can see a lot without sharing the ride with strangers.

I especially like the private format, which lets your group of up to four travel together, and the chance to see both cultural and natural sights in one outing. Guides Ridwaan and Deeraj have been singled out for their friendly manner and clear explanations of the island. The main consideration is time: seven hours is efficient, but the route includes many stops, and the two-hour visit to La Vallée des Couleurs leaves less room for long walks elsewhere.

Key points at a glance

• Trou aux Cerfs crater: Look into a dormant volcanic crater high above Curepipe, surrounded by trees and island views.
• Grand Bassin and the 33-meter Shiva: Visit Mauritius’s major Hindu pilgrimage site, with temples, shrines, and the immense Mangal Mahadev statue.
• Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges: See a waterfall, forested valleys, and broad views across the southwest.
• Private transportation: Ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with pickup anywhere in Mauritius.
• La Vallée des Couleurs: Spend about two hours among colored earth, craters, valleys, plants, animals, and optional activities.
• Lunch is flexible: Bring your own food or ask the driver to recommend a restaurant. Lunch and entrance fees are not included.

Why southern Mauritius works so well in one day

Many island tours focus on beaches and resort areas. This one heads inland and south, where Mauritius shows a different face. You move from volcanic terrain to religious sites, then into forest and open viewpoints before ending among unusual earth colors.

That variety is the strongest reason to book. You are not spending seven hours looking at similar scenery. Each stop has a different purpose, and the private vehicle keeps the day comfortable between them.

The price is listed at $117.73 per group of up to four. That makes the value quite good for a small group, especially because private transportation is included. For four people, the cost works out to roughly $29 per person before entrance fees, food, and any paid activities. For one person, the same group rate is much less attractive, so this tour makes the most financial sense for couples, families, or friends sharing the vehicle.

The tour lasts about seven hours. Pickup is offered anywhere in Mauritius, though the exact pickup time and the amount of driving from your location are not specified. If you are staying far from the southern attractions, ask the provider how much of your booked time will be spent on the road.

Trou aux Cerfs, a volcano above Curepipe

The day begins at Trou aux Cerfs, one of the most recognizable natural sights in Mauritius. This dormant volcanic crater sits at about 605 meters above sea level and measures roughly 350 meters across, with a depth of around 100 meters.

The crater is not a bare hole in the ground. Forest surrounds it, including indigenous plants and tall green pine trees. That leafy setting gives the site a calm feel and makes it more attractive than a simple roadside viewpoint.

You have about 30 minutes here, with no admission charge. That is enough for photographs and a look around, but not a long walk. I would treat Trou aux Cerfs as a strong opening stop, a quick introduction to the island’s volcanic origins rather than a full outdoor excursion.

The height also matters. The stop gives you a sense of how Mauritius rises inland, away from the coast. Bring a phone or camera, since this is one of the day’s easiest places for a quick panoramic photograph.

Mare aux Vacoas adds a quiet forest stop

After Trou aux Cerfs, the route passes Mare aux Vacoas, the largest reservoir on Mauritius, with a capacity of almost 26 million cubic meters. It is surrounded by thick forest and offers a peaceful contrast to the busier attractions.

This stop is less famous and less developed than Grand Bassin or La Vallée des Couleurs. That is part of its appeal. You are there mainly for the view and a few quiet minutes, not for a major attraction with facilities.

The available schedule does not assign a precise amount of time to Mare aux Vacoas. That means the length of the stop may depend on traffic, daylight, and your driver. If you enjoy photography, tell the guide you would like time here. If you prefer to spend longer at the main sights, this may be one of the places to keep brief.

Grand Bassin connects nature with Hindu faith

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is a crater lake in the mountains of southwest Mauritius, about 550 meters above sea level. Along the shore are a temple and smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Hindu deities.

The huge Mangal Mahadev statue is the visual centerpiece. At 33 meters high, it is described as the highest known statue in Mauritius. Its scale is striking, but the site is not only about taking a photograph. Grand Bassin is a sacred place, and the temples and shrines give the visit cultural weight.

You have approximately one hour here, with admission included. That is the most generous timed stop before La Vallée des Couleurs, and it should give you room to see the statue, walk around the temple area, and take in the lake.

I would dress and behave respectfully at the religious site. The supplied information does not set out a formal dress code, but modest clothing and a quiet manner are sensible anywhere people come to pray.

Grand Bassin is also a good point to ask questions. The driver-guide may explain the role of Shiva and the importance of the lake to Mauritius’s Hindu community. Ridwaan and Deeraj are both named as guides who provide useful background on the island, so request a guide who can offer that kind of cultural context if it matters to you.

Alexandra Falls brings you into the forest

The next major stop is Alexandra Falls, set in the Black River Gorges area. From the viewing area, you can see the waterfall, the cloud forest of Mount Cocotte, and views stretching toward the southern coast.

You have about 30 minutes, and there is no admission fee. The stop is short, but the setting changes the mood of the day. After the open volcanic crater and sacred lake, you are looking at falling water surrounded by dense greenery, with local bird sounds adding to the sense of being in a natural area.

Do not expect a long hike based on the supplied schedule. The visit is designed as a viewpoint and short stop rather than a demanding walk. That makes it suitable for most people, and the tour information says most participants can take part.

The forest can also mean wet or changeable conditions. The tour requires good weather, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. Even on a clear day, practical footwear is wise if you plan to walk around the viewing area.

Black River Gorges gives the day its widest views

The tour continues to a gorge viewpoint in Black River Gorges National Park. The park covers almost 17,000 acres of hills, valleys, waterfalls, plants, and wildlife in southwestern Mauritius.

The viewpoint looks across broad green stretches and down into the gorge. A waterfall is visible to the right side of the viewing area, and the approach includes souvenir stalls. You might also see monkeys near the viewpoint, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Again, the scheduled stop is about 30 minutes. That is enough for the main view and photographs, but you will not be exploring the entire national park. This is important when setting expectations. The tour gives you a sampler of the park, not a full hiking day.

I like this stop because it shows the scale of the island’s interior. Beaches often dominate first impressions of Mauritius, but from this high point you see steep valleys and forest instead of sand and sea. The view also helps connect Alexandra Falls and Bassin Blanc to the same protected upland region.

Bassin Blanc offers a dramatic road view

The route includes a scenic drive toward Bassin Blanc through thick forest. The road makes an almost 180-degree bend, creating a striking visual point as it curves under a canopy of trees.

This is primarily a drive and photography opportunity rather than a separate attraction with a stated admission charge or visit length. Your view will depend on where the vehicle can safely stop and how much time remains in the day.

If you enjoy seeing how a place fits together, this section adds something useful. It is not just another waterfall or lookout. You get a sense of the forest roads that connect the high interior with the southern part of Mauritius.

Two hours at La Vallée des Couleurs

The final main stop is La Vallée des Couleurs Reserve in Chamouny. You have about two hours here, making it the longest scheduled visit of the day.

The reserve is known for its 23 Colored Earth attraction. It also contains plateaus, mountains, valleys, craters, crater lakes, plant life, animal species, and a selection of local activities. Nature lovers will find more to do here than simply take one photograph and leave.

Entrance is not included, so budget extra for the reserve. The available information does not give the admission price or specify which activities cost more. Ask the driver or provider before committing to paid options, especially if you are watching your spending.

The two-hour allocation is useful because this is the one place where you have room to slow down. You can see the colored earth, explore the grounds, and consider an activity if available. At the same time, the reserve could easily absorb more than two hours if you want to walk extensively.

This stop is also where the tour’s pacing becomes most important. The route covers many sights, and traffic or a long lunch can reduce your time here. If La Vallée des Couleurs is your top priority, tell the guide early and avoid lingering too long at the shorter viewpoints.

Transport, lunch, and the private advantage

The air-conditioned vehicle matters in Mauritius. The tour takes you through inland roads and several outdoor viewpoints, so a cool, private ride gives you a welcome break between stops.

Because only your group participates, you can ask for extra time for photographs or move along when a stop has given you enough. The tour is not completely custom-built in the sense of offering an unlimited schedule, but it is more adaptable than a large coach trip.

Lunch is not included. You can bring your own food, or the driver can recommend a restaurant. One direct account of the day described the lunch stop as pleasant, with very good food, but the restaurant itself is not named and the meal remains your responsibility.

Plan lunch carefully. With a seven-hour tour and several stops, an unplanned meal can take a large part of your sightseeing time. Ask the driver at the start whether lunch will be quick or whether you prefer to eat later near La Vallée des Couleurs.

All fees and taxes are also excluded. Grand Bassin, Trou aux Cerfs, Alexandra Falls, and the gorge viewpoint are described as free stops, while La Vallée des Couleurs requires a separate admission payment. Optional activities there may also cost extra.

The guide can shape the whole day

A private tour depends heavily on the driver-guide. The strongest personal feedback names Ridwaan and Deeraj. Ridwaan is described as friendly, familiar with Mauritius, and able to show less obvious sights along the route. Deeraj is credited with explaining the island’s history and making the day both informative and engaging.

Those details matter because the scenery alone is only part of the experience. A good guide can explain why Grand Bassin is sacred, point out the volcanic shape of Trou aux Cerfs, and put the Black River Gorges views into context.

When you meet your guide, say what interests you most. You may want more time for photography, more explanation at Grand Bassin, or a faster lunch so you can enjoy La Vallée des Couleurs. The private setup gives you a better chance of shaping the pace.

The experience has a five-star rating from nine submitted ratings, which is encouraging but still a small sample. I would see the guide quality as a major strength, while remembering that traffic, weather, and the exact pickup location can affect the day.

Who should book this southern Mauritius tour

I would recommend it to:

• Couples or families who want a private vehicle and a broad introduction to southern Mauritius.
• Small groups of up to four who can share the group price.
• First-time visitors who want nature, religious culture, viewpoints, and unusual geology in one day.
• People who prefer short walks and viewpoints over a full day of hiking.
• Anyone who values a driver-guide and wants the chance to ask questions along the way.

I would hesitate if you want a slow, single-theme day. Hikers may find the short stops at Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges too brief. Likewise, anyone mainly interested in beaches will spend much of the day inland.

The route also has many moving parts. If you need guaranteed time at every attraction, ask the provider how the schedule changes with pickup location and traffic. The experience is best approached as a highlights tour with a private rhythm, not as an in-depth visit to every site.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to cover a large portion of southern Mauritius without arranging several separate rides. The combination of a private, air-conditioned vehicle, pickup anywhere on the island, and a group price of $117.73 is especially appealing for up to four people.

The best parts are the contrast between Trou aux Cerfs and Grand Bassin, the forest views around Alexandra Falls and Black River Gorges, and the longer visit at La Vallée des Couleurs. Ridwaan or Deeraj could add valuable local explanation, but request the kind of guide and pace you prefer when booking.

Skip it if you want a long hike, a beach day, or a leisurely meal with no time pressure. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see southern Mauritius in one well-packed day. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

FAQ

How long does the Mauritius Guided South Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

What is the price of the private tour?

The listed price is $117.73 per group of up to four people.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered anywhere in Mauritius.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is this a shared tour?

No. It is a private activity, and only your group participates.

Is lunch included?

No. You may bring your own food, or the driver can recommend a restaurant.

Are entrance fees included?

No. All fees and taxes are excluded. La Vallée des Couleurs specifically requires an additional admission payment.

How long do you spend at Grand Bassin?

The scheduled visit to Grand Bassin is approximately one hour.

How long do you spend at La Vallée des Couleurs?

The scheduled visit is approximately two hours.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.