South of Mauritius :Full day package including Chamarel Coloured earth & lunch

South of Mauritius is one of the most efficient ways to see a lot of the island in a single day. I like the way the route is built around short stop times with quick hops between sights, so you are not stuck on the bus forever. I also like the fact that lunch and several admission fees are included, which makes this feel less like a scavenger hunt.

The main thing to watch is that this is more of a driver-led day than a hands-on guide at every stop. You will still get assistance, but you should be ready to explore on your own at viewpoints and parks, and time can vary with weather and road diversions.

Key Things You Really Should Know Before You Go

• Chamarel Coloured Earth plus waterfall in the same area, built for photos and quick discoveries
• Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) with Hindu temples and a real chance of monkeys nearby
• Black River Gorges viewpoint time that works best when rain is not in the forecast
• Trou aux Cerfs crater views plus central stops like Floreal to break up the drive
• A viewpoint-only stop for Ile aux Benitiers, meaning you do not travel to the island itself
• Private group feel with pickup offered and a driver assisting with personal requests

How This South Mauritius Day Trip Keeps Travel Days From Feeling Long

This tour is designed around the south-coast classics, with driving segments kept relatively short between major photo stops. Expect a schedule that moves. Many stops are around 10 to 45 minutes, so you get enough time to park, look around, and take pictures, then move on.

That style is great if your goal is to see several big-name sites without spending the whole day in transit. It is also easier to handle if you do not want to commit to a full multi-day itinerary.

Port Louis Start Time and the Private-Group Pace

The day starts at 8:30 am. You get a private tour setup, meaning it is only your group in the vehicle, not a shared shuffle with random strangers. There is also a mobile ticket system, which is handy once you are on island.

Because it is private and pickup is offered, the day tends to feel smoother. Still, plan for small timing hiccups. One past issue people reported was a pickup location mismatch around the dock area, which can waste time if you are not ready at the exact spot. My advice is simple: bring your confirmation info, and message or call as soon as you are close to the pickup window.

Chamarel Village: The Seven-Colored Earth and the Waterfall Photo Stop

Chamarel is the south Mauritius stop that most people come for, and the timing here makes sense. You spend about 45 minutes in the Chamarel area, with admission ticket information included for the 7 coloured earth experience.

The best part of this stop is the combination. You are not just looking at a single attraction. You are walking through a real village setting where the main feature is the famous multicolour ground, and it also connects naturally to waterfall moments nearby. The short timeframe is intentional, so you can catch the views, get your photos, and still have time for the next big scene.

Heads up about closures: there is a note that as of 20/02/24 the Chamarel road was closed by the government of Mauritius. That kind of change can shift the route and how the day flows. Your driver can handle diversions, but it is one reason timing can be slightly different than what you expect on a calm day.

Chamarel Waterfalls: Quick, Famous, and Worth the Short Walk

Right after the coloured earth and village time, you get a dedicated Chamarel Waterfalls stop (about 15 minutes). Entry is included here, so you do not need to budget extra for the main access.

This is a classic “hit the highlight and move” stop. If you like waterfalls and you want to fit several nature sights into one day, this works. If you prefer long, slow hikes, you might feel the time is short. But for most one-day schedules, 15 minutes is enough to get a few good angles and feel the place without rushing yourself.

Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao): Temples, Calm Water, and Monkey-Spotting Chances

Grand Bassin, also known as Ganga Talao, is one of the most spiritual sights in Mauritius. Your time is about 45 minutes, with admission noted as free.

What makes this stop special is the mix of atmosphere and scenery. You are not just looking at water. You are walking through a temple setting by the sacred lake. If the weather is right, this can be one of the most peaceful moments of the day.

There is also a practical wildlife note: there is a good chance of seeing monkeys close by, and they are described as not aggressive. Still, keep your distance and do not try to feed them. If you want photos, hold your ground, keep your bag secured, and take the shot quickly.

Alexandra Falls: Endemic Trees and a Protected Nature Reserve View

Alexandra Falls is a shorter stop, about 30 minutes, and it sits inside a protected nature reserve. That matters. It is not just a random viewpoint, it is set in a park area that is described as rich in endemic trees.

For picture lovers, it is a good stop because it gives you a natural, less touristy feel compared with the biggest headline sites. The time window is tight, so come ready to move from view to view without overthinking it.

Ile aux Benitiers Viewpoint: You See the Blue Lagoon, You Do Not Sail There

One of the easiest mistakes people make is assuming Ile aux Benitiers means you get on a boat to the island. Here, you do not. The stop is a viewpoint at a higher level where you can see the whole area, including the blue lagoon.

The time is about 10 minutes. Because you are not traveling to the island itself, it stays quick and efficient. This is best for you if you want the big postcard view but you are trying to keep the day moving.

Black River Gorges National Park: Two Viewpoint Moments and Weather Reality

Black River Gorges is where the day turns into pure scenery. You hit two separate viewpoint moments, each around 15 minutes for the gorges valley views, with additional details around the Maccabe viewpoint.

Maccabe is noted as one of the best viewpoints in Mauritius. If you are lucky, you may also spot local wild monkeys around there, including situations where people are feeding them. You still should keep a respectful distance and avoid any attempt to interact.

One practical caution is built into the plan: if it is raining, it is not advisable. Your driver can advise based on weather conditions, which is important because gorges viewpoints can be slippery and visibility drops fast. If rain hits your day, treat it as a possible schedule reshuffle rather than a disaster.

Floreal: A Tourist Spot Stop That Still Breaks Up the Day

Floreal is about 20 minutes. It is described as a touristic spot in Mauritius, and that is a fair description. This stop is not the most intense nature moment, but it is useful as a change of pace.

I like stops like this on a day packed with nature and viewpoints. They give your eyes a different texture and keep the schedule from feeling like you are only ever standing in parks and looking at the same kind of view.

Trou aux Cerfs Crater: Dormant Volcano Views in a Green Setting

Trou aux Cerfs is another “must visit” type stop, and it is about 20 minutes. You are looking at a dormant volcano crater, now a crater viewpoint.

This one works because it is simple and scenic. It is also central enough to serve as a natural break. You get that green, open feel without needing to do a long walk.

If you are traveling with anyone who likes easy photo stops, this is usually a crowd-pleaser because you do not have to be a hiker to enjoy it.

Maconde Viewpoint and the Serene Forest Reservoir Drive

You finish with a couple of memorable south moments that are more about views and calm pacing.

Maconde Viewpoint is described as very popular and famous for capturing memories, with scenic roads leading to it. You get about 20 minutes, plus enough time to grab a few angles and enjoy the view without rushing.

There is also a stop for a reservoir in the middle of a protected untouched forest in the south. The description here is all about serenity and road-drive atmosphere. This is the kind of stop that helps a day feel less like a checklist, more like a drive through Mauritius’ quieter nature pockets.

Lunch and the Included Extras That Make This Feel Like a Value Day

This package is priced at $122.99 per person. For a day that includes multiple major attractions plus lunch, it can make sense, especially if you are someone who hates the budgeting math of individual tickets.

Here is what is explicitly included:

• Lunch with non-alcohol beverages
• Entry fees for Chamarel coloured earth
• Entry fee included for Chamarel Waterfalls and Trou aux Cerfs
• Snacks and bottled water are available on request to the driver
• Bottled water and Covid-19 style sanitizing notes are included in the service setup

Value comes from bundling admission plus food into one price. The tradeoff is that time at each stop is shorter than it would be if you were buying tickets separately and wandering longer.

What to Expect From the Driver: Support, Help, and Self-Guided Moments

This is private, with pickup offered and the driver assisting with personal requests. But you should expect a day where the driver gets you there, you explore, and then you return to the vehicle.

Some people really loved this setup, especially when the driver was friendly, spoke English well, and actively shaped the day. For example, names like Hans and Harsh Dindoyal show up with praise for routing and making sure the day matched your interests. There is also a note that one driver managed an alternative activity when damage from a cyclone affected a listed activity. That kind of flexibility matters on an island where weather and conditions can change fast.

The potential downside is expectation mismatch. If you want a spoken, step-by-step explanation at every site, this may feel too hands-on for your taste. Ask yourself before booking: do I want a “drive and drop” style day with helpful guidance, or do I want a narration-heavy guided tour?

Timing Tweaks: Road Diversions, Rain, and Why the Day Might Run Slightly Different

Two things can shift the exact rhythm of the day:

1) Road diversions and closures like the Chamarel road closure noted above

2) Weather dependence, especially around viewpoints in Black River Gorges

This does not mean the day fails. It means you stay adaptable. The tour is built around short stops, so a small route change does not always ruin the whole experience. It can also explain why one person felt the tour was shorter than advertised.

My advice is to keep this day flexible in your wider schedule. Do not plan anything tight right after pickup. Give yourself buffer time for the ride back.

Should You Book This South Mauritius Package?

Book it if you want a fast, structured way to see south Mauritius highlights: Chamarel, Grand Bassin, waterfalls, and the major viewpoint circuit in Black River Gorges. The included lunch and multiple admission fees can also make it good value compared with piecing everything together.

Skip it, or at least rethink it, if you strongly want a full guided narrative at every stop, or if you dislike any extra shopping-style detours. There were complaints about unexpected shopping stops and lunch quality on at least one occasion, so it is worth setting your expectation that you want the scenic and cultural stops first.

If your priority is photos, viewpoints, and nature without long driving stretches, this is a solid one-day plan.

FAQ

What is the start time for this tour?

The tour start time is 8:30 am.

How much does the South of Mauritius full day package cost?

The price is listed as $122.99 per person.

What’s included in the price?

You get pickup offered, mobile ticket, a typical lunch with non-alcohol beverages, entry fees to Chamarel coloured earth, Chamarel waterfall entry, and Trou aux Cerfs entry. Bottled water and snacks can be requested from the driver.

Do I visit the island of Benitiers during this tour?

No. You only stop at a viewpoint that lets you see Ile aux Benitiers and the surrounding blue lagoon.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as 1 to 8 hours (approx.), depending on conditions and how the day unfolds.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is described as a private tour/activity, with only your group participating.

What are the main places you will see?

Key stops include Chamarel (coloured earth), Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao), Alexandra Falls, Chamarel Waterfalls, an Ile aux Benitiers viewpoint, Black River Gorges viewpoints (including Maccabe), Floreal, Trou aux Cerfs, Maconde Viewpoint, plus a forest reservoir drive.

Is weather important for the tour?

Yes. It requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

How does cancellation work?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount is not refunded.