Southern Mauritius hits different when you do it efficiently. This one-day route strings together volcano views, sacred Hindu sites, classic waterfalls, and the 23-colored earth—with pickup, private transport, and a lunch that actually fills you up.

I especially like the way this tour mixes big-name stops (Trou aux Cerfs, Alexandra Falls, Grand Bassin) with the more surprising ones (Mare aux Vacoas reservoir viewpoints and the color-science story behind the 23-colored earth). The second thing I like is the built-in comfort: air-conditioned private vehicle, hotel pickup/drop-off, bottled water, and a 3-course lunch with a vegetarian option.

The main drawback to consider is pacing. You’ll move from place to place all day, so you get great photo time and short walks—but if you want long, slow hangs, this route may feel a bit tight. Good weather matters too, since the tour depends on it.

Key things I’d focus on before you go

• Trou aux Cerfs crater views in the morning: 360-degree panoramas over Curepipe and mountain ranges
• A real tea visit, not a quick stop: factory + tea production museum at Bois Chéri
• Waterfall time that’s built for photos: Alexandra Falls, plus Chamouny’s single-drop feature
• Grand Bassin is more than scenery: the 33-meter Lord Shiva statue and lakeside temple zone
• The 23-colored earth story is part science: color shifts tied to lava and clay minerals

A Fast, Focused Route Through Southern Mauritius (7–8 Hours, One Day)

This tour is designed for people who want to see a lot without dealing with island logistics. You start at 8:30am, then spend roughly 7 to 8 hours riding in an air-conditioned private vehicle from stop to stop. Most visits are timed to give you time to look, photograph, and take a short walk—then move on while you still have daylight.

The value here is mostly in what gets bundled. You’re paying for a day that includes hotel pickup and drop-off, private air-conditioned transport, a certified guide/driver, bottled water, 3-course lunch, and entry at key paid sites like Bois Chéri Tea Factory, Twenty-Three Colored Earth, and Chamouny Waterfall. That matters on an island, where a lot of your cost can quietly come from separate tickets, separate rides, and time lost between places.

One thing to keep in mind: it’s a busy day. You’ll likely spend about 25–40 minutes at several stops, with longer time at the tea factory. If you like to linger, you may want to accept that your best time here is early morning viewing and short, efficient photo stops.

Price and Value: What $136.44 Actually Buys You

At $136.44 per person, this isn’t the cheapest way to do Southern Mauritius—but it’s not trying to be. What makes it feel fair is the mix of included costs.

Here’s what you’re getting inside the price:

• Private transportation in a fully air-conditioned vehicle
• Guide/driver services (not just a car)
• Hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius
• 3-course lunch (halal noted) with a vegetarian option
• Entry included at Bois Chéri Tea Factory, Twenty-Three Colored Earth, and the waterfall entrance
• Bottled water and non-alcoholic beverages during lunch

The smartest way to think about the price is this: if you tried to piece together the tea factory, crater, multiple viewpoints, Grand Bassin, and colored earth with separate rides and tickets, you’d spend time coordinating and likely pay more in total.

Trou aux Cerfs: The Dormant Crater With a 360-Degree View

Trou aux Cerfs is one of those Mauritius stops that feels instantly worth it. It’s a dormant volcanic crater about 605 meters above sea level, with a diameter around 350 meters and a depth near 100 meters. What really makes it special is the setting: the crater is ringed by lush forest and big green pine trees, so you’re not just looking at rock—you’re looking at a natural bowl of greenery.

Your payoff here is the view. You can expect 360-degree panoramas over Curepipe and the Rempart Mountain area, plus sightlines toward Trois Mamelles and the Port-Louis–Moka mountain range. This is also the kind of stop where timing helps. Earlier is often easier for photos and clearer visibility.

Practical note: admission is listed as free here, and the stop time is short (around 35 minutes). That means you’ll want to move with purpose. Put your camera away only when you’re walking—otherwise you’ll lose the best angles.

Mare aux Vacoas Reservoir Viewpoint: Quiet Nature Break, No Drama

Next up is Mare aux Vacoas, tied to a bigger story than it first looks like. It’s described as the largest reservoir on the island, with a capacity of about 26 million cubic meters. You won’t find big attractions or fancy facilities in the way you might expect from more famous sights. You will find trees, air, and a moment to reset.

You get about 30 minutes at this viewpoint. The emphasis is on stillness and a nature break between the more intense highlights. If you’re the type who likes to step away from constant motion, this stop gives you a breather without stretching the day.

Wear what you can walk in. You’ll be on your feet for short transitions and viewpoints, and the tour guidance explicitly asks for non-slippery shoes.

Alexandra Falls: The Postcard Waterfall Stop Over the Turquoise Coast

Alexandra Falls is the classic nature photo stop in Southern Mauritius, and it’s easy to see why. It sits around 700 meters above sea level and is one of the most popular nature sites on the island. When you arrive, you’re there for the same thing people come for in videos and postcards: the dramatic view, especially of the South-East Coast’s turquoise ocean.

You’ll have roughly 30 minutes here. The tour description points out a wooden platform for taking in a fuller view. That’s your cue to slow down a bit at the edges and look for the best vantage before you hit the next car transfer.

One consideration: waterfalls can be weather-dependent for how impressive they look and how comfortable you feel outside. This is one of the reasons the tour states it requires good weather.

Black River Gorges National Park Viewpoint: A Quick Walk for Big Gorge Views

Between Chamarel and Alexandra Falls, you stop for a gorge panorama in Black River Gorges National Park. The viewing spot is described as a 3–5 minute walk from the road. That’s a good detail because it keeps the stop realistic inside a day plan: quick legs, strong payoff.

The viewpoint is elevated above the gorge below, with mention of a waterfall off to the right. If you’re a photographer, this is a great contrast stop. Earlier, you’re looking at crater forests and ocean cliffs. Here, it’s depth: rolling hills, deep valleys, and the rainforest feel of the southwestern region.

You get about 30 minutes. Don’t overthink it. Walk out, find your angle, take your photos, then return for the next leg while the day still feels light.

Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao): Sacred Lake and the 33-Meter Lord Shiva Statue

This is one of the most meaningful stops of the day, even if you only have a short time there. Grand Bassin, also known as Ganga Talao, is located about 550 meters above sea level in the mountainous Southwest. The lake sits in the crater of an extinct volcano and has a strong sacred association.

What pulls you in immediately is the temple area and the large religious statues. The most eye-catching landmark is the 33-meter-high Lord Shiva statue. The description makes the point that Shiva is depicted peacefully, smiling rather than intimidating—so the mood is less doom-and-gloom and more calm, devotional presence.

You also see shrines along the shoreline dedicated to Lord Shiva and other gods. Even with a limited time window—around 40 minutes—this stop gives you something different from scenery-only tourism. It’s place-based and tied to local practice.

A small tip for getting the most out of it: at sites like this, you’ll enjoy the visit more if you pause and look before you move on. With a tight day, it’s tempting to rush. Don’t. One extra minute of observation makes the whole stop feel fuller.

Bois Chéri Tea Factory & Tea Museum: Tea Production With a View

If you want something educational without being boring, the tea factory stop is where this tour earns its keep. Bois Chéri isn’t just a storefront. You get a guided tour through the factory and tea plantation, plus access to a tea production museum.

The key here is context. The guide leads you through the stories and history of Bois Chéri and explains the importance of tea production in Mauritius. After the factory tour, the museum adds background about how tea developed on the island.

Time-wise, this is a bigger block than most stops: about 1 hour. That’s helpful because it gives you a chance to ask questions and actually understand what you’re seeing.

You also get a panoramic viewpoint over the south of the island here. That matters because tea estates often feel “quieter” than the big waterfall viewing zones, and you need a visual reset later in the day.

Gris Gris Beach Cliffs: Ocean Views, Strong Currents, and a Stroll-Only Coast

Gris Gris is a classic cliff-and-wave scene on Mauritius’ west/southwest coast. You pass through Souillac village first, so you get a sense of everyday local surroundings before you reach the viewpoints.

At Gris Gris, the tour focuses on cliffs and crashing waves. There’s a small garden where you can take a seat—benches, quiet spots, and a view over sea, waves, and rocky coastline. From there, a path leads down to a small beach. The important warning: even though you’re looking at a sandy shoreline, waves and currents are extremely strong, so swimming isn’t advised. Plan for a stroll and photos, not a swim session.

The stop time is longer than some (the description shows about 2 hours). That extra time can be a good thing if you like breathing time between active stops. It’s also your best chance to slow down and just watch the ocean do its thing.

Twenty-Three Colored Earth: Why the Colors Happen (And It Looks Unreal)

This is the signature “how is this real?” stop. Twenty-Three Colored Earth is a natural phenomenon described as part science, part surreal art. The colors form through the conversion of basaltic lava to clay minerals. The result is rainbow-hued sand dunes that can feel almost lunar when you see them in person.

You’re looking at an area of dunes made of sand in seven distinct colors: red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow. The effect is dramatic because the colors are visible in patterns across the dunes rather than just in a single colored patch.

You’ll be here around 40 minutes, which is enough time to walk the edges and find a few strong angles. Bring your curiosity. This stop is one of those places where you’ll keep noticing new color details every few steps.

Chamouny Waterfall: The Single-Drop Moment at the End of the Day

Right after the colored earth, the tour goes to Chamouny Waterfall, described as a striking, single-drop waterfall. It’s considered the most famous and recognized waterfall in Mauritius, and the tour time reflects that: about 25 minutes.

The value of this stop is timing and contrast. After the weird geological colors, you get water and dense vegetation again. Even if you’ve seen waterfalls earlier in the day (like Alexandra Falls), Chamouny gives a different visual style—more focused on one drop rather than a broader cascade.

Entrance is included, and you’ll have enough time to stand, look, and take photos without feeling rushed out immediately.

About the Guide: When You Get a Strong One, the Day Level-Ups

This tour works best when your guide actually guides. In the positive experiences, the guide names Manu and Deva show up with praise for being kind, respectful, and information-heavy. I like that detail because it hints at what makes the difference between a checklist tour and a real experience: someone who can explain what you’re seeing.

There’s also one caution from a mixed experience: if your guide mainly drives and doesn’t help you with context at key spots (like accompanying you inside a temple area), you’ll need to rely on your own reading and signage. So when you meet your guide, set expectations early. Ask where you’ll enter, what to look for, and how much time you’ll get for questions.

That said, the tour is structured with stops and timing, so even with a more hands-off approach, the included sites still do the heavy lifting.

What to Bring and How to Handle the Walking

The tour is built for most people, but it does include uneven terrain, viewpoint paths, and at least a bit of walking at viewpoints. You’re also guided to wear non-slippery shoes, which is practical on wet spots near waterfalls and stone paths.

Pack the usual Mauritius day items:

• A light layer (crater and cliff winds can feel different)
• Sunglasses and sun protection
• A small snack or water only if you’re sensitive to long gaps between meals (lunch is included)

Also, you’ll be outside at multiple points—Trou aux Cerfs, Alexandra Falls, the gorge viewpoint, and ocean cliffs. Good weather helps every stop look better and feel more comfortable.

Should You Book Southern Treasures: Bois Chéri Tea Factory & 23-Colored Earth?

I’d book this tour if your goal is a high-coverage Southern Mauritius day with guided context, included lunch, and less hassle than planning everything yourself. It’s a smart choice when you want the big hits plus at least one truly unique stop—the 23-colored earth—and you don’t mind that each place is a timed visit.

Skip it (or at least temper expectations) if you hate fast transitions. This is not a slow nature day. It’s a see-it-and-photograph-it day with short walks and lots of viewpoint time. If you’re traveling during calmer weather and you enjoy structure, you’ll probably appreciate how much you get for the money.

FAQ

How long is the Southern Treasures tour?

The tour lasts about 7 to 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:30am.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

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

Do I need to pay for entry at the main attractions?

Entrance is included for Bois Chéri Tea Factory, Twenty-Three Colored Earth, and the waterfall.

Is lunch included, and is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. A 3-course lunch is included, and a vegetarian option is available (also noted as halal).

Are drinks included?

Yes. Non-alcoholic beverages during lunch are included, plus bottled water upon arrival.

Is transportation provided, and is it air-conditioned?

Yes. You travel in a fully air-conditioned vehicle with private transportation.

Do I need a special type of shoes?

You’re advised to wear non-slippery shoes.

Does the tour require good weather?

Yes. The tour requires good weather and may be offered a different date or a full refund if canceled due to poor weather.

Is cancellation free?

Yes. It offers free cancellation, with a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance.

You Might Also Enjoy

Waterfalls Hike, Moinho do Felix with tea plantationLondon: “Here We Go Again” Afternoon Tea BusOsaka: Private Tea Ceremony and Calligraphy ExperienceSweets Making and Kimono Tea Ceremony at Tokyo Maikoya