South-West of Mauritius Private Full-Day Scenic Tour

Begin your 7-8 hours southwest scenic tour with a hotel pick-up anywhere in Mauritius. You will meet & be greeted by our certified guide and after boarding in your comfortable vehicle, then set off for your first stop. You'll be heading to Trou Aux Cerfs which is one of the famous natural tourist attractions in Mauritius. The dormant volcanic crater is around 605 meters above sea level, with a diameter of 350 meters & a depth of around 100 meters. Unlike the typical volcanic features, Trou aux Cerfs’ crater is surrounded by a vast area of lush forest consisting of indigenous plant species and some giant green pine trees. It is believed that the Trou aux Cerfs erupted once and has remained dormant for the last 700 000 years; experts believe that there is a potential chance for it to become active again. Definitely, one of the main highlights is the 360-degree view of the town, Curepipe & the majestic view of Rempart Mountain, Trois Mamelles, and the Port-Louis- Moka mountain range.

Afterward, head to Mare Aux Vacoas reservoir which has the honor of being the largest reservoir on the island with a capacity of almost 26 million cubic meters and is simultaneously a rather popular stop for tourists visiting the south of the island. Although nothing as fancy as the other attractions in Mauritius, Mare aux Vacoas is a gem hidden between lines of thick forests. It is the perfect place to spend a relaxing few minutes away from the usual hustle and bustle of the country. The reservoir even offers a rather amazing view worth several clicks.

After some time, continue to Ganga Talao (commonly known as Grand Bassin is a crater lake, about 550 meters above sea level, located in the mountainous Southwest of Mauritius. On the shoreline sits a temple along with a collection of small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other gods. During your visit to this sacred site, you will inevitably be awestruck by the gigantic statue of Lord Shiva. However, fear not about your doom, at Grand Bassin you will find the Hindu God Lord Shiva, smiling and as peaceful as ever. The statue is 33 meters high & is the highest known statue in Mauritius. Ganga Talao is a major draw of crowds in Mauritius, with many people visiting the site to pray meditate, or simply to walk by the lake and enjoy the gorgeous surrounding views. The lake of Ganga Talao is thought to be around 18 meters deep and is teeming with a healthy population of fish and eels.

Afterward, travel to Alexandra fall, where you will admire the cloud forest of Mt Cocotte & the waterfall along with the view down to the south coast. If you love waterfalls as much as we do, this is a “not-to-be-missed”! Alexandra Falls is hidden in the deep jungle of the Black River Gorges & is something out of a movie scene! Strolling around this wondrously imaginative setting is indeed something unique ! The allure of falling water; surrounded by the lush greenery, to the sounds of local bird species and other creatures are perfect continual motions that drive us as humans to mentally relax at the sight of Alexandra Falls. Do not miss the chance to admire and capture on your camera the panoramic view of the South Coast with its turquoise ocean. The surroundings of the waterfalls depict a real jungle book and promise tranquility and peacefulness while you enjoy one of the best places to see in Mauritius.

Next, you'll head to Gorge Viewpoint, where you will stop for a stunning panoramic view of the endless green stretches. Amidst the unspoiled rainforest of Mauritius, there are almost 17,000 acres of rolling hills, deep valleys, spectacular waterfalls and unparalleled beauty of flora and fauna in the southwestern region. You will be amazed to discover how high the viewing area is from the gorge. On the right side of the viewpoint, you can see a breathtaking waterfall. The path leading to the viewpoint has a unique ambiance of its own with some souvenir stalls. Besides, on your way, you might come across a group of monkeys that come and greet you as a sign of welcome The Black River Gorges Nature Reserve was constructed in order to save the natural vegetation of the island and make it one of the most important Mauritian sights. The Black River Gorges National park protects most of the island's remaining rainforest and is home to many species of wild animals and birds.

Then, you'll head to see the astounding Chamarel Viewpoint which is a family-friendly spot for you to get an amazing panoramic view of the whole Chamarel village laid beneath your eyes. From there, you will see the lush greenery and the turquoise waters of the southwest coast with Le Morne Brabant to the left and La Tourelle du Tamarin to the right. We recommend you to bring along a pair of sunglasses and a camera, in order to capture the splendid view of the green hilly region as well as an aerial view of Ile Aux Benitiers. Afterward, you'll head to a local restaurant to savor a 3-course Mauritian lunch comprising fresh Salads, Rice, Soups, chicken curry, or fish and vegetables. You will have a choice and the chef will explain to you and ask you about your preferred choice.

Next, you'll visit the seven-colored earth which is a natural phenomenon & a prominent tourist attraction. The colors evolved through the conversion of basaltic lava to clay minerals. An almost surreal, lunar-like spectacle of rainbow-hued sand dunes unfolds before your eyes, leaving you utterly mesmerized. Set in the middle of lush green vegetation, this unique geological oddity is one of those amazing creations of nature that just make you go “Wow”. It is a relatively big area of sand dunes comprising sand of seven distinct colors approximately red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple & yellow. And what is more fascinating is the fact that if you mix the colored earth together, they'll eventually settle into separate layers. You may also be puzzled as the colors might play tricks on you & may appear to be shadows There is also a Tortoise Park & Souvenir Shop offering an array of memorabilia, including local products from Chamarel while the Coffee shop is a happy cafe experience.

Undoubtedly the tallest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius at about 100m high, the Chamarel Waterfall is a striking piece of nature standing amid dense vegetation. Fed by the waters of three distinct streams pouring into Saint-Denis River, it has a powerful rush with a peak flow rate in excess of 40,000 m³ per minute. The St. Denis rivers flow through fields, gorges, and green spaces seawards and makes for a splendid view. Overhanging the ledge of a basalt cliff, the Chamarel Waterfall splashes into an oval pool before flowing down a 6km tropical-forest-fringed canyon to Baie du Cap. Tourists can choose to see the waterfalls from the upper deck situated at the Chamarel Seven Colored Earth reserve, or, below itself. The Chamarel falls are definitely the most famous and recognized waterfalls in Mauritius and as such has always been the main attraction for tourists and if you are one, you simply cannot afford to miss the magnificent and “best waterfalls in Mauritius”!

Next, you'll head to Maconde viewpoint to admire the panoramic view of the remarkable ocean. You will feel like "you are in the middle of the ocean." Between Le Morne and Baie du Cap is where you will be able to witness a stunning coastal view from up above on the Maconde View Point. The viewpoint can be accessed by climbing up a set of narrow stairs. Here you will be able to admire the remarkable ocean, the nearby coastal village, and the occasional fishermen on the shore. Afterward, we will pass by Riviere des Galets where you will get to see the flat stone rock which is unique in Mauritius Your south-west full-day scenic tour ends with return transport to your hotel.