South-West of Mauritius Private Full-Day Scenic Tour with Lunch

About this experience

Explore the southwest of Mauritius on this 7 hour private scenic tour with a journey at Trou aux Cerfs, a lush green dormant volcanic crater offering beautiful panoramic views.

Continue to Mare aux Vacoas, the island’s largest reservoir, peacefully surrounded by dense forest landscapes. Visit the sacred crater lake of Grand Bassin, one of Mauritius’ most important spiritual landmarks.

Next, discover Alexandra Falls, where cascading waters flow through tropical vegetation, creating spectacular jungle-like scenery. Enjoy breathtaking vistas over deep valleys at the Gorges Viewpoint before heading to Bassin Blanc, a tranquil crater lake hidden within thick forest.

Savor a Mauritian lunch before visiting the famous Twenty-Three Coloured Earth, renowned for its naturally multi-colored volcanic dunes. Continue to Chamouze Waterfall, an impressive single-drop cascade.

Conclude your adventure at Gris-Gris, where powerful waves crash dramatically against rugged coastal cliffs.

Schedule

Start times: 08:30

1. Stop 1 · 35 min

   Discover the spectacular southwest of Mauritius on this unforgettable private full-day scenic tour, accompanied by your expert local guide. From volcanic craters and sacred lakes to waterfalls, lush forests, colorful landscapes, and dramatic coastal cliffs, this experience showcases some of the island’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Your journey begins at the famous Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater surrounded by lush greenery and offering panoramic views across Mauritius. Continue through scenic mountain roads toward Mare aux Vacoas, the island’s largest reservoir, peacefully nestled within dense forest landscapes.

2. Stop 2 · 20 min

   Continue toward Mare aux Vacoas, the largest freshwater reservoir in Mauritius. Nestled within dense forest landscapes, the peaceful lake and refreshing mountain atmosphere create a tranquil stop perfect for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts. 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.

3. Stop 3 · 45 min

   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.

4. Stop 4 · 40 min

   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.

5. Stop 5 · 35 min

   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.

6. Stop 6 · 1 h

   The scenic route that leads to Bassin Blanc in Mauritius is a breathtaking journey through the island's lush and verdant forests. The road winds its way through dense vegetation, offering stunning views of the natural beauty that Mauritius has to offer. The most impressive feature of the road is the almost 180-degree bend that it takes at one point, providing a dramatic and exhilarating experience for those who travel along it. The photography of this scenic route captures the essence of Mauritius' natural beauty. The dense and lush forest provides a canopy of greenery over the road, creating a sense of serenity and tranquility for those who pass through it. The tall trees and dense underbrush offer glimpses of the vibrant wildlife that calls this forest home, with birds chirping and small mammals scurrying about in the undergrowth.

7. Stop 7 · 45 min

   Next, you'll visit the Twenty-Three 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 while the Coffee shop is a happy cafe experience.

8. Stop 8 · 35 min

   Undoubtedly the beautiful single-drop waterfall in Mauritius, the Chamouny Waterfall is a striking piece of nature standing amid dense vegetation. The Chamouny 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”!

9. Stop 9 · 1 h

   Being located in the middle of the south coast of the island, it is surrounded by a still wild and preserved nature that you can discover with pleasure for example during hiking. Far from the turquoise and calm waters of the lagoons, Souillac and its coastline will surprise you with their waves that you will not find anywhere else in Mauritius! 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.

10. Stop 10 · 40 min

    The appeal of Gris Gris lies in it scenery, the high cliffs here drop abruptly to the sea and the refreshing winds of the Indian Ocean blow all year round. Gris-Gris is well known for its sea cliffs and offers visitors a magnificent view from the top. Coral reefs do not surround this part of the island, which allows large waves to crash directly on the cliffs, creating big splashes of water. You will have a great viewpoint on the cliffs and will see the crashing of waves against the flanks. There is a small garden offering many quiet spots for you to relax on one of the many benches, while having a view of the sea, waves and rock cliffs. From the garden, a path leads to a small beach where you can admire the view of the sea up close. Despite the white sandy beach, the waves and currents are extremely strong, so it is not advised to swim, but rather to have a stroll, admiring the view. Your south-west full-day scenic tour ends with return transport to your hotel.

Requirements & restrictions

• Ages: Infants 1–3, Children 4–9, Youth 10–17, Adults 18–65, Seniors 66–99 years

Good to know

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Vegetarian meals available – please request when booking
• Children 3 years & under are free; notify if a infant seat is needed
• Inform us of any food allergies or illnesses
• Wear non-slip shoes and comfortable clothes

Meeting point

Hotel pickup or an exact meeting point in Mauritius, confirmed after booking.

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Guest rating