Southern Mauritius Full-Day Tour — Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Chamarel 23-Colored Earth & La Vanille Crocodile Park

Chamarel•easy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

7–8 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for most fitness levels; involves short walks and viewing-platform stairs rather than sustained hiking.

Overview

Spend a full day exploring southern Mauritius—from the volcanic rim of Trou aux Cerfs and the sacred waters of Grand Bassin to Chamarel’s surreal 23-Colored Earth and the crocodiles at La Vanille. This private tour packs geology, culture and wildlife into a single, manageable itinerary.

Southern Mauritius Full-Day Tour — Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Chamarel 23-Colored Earth & La Vanille Crocodile Park

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Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Nov 6

Travelers

You step out of the air-conditioned van to the smell of wet earth and sea-spray—an island morning that changes with every stop. The driver waves you toward Trou aux Cerfs first: a sleeping giant’s rim at roughly 605 meters above sea level, its bowl-cut crater stretching 350 meters across and plunging nearly 100 meters. From the rim the island fans away in all directions; rivers and ridgelines pull the eye toward port towns and the distant reef. Nature here has a voice: the wind argues with the crater’s trees, the clouds push and fold over the mountain range.

Adventure Photos

Southern Mauritius Full-Day Tour — Trou aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin, Chamarel 23-Colored Earth & La Vanille Crocodile Park photo 1

Adventure Tips

Start early

Traffic and crowds are lighter in the morning; start at Trou aux Cerfs for the clearest 360° views.

Non-slip footwear

Wear shoes with grip for cliff-top viewpoints and wet boardwalks near waterfalls.

Hydrate and pace

Carry a refillable water bottle; the tour covers several microclimates and a 3-course lunch break.

Respect wildlife enclosures

Observe animals at La Vanille from a distance and follow park rules to minimize stress to the animals.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Nile crocodile (La Vanille captive population)
Mauritius kestrel and endemic forest birds in Black River Gorges

History

Grand Bassin is a major Hindu pilgrimage site built around a crater lake; Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcanic crater shaped by the island’s volcanic origin.

Conservation

Black River Gorges is a protected reserve focused on reforestation and endemic species recovery; visitors should stick to paths to avoid disturbing fragile habitats.