Southern Gems of Mauritius – Bois Chéri Tea & 23-Colored Earth

Then, 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..

The next stop is Alexandra falls which is Situated some 700m above sea level & is one of the most popular nature sites in Mauritius.

You must have definitely seen many of its pictures on postcards or in videos venting the beauty of Mauritius. Alexandra Falls is indeed one of the most emblematic & popular sites of the island. Famous not only for its breathtaking beauty, Alexandra Falls also offers visitors the chance to live a unique experience with nature.

Once you are there, do not miss the chance to admire and capture on your camera the panoramic view of the South-East Coast with its turquoise ocean. If you want to take in the full view, you can climb up a wooden platform.

On your right is the Alexandra Falls. From where you are, the waterfall looks like a silent white stream cascading over the rocky outcrops. You will also have a plunging look on Mauritius’s virgin green valley which is home to many endemic avian species and flora. You will need nothing more to soothe the eye.

Next, you'll head to the gorge viewpoint which is the best place to have a panoramic stunning view. Midway between Chamarel and Alexandra falls, stop here for a stunning panorama. The vista point is but a 3-5 minute walk from the road and is really quite spectacular. It is a must-stop location during a road trip from Grand Bassin to Le Morne. 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’ll be astonished at how elevated the viewing area is above the gorge below. There is a nice waterfall off to your right.

The national park is famous for its array of endemic flora and fauna and the viewpoint ensures you to have an overview of what it is truly made of.

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, continue to Ganga Talao commonly known as Grand Bassin which is about 550 meters above sea level, located in the mountainous Southwest of Mauritius. This interesting lake, which is housed in the crater of an extinct volcano, is not only absolutely gorgeous and serene, it’s considered to be a sacred lake. On the shoreline sits a temple along with a collection of small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva & other gods.

During your visit, 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 with a healthy population of fish in the lake.

Begin your 8 hours tour with a hotel pick-up at your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. You will meet & be greeted by our guide and after boarding to your comfortable vehicle, then set off for your first stop.  

Firstly, you'll head to the Bois Chéri Tea factory. A guide will lead you through the factory & the tea plantation, offering you to discover the history, stories, and tales of the Bois Chéri and the importance of tea productions in Mauritius.

After the guided tour of the tea factory, you will visit the tea production museum learning more about the history of tea in Mauritius.

The Bois Chéri offers a great panoramic view of the south of the island. Nowadays Bois Chéri produces a new range of flavored teas, green teas & herbal teas. You may taste them during your visit.

Your visit to the Bois Chéri plantation includes:

• A guided tour of the Bois Cheri tea factory
• Visit the tea museum
• Visit the tea plantation
• A tea tasting with a panoramic view of the flora & fauna

After a few minutes of driving, we will go through the Souillac village where you will be able to see the culture of this magnificent village.

Then, you'll head to Gris Gris where you will have a great viewpoint on the cliffs & 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.

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 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.

After some time, you'll visit undoubtedly the beautiful single-drop waterfall in Mauritius, the Chamouny Waterfall is a striking piece of nature standing amid dense vegetation.

This waterfall is definitely the most famous & recognized waterfalls in Mauritius and as such has always been the main attraction for tourists & if you are one, you simply cannot afford to miss the magnificent & “best waterfalls in Mauritius”!