Exotic South: Journey into the Nature (Full-Day Tour incl Lunch & Ebony Forest)

based on 38 reviews

Duration:7 hours to 8 hours (approx.)
Location: Trou d'Eau Douce, Mauritius

From $

Book in 2 easy steps:

1. Select A Date

2. Enter Total No Of Travellers

Infant (Age : 1 to 3)

CHILD (Age : 5 to 10)

YOUTH (Age : 11 to 17)

ADULT (Age : 18 to 65)

SENIOR (Age : 66 to 99)

Free Cancellation

Upto 24 hours in Advance.

Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Top Selling Tours & Activities

Shore Excursions

Private Sightseeing Tours

Full-day Tours

Luxury Car Tours

Car Tours

Private and Luxury

Bus Tours

Nature and Wildlife Tours

Day Trips

4WD Tours

Adventure Tours

Ports of Call Tours

PRODUCT DETAILS
TRAVELER REVIEWS
TRAVELER PHOTOS

You will explore the southwest of Mauritius on this 8-hours private tour including a visit to the Lush Green Dormant Volcano named Trou Aux Cerfs which is a highly popular attraction. Next, you will stop at Mare Aux Vacoas reservoir for a great panoramic review of the lake

Next head to Grand Bassin to visit the Hindu Temple & gigantic statue of Lord Shiva. Then head to Alexandra fall to see the views, the waterfall & its dense valley. Afterward, head to Gorge Viewpoint to see the panoramic view of the flora & fauna.

Later, you will enjoy a 3-course lunch & then continue to Seven Colored Earth which is unique because of its multi-colored sand. Then continue to Chamarel waterfall which is the tallest single-drop waterfall

Afterward, continue to Ebony Forest Nature to enjoy a 4x4 jeep drive through the forest to visit the ancient Ebony forest & stop for breathtaking views. Finally, stop at Chamarel viewpoint & Maconde viewpoint for a stunning view.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Trou aux Cerfs
Begin your 8 hours southwest private tour with a hotel pick-up anywhere in Mauritius. You will meet & be greeted by our certified guide and after boarding to 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.
2.
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.
3. Grand Bassin
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.
4. Alexandra Falls
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.
5. Black River Gorges National Park
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.
6. Chamarel
After a few minutes of driving, we will go through the Chamarel village where you will be able to see the culture of this magnificent village which is completely different from other villages in Mauritius. 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.
7. Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark
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.
8. Chamarel Waterfalls
After some time, you'll visit 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, or, below itself. The Chamarel falls are 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”!
9. Ebony Forest Reserve
Afterward, continue to Ebony forest nature reserve where you will discover the endemic flora and fauna of Mauritius through an exciting Discovery Tour at the Ebony Forest while cruising in a jeep. You might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the rare birds, including the Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher. Highlights of this visit: - Visit the ancient Ebony forest and see some of the rarest plants in Mauritius - Encounter the local fauna including Aldrabra tortoises and rare birds - Enjoy a guided tour of the forest by taking a hike or taking a drive - Gentle trail through the forest or for the adventurous climb to the summit of Piton Canot - Stunning views of the UNESCO Le Morne site, the coast and mountain ranges - Embark on a history trip at the reserve’s museum - Learn about the reserves’ conservation efforts at the plant nursery - 4x4 jeep through the forest - hop on hop off at points of interest
10. Baie du Cap
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.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Jack_E
We enjoyed our journey. Saw quite a bit of the island. Lunch was good. Our driver/guide was good and gave us information about the island.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-19 12:57:49

Posted By : deniserP2489QP
We expected much of this trip and we were not disappointed. We liked most the well guided ebony forest tour with the view towards the Morne Brabant. Lunch was good. Many thanks also to our pleasant and skillfull driver!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-25 23:06:13

Posted By : reetoorazk
I highly recommend Freshverde Holidays. I had the best trip ever with my friends. The guide was very entertaining. We enjoyed all sightseeing and zero difficulty faced. In addition to that the team was so so supportive, they explain everything clearly. They made our days memorable. Thanks a lot keep it up.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-23 02:26:47

Posted By : michaelrU6058WR
I had high hopes for this tour based on the reviews and the website’s description, but I was left quite disappointed. The guide seemed uninterested and often provided misinformation. We felt rushed at several points and missed out on key attractions. Additionally, the group size was much larger than promised, which made it hard to hear and interact with the guide. I’d suggest looking elsewhere for a more fulfilling and accurate tour experience.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-10-17 17:21:18

Posted By : ross_h
We had a great day out. Our driver manu was very friendly and helpful. We saw all the sites…. Some through the mist as the weather was a little mixed on the day but we made the most of it. The sun came out for our 4x4 tour of the ebony forest. Staff were very passionate about their work. Luckily we saw the seven colours in the afternoon as it dried up enough to show the soil colours. I’d recommend walking all around so you get to see the brilliant colours. They don’t show from some angles.
All in all a very good day out.
One suggestion to improve is to offer a choice of restaurant for lunch. We ate at a local place which was fine (interesting!) but then as we drove off after lunch, passed a fantastic mountain top restaurant with panoramic views. We’d of happily paid extra to add that to our experience.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-07-11 00:40:25

Posted By : LeonR1138
We did the Exotic South day trip with Daren Ramsami, including visits to the dormant volcano in Curepipe, the majestic statues of Bandhi matha, Shivji and the surrounding temples, viewing of the reservoir at Mare aux Vacaos, Alexandra falls viewing point, very satisfying lunch at Resto Saveur Tropical, Guided tour of the Ebony Forest, stunning viewing point at Sublime, Seven coloured sands and the waterfall at the end. Daren was patient, friendly, knowledgeable and a great driver. He shared his knowledge of the island with us and was an excellent companion throughout the day. I would highly recommend Daren as a driver.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-12-30 10:15:21

Posted By : Mohand_G
The trip was very enjoyable and memorable. Had a great time with the tour guide and everyone. Recommended!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-12-23 12:37:08

Posted By : Y3426EVandrewy
We had a super day on this tour with our guide Irshaad. He met us promptly at the port gate and explained the itinerary. He had no problem altering it around to suit us. During the visits to the attractions he never hurried us and was courteous and friendly at all times. Lunch was excellent - a very tasty and filling 3 course meal. Loved the caramelised banana with ice cream! Irshaad drove carefully at all times, particularly on the steep winding roads that form a large part of this tour. At the end, Irshaad asked us if there was anything else we would like to see, and we asked if we could visit the Citadel on the way back. Even though we had already had our 8 hours, Irshaad agreed without hesitation and drove us there and spent more time with us. We would thoroughly recommend Irshaad as a tour guide.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-11-14 13:14:45

Posted By : Andrew_Y
We had a super day on this tour. Our guide Irshaad met us promptly at the port gate and explained the itinerary. He was very flexible when we wanted to change the order of it. He gave us a lot of useful information and never hurried us at any of the attractions on the tour. He drove carefully at all times, particularly on the many steep winding roads and was always courteous and friendly. At the end of the tour Irshaad asked us if there was anything else we wanted to see and we asked if we could visit the Citadel - and even though we had had the full 8 hours he unhesitatingly drove us up to the Citadel and spent time with us there. We would thoroughly recommend Irshaad for a guide.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-11-14 12:45:06

Posted By : frankjattke
The trip was very well organised. The service was good and we enjoyed the individual attention. We could see all what we expected and without any time pressure. A bit unexpected was how many stairs we had to climb during the tour in the Ebony forest. For people with difficulties walking this is definitely a little challenge. But it was interesting anyways and the view from the Chamarel view point was worth the way!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-11-12 02:10:54

Retrieving available

Tickets

Exotic South: Journey into the Nature (Full-Day Tour incl Lunch & Ebony Forest)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Trou aux Cerfs

2.

3. Grand Bassin

4. Alexandra Falls

5. Black River Gorges National Park

6. Chamarel

7. Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark

8. Chamarel Waterfalls

9. Ebony Forest Reserve

10. Baie du Cap

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

Retrieving available

Tickets

Exotic South: Journey into the Nature (Full-Day Tour incl Lunch & Ebony Forest)

WHAT'S INCLUDED ⟱

WHAT TO EXPECT ⟱

1. Trou aux Cerfs

2.

3. Grand Bassin

4. Alexandra Falls

5. Black River Gorges National Park

6. Chamarel

7. Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark

8. Chamarel Waterfalls

9. Ebony Forest Reserve

10. Baie du Cap

ADDITIONAL INFO ⟱

CANCELLATION POLICY ⟱

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY