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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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”!

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

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.