Explore Mauritius – south tour
Discover the raw beauty of Mauritius on this Wild South expedition. Far from the sandy beaches of the North, the South offers a dramatic landscape of dormant volcanoes, sacred lake, roaring waterfalls, and lush tropical gorges.
overview
Itinerary summary
Option 1: The Classic South
Trou aux Cerfs
⏱ Recommended: ~30 MinsDormant Volcanic Crater Start with a breath of fresh air at this lush, green crater 605m above sea level. Enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Rempart Mountain.
Island Winery
⏱ Recommended: 45 Mins – 1 HrLychee Wine Tasting Discover the only winery dedicated exclusively to lychee wine. Includes a guided tour explaining the winemaking process followed by a tasting.
Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao)
⏱ Recommended: 20 MinsSacred Lake & Temples A serene crater lake surrounded by colorful Hindu temples and the giant 108ft Shiva statue.
Alexandra Falls Viewpoint
⏱ Recommended: 20 MinsValley & Ocean Views A breathtaking lookout in Plaine Champagne. See the waterfall cascading into the deep valley with the ocean visible in the distance.
Gorges Viewpoint
⏱ Recommended: 20 MinsNational Park Panorama The most famous viewpoint of the National Park, offering spectacular panoramic views over the endless green canopy.
Chamarel Waterfalls
⏱ Recommended: 30 MinsHighest Waterfall (100m) Descend into Chamarel village to see the island’s highest waterfall, a dramatic single drop plunging into an amphitheater of vegetation.
Lunch Time
⏱ FlexibleLocal Flavors Try “Le Chamarel Restaurant” for upscale views or “Palais de Barbizon” for authentic local vibes.
Rhumerie de Chamarel
⏱ Recommended: 45 MinsDistillery & Rum Tasting Enjoy a guided tour of the copper columns and a tasting of their agricultural rums (Vanilla, Coffee, Spices).
Option 2: Wild South & Heritage
La Vanille Nature Park
⏱ Recommended: 1.5 – 2 HrsGiant Tortoises & Crocodiles Walk through lush rainforest trails to meet the giant Aldabra Tortoises and Nile Crocodiles. Don’t miss the insectarium with its rare butterfly collection.
Gris Gris Beach
⏱ Recommended: 30 – 45 MinsThe Rugged Coast Experience the raw power of the Indian Ocean. Unlike the north, there is no coral reef here, allowing waves to crash dramatically against the “Roche qui Pleure” (Weeping Rock).
Lunch at St Aubin
⏱ FlexibleColonial Dining Enjoy a traditional Mauritian lunch (Chicken Vanilla is a specialty) in the setting of a historic colonial manor.
Domaine de St Aubin
⏱ Recommended: 1 Hr 15 MinsColonial Heritage & Vanilla Explore this beautiful estate built in 1819. Visit the “Maison de la Vanille” to learn how vanilla is processed, tour the rum distillery, and stroll through the tropical gardens.
The Secret Bridge Viewpoint
⏱ Recommended: 15 MinsA Hidden Gem from 1878 A quick but spectacular photo stop. Gaze upon a historic engineering marvel that spans a lush, green ravine with a cascading waterfall in the background.
Gorges Viewpoint
Chamarel Waterfalls
Island Winery in Mare aux Vacoas
Wine Tasting
La Vanille Nature Park
Trou aux Cerfs
- Island Winery in Mare aux Vacoas
- La Vanille Nature Park
- Trou aux Cerfs
- Wine Tasting
- Chamarel Waterfalls
- Gorges Viewpoint
South Tour Itineraries
option 1: the Classic south
Your driver picks you up. We head towards the central plateau ascending towards the cooler climate of Curepipe.
We start with a breath of fresh air at this dormant volcanic crater. Located 605m above sea level, it offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the island.
- Description: A lush, green crater filled with pine trees and a small lake.
- Highlights: Panoramic views of Rempart Mountain and the Port Louis-Moka range.
- Recommended time: ~30 minutes.
Just a short drive away in Mare aux Vacoas, discover the only winery dedicated exclusively to lychee wine.
- Description: A boutique winery offering a unique tasting experience of wines made from local lychees.
- Highlights: A guided tour explaining the winemaking process followed by a tasting session.
- Recommended Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour.
We travel deeper into the mountains to the island’s most sacred site.
- Description: A serene crater lake surrounded by colorful Hindu temples and statues, including the giant 108ft Shiva statue.
- Highlights: The spiritual atmosphere, the giant statues of Shiva and Durga, and the monkeys playing around the lake.
- Recommended time: 20 minutes.
Driving through the Plaine Champagne region, we stop at this breathtaking lookout.
- Description: A stunning viewpoint where you can see the waterfall cascading into the deep valley, with the ocean in the distance.
- Recommended time: 20 minutes.
A few minutes further, we reach the most famous viewpoint of the National Park.
- Description: A spectacular panoramic view over the endless green canopy of the Black River Gorges, home to endemic birds and flora.
- Recommended time: 20 minutes.
We descend the winding road into the village of Chamarel to see the island’s highest waterfall (100m drop).
- Description: A dramatic single-drop waterfall plunging into an amphitheater of tropical vegetation.
- Recommended Time: 30 minutes.
Your driver can recommend a local restaurant in the village.
- Suggestion: Try “Le Chamarel Restaurant” for upscale views or “Palais de Barbizon” for authentic local vibes.
We end the day with a visit to this working distillery.
- Description: One of the few distilleries in the world to cultivate its own sugarcane for rum production. The beautiful grounds and copper columns are a sight to behold.
- Highlights: Guided tour of the distillation process and a tasting of their agricultural rums (Vanilla, Coffee, Spices).
- Recommended Time: 45 minutes.
option 2: Wild south & heritage
Depart from any hotel/Airbnb. Pickup times generally range between 8:30-9:00 a.m., depending on your location.
You start the day immersing yourselves in the lush, tropical valley of the south. This reserve is best known for its successful conservation efforts and its diverse population of animals. It is a fantastic stop for nature lovers and families alike.
- The Experience: Walk through the luxuriant vegetation where you can encounter giant Aldabra Tortoises in open enclosures—you can even feed and pet them.
- Highlights: The park is home to thousands of Nile Crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, and one of the world’s largest private collections of butterflies and insects (The Insectarium).
- Recommended time: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Leaving the park, we head to the southernmost point of the island near Souillac. Unlike the calm lagoons of the north and west, here the coral reef is interrupted, allowing the powerful waves of the Indian Ocean to crash directly against the rugged black cliffs.
- Scenic Views: A dramatic contrast to the rest of the island’s beaches. It offers a spectacular view of the open ocean.
- Must-See: A short walk along the cliff path leads to the “Roche qui Pleure” (Weeping Rock), where the crashing waves resemble tears running down the cliff face.
- Recommended time: 30 – 45 minutes.
A short drive takes you back in time to this charming colonial estate built in 1819. It was once the residence of the sugar estate owners and remains one of the best-preserved examples of colonial architecture on the island.
- The Experience: Explore the “Maison de la Vanille” to learn how the aromatic vanilla bean is processed, visit the Anthurium greenhouse, and tour the artisanal rum distillery for a tasting.
- Lunch: Enjoy a traditional Mauritian lunch in the main colonial house. The estate is famous for its “Chicken with Vanilla” dish and fresh palm heart salad.
- Recommended time: 2 hours (includes lunch and estate visit).
Our final stop is a hidden gem often missed by standard tours. We pull over for a quick but breathtaking view of a historic engineering marvel built in 1878.
- The View: The bridge spans a deep, lush ravine with a beautiful waterfall cascading in the background.
- Photo Op: This is one of the most unique photo spots in the south, combining history with raw nature.
- Recommended time: 15 minutes.
