The Gorgeous South of Mauritius: Full-day tour incl Tea Factory & Crocodile park
Highlights
Group Tour
8 Hours
EASY
French, English, Hindi
Description
You will explore the southwest of Mauritius on this 8 hours private tour including Crocodile Park which is home to various species of animals, reptiles & plants set in a big rainforest valley.Then, drive to Bois-Cheri Tea Factory to visit the tea production.
Next, you'll stop at Gris-Gris which is popular for its sea cliffs & gigantic waves
Then, stop at Mare Aux Vacoas to admire the panoramic view of the oldest reservoir.Afterward, continue to Trou Aux Cerfs to see the Lush Green Dormant Volcano.
Later, you'll enjoy a 3-course lunch & continue to Maconde viewpoint to see the panoramic view of the ocean.You'll pass by the Chamarel village & stop at the Chamarel viewpoint for a 360-degree view of the West.
Then drive to the Gorge Viewpoint to see the panoramic unparalleled beauty of the deep dense forest.Afterward, head to Alexandra Fall where the surroundings of the waterfalls depict a real jungle book & finally stop at Grand Bassin to see the iconic statue of Lord Shiva.
Itinerary
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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 [sensitive content]wadays 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
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Next, you'll head to the La Vanille crocodile park where you will discover the flora and fauna endemic to Mauritius.You will get the chance to observe these animals in the reserve (according to the animal welfare act); Nile Crocodiles, tenrecs, eels, iguanas, and turtles from Madagascar and Seychelles.
You will be introduced to a collection of fossils of animals that are now extinct in Mauritius and surrounding islands such as the dodo and the elephant bird of Madagascar.You will get the opportunity to learn about insects as well since La Vanille Nature Park also has an insectarium with a rare collection of species from various locations around the world.
The Park spreads over 3.5 hectares in the south of the island and houses many other animals that you will have a chance to see from monkeys, bats, deers, geckos, wild boars, and carp to name a few.The site is also home to 2000 Nile crocodiles where you can observe them at different stages of their growth.
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Afterward, heading to Souillac to see the astounding view of Gris-Gris.The appeal of Gris-Gris lies in its scenery, the high cliffs here drop abruptly to the sea and the refreshing winds of the Indian Ocean blow all year round.
Far away from the idyllic setting of calm seas and the tranquil scenery, is the Gris Gris beach.Gris-Gris is well known for its sea cliffs and offers visitors a magnificent view from the top.This is definitely a sight worth seeing.Coral reefs do not surround this part of the island, which allows large waves to crash directly on the cliffs.
You will have a great viewpoint on the cliffs and 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.
‘Roche Qui Pleure’ where if you look at the rock from the right angle, it will appear as a face with tears constantly streaming down, as the waves continually crash.
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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.
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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 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.
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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.
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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.
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After some time, continue to Ganga Talao (commonly known as Grand Bassin is a crater lake, about 550 meters above sea level, located in the mountainous Southwest of Mauritius.On the shoreline sits a temple along with a collection of small shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and other gods.
During your visit to this sacred site, 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.
Your south-west full-day scenic tour ends with return transport to your hotel.
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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.
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Afterward, heading 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.
What's Included
What's Excluded
Know Before You Go
Please Note
state or email us your hotel or accommodation location at the time of booking.Our representative will meet you at the reception.You will recognize him by his uniform and the "Freshverde Holiday badge.
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.